Before we get into our hands-on evaluation of stud finders, let’s discover how they’re presupposed to work. First and foremost, not like ghost sensor apps, that are allegedly designed to select up a magical presence, stud finder apps aren’t sensationalized video games or gimmicks disguised as instruments. In many instances, it is a developer critical about their work, and really making an attempt to supply a substitute for the typically pricey handheld stud finder.

Like a phone’s compass app, stud finder apps use the machine’s built-in magnetometer. Most of the big-brand smartphones are geared up with this three-axis sensor, which usually helps the cellphone decide its orientation for capabilities just like the compass app.

When a stud finder app is lively, it makes use of the magnetometer to find steel behind your partitions. As you may guess, this could be more practical in a house with steel studs. However, very like a conventional stud finder, the magnetometer can, in principle, find nails used to safe drywall.