I have exatly the same problem with MSM phone holder and SkySafari 7 Plus in iPhone 12 mini. I am in Northern Hemisphere. Any solutions?
Polar orientation is a critical element in astrophotography when using a tracking device, even with a regular camera and a slightly longer lens. A mobile phone can be used for polar alignment with the apps available for it. However, the phone holder can easily ruin the process. I tried three different holders — two all‑metal models and one inexpensive plastic one with metal springs and rods inside — and none of them allowed accurate polar alignment. The metal interferes with the phone’s compass and other essential sensors, causing the compass reading to be significantly off when the phone is mounted.
To solve this, I designed a cradle‑type phone holder whose base is compatible with the Arca‑Swiss system, and I printed it with a 3D printer. I tested the holder for polar alignment on a wedge without a tracking device, and it did not interfere with the phone’s compass at all. It turned out to be the perfect tool for polar alignment. I no longer use any phone mounts that contain metal for this purpose.
