expo-local-gyro

Use your MacBook's gyroscope in iOS Simulator. Works with Expo Go.

Quick Start

1. Install the package

   npm install expo-local-gyro

2. Run MacGyroServer on your Mac

   sudo MacGyroServer

3. Change your import

   // Before
   import { Gyroscope, Accelerometer } from 'expo-sensors';
   // After
   import { Gyroscope, Accelerometer } from 'expo-local-gyro';

   That's it. The API is identical to expo-sensors.

How It Works

expo-local-gyro connects to MacGyroServer via WebSocket (localhost:9877) to receive real IMU data from your MacBook's built-in gyroscope and accelerometer. The data is bridged into your React Native app using the same API as expo-sensors.

If MacGyroServer isn't running, the package automatically falls back to expo-sensors — your app continues to work without changes.

API

Same as expo-sensors Gyroscope and Accelerometer:

• Gyroscope.addListener(callback) — subscribe to gyroscope data
• Gyroscope.setUpdateInterval(ms) — set update frequency
• Gyroscope.isAvailableAsync() — check if sensor is available
• Accelerometer.addListener(callback) — subscribe to accelerometer data
• Accelerometer.setUpdateInterval(ms) — set update frequency
• Accelerometer.isAvailableAsync() — check if sensor is available

All other expo-sensors exports (Barometer, DeviceMotion, Magnetometer, etc.) are re-exported unchanged.

Requirements

• Apple Silicon MacBook (M2 or later) with built-in IMU
• MacGyroServer running with sudo
• iOS Simulator (Xcode)

Note

On Android, web, and real iOS devices, this package is a transparent passthrough to expo-sensors. No WebSocket connection is attempted — it just works as if you imported expo-sensors directly.