MotionLink
MotionLink
Unlock professional-grade head motion tracking with your AirPods
Table of Contents
Introduction
MotionLink is a powerful iOS application that leverages Apple's Headphone Motion API (introduced in iOS 16) to capture and display real-time head tracking data from your AirPods Pro.
Whether you're a:
- 📱 iOS Developer building spatial audio experiences
- 🧪 Researcher studying human head movement
- 🎮 Game Developer creating head-controlled interfaces
- 🎧 Audio Enthusiast exploring spatial audio
- 🧑💻 Maker integrating head tracking into projects
—MotionLink gives you direct access to the same head motion data that powers Apple's Spatial Audio with Dynamic Head Tracking.
Features Overview
Core Features
| Feature | Description | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Real-Time Tracking | Live display of yaw, pitch, roll at up to 100Hz | Visual feedback, gaming |
| Quaternion Output | Full 4-component quaternion (x, y, z, w) | Robotics, VR/AR development |
| CSV Recording | Timestamp + rotation data to CSV files | Research, data analysis |
| Data Export | Share via Email, AirDrop, or save to Files | Python, R, MATLAB analysis |
| Connection Monitor | Live AirPods connection status | Debugging, UX |
| Permission Manager | Built-in motion permission handling | User onboarding |
Advanced Features
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ HEAD TRACKING DATA │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ YAW (Heading) │ -180° ──── 0° ──── +180° │
│ PITCH (Nick) │ -90° ──── 0° ──── +90° │
│ ROLL (Tilt) │ -90° ──── 0° ──── +90° │
│ │
│ QUATERNION │ x: 0.000 y: 0.000 z: 0.000 w: 1.000 │
│ FREQUENCY │ ~60-100 Hz (device dependent) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Getting Started
Prerequisites
- ✅ iPhone or iPad running iOS 16.0 or later
- ✅ Supported AirPods (see below)
- ✅ Bluetooth enabled on your device
- ✅ Motion permissions granted (prompted on first launch)
Quick Start Guide
To manually enable permissions:
Settings → Privacy & Security → Motion → MotionLink → Allow
To start, simply open the app, wait for the "AirPods Connected" status, and tap Start Tracking.
Supported Devices
✅ iOS Devices
| Device | Minimum iOS |
|---|---|
| iPhone 14 / 14 Pro / 14 Pro Max | iOS 16.0+ |
| iPhone 13 series | iOS 16.0+ |
| iPhone 12 series | iOS 16.0+ |
| iPhone 11 series | iOS 16.0+ |
| iPhone SE (2nd/3rd gen) | iOS 16.0+ |
| iPad Pro (all M-series) | iOS 16.0+ |
| iPad Air (4th gen+) | iOS 16.0+ |
| iPad mini (6th gen+) | iOS 16.0+ |
✅ Supported AirPods
| AirPods Model | Chip | Head Tracking |
|---|---|---|
| AirPods Pro (2nd gen) | H2 | ✅ Full Support |
| AirPods Pro (USB-C) | H2 | ✅ Full Support |
| AirPods Max | H1 | ✅ Full Support |
| AirPods 4 (with ANC) | H2 | ✅ Full Support |
| AirPods Pro (1st gen) | H1 | ❌ Not Supported |
| AirPods (3rd gen) | H1 | ❌ Not Supported |
| AirPods (2nd gen) | H1 | ❌ Not Supported |
| AirPods (1st gen) | W1 | ❌ Not Supported |
Data Export & Analysis
CSV File Format
timestamp,elapsed_seconds,yaw,pitch,roll,quaternion_x,quaternion_y,quaternion_z,quaternion_w
1699876543.123,0.000,0.00,0.00,0.00,0.000000,0.000000,0.000000,1.000000
Troubleshooting Guide
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| No tracking data | AirPods not connected | Reconnect AirPods in Bluetooth settings |
| App shows "Not Supported" | Unsupported AirPods | Use AirPods Pro 2nd gen or newer |
| Data is jumpy | Bluetooth interference | Move closer to your iPhone |
| Permission denied | Motion access disabled | Enable in Settings → Privacy & Security → Motion |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What AirPods do I need for head tracking?
You need AirPods Pro (2nd generation), AirPods Pro (USB-C), AirPods Max, or AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation.
Q: Does this work with AirPods Pro (1st generation)?
No. First-generation AirPods Pro have the H1 chip, which does not support the required Headphone Motion API.
Q: Why are my values always 0.00?
This usually means no audio is playing. Head tracking activates when audio is active. Start a song, podcast, or video to begin receiving data.
Privacy & Security
We are committed to your privacy. The app collects no personal data, includes no third-party analytics, and works entirely offline. All recorded data stays on your device unless you explicitly choose to share it.
Technical Specifications
| Minimum iOS | 16.0 |
| Update Rate | 60-100 Hz (device dependent) |
| Coordinate System | Right-handed, Z-up |
| File Format | CSV (Comma-Separated Values) |
Updates & Roadmap
Current Version: 1.0 (March 2026). Future updates may include iCloud Sync, real-time data graphing, and filtering options.
Get in Touch
- Email: engineer@makersportal.com
- Website: makersportal.com
- App Store: View on App Store
App Screenshots
Settings and permissions screen
Animation of head tracking
⭐ Rate the App
If you find MotionLink useful, please take a moment to rate it on the App Store. Your reviews help us reach more users and continue improving the app!
