Answer
Why does my phone's obstruction scan look worse than the running Starlink map?
They are different checks. The phone scan assesses the proposed sky view before installation. Once online, the dish builds a map using actual satellite connections. A difference between them does not, by itself, show that either tool is faulty.
How should I compare them?
Select the correct hardware in the app and scan from the intended mounting position and height. A scan from the lawn is not a direct comparison with a dish mounted elsewhere.
Our practical recommendation is to photograph the test position, leave the dish there long enough to build useful operating data, and record how calls, streaming and games behave. Keep the location consistent during the comparison.
Use the phone scan to shortlist locations and the working connection to assess the result. One good streaming session is not proof that future interruptions are impossible.
Next useful answer
Why the obstruction map takes time to build
Sources
Starlink: checking for obstructions before and after installation
Inspired by a Reddit comparison of a phone scan and a live map. Written independently and checked against Starlink guidance.
Reviewed: 31 October 2026.
