This disclosure provides devices, computer programs and methods for determining a motion direction. In one aspect, a mobile device includes one or more sensors configured to measure acceleration data in each of one or more directions. The mobile device also includes one or more processors and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, implement a motion direction estimation module. The motion direction estimation module is configured to identify a use case for the mobile device based at least in part on the acceleration data. The motion direction estimation module also is configured to select a set of one or more parameters based on the identified use case. The motion direction estimation module is further configured to calculate an estimated motion direction of the mobile device based on the acceleration data and the respective set of parameters corresponding to the identified use case.