Various methods and devices are provided for detecting a device connection based on a magnetic signature. In one example, a host device includes a connector configured to connect to a medical sensor device, a magnetic detection unit positioned proximate the connector and including a magnetic field generator and one or more magnetic field detectors, and a memory storing instructions executable by a processor to determine a magnitude of a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator based on output from the one or more magnetic field detectors and in response to detecting a change in the magnitude of magnetic field that is greater than a threshold change, establish a connection with the medical sensor device.
