A Step-by-step Guide on How to Use the Measure App
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A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Use the Measure App
Cant find your ruler? No worries, you can use the Measure app on your iPhone instead. Apple's Measure app is an often-overlooked built-in app in an iOS device. Released with iOS 12 in 2018, the Measure app uses augmented reality (AR) to act as a ruler to estimate objects in its surroundings. Below, we'll guide you on maximizing the app's various functions to help you with your measurement needs. Accessing the Measure App
The Measure app is pre-installed on Apple devices. If you deleted it, simply download it for free from the . Also, make sure that your device is up to date to benefit from the latest features. The Measure app works on the following devices: iPod Touch (7th generation) or later iPad (5th generation) or later Any iPad Pro Any iPhone SE iPhone 6S or later How to Take Measurements With the Measure App
If you need to measure an object in the real world, grab your iPhone and follow these steps to use the Measure app: Open the Measure app. A prompt will appear on your device, telling you to move it around until a circle with a dot at the center appears. Place the dot over the starting point of the object you intend to measure. Tap the plus button (+). You will see a dotted line emerge from the starting point as you move it along. Move your device to position the dot on the endpoint of the measurement. You will see the measurement as you move the dot. Once positioned, tap the plus button (+) again. After you take the measurement, you will see the broken line between the dots turn into a solid line. You can adjust either of the dots by holding and dragging them. 2 Images You can tap the measurement to see it in centimeters or inches. Copy the measurement by choosing Copy. You can also take a screenshot of the object with the measurements using the shutter button in the bottom-right corner. Note that you cannot use the shutter button if there is no measurement yet, before there is a solid line between the dots. However, you can take a regular screenshot on your iPhone if you still wish to take a photo. How to Take Multiple Measurements
You can take multiple measurements by adding new ones along with any existing measurement. Here's how: After your first measurement, move your iPhone to look for another starting point. Then tap the plus button (+) again. Add another dot on an existing line or start from one of the dots available. Simply tap on the dot or anywhere on a line to add a dot to it. Move your device to take another measurement. If the measurements are not connected, your new measurements will overwrite the previous ones. Your previous measurements will not be saved. How to Measure Rectangular Dimensions
Your iPhone automatically detects and places a measurement box around square or rectangular objects. Tap the plus button (+) to see the length and width of the object. Its area should also appear. If it doesn't, move your camera a little for it to appear. You can also tap the area to see its area in different units. 3 Images Move your device around to check if the dots are appropriately placed, then manually adjust them as necessary if you need to. LiDAR Scanner Features
Apple further enhanced the Measure app with a LiDAR scanner. Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) is a capability added to the iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, and the iPad Pro (2020). It is the black dot about the size of the flash at the back of the device. Also used by self-driving cars, drones, robotics, and pro photographers, LiDAR sends and receives light pulses to gauge distances. It uses time-of-flight to measure the depth and distance between the camera and its nearby surroundings (up to around 5 feet). Not only does this feature improve the speed and focus of iPhone's cameras, but it has dramatically enhanced the Measure app's features. Measurements are more accurate and the app is faster to use. Devices with LiDAR technology have additional features in Measure, including Ruler View, guides, the ability to measure a person's height, and measurement history. How to Measure a Person s Height
To measure a person's height using the LiDAR scanner: Open the Measure app on an iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, or iPad Pro. Keep the person within the camera's view and make sure their whole body is visible. Wait for a line to appear on top of the person's head, showing the height measurement. Tap the shutter button to take a photo of the person with their height. Tap Done once you are finished. Choose between Save to Photos or Save to Files. Go to a place with adequate lighting and ensure that a person's face is easily detectable to get an accurate measurement. Measure will immediately start measuring once it detects a person. You can use it to measure a person sitting or standing. If your device cannot detect the person, try to move back a bit. You will also see prompts on the screen to move farther away or to move closer. If you wish to repeat the measurement, just focus the device elsewhere to reset the measurement. Ruler View
Aside from the usual measurement features, devices with LiDAR also have a Ruler View that can be accessed when you zoom in on a measurement. You simply need to move your device closer to the measurement to see the ruler overlay over the line measurement, where the object's dimension can be seen in granular increments. Guides
Devices with LiDAR will show additional vertical and horizontal guides as you measure objects. The sensor detects edges and shows guides to help you measure them. You can simply tap the plus button (+) anywhere on the guide to start measuring. This feature makes it a lot easier to measure objects than tapping and moving your device around manually. Measurement History
Aside from guides and Ruler View, you can also access your previous measurements and screenshots you took during that measurement session by tapping on the list button in the upper left of the screen. This feature is helpful when you need to measure a series of objects. You can copy them on apps, save them on Notes, or send them on Mail. A Handy Ruler on Your Device
While some measurements can be a few centimeters off, measuring objects using your iPhone is so convenient it's normally worth a small accuracy tradeoff. Thanks to technology enhancements like LiDAR and AR, you don't have to break a sweat just to get a size estimation of objects. Sharing is effortless too!