Apple’s Measure app is an often overlooked built-in app in an iOS device. Launched with iOS 12 in 2018, the Measure app uses augmented reality (AR) to act as a ruler to estimate objects in its environment.

Below, we’ll walk you through maximizing the various functions of the app to help you with your measurement needs.

Access the Measure app

The Measure app is preinstalled on Apple devices. If you deleted it, just download it for free from the App Store. Also, make sure your device is up to date for the latest features.

The Measurement application works on the following devices:

• iPod Touch (7th generation) or later

• iPad (5th generation) or later

• All iPad Pro

• All 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:

1. Open the Measured app. A prompt will appear on your device, asking you to move it around until a circle with a dot in the center appears.

2. Place the point on the starting point of the object you want to measure. Press the plus button (+).

3. You will see a dotted line emerge from the starting point as you move it. Move your device to position the point on the end point of the measurement. You will see the measurement when you move the point.

4. Once positioned, press the plus button (+) again.

5. After taking the measurement, you will see the broken line between the points turn into a solid line. You can adjust any of the points by holding them and dragging them.

You can tap the measurement to see it in centimeters or inches. Copy the measure by choosing Copy.

You can also take a screenshot of the object with the measurements using the shutter button in the lower right corner.

Related: Useful Ways to Use the Markup Feature on Your iPhone

Note that you cannot use the trigger if there is no measurement yet, until there is a solid line between the points. However, you can take a regular screenshot on your iPhone if you still want 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:

1. After your first measurement, move your iPhone to find another starting point. Then press the plus button (+) again.

2. Add another point on an existing line or start from one of the available points. Just tap the point or anywhere on a line to add a point to it.

3. Move your device to take another measurement.

If the measurements are not connected, your new measurements will replace the previous ones. Your previous measurements will not be saved.

How to measure rectangular dimensions

Your iPhone automatically detects and places a measurement area around square or rectangular objects.

Press the plus button (+) to see the length and width of the object. Its area should also appear. If not, move your camera slightly so that it appears. You can also tap on the area to see its area in different units.

Move your device to check if the points are placed correctly, then manually adjust them if necessary if necessary.

Features of the LiDAR scanner

Apple has further enhanced the Measure application with a LiDAR scanner. Light Sensing and Telemetry (LiDAR) is a feature added to the iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, and iPad Pro (2020).

This is the black dot of the size of the flash on the back of the device.

Also used by self-driving cars, drones, robotics, and professional photographers, LiDAR sends and receives light pulses to measure distances. It uses the time of flight to measure the depth and distance between the camera and its near environment (up to about 1.50 meters).

Related: What Is Lidar And How Does It Work?

Not only does this feature improve the speed and focus of iPhone cameras, it has significantly improved the functionality of the Measure app. The measurements are more precise and the app is faster to use.

Devices with LiDAR technology have additional features in Measure, including ruler display, 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:

1. Open the Measured app on an iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max or iPad Pro.

2. Keep the person in view of the camera and make sure their whole body is visible.

3. Wait for a line to appear above the person’s head, indicating the height measurement.

4. Press the shutter button to take a picture of the person with their height.

5. Tap Made once you are done. Choose between Save in photos or Save to files.

Go to a well-lit area and make sure a person’s face is easily detectable to get an accurate measurement. The measurement will immediately start measuring once it detects a person. You can use it to measure a person sitting or standing.

If your device can’t detect the person, try stepping back a bit. You will also see prompts on the screen to walk away or come closer.

If you want to repeat the measurement, simply focus the device elsewhere to reset the measurement.

View of the ruler

In addition to the usual measurement functions, devices with LiDAR also have a Ruler view accessible when you zoom in on a measurement.

Just bring your device closer to the measure to see the ruler overlay on the line measure, where the object dimension can be seen in granular increments.

Guides

Devices with LiDAR will display additional vertical and horizontal guides when you measure objects. The sensor detects edges and displays guides to help you measure them.

You can simply press the plus button (+) anywhere on the guide to start measuring. This feature makes it much easier to measure objects than manually touching and moving your device.

Measurement history

In addition to the guides and the Ruler view, you can also access your previous measurements and the screenshots you took during this measurement session by pressing the list button in the upper left corner of the screen.

This function is useful when you need to measure a series of objects. You can copy them to apps, save them to Notes, or send them to Mail.

A rule of thumb on your device

While some measurements can be a few inches apart, measuring objects using your iPhone is so convenient that it’s normally worth a small compromise in accuracy.

Thanks to technological improvements like LiDAR and AR, you don’t have to sweat just to get an estimate of the size of objects. Sharing is also effortless!

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