Tip: You can do this with the Measure app on the iPhone 12 Pro (Max)

The LiDAR scanner of the iPhone 12 Pro (Max) is quite useful for augmented reality, but also has some other practical functions. You can quickly measure objects or people. That is how it works.

The Measure app on the iPhone 12 Pro (Max)

Using the Measure app and LiDAR scanner of the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max, you can read the dimensions of people and all kinds of objects. You only have to point your iPhone camera at it and the dimensions are displayed. In this article, we list what you can do with the Measure app on the iPhone 12 Pro (Max).

1. Measure objects with the Measure app

Measuring objects is very simple. Especially if the object is rectangular, your iPhone can easily recognize it. This is how an automatic measurement works:

1. Open the Measure app and point your camera at the object you want to measure;
2. When the edges of the object are detected, a white box appears around the object;
3. Tap the white box or the plus sign to see the measurements;
4. Tap the shutter button to take a picture of the measurement.

If the object is not recognized immediately, you can also take a measurement manually. This works as follows.

1. With your camera you aim at something that you want to measure. A point appears in the center with a circle around it. If the object you want to measure has a delimited shape, dashed lines will automatically appear around it;
2. If not, tap the plus sign to fix a point;
3. Then you point the camera at the point where you want to measure. You will now see a dotted line appear;
4. Press the plus sign to lock the line.

2. Use the iPhone as a spirit level

You can also use your iPhone to determine whether an object is flat, straight or flat. This works as follows:

1. Open the Measure app;
2. Tap on the ‘Spirit level’ tab at the bottom right;
3. Hold your iPhone against an object or place it on top;
4. Once the screen turns green it is level;
5. To set the same incline, tap the screen to set the incline;
6. Then hold the iPhone against another object and rotate it until the screen turns green;
7. Tap the screen again to reset the level.

3. View and save measurements on the iPhone

In the Measure app on your iPhone 12 Pro (Max) you can view and save a list of all measurements you take in one session, including screenshots. That way you can always easily find and view them. This way you can view and save the list of measurements.

1. Tap the three-dash icon to open the list;
2. Scroll down to view the list;
3. To save the measurements, tap on copy;
4. Open another app, such as Notes;
5. Tap in a document and choose Paste.

4. Measure how tall someone is

A very handy feature of iPhone 12 Pro (Max) is that you can measure how tall someone is using the Measure app. That works very easily.

1. Point your camera at a person and make sure that it is in view from head to toe;
2. After a few seconds, a line appears above the head with the measured length below it;
3. Tap the shutter button to take a photo;
4. To save the photo, tap the screenshot at the bottom left of the screen and then tap Done
5. Then tap ‘Save to Photos’ or Save to Files’.

More about the LiDAR sensor

The LiDAR sensor made its debut on the iPad Pro 2020, but the iPhone 12 Pro (Max) is the first iPhone with the depth sensor. Check out our walkthrough about the LiDAR scanner to learn more about how it works. Wondering what else you can do with your iPhone 12 Pro camera? We have listed all camera functions of the iPhone 12 Pro (Max).