Technology is gaining ground on traditional objects by leaps and bounds. One of the last to succumb is the meters and rules, since they are allowing essential tools in the lives of many people thanks to applications such as Measurements, which is native to iOS and iPadOS. In this post we tell you how you can use it to make accurate measurements.
Measurement App and compatible devices
Measurements, also known as Measure by its English name, is an application developed by Apple and that takes advantage of augmented reality technology to be able to perform measurements with precision. Despite what was said at the beginning, it cannot be guaranteed 100% that its effectiveness is always accurate, but it is capable of calculating meticulous measurements. For this, it is not strictly necessary to have a state-of-the-art iPhone or iPad, although obviously this helps bring that precision closer.
It was first introduced in iOS 12 , so it will only be operational on those devices that can be updated to this version or a later one. These include the following iPhone and iPad:
- Iphone 5s.
- Iphone 6.
- iPhone 6 Plus.
- iPhone 6s.
- iPhone 6s Plus.
- iPhone SE.
- iPhone 7.
- iPhone 7 Plus.
- iPhone 8.
- iPhone 8 Plus.
- iPhone X.
- iPhone XS.
- iPhone XS Max.
- iPhone XR.
- iPhone 11.
- iPhone 11 Pro.
- iPhone 11 Pro Max.
- iPad mini 2.
- iPad mini 3.
- iPad mini 4.
- iPad mini (5th generation).
- iPad (5th generation).
- iPad (6th generation).
- iPad (7th generation).
- iPad Air.
- iPad Air 2.
- iPad Air (3rd generation).
- iPad Pro (1st generation).
- iPad Pro (2nd generation).
- iPad Pro (3rd generation).
- iPad Pro (4th generation).
Some of these devices already come with iOS 12 or a later version installed as standard, as they are later in time than the release of said version. If your device is compatible and not updated, we recommend that you install the latest update available from Settings> General> Software update. Once the device has iOS 12 or a later version, the Measurements app will be installed automatically. If you think you deleted this app by mistake, you can download it from the App Store.
Start measuring objects and surfaces
Once you open the app, you are ready to start measuring. The first thing you should do is move the iPhone / iPad on the surface you want to measure. This is so that the device can calibrate the space well and subsequently make the measurements with better precision. The movement must be slow and without abruptness, it takes no more than a few seconds and it will also be indicated on the screen.
By the time you have finished the initial calibration you will see several overlapping buttons appear on the interface . The one in the upper left is to return to calibration, the one in the upper right to erase the measurements made, the central disk with a dot in the center will serve to start measuring, the lower central button with a ‘+’ to add new points and the circle on the right is for taking screenshots.
Now, how do we start measuring? Well, you simply have to find the object or surface you want to know its dimensions and place the point of the central disk in the exact place where you want to start measuring . Once you have located this point you must press the ‘+’ button and start moving the device across the surface until you reach the other end to obtain a measurement. It should be noted that you can move these points by holding down one of them, so that it is placed in a more exact place.
The measurement is not limited to a single line, but you can set more to measure the height, length and width of each object. The capture button will help you to have the measurements you are taking registered in your gallery. It should be noted that from Settings> Measures you can set the default measurement unit of the app.
The app also has a level on the iPhone
The level is a very prominent tool in any toolbox and we can also find a native one in iOS. Actually this did not come as a novelty with the Measurements app, since it was included much earlier in the Compass app. The novelty is that it has now been integrated into a tab within Measures , so it will be very easily accessible.
It can be used by putting the iPhone vertically or horizontally , with the firm objective of being able to find an optimal percentage of stability, which will almost always be 0º. This functionality will be very useful for certain actions such as placing a painting on your wall or determining whether a table or other surface is lame or not.