What is the purpose of LiDAR on your iPhone and how do you use it?

That little black circle near the rear cameras on some iPhone Pro models isn’t another camera. This is the LiDAR Scanner, a sensor that helps your iPhone determine how far away nearby surfaces and objects are.

You won’t find a dedicated LiDAR app or toggle in settings. Instead, compatible iOS features and apps use the scanner when they need in-depth information. This could be to measure an object, understand the shape of a room, or detect something nearby.

LiDAR stands for “light detection and ranging.” The sensor sends invisible pulses of light and measures the time it takes for them to return after hitting nearby surfaces. These measurements give your iPhone information about the distance and shape of objects in front of it.

A useful way to think about it is that cameras show the iPhone what a scene looks like, while LiDAR adds information about how far apart things are. ARKit, Apple’s augmented reality (AR) framework, can use these readings to create a rough 3D mesh of the physical environment. This helps compatible augmented reality apps understand the position of floors, walls and other surfaces.

And applications are able to put this information to good use. Apple’s RoomPlan framework, for example, combines camera and LiDAR readings to identify walls, windows, doors, furniture and other room features while creating a 3D model of an interior space.

LiDAR can also assist the camera. On supported Pro models, this sensor is used for features like night mode portraits and faster autofocus in low light.

Apple introduced the LiDAR Scanner with the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max in 2020. Since then, it has remained a Pro-exclusive feature, appearing on every Pro and Pro Max generation through the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Apple has excluded LiDAR from its non-pro iPhones. So, if you have a standard iPhone, mini, Plus, Air or any other model, your phone cannot take advantage of what it offers. If you don’t know which iPhone you have, go to Settings > General > About and check the model name.

Outside of the iPhone, every iPad Pro since the fourth generation lineup in March 2020 has had a LiDAR sensor. It performs the same function on the tablet.

The simplest integrated way to experience depth-assisted measurement is the Measure application. Measure is not exclusive to LiDAR-equipped iPhones; Apple also includes it on base iPhone models without the sensor.

To take a manual measurement, open Measure and slowly point the camera around the nearby area. Align the point in the center of the screen with the starting point and press the More/Add button. Move iPhone to the other end of the object, then tap More/Add Again. Apple notes that the measurements are approximate, so it’s better for quick estimates than for work where an exact dimension is important.

On supported Pro models with the LiDAR sensor, Measure offers additional features such as automatic edge guides and a Ruler view. It can measure a person’s height when they are fully visible in the camera view.

For more sophisticated uses, you’ll need an app designed to take advantage of the sensor. Apps using Apple’s RoomPlan framework can analyze interior spaces and produce 3D room models, while AR apps can use LiDAR depth data to place virtual objects more accurately in the physical environment. You don’t need to turn on the scanner; Supported applications will call on it when needed.

LiDAR also has an accessibility role. On iPhones equipped with the sensor, Detection mode in the Magnifying glass The app can detect nearby people, doors and furniture and then provide information through sounds, speech or haptic feedback. That said, Apple cautions that detection mode should not be used for navigation or in situations where an inaccurate result could cause damage.