You Don’t Need a Thermometer to Measure Temperature, Your Pixel Phone Can Do That

Summary

• Google’s Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL have a built-in Thermometer app to measure object temperature.
• To use it, launch the Thermometer app, tap “Object Temperature,” and select your object type.
• If the app produces incorrect results, bring the phone closer to the object, ensure the temperature is within the app’s limits, or restart the app or the phone.

I’ve never been fond of burning my lips or mouth from hot drinks, but I can’t be carrying a thermometer everywhere to see how hot a cup of tea or coffee is. Luckily, my Google Pixel 9 Pro XL can measure the temperatures of various objects.

Pixel’s Built-In Thermometer App Can Measure Object Temperature

Google’s Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL are equipped with a Thermometer app to help you measure the temperature of various objects. These phone models have a tiny temperature sensor next to the camera, allowing you to measure how hot or cold an object is.

You’ll find the Thermometer app pre-installed on your Pixel phone. If you don’t see it, you can always download it from Google Play Store.

Note that this app’s readings are not FDA-approved medical readings, but they give you a pretty good idea.

How to Use Pixel’s Thermometer App

To start measuring an object’s temperature using your Pixel phone, access your phone’s app drawer and launch the Thermometer app. On the app’s main screen, tap “Object Temperature.” On the following screen, choose your object. The options are Food, Liquid, and Cooking Surfaces.

Here’s what each usually includes:

• Food: meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, dairy, eggs, and processed food.
• Liquid: water, oil, milk, wine, vinegar, soy sauce, and honey.
• Cooking Surfaces: stainless steel, copper, cast iron, aluminum, ceramic, and non-stick pan.

After you’ve chosen an option, hold your phone within two inches of the object you want to measure the temperature of. Make sure to keep the phone steady so the sensor is focused on your object. You’ll see the real-time temperature reading on your screen. If you want to capture the reading, tap the on-screen circle.

I used this to check the temperature of my cup of tea, and it turned out to be accurate (luckily, not very hot, perfect to drink). I sometimes also use it for the food I order online to see if it requires re-heating.

To save the measurement for later use, at the bottom, tap the “Save” button. To remove the measurement, tap the “Delete” button. If you’d like to re-take the measurement, tap the button displaying an arrow icon.

Since the app saves your objects’ temperatures, you can come back any time you want and see how hot or cold an object was. If that object’s temperature has changed over time, you can perform a comparison using the data in the app.

Troubleshoot Issues With Measuring Temperature

If you have issues measuring the temperature of objects using your Pixel phone, the following troubleshooting tips will help you.

If the Measurement Is Not Accurate

If you constantly get inaccurate measurements, your phone’s measurement sensor might not be working correctly. An incompatible phone cover or dust on the sensor might be causing the problem.

In this case, remove the phone’s cover and clean the sensor near the camera. Then, try taking the measurement without putting the phone cover on. Also, ensure you’re holding your phone within two inches of the object. If the phone is held farther away, the measurement will likely be incorrect.

If You See a “Not Available” Message

If you see a “Not Available” message in the Thermometer app, it indicates the object’s temperature is outside of what the sensor can measure. The app and your phone have the capability to measure temperatures in the range of -5°F (-20°C) and 392°F (200°C).

If the App Is Glitchy

If the app doesn’t read the temperature or behaves weirdly, close and relaunch the app. If the issue persists, restart your Pixel phone and use the app when your phone turns back on.

Also, note that this feature is only available on Google’s Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL. Even if you manage to sideload the Thermometer app on another phone model, you can’t measure the temperature because your phone lacks the required sensor.

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And that’s one of the little yet very useful features of my Pixel 9 Pro XL. I use it often at my home as well as coffee shops. I’ll be curious to know what item you’ll use it with the first time. Let me know.