6 iPhone Camera Features Most Users are Completely Unaware Of

Did you know that your iPhone camera can do a lot more than just take photos? It’s actually packed with some amazing features that many people don’t even know about. 

Here are six surprising camera features you probably haven’t used or have overlooked—and how they can make your life easier.

1. Scanning Documents

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Image Credit: seemantaduttaskv@gmail.com/Deposit Photos

The iPhone’s camera can double as a high-quality document scanner. Using the Notes app, you can scan papers, receipts, or even handwritten notes. The app automatically detects the edges of the document, crops it, and enhances the quality, making it look professionally scanned. 

This is incredibly useful for going paperless, sending forms on the go, or keeping digital copies of important documents without needing a separate scanner.

2. Identifying Plants & Animals

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With iOS’s built-in Visual Look Up feature, the iPhone camera can identify plants, animals, and even landmarks from a simple photo or scan. By pointing your camera at a flower or pet, you can tap the information icon to get details like the species, care instructions, and more. 

This feature is perfect for nature lovers, gardeners, or anyone curious about their surroundings, giving quick access to detailed information.

3. Measuring Objects

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The iPhone camera can also be used as a digital tape measure through the Measure app. By pointing your camera at any object, the app can estimate its length, width, or height. It even has a leveling tool for hanging pictures or checking if surfaces are straight. 

This tool is especially handy for DIY projects, home improvement tasks, or checking furniture dimensions before buying something new.

4. Translating Text in Real Time

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The iPhone’s camera can now translate text in real time using the Translate app or within the camera’s native function in iOS. You simply point the camera at a sign, menu, or any text in a foreign language, and the app will instantly translate it into your preferred language. 

The translated text will even appear overlaid on the image, making it look as if the sign or document was originally written in your language. This is incredibly helpful when traveling abroad or interacting with content in different languages.

5. Augmented Reality (AR) Experiences

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The iPhone camera also powers Augmented Reality (AR) apps, transforming your surroundings by adding interactive digital elements.

For instance, you can use AR to visualize how furniture will look in your home before buying it, see educational overlays like constellations in the night sky, or even play AR-based games. 

The camera tracks your environment and seamlessly integrates virtual objects into your real-world view, enhancing experiences in everything from shopping to learning to gaming.

6. Detecting & Copying Text with Live Text

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Image Credit: AndreyPopov/Deposit Photos

The iPhone’s Live Text feature allows you to detect and copy text directly from any image or live camera feed. If you point your camera at a book, business card, or even a handwritten note, Live Text will recognize the words and numbers.

You can then copy the text to paste it into another app, send an email, or even search for it online. It works in several languages and can even detect phone numbers, which you can call directly from the camera view. 

This feature is extremely useful for quickly grabbing information, like saving a phone number from a flyer, copying a quote from a book, or extracting addresses from documents without needing to manually type them.

The next time you use your iPhone camera, try out some of these features—you might be surprised by how useful they can be!

Martha A. Lavallie
Martha A. Lavallie
Author & Editor | + posts

Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.