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

Credit: Lucas Gouveia/How-To Geek | eduardo_almeida/Shutterstock

Published Jul 12, 2025

Mahesh Makvana is a how-to writer at How-To Geek. He has over a decade of experience writing in-depth tutorials about various aspects of technology. His work has been published on sites likeMakeUseOf, GeekFrost, MakeTechEasier, and Online Tech Tips.

Mahesh has always loved technology. When he first got an Android phone, he started writing tutorials about how one can get the most out of one's Android device. He has covered many other platforms as well, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and the internet.

Outside of tech, Mahesh loves trying out different foods. He prefers eating healthy items, but eating some junk every once in a while is okay for him.

Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents:

Try something different:

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 aThermometer 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.

Google Pixel 9 Pro

SoC: Google Tensor G4 with Titan M2 security coprocessor
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Battery: 4,700mAh
Ports: USB-C
Operating System: Android 14 (at launch)

The Google Pixel 9 Pro features a sophisticated design, a powerful Tensor G4 processor, and 16 GB of RAM, making it ideal for advanced AI applications, stunning photos, and videos. It includes a pro triple rear camera system, a 42 MP front camera, and the brightest Super Actua display, offering an immersive experience in two sizes.

Front camera: 42MP (dual PD binning), ƒ/2.2 aperture, 103° field of view, autofocus
Dimensions: 6 x 2.8 x 0.3in
Colors: Porcelain, Rose Quartz, Hazel, Obsidian
Charge speed: 27W wired, 21W wireless
IP Rating: IP68

$999 at Amazon $999 at Google Store $999 at Best Buy

ExpandCollapse

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 startmeasuring 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.

5 Google Pixel Features You Probably Didn’t Know About

Your Pixel has a few tricks up its sleeve.

Posts17

By Kabir Jain

Jan 30, 2025

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.

A person holding the Google Pixel 9 Pro smartphone.

9 Lesser Known Pixel Camera Features You Might Be Ignoring

Did you know about these photography features?

Posts1

By Andy Betts

Feb 13, 2025

In this case, remove thephone’s cover andclean 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 tosideload the Thermometer app on another phone model, you can’t measure the temperature because your phone lacks the required sensor.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

SoC: Google Tensor G4 with Titan M2 security coprocessor
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Battery: 5,060mAh
Ports: USB-C
Operating System: Android 14 at launch

The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL offers an expansive 6.8-inch Super Actua display, combined with the powerful Tensor G4 processor and 16 GB of RAM for top-tier AI performance and advanced photography. It features Google's most advanced camera system, including a pro triple rear camera and a 42 MP front camera, all within a sleek design starting at $1,099.

Front camera: 42MP (dual PD binning), ƒ/2.2 aperture, 103° field of view, autofocus
Dimensions: 6.4 x 3.0 x 0.3in
Colors: Obsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, Rose Quartz
Weight: 221g
Charge speed: 37W wired, 23W wireless
IP Rating: IP68

$1099 at Google Store Buy on Amazon $1099 at Best Buy

ExpandCollapse

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.