iPhones are versatile and multifunctional, so it isn’t surprising that many consumers expect it to “do everything,” including measuring humidity.
When you look up “Can iPhones measure humidity,” there seems to be a lot of discussion in leading forums like Quora and Reddit, citing people’s curiosity. So, what’s the truth then? Is there an in-built sensor for measuring humidity in an iPhone? The short answer is no.
However, don’t be put off just yet. Apple has come forward with several different avenues to resolve this issue. We will uncover all that detail in this detailed guide.
Does the iPhone Have a Built-in Humidity Sensor?
iPhones are programmed with various sensors and advanced features, including accelerometers and barometers. Unfortunately, the device doesn’t come with a built-in humidity sensor.
Since iPhones aren’t primarily focused on catering to specialized weather and industrial purposes, the device’s need for a humidity sensor seems futile. That said, although iPhones lack humidity sensors, they make up for it with the inclusion of a few different others, including:
- Barometer
- Accelerometer and gyroscope
- Ambient light sensor
- Magnetometer
These help measure different aspects of the environment but have nothing to do with calculating the moisture in the air, aka humidity.
Curious about what humidity levels really mean? Check out our quick guide to understand how it affects comfort, health, and more.
Which Apple Device Measures Humidity?
Although the standard iPhones don’t have a humidity sensor, Apple hasn’t entirely ruled out the possibility. In fact, the Apple HomePod is a device that keeps you updated about the latest weather specifics in your surroundings.
Here’s how you can check the humidity (and temperature) on your Apple Homepod:
- Start by turning on the device and wait until the blinker is on to indicate that it’s active to take instructions.
- Following that, say, “Hey Siri! What’s the humidity and temperature in here?”
- The voice assistant will then reply with the current reading, depending on the humidity in the area (as updated by the leading weather channels).
This is the most direct and quickest way to determine the humidity in your surroundings using the Apple Homepod. But what about on your iPhone?
How to Get Humidity Data of the Apple Homepod on your iPhone?
If you have an Apple Homepod and wish to view the current humidity readings, you can do so on your iPhone. The only thing to prioritize is downloading and installing the Apple Homepod app on the device.
Following that, here’s what you need to do:
- Launch the Apple Homepod app on your iPhone. It also works on iPads and Macs.
- Under the top shortcuts, navigate until you find “Climate.” Click on it.
- Next, tap on Humidity under the shortcuts.
- Find your Homepod and then find the current humidity reading it has collected.
The main reason to have the Home app on your iPhone is accessibility. Even when you aren’t near the Apple Homepod in your home, the app keeps you updated with all the latest insights.
Are There Any Ways to Set Up Humidity Automations with an Apple Homepod?
If you have the Apple Home app installed on your iPhone, you can create automations based on the Homepad’s humidity readings.
For example, if the humidity exceeds a certain level, the automation can be programmed from the Home app to switch on the dehumidifier to reduce the moisture levels indoors. The only catch is that the Home app is only functional with smart devices.
Here’s how you can set up an automation:
- Open the Home app on your iPhone.
- On the top-right corner, click on the “+” button.
- Click on “Add Automation.”
- Tap on “A Sensor Detects Something.”
- Then, select the connected Apple Homepod sensor you use to measure the humidity.
- Tap on “Next.”
- Next, you will have to select what will trigger the automation. For example, if the humidity rises above a certain level, it will automatically switch on the fan.
- Once you have set up the action, tap on Next again. You can choose to turn off the automated action after a certain period of time.
- Lastly, tap Done.
Depending on your needs, you can edit, change, or remove the automation that you have set up.
How Do Weather Apps Show Humidity on the iPhone?
Besides your Apple Homepod, numerous weather apps are available on iPhone, which can also keep you posted about the humidity in the surrounding air.
The official Apple Weather App is enough to keep you accurately posted about the humidity. However, if you want to cross-check, a few other third-party weather apps are available on the App Store, too.
These particular applications pull humidity data from online sources rather than the iPhone itself. Thus, the humidity value displayed is based on your location, not the actual air condition immediately around your device.
Can Apple Watch Measure Humidity?
Like your iPhone, even your Apple Watch doesn’t have an in-built humidity sensor. So, unfortunately, even your Apple Watch cannot update you independently about the humidity in your surroundings.
However, the good thing is that it can show humidity data sourced from weather apps or sync with smart home humidity sensors using HomeKit.
So, if you are already invested in an Apple ecosystem, adding the HomeKit-compatible humidity sensor, aka Homepod, can allow you to stay updated with the humidity readings on your iPhone and Apple Watch.
Wondering what that rain percentage on your weather app really means? Our quick guide breaks it down simply and clearly.
Final Words
At this moment, Apple’s iPhone doesn’t have an in-built humidity sensor. However, with the ongoing launches and innovations that Apple partakes in every year, it isn’t obsolete to think that this sensor could be an inclusion sometime in the future. If you wish to stay updated about the humidity in your vicinity, you’d now have to rely on external smart sensors and accurate weather apps available on your iPhone.
