How to use Google Pixel 8 Pro's Thermometer

With the Pixel 8 Pro this year, Google decided to add a new sensor to the back of the phone. That’s a thermometer. Which sounds pretty cool in theory, especially as we’re still coming out of the pandemic, and it’s trying to start up again. It’s a pretty simple sensor, and it’s pretty easy to use. You can use the thermometer to see how hot your coffee is, if you have a fever, or really anything else.

However, it’s important to note that this thermometer has not been cleared by the FDA yet. It is in the process of being approved (or disapproved) by the FDA, but that hasn’t happened yet. So whatever temperature you get from your forehead, be sure to take that with a grain of salt.

Today, we’re going to show you how you can use the thermometer on the new Google Pixel 8 Pro. Unfortunately, this is only available on the Pixel 8 Pro, the regular Pixel 8 misses out on this one.

How to use Pixel 8 Pro’s Thermometer

First up, you’re going to need to install the app. For whatever reason, the app is not in the app drawer. So if you search in the Google Search bar on your phone for “Thermometer” you will see a pop up for the app. Just tap on “Update”.

From there, you will see the app available in the app drawer, so you can quickly jump into that app and start using it.

Once you have the app installed on your phone, open it up.

Now, you will see a pretty simple UI here. With a big button in the middle to “measure”. But there’s also a button towards the bottom, that shows an actual thermometer and will say “default” or something else depending on if this is the first time you’ve opened the app. Tap on that button.

Here, you can choose what material you are measuring. This includes Default, Food & organic, Beverages & water, Cast iron, Ceramic & Glass, Matte metal, Shiny metal, Plastic & rubber, Fabric, Wood, and Walls & Window. Tap on what you want to measure. Then hit done.

Now, you’re ready to measure. Hold the thermometer sensor, which is right below the flash and to the right of the camera sensors, about 5cm or 2 inches away from the object. Now tap on “Tap to measure”.

You’ll see the temperature. If it’s really cold, it’ll turn blue, and if it’s really hot it’ll turn red. But most of the time it’ll be black.

If you want to measure it again, you can tap on the circle arrow icon at the bottom to refresh it. And then tap to measure again. The app doesn’t keep track of your measurements, so once you hit the refresh button, that measurement is gone.

And that’s how easy it is to use the thermometer on the Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Can I measure my own temperature with this thermometer?

Not yet. As mentioned earlier in this article, the thermometer on the Pixel 8 Pro has not yet passed through FDA clearance. So while you can technically hold this up to your forehead and get your temperature, it likely won’t be very accurate. Especially since you can’t choose “skin” as something you’re measuring, yet.

That should hopefully come soon though. Especially since we have seen leaks of a video Google had prepared showing you how you can take your own temperature with this sensor.

Can I switch from Fahrenheit to Celsius?

Yes, you can! In the upper-right hand corner, next to the three dots, you’ll see either a °F or °C. Just tap on that to switch to the other unit of measurement. It’s just that easy.

Is this sensor available on the Pixel 8 too?

Unfortunately, no. Google opted to only put this on the Pixel 8 Pro. This is likely done as a way to differentiate the two devices, along with a few other features. This might change on the Pixel 9 next year, if Google does decide to keep the sensor. But Google could also ditch it, like it did with the radar sensor called Soli on the Pixel 4 XL back in 2019.