Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Your iPhone cannot read the temperature of the air around it on its own. You can use it to check location-based weather, view overnight wrist-temperature trends from a compatible Apple Watch, or connect accessories that measure a room or an object. The right method depends on what you need to measure.

Which kind of temperature do you need?

These options measure different things. Weather apps report conditions for a location; Apple Watch tracks overnight wrist-temperature changes; a separate ambient sensor can measure room air; and a thermal camera attachment measures object surfaces. None is a substitute for a purpose-built thermometer when you need a clinical body-temperature reading.

Method What it tells you Separate sensor Key limitation
Apple Weather Weather conditions for a location No Not the temperature beside your iPhone
Weather or thermometer app Weather-service data for a location No Depends on internet and the app’s data source; not an indoor reading
Apple Watch and Health Overnight wrist-temperature changes relative to a baseline Compatible Apple Watch Not an on-demand reading or a room or clinical body-temperature measurement
Separate ambient sensor Room or environmental temperature, depending on the sensor Yes Confirm iPhone app compatibility and whether the device measures air or a surface
Thermal-camera attachment Object-surface temperatures Yes Not room-air or clinical body temperature; accuracy varies with conditions

1. Check outdoor conditions in Apple Weather

Open Apple Weather and view the forecast for your current location or another location. The temperature shown is location-based weather information, not a reading from a thermometer inside the iPhone. Apple WeatherKit describes apps providing current conditions and hourly forecasts, including temperature: Apple WeatherKit.

This is useful for checking outdoor conditions, but it cannot tell you whether your room is warmer or cooler than the weather service’s reported value.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
Govee Smart Bluetooth Thermometer Hygrometer H5074, Mini Humidity Sensor
  • Smart App Control: Easily monitor temperature and humidity in real-time on the app. 262ft connecting distance (no obstacles) allows you to quickly get data remotely from anywhere in your home. (Not WiFi Version)
  • Accuracy: With a built-in Swiss-made sensor, the temperature is accurate to ±0.54°F and humidity is ±3%RH. Enjoy precise data from the hygrometer thermometer every 2 seconds.
  • Data Storage & Export: Featuring 20-day on-board data storage, you can get recent temp & humidity records through curve graph. Press "Export Data as CSV" on the app to export the last 2 years' data to your phone.
  • Mini Compact Size: With a smaller & compact design, this space-saving device is lightweight and portable. And you can place it at multiple locations by the hanging hole.
  • Prompt Alert Notification: Set preset temp and humidity ranges with the Govee Home App, and if levels fall out of that range, you'll receive a notification instantly.

2. Use a location-based weather or thermometer app

An app labelled “thermometer” may still get its temperature from meteorological servers rather than a sensor in your phone. For example, the examined App Store listing for @Thermometer says it calculates temperature using location and multiple data sources, requires internet access, and does not use an indoor sensor. Its accuracy language is the developer’s claim, not independent validation.

Before relying on an app, check its listing for the data source and whether it uses an actual connected sensor. If it relies on weather services, treat the value as a location-based weather report—not a measurement of your home or the air beside your phone.

Rank #2
Govee Indoor Hygrometer Thermometer H5075 with Bluetooth App Control
  • Easy to Connect: Simply download the Govee Home app, search for and select H5075, and pair it successfully within minutes. With a 164ft/50m Bluetooth range, you'll be notified of any air changes immediately.
  • Accuracy: Built-in Swiss-made smart hygrometer sensor, the temperature is accurate to ±0.54°F while humidity is ±3%RH. It provides high precise monitoring. Up to 2S refresh speed always gives you the latest changes of the environment.
  • Large LCD Display: It offers realtime temp/humidity readings with large numbers and max/min records on 3 inch LCD screen, comes with 3 level comfort indicators dry/comfort/wet keeping you aware of the house situation with just a glance.
  • Smart App Alert: You'll receive a notification alert once temperature or humidity is out of preset range. It can help you effectively adjust the situation of your wine cellar, greenhouse, basement or other places in time.
  • Free Data Storage: It features 20 days of online data storage. You are able to view recent temperature and humidity records. Curve graph displaying brings you a clear data-changing track. You can export latest the 2 years' data to CSV format anytime.

3. View Apple Watch wrist-temperature trends in Health

A compatible Apple Watch can sample wrist temperature during sleep and show nightly aggregate changes relative to a personal baseline in the iPhone Health app. Apple says Sleep Focus must be enabled for at least four hours per night for about five nights to establish that baseline. The feature is for tracking trends, not checking your temperature at a chosen moment. Apple states: “The temperature sensing feature is not a thermometer and cannot provide wrist temperature measurements on-demand.” Apple also says it is not a medical device and is not intended for diagnosis, treatment, or other medical use. See Apple’s wrist-temperature guidance.

Use a purpose-built body thermometer if you need a clinical temperature reading, such as when checking for a fever.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
Sale
Govee Hygrometer Thermometer 3 Pack, Mini Humidity Sensor with Gateway
  • WiFi Gateway: With the 3 included sensors H5100 (Only supports Model H5100 for adding more sensors), you can set them anywhere around your home. Even while you're away, you'll always be able to keep track of your temperature and humidity using the Govee Home App.
  • Effective Wide Range: Swiss-made sensors provide a wide range for detecting the humidity and temperature. The range for temperature is between ±0.54℉/±0.3℃ while the humidity measurement range is between 0%-99%RH for more accurate measurements.
  • Smart Alert Notifications: Determine preset ranges for your temperature and humidity on the Govee Home App. When the presets are out of range, you'll recieve an immediate notification on your phone.
  • Compact Design: The thermometer hygrometer's design fits in the palm of your hands. Its small enough to fit in potted plants, reptile vivariums, and other small spaces.
  • More coverage for your home: Each pack comes with 3 sensors H5100 to monitor the temperature and humidity in any space around your home. You can use the Govee Home App to pair up to 10 sensors at a time, expanding your coverage.

4. Pair a separate sensor for room temperature

For room air, use a dedicated ambient-temperature sensor that sends readings to an iPhone app. The sensor—not the iPhone—does the measuring. Before choosing a device, verify that it supports your iPhone and app, measures air temperature rather than contact or surface temperature, and states its accuracy. A sensor designed for another environment or measurement method may not answer the question you have.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

5. Attach a thermal camera to measure object surfaces

An iPhone-compatible thermal camera can help inspect the surface temperature of an object. FLIR documents FLIR ONE iOS variants for Lightning and USB-C and spot measurement of object temperature. Its product page gives an object-temperature range of −20°C to 120°C (−4°F to 248°F) and typical accuracy of ±3°C or ±5% under specified conditions, including warm-up and ambient/scene-temperature limits. FLIR says accuracy also depends on distance, ambient temperature, and surface emissivity. Check the exact iPhone model and connector before buying: FLIR ONE product details and FLIR measurement guidance.

Rank #4
Sale
Govee WiFi Thermometer Hygrometer H5179 with App Notification Alert
  • Two Ways to Connect: Easily monitor temp and humidity data in real time from anywhere. With stable WiFi and Bluetooth connection via the Govee Home app, you'll have more opportunities to react to changes in your air quality (not support 5G WiFi).
  • Fast & Accurate: Equipped with a Swiss made sensor, this humidity gauge provides precise readings. Temperature is accurate to ±0.54℉/±0.3℃, and humidity is ±3%RH. By refreshing every 2s, you'll stay regularly updated. Now supports widget function.
  • Alert Function: Set preset temp and humidity ranges, and receive an app alert immediately whenever levels fall out of that range. This function helps you react faster to sudden changes in your basement, baby room, etc. Only supports Bluetooth settings.
  • Free Data Storage & Export: Our room humidity meter uploads data to the App when connected via Bluetooth or WiFi. Enjoy a 20 days online data storage view and export up to 2 years worth of data seen through clear historical trends and graphs.
  • Easy to Place: With the lanyard loop, you can easily place this indoor temperature gauge anywhere. Package contents 1 x Govee Temp Humidity Gauge, 1 x Lanyard Loop, 1 x User Manual.

A thermal camera reports surface temperatures. It does not measure room air, and it is not a clinical body thermometer.

Best Value
Govee Indoor Hygrometer Thermometer H5075 with Bluetooth App Control
  • Smart Features: The Govee Wireless Thermometer Hygrometer supports all basic functions as well as smart functions such as remote monitoring and temp humidity graphs. Our humidity meters are reliable and easy to use for homes, greenhouses and more.(Only supports 164ft Bluetooth connection)
  • High Accuracy and Fast Refresh Time: With the Swiss-made smart hygrometer sensor, the temperature is accurate up to ±0.54°F while the humidity is ±3%RH, a 40% increase. Up to 2S refresh speed always gives you the lastest changes of temp and humidity.
  • Upgraded Display: This room humidity gauge is easy to read due with a 3-inch bright LCD screen with large numbers. The max/min temp humidity records and the comfort indicators (dry/comfort/wet) will keep you aware of the indoor humidity at any time.
  • Smart App Alerts: You'll receive an instant alert once the temperature or humidity is out of its preset range. Know the status of your bedroom, baby room, wine cellar, basement, plant nursery or other areas, even when you're not beside the device.
  • Free Data Storage: Make plans according to historic temp and humidity data. The 20-day curve graphs provide a clear data-changing track. You can export data from the past 2 years and convert it to a CSV format. Stay on track of your daily routine.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.