iPhone comes with few default Apple apps like Mail, Camera, Photos, etc. However, many users miss to use one simple default app – that is Calculator. iPhone Calculator app offers all advanced features that you can do with physical scientific calculators. If you are not familiar, here are some pro tips for using Calculator app on iPhone. Also, learn calculator app keyboard shortcuts for Windows PC.
iPhone Calculator App
The app will be typically available on your first Home Screen or you can find in the App Library (which is the last Home Screen on the right side). If you have too many apps on your phone, simply swipe down on the Home Screen. You will see a search box appears on the top section of the screen, type “calculator”. This will show the Calculator app and tap on it to open the app.
If this is your frequently used app, then simply drag and drop it in the bottom dock section. This helps to avoid searching the app every time and launch it from the dock as the apps in the dock are visible across Home Screens. Understanding how to use the app properly will help to get the maximum out of the app.
1. Scientific Mode
Calculator by default do the basic arithmetic calculations in correct order. For example, when you type 6 + 2 * 3 and press = it will show the correct result as 12. It calculates the multiplication first and then addition like 6 + (2*3) = 12 instead of (6+2) * 3 = 24. However, this intelligence is not sufficient to do scientific calculations like 10X or square root.
- Simply tap the calculator key showing on bottom left corner.
- Select “Scientific” mode from the list.
- Now the same app will show a scientific calculator with advanced functions like exponents, logarithms, trigonometric calculations (sin, cos, tan) and even constants like Pi.
Note: You can also rotate your iPhone to landscape mode to use scientific calculator with larger screen area. Make sure Portrait Orientation Lock is disabled in Control Center; otherwise, the calculator won’t rotate. For that, swipe down from top right corner of the iPhone to open Control Center and turn off the “Portrait Orientation Lock” icon.
2. Clear Display
As mentioned, one of the annoying things with mobile calculator is deleting the numbers in the calculations. Similar to physical calculator, iPhone Calculator app offers two ways to delete a number.
- AC – All Clear or cancel all is the option to erase all your inputs including the result of any previous calculation.
- ⌫ – Delete or backspace will erase only the last input, you will see the AC button changes to ⌫ when you start typing.
Earlier, you could use ⌫ in-between calculation by swiping to the required position and delete your mistake. However, this is no more possible with the latest app and you can only delete from the last digit.
3. Ask Siri
This is a cool feature that you can ask Siri to get a result for your mathematical calculations. Here are some examples, that you can ask after “Hey Siri”:
- What is 7.5% of 985?
- What is 9 times 115?
You will get 73.875 and 1,035 respectively for the above questions. Remember, Siri will use the Calculator app only for basic calculations. If you ask, “What is the cube root of 27?” it will show you the web results instead of Calculator app result.
Note: Spotlight Search, Notes and Text Prediction bar (just showing above the keyboard layout) also shows the calculation results directly without the need of opening Calculator app.
4. Copy and Paste Result
The last tip is to copy the result of your calculation. You may probably want to paste the resulted number in your Messages or Mail app for sending to someone. Long press on the number in Calculator app to see a pop-up with Copy and Paste options.
5. View Calculation History
Have you ever wondered how to view or cop the calculations you have done a week before?
- Tap on the three lines showing on top left corner of the app.
- This will show all your history under various groups like Today, Previous 7 Days, Previous 30 Days, etc.
- Tap on any result to insert it in the app.
- Alternatively, long press on any result to copy the expression or result.
- You can delete the items selectively (by tapping on “Edit” link”) or completely clear history by tapping on “Clear” link.
6. Reuse Your Last Answer
The iPhone Calculator remembers your last calculated result even after you clear the screen. Tap and hold the Calculator app icon on your home screen or in the App Library and select “Copy Last Result” from the context menu. This is especially useful when you need to transfer a result to another app, such as Messages, Notes, or Mail.
Note: In scientific mode, you’ll also see memory functions: MC (Memory Clear), M+ (Memory Add), M- (Memory Subtract), and MR (Memory Recall). These allow you to store and recall numbers for multi-step calculations.
7. Taking Math Notes
If you want to quickly take a note while using the Calculator app, tap on the Calculator icon and select “Math Notes” option. This will show all your previously created notes and tap on the create note icon to open Notes app. You can write down your notes and the content will be automatically saved and available in both Notes as well as Calculator apps.
8. Unit Conversion
Tap on the Calculator icon and turn on “Convert” option. This will change the Calculator app to a unit converter. By default, the app will show currency conversion and tap on the currency unit. Now, you can switch the currency or switch the converter to use other type of units. There are numerous options available to convert Angle, Area, Data, Volume, Temperature, Force, Length, Power, etc.
Final Words
Apple is continuously updating the features of Calculator app. Some options available in earlier version like swipe to delete are no more available in the latest version. However, there are new functions like scientific calculator works in portrait mode, unit conversion and quick math notes. Make sure to update your iOS to get all the benefits of the Calculator app.
