Google Pixel 8 Pro is now able to read your body temperature: Here’s how it works

The Google Pixel 8 Pro, launched in 2023, included some interesting additions, including a physical thermometer within the camera band on the back. The company had limited its functionality to object temperature readings since launch, but now a new update is unlocking the ability to measure body temperature as well.

The latest Pixel Drop update for January brings the new feature as well as other anticipated additions like Click to Search and Magic Compose for the Messages app.

But the main feature of this Drop has to be the body temperature tool, which works in a unique way which Google clearly thought about while creating the device and it has also been approved by health authorities. Google is also calling it a medical-grade feature that can be accessed from the Thermometer app on the Pixel 8 Pro.

So, how does scanning work? Google explains that you can scan your forehead with your phone to get an accurate measurement of body temperature. You don’t need to touch the phone to the forehead, as the camera’s infrared sensor with PDAF can detect if the phone is close to the forehead to initiate a reading.

The company states that temperature readings can be taken for you or your friend. Now that Fitbit is in Google’s catalog, thermometer results can be saved to your Fitbit profile. We don’t expect Google to enable this feature for all markets, especially markets like India, where medical approval is done by a separate entity.

Having said that, we expect Circle to Search, Magic Compose and Photomoji to get a wider release via regular over the air updates on January 31st.