DB LabsWhat Is LiDAR Scanner on iPhone?
By Jack Smith — Updated March 12, 2026
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a depth-sensing scanner on iPhone Pro models (iPhone 12 Pro and later) that emits invisible infrared laser pulses and measures how long they take to bounce back. This creates a precise depth map of the surrounding environment up to 5 meters away. LiDAR enables faster autofocus in low light, more accurate Portrait mode, immersive AR experiences, and detailed 3D scanning — though scans can produce large files ranging from 50 to 500 MB.
How LiDAR Works
The LiDAR Scanner emits thousands of infrared laser dots in a grid pattern. Each dot bounces off a surface and returns to the sensor, which measures the round-trip time at the speed of light. This produces a depth map — a grid of distance measurements — in nanoseconds. The iPhone's Neural Engine combines this depth data with camera imagery to understand the 3D structure of the scene.
The scanner operates at photon-level sensitivity and can map a room in under a second. It works indoors and outdoors, in bright light and near-total darkness, since it uses its own infrared light source rather than relying on ambient light.
What LiDAR Does on iPhone
- Faster autofocus in low light — LiDAR provides instant depth data, letting the camera focus up to 6x faster in dark conditions compared to contrast-detect autofocus alone.
- Better Portrait mode — Depth maps from LiDAR are more accurate than software-estimated depth, producing cleaner background blur with fewer edge artifacts, especially in low light.
- Night mode portraits — LiDAR enabled Portrait mode in dark environments for the first time, since the sensor works independently of visible light.
- AR placement — Apps using ARKit can instantly detect surfaces, walls, and floors without requiring the user to move the phone around. Virtual objects appear anchored more convincingly.
- 3D scanning — Apps like Polycam, Scaniverse, and RoomPlan use LiDAR to create detailed 3D models of objects, rooms, and spaces.
Which iPhones Have LiDAR
LiDAR Scanner is exclusive to Pro and Pro Max models:
- iPhone 12 Pro / Pro Max (2020)
- iPhone 13 Pro / Pro Max (2021)
- iPhone 14 Pro / Pro Max (2022)
- iPhone 15 Pro / Pro Max (2023)
- iPhone 16 Pro / Pro Max (2024)
- iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max (2025)
Standard iPhone models (non-Pro) do not include LiDAR. The iPad Pro (2020 and later) also has LiDAR.
Storage Impact
Standard photography with LiDAR-assisted autofocus does not increase file sizes — the depth data is used for focusing and then discarded. However, 3D scanning with LiDAR produces significant storage usage. A typical room scan can be 50-200 MB, and detailed object scans with high-resolution textures can reach 500 MB or more. If you scan frequently, consider exporting completed scans and deleting local copies to free up space.
Related Terms
- Photogrammetry — Creating 3D models from photos, enhanced by LiDAR
- Deep Fusion — Computational photography for texture and detail
- ProRAW — Pro photo format available on LiDAR-equipped iPhones
Frequently Asked Questions
Which iPhones have LiDAR?
iPhone 12 Pro through iPhone 17 Pro models (Pro and Pro Max only). Standard iPhone models do not include LiDAR.
Does LiDAR affect photo storage?
No. Photos taken with LiDAR-assisted autofocus are the same size as standard photos. Only 3D scans (50-500 MB each) create significant storage usage.
What is LiDAR used for on iPhone?
Faster low-light autofocus, improved Portrait mode, night portraits, accurate AR placement, and 3D room/object scanning.
LiDAR Scans Eating Your Storage?
Swype Photo Cleaner helps you quickly clear out photos you don't need. Swipe left to delete, right to keep.
Download Swype Free