Augmented Reality, a.k.a. AR, is often quoted as the next big thing. Thanks to this technology, iOS device owners can bridge the gap between their Reality and imagination. If you like to explore AR, you will surely love and enjoy this list of the best AR apps for the iPhone and iPad. Using the power of AR, these apps overlay virtual items onto the world around us in a fun, creative, helpful, and compelling way. From measuring things, creating 3D models, or place an animated GIF around your place, they are primed to augment your real world.
1. Google Maps – Transit & Food
The world’s most popular navigation app, “Google Maps,” has jumped on the AR train as well. Dubbed as Live View, you can use Google Maps AR mode to navigate to your preferred navigation by adding virtual signs and directional arrows.
However, the feature is still in its beta phase and only available for limited locations that support Street View. So, if Live View is available at your end, it worth a try. Looking at Google’s track record and the possibilities of the technology, I do have high hoped for the feature.
Price: Free
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2. Google Translate
On the risk of sounding like a Google geek (I don’t mind), I also nominate Google Translate. AR integration has made the app even more useful and user-friendly.
Just snap a photo of the text you don’t understand, and the app will translate the text in the picture in real-time. What’s more, if you have downloaded a specific language pack, the conversion can happen offline as well!!
Whether you are traveling or living in a new place, this app can surely give you a hand to resolve your language-related pickle.
Price: Free
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3. Carrot Weather
Carrot Weather had already been one of my favorite weather apps. But with the introduction of an AR user interface, it’s become a certainty on my device. With this app, you have quickly access current, hourly, and daily forecasts.
Take the full advantage of radar and satellite maps to find out where the big is headed towards. What’s more, you can also customize the app to suit your needs better.
Price: $4.99
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4. magicplan – 2D/3D floor plans
Looking for a better app to let you create the floor plan more comfortably? You can’t get better than magicplan. Using this app, you will quickly create job estimates, plan DIY projects, view your space in 3D, and even furnish your home to your best liking.
By adding photos, objects, taxes, product price lists, and annotations, you can give the desired look to your project. It allows you to convert your favorite project in several file formats including PDF, JPG, DXF, PNG, SVG, and CSV.
Even better, you will view them in 3D and also share them with your friends.
Price: Free (Standard Subscription – $9.99)
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5. GIPHY World: AR GIF Stickers
GIPHY World has brought GIFs and stickers into your real life too! This AR app allows you to add the animated GIFs around you; this feature allows you to record the video of your creation and blast it on social networking sites.
Whether you want to fill the room with GIF confetti, draw on the sky, or add a comment on something, all can be done. As it features a vast GIPHY collection, you can instantly find out a cool AR-powered GIF to spice up your communication.
Price: Free
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6. TapMeasure – AR utility
TAPMEASURE is designed to be a handy spatial utility app which anyone will find very useful. However, it can be one of the must-haves for interior designers, architects, contractors, real estate agents, appraisers and others.
What makes this app stand out is the ability to let you create quick, nearly accurate 3D models and measurements. It accurately detects rectangular objects such as doors, windows, artwork, and then quickly add them to your model.
Another notable feature of this app is that it automatically keeps picture frames and artwork perfectly leveled. Even better, it lets you export 3D models of rooms as SKP files.
Price: Free
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7. Night Sky
If you are after an AR personal planetarium, look no further than “Night Sky”. The app works effectively in helping you identify stars, planets, satellites, and constellations just by holding your iOS device and Apple Watch to the sky.
Boasting more than 60 million stars and the 8X high resolution for light spectrum textures, Night Sky is a treat for those who dream to travel to the sky and explore it. Not to mention, it’s also got really cool sunrise/sunset effects and the daylight mode which adds some fun elements into the whole affair.
One of my top picks for this AR app is the aurora mapping that makes it easy to see the location of Aurora (also known as polar lights, northern lights, or southern lights, it’s a natural light display in the sky). On top of all, you can take advantage of night sky mindfulness to get some peace of mind and even bust stress.
Price: Free, ($1.99 for Night Sky Premium monthly subscription)
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8. HoloKit
The one word that can ideally describe Holo is “Hilarious!” This app allows you to add a hologram of animals and people into your world. It lets you resize, rotate, and even move holograms so that you can place them flawlessly.
You will be able to walk around the character very much like the way you do in the real world. That’s not all; you can also capture the photo and video of it to share with your friends.
Price: Free (Tianna Gregory – Lights Out – $0.99)
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9.Vuforia Chalk
Vuforia Chalk employs AR to develop a powerful remote guidance app. It used live video, audio, and real-time AR to connect two people. In some way, it’s like making a FaceTime or any other video call.
But you can mark or draw arrows at the real-world objects you both are looking at through the camera. These markings can be seen by both parties involved.
Imagine an expert is instructing a field technician what and how to do specific steps via annotations on the live camera feed. What’s more, the chalk marks accurately stick to the object, even when the camera is shaking or moves around.
Price: Free
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10. LEO AR
This one looks primed for shutterbugs. Yeah, you heard it right! Probably the best part about this app is the ability to create a fun-loving augmented reality video by selecting from a variety of interesting objects.
Not just that, the app also allows mirroring of other scenes to make the surroundings more beautiful. With the special effects like money falling and balloons flying at the disposal, it ensures you have the needed ammunition to add the x-factor to your story.
And just in case you are fond of exploring cool videos, you can explore a ton of clips shared by other users. Moreover, you also get the option to share your favorite content on social networking platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and more.
Price: Free ($5.99 for monthly unlimited access)
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What’s Your Favorite?
So, which one of these AR apps has bowled you over! It would be cool to know your favorite app. Just in case you find an augmented reality app worth a mention in this list, let us know in the comment section below.
Rest assured, I will keep on adding more exciting apps to this list so that you can quickly pick a stunner for your iOS device.
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