Can the iPhone Calculator Show History? How to View + App Alternatives

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Learn about what history functionality your iPhone calculator has
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If you use your iPhone calculator a lot, you may wonder if it's possible to see a history of your calculations. Unfortunately, the iPhone Calculator app doesn't really have a history feature, though you can copy your last calculation result and use the memory functions within the calculator itself, which we will teach you about in this article. If you're looking for a more robust calculator app with history, we also have some third-party app suggestions at the end of this article.

Things You Should Know

  • Press and hold the calculator app in the Control Center, home screen, or App Library to get an option to copy the result from your last calculation.
  • Use the memory recall function on your iPhone calculator to store a number in your calculator's memory that you can use again later.
  • If you need a detailed history of your calculations, you will need to use a third-party calculator app.
Section 1 of 4:

Copy Last Result

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    You can do this by placing your finger in the upper-right corner of the screen and swiping down. Your iPhone allows you to copy the result of the last calculation you did in your calculator without having to open the app.
    • This data is not visible in the Calculator app itself.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/61\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/61\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This app is at the bottom of the Control Center and has a black background with a white calculator icon. A contextual menu will pop up.
    • You can also press and hold on the calculator app on your home screen or in your App Library to pull up the contextual menu.
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  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b4\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b4\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will copy the result of your last calculation, but it won't show you what the formula was. Nonetheless, it is a method of obtaining some history from your Calculator app.
    • Your last calculation will be stored even if you restart your phone.
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Section 2 of 4:

Memory Function

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    While the iPhone calculator can't remember specific equations, you can set it to remember a number just like a standard physical calculator.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cc\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cc\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you have Portrait Orientation Lock on, turn it off by swiping down from the upper-right corner to open the Control Center and tapping the orientation lock button, which looks like a lock surrounded by an arrow. [1] [2]
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/61\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/61\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-6.jpg\/v4-728px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":545,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/74\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/74\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-7.jpg\/v4-728px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will add the current number on your calculator to the memory. The mr button will highlight when the memory recall function is active.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/87\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/87\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-8.jpg\/v4-728px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The saved number will pop up in the number field and you can include it in future calculations.
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    For example, if your saved number was 7 and you typed 14 into your calculator and pressed m+ , your new saved number would be 21.
    • Using m+ and m- will change your saved number. If you want to just use the number in calculations, use the normal plus and minus buttons.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-10.jpg\/v4-728px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you need to re-do your saved number or are finished, you can clear it out by pressing mc.
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Section 3 of 4:

Screen Recording

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    If you need to recall a list of calculations and don't want to download any new apps, you can record your phone's screen while you do the calculations to refer back to later.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/ba\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/ba\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-12.jpg\/v4-728px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The icon looks like two toggle switches, and is below General .
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/55\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/55\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-13.jpg\/v4-728px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will add the iPhone's built-in screen recording function to your Control Center. [3]
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-14.jpg\/v4-460px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-14.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-14.jpg\/v4-728px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-14.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Swipe down from the upper-right corner to open the Control Center.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/32\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-15.jpg\/v4-460px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-15.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/32\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-15.jpg\/v4-728px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-15.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It is at the bottom of the control center and looks like a dot with a circle around it. The screen recording will begin in a few seconds.
    • If you have an iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max, there will be a red dot in your Dynamic Island indicating the screen is recording. If you have a different iPhone version, the clock will be highlighted in red.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fb\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-16.jpg\/v4-460px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-16.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fb\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-16.jpg\/v4-728px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-16.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Use your calculator to do the calculations you want to refer back to.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/62\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-17.jpg\/v4-460px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-17.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/62\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-17.jpg\/v4-728px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-17.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Return to the Control Center and tap the red recording button to stop the recording. The recording will be saved to your iPhone's photo library.
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/44\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-18.jpg\/v4-460px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-18.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/44\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-18.jpg\/v4-728px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-18.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Watch the recording back to see your calculations.
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Section 4 of 4:

Third-party Apps

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/00\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-19.jpg\/v4-460px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-19.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/00\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-19.jpg\/v4-728px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-19.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Calculator with History+ is a simple calculator app that looks very similar to the iPhone's built-in Calculator app. However, the biggest difference is Calculator with History+ allows you to see a history of the calculations you've done.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9a\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-20.jpg\/v4-460px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-20.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9a\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-20.jpg\/v4-728px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-20.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Calcbot 2 not only shows you the history of your calculations, but allows you to favorite them so you can find them again easily.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/be\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-21.jpg\/v4-460px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-21.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/be\/IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-21.jpg\/v4-728px-IPhone-Calculator-History-Step-21.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Numerical² is a visually stunning calculator app that records your calculation history and also syncs that history with iCloud so you can refer back to it on multiple devices.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/calculator-iph1ac0b5cc/ios
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204547
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207935

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