What Is This Thing?
Matt Lyons-Wood Reference iPhoneiPadiPod touch
What Is This Thing? is a free Reference app for iPhone and iPad by Matt Lyons-Wood. Requires iOS 15.6. Updated October 10, 2026.
- Price
- Free
- on the App Store
- Size
- 32 MB
- Age 12+
- Updated
- Oct 10
- 2026 · v1.0.62
Screenshots
About What Is This Thing?
Ever looked at something and wondered, what is this thing? Whether you're exploring a new city, trying a foreign dish, or tackling a DIY project, What Is This Thing gives you instant answers. Just snap a photo and get a clear, simple explanation - right when you need it. Perfect for travelers, curious minds, non-English speakers, and anyone who's ever felt a little lost in a new situation. Key features: - Get instant access, no signup required - Take a photo and get quick, accurate explanations - Zoom in on a photo you've taken with the crop button - Identify something in an image you've already taken using the gallery button - Understand unfamiliar objects, tools, food, animals, plants, landmarks, signs, and more - Designed to be helpful in everyday moments of confusion - Simple, clean interface - no clutter, no fuss No more guessing games. With What Is This Thing, the answer is just a photo away.
What’s new
Version 1.0.62 · Updated October 10, 2026
Bug fixes and small visual updates.
App privacy
The developer, Matt Lyons-Wood, reported these privacy practices to Apple.
Data Used to Track You
The following data may be used to track you across apps and websites owned by other companies:
- Identifiers: Device ID
- Usage Data: Product Interaction, Advertising Data
Data Not Linked to You
The following data, which may be collected but is not linked to your identity, may be used for the following purposes:
- Identifiers: Device ID
- Usage Data: Advertising Data, Product Interaction
- Diagnostics: Performance Data, Crash Data, Other Diagnostic Data
- User Content: Photos or Videos
- Surroundings: Environment Scanning
Used for: Third-Party Advertising, Analytics, App Functionality
Alternatives to What Is This Thing?
Looking for apps like What Is This Thing?? Here are 6 similar apps on the App Store. The highest rated is Identify This: AI Identifier (5.0/5), and all 6 are free to download.
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| App | Rating | Price | Last updated | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What Is This Thing? | – | Free | October 10, 2026 | |
| What is this: Lens & Scan AI | – | Free | Sep 8, 2026 | Compare |
| Identify Anything: What is it? | 4.7 / 5 (108) | Free | Jan 30, 2026 | Compare |
| Identify This: AI Identifier | 5.0 / 5 (3) | Free | Jun 30, 2026 | Compare |
| What bug is this Identify bugs | 4.5 / 5 (27) | Free | Nov 22, 2023 | Compare |
| Identify Anything: AI Scan | – | Free | Jan 14, 2026 | Compare |
| WhatsThat - Ask AI Assistant | 2.0 / 5 (17) | Free | Mar 20, 2024 | Compare |