How to Identify Laundry Symbols and Car Warning Lights on iPhone Using Visual Look Up

Deciphering the cryptic geometric washing symbols on garment laundry tags—such as wash tubs with dots, triangles with bars, and crossed-out iron symbols—frequently leads to ruined clothing in the tumble dryer. Similarly, an unfamiliar dashboard warning light illuminating while driving can cause immediate anxiety. In iOS 17, Apple expanded the machine-learning capabilities of Visual Look Up inside the Photos app to recognize and explain laundry care symbols, automotive dashboard indicators, food recipes, and nutritional labels automatically.

Requirements for Visual Look Up Recognition

Visual symbol recognition operates automatically on:

• Any iPhone running iOS 17 or later equipped with Apple’s A12 Bionic processor or newer (iPhone XS, XR, and all iPhone 11 through 16 models).
• An active internet connection to fetch Apple Knowledge definitions and Siri Suggestions.
• The feature functions on still photos, live camera shots, and screenshots.

How to Decode Laundry Care Symbols on Garment Tags

To safely wash delicate fabrics without guessing:

1. Take a crisp, well-lit close-up photograph of the fabric care tag on your clothing using the iPhone Camera.
2. Open the photograph in the Photos app.
3. Look at the bottom navigation bar. If Visual Look Up identifies care symbols, the standard Info icon (circle with an “i”) will automatically transform into an icon displaying sparkling stars or a washing machine icon.
4. Tap the sparkling icon (or swipe up on the photograph).
5. Tap on Look Up Laundry Care.
6. A sheet slides up identifying every single symbol detected on the tag with plain-English instructions (e.g., “Machine Wash Cold (30°C)”, “Do Not Tumble Dry”, “Iron Low Heat”, or “Bleach Allowed”).

How to Diagnose Car Dashboard Warning Lights

When an unfamiliar light illuminates on your instrument cluster:

1. Safely park your vehicle and take a clear photograph of your dashboard showing the illuminated symbol.
2. Open the picture in the Photos app.
3. Tap the sparkling Info icon or swipe up.
4. Tap on Look Up Auto Symbol.
5. Visual Look Up displays the formal ISO standard name of the indicator (e.g., “Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)”, “Check Engine”, “Brake System Alert”, or “Traction Control Disabled”) alongside relevant Safari Knowledge articles explaining severity and next steps.

Tips for High Recognition Accuracy

To ensure Visual Look Up detects symbols on the first attempt:

• Focus and Glare: Ensure clothing tags are flattened and avoid harsh flash glare reflecting off dashboard plastic lenses.
• Crop if Necessary: If an image contains multiple cluttered items, tap Edit > Crop to isolate the tag or warning light, making recognition instant.