Calculator App Issues in iOS 18

Just downloaded PCalc, per this recommendation, since it’s an app you have to pay for, I bought it(as I refuse to pay a monthly subscription for pretty much anything(like some of the third party calculators want) a one time purchase was a good option. At first I freaked out because the equal wouldn’t repeat the operation, but luckily, it’s just a setting in its gear menu, and now I once again have a functional calculator. I think it’s ridiculous that apple would throw away basic functionality, but at least I can have a useable calculator now. Thanks Idris!

the more I dig into PCalcs features the more awesome it seems. When you click the 42 button (awesome reference) it has mathematical constants for all sorts of fields. Like it’s fully functional for my purposes, but I can also just geek out with it for awhile too, and figure out things I have no direct need to for fun 😀

ralph1920 wrote:

Seriously Apple - are you reading???

No, Apple isn't reading here. If you want Apple to know your thoughts, you can submit feedback here:

Product Feedback - Apple

Meanwhile, if the installed calculator doesn't meet your needs, there are hundreds available in the App Store. PCalc is frequently recommended.

Personally, I think the one on the iPhone is fine. I use it every day.

MichaelHighland wrote:

Please can someone at Apple please add this functionality back to the calculator app, this is something I use very regularly, for compounding over months or years as part of my job.

Apple doesn't read here in this user-to-user forum for feedback or suggestions. You can, however, let them know your thoughts here:

Product Feedback - Apple

Meanwhile, you may want to take a look at the third-party PCalc. It's not free but it is very highly regarded.

The Apple calculator has endured backwards update in terms of flexibility of use.

If I want to apply an 8% return to $1000 over 3 years, I used key in “1000x1.08===“ and the calculator would give me the product 1,259.712 but now I have to key in “1000×1.08×1.08×1.08” so the old way was 12 keystrokes and the new way is 19.

…or I can go into scientific mode and enter:

1. Start with the interest rate:  1 + 0.08 , press = (you should see  1.08 ).
2. Raise this to the power of 3: Tap the x^y button, enter  3 , and press = (you should see  1.259712 ).
3. Multiply this result by the principal amount ($1000):  1.259712 \times 1000 , press =.

…so the scientific mode has always been hard to remember and instead I’d just set up the equation and hit equal for the number of times equal to the periods of time I needed. Now I either have to type them in (a lot more keystrokes) or use the scientific which is also more cumbersome.

Nice job Apple you’ve forced me to use the scientific mode even for the most basic calculations.

Resa3 wrote:

No thx. My question was to Apple .

You weren’t helpful.

plz take me off your responses.

thx

I will post wherever and whenever I want. You are not going to get a response from Apple in this user-to-user forum if you wait 100 years.

Whether helpful or not, everything you need to know has already been posted hundreds of times in this thread alone.

Here is how to contact Apple.

Apple’s formal support can be reached several ways:

• You can provide feedback to Apple at→ Product Feedback - Apple where your issue or suggestion will be recorded, but you will not get a reply

For personalized support:

Best way: 

• Install the Apple Support app on your iPhone or iPad - you can contact support directly from the app, and the tech will have (with your permission) access to diagnostic data on your phone

Other options:

• • Click on “Support” at the top or bottom of this page
  • Go to Contact Official Apple Support

(Note that both of the above have options to receive a callback or chat)

• • Call Apple Support; the phone numbers are in this link→Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support
  • Make a Genius Bar appointment at an Apple Store→Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple
  • Find an Apple store or Apple partner service provider→Find Locations

About the only communications methods not used by Apple support is inbound

Michael Jarosz1 wrote:

On https://apple.com/feedback, they don't even include a form for the Calculator app anywhere on the page. And there's no "Other" option under the "iOS and iPadOS Apps" section :/

There are lots of builtin apps that don't have their own sections. Just use the general iPhone option.

Feedback - iPhone - Apple

Sloading wrote:

Not sure how well Apple iPhone reps monitor and consider this content, but I would suggest that everyone also send input to the iPhone User Feedback page. This calculator downgrade is something they need to hear about until they decide to fix it. Feedback - iPhone - Apple

I AM sure how well Apple iPhone reps monitor ASC: Not at all. The only people who monitor ASC are moderators, and even they don’t read every post, and they certainly don’t read for feedback. I know because once you reach level 6 you can chat with the ASC administrators directly.

ColonC71 wrote:

If the new IOS 18 calculator is not changed back to its original format IOS 17 version with running totals then I will be getting rid of I phone

You should absolutely use the tool that best meets your needs. If that means buying an entirely new phone rather than just a new calculator app (try PCalc), that's what you should do. Seems like a waste of money to me, though.

please speak to who ever designed this and get them to rectify it please

No one here in this user-to-user forum can "speak to" anyone. If you want to let Apple know your thoughts, use the feedback page:

Product Feedback - Apple

I'm pretty sure they changed it intentionally, though.

I found a calculator in the App Store that will recalculate with multiple “=“s. It’s called Calculator+ (the one with the little subscript +, not the one with the big +). It’s not perfect - it has adds and won’t let you copy your total for pasting elsewhere, but it will do running recalculations.

PCalc is great. The full version needs to be bought, but I only need basic functions, so it suits my needs well. After deleting the Apple Calculator I've tried several third-party calculators, and this one is the best. I make it my main calculator now. Thanks for the recommendation.

Well, in a way it is your fault🤣. You switched the calculator to Currency Conversion mode. Tap the calculator icon in the lower left corner and turn off Convert.

Why don’t you actually tell APPLE, rather than the other users in this user-to-user forum who don’t really care what you want?

https://apple.com/feedback

when iPads had no native calculator, I used Calculator HD which answered most of my needs quite well. It does most of the things I see listed here - keeps a running “tape” on the left, supports chains of calculation and shows running totals as you go, repeats an operation on second =, etc.

one look at the new native iPadOS calculator and I re-installed calculator HD. For my purposes, superior in obvious ways to - “Apple’s best”????—

pups88 wrote:

APPLE , PLEASE RESTORE the calculator app BACK TO IT'S ORIGINAL FORMAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You have literally ruined a perfectly functioning tool and turned it into garbage.

This plus your new apple music change over ???

STARTING TO CONSIDER A CHANGE OF PHONE TO

Which "original format?" From which version of iOS? There have been changes over the years so you'll need to be specific.

Apple doesn't read here in this user-to-user forum for feedback or suggestions. You can let them know what you'd like to see here:

Product Feedback - Apple

Meanwhile, a number of very good third-party apps have been recommended in this thread. Perhaps one of them would better meet your needs. That seems a simpler and more cost-effective solution than buying a whole new phone.

I went to a third party calculator app. The Apple Calculator app is useless for me now.