LidarAC App for Tilta Nucleus-M II and Nano II Introduced – Turn Your iPhone Into a LiDAR Rangefinder

June 23^rd, 20261

LidarAC App for Tilta Nucleus-M II and Nano II Introduced – Turn Your iPhone Into a LiDAR Rangefinder

by Francesco AndreolaJune 23^rd, 2026

LidarAC is a third-party iOS app that integrates with Tilta’s Nucleus Nano II, Nucleus-M, and Nucleus-M II systems, allowing you to turn your iPhone into a LiDAR rangefinder to assist with focus pulling. The system requires two iPhones: one mounted on the camera and acting as a LiDAR sensor, while the second serves as a monitoring interface at the focus station.

If you’ve ever tried pulling focus using only a monitor and focus marks on your hand unit, you know how challenging the task can be. This is precisely why LiDAR-based solutions such as the DJI Focus Pro have gained popularity, particularly among users who cannot justify the cost of higher-end systems like the Focusbug or ARRI UDM-1.

However, most people on set already carry a LiDAR sensor in their pocket – the one built into their iPhone. So why not take advantage of this readily available technology to create a focus assist tool that compatible with hand units beyond the DJI Focus Pro ecosystem? That’s exactly what the LidarAC app aims to do. Let’s take a closer look!

AI-generated mockup of LidarAC app connected to Tilta Nucleus Nano II. Image credit: LidarAC

LidarAC app – iPhone-based LiDAR system for the Tilta Nucleus ecosystem

The idea behind the LidarAC app is pretty clever: a LiDAR-equipped iPhone (12 Pro or newer) mounted on the camera transmits real-time distance data to a second iPhone connected via Bluetooth to a Tilta Nucleus Nano II, Nucleus-M, or Nucleus-M II hand unit. This effectively turns the setup into a low-budget rangefinder, with the primary limitation being the operating range of the iPhone’s built-in LiDAR sensor.

LidarAC app initial setup screen. Image credit: LidarAC

Upon launching the LidarAC app, users are prompted to select either TX or RX mode, depending on the role of the device. For a stronger connection between the two, it is recommended to create a hotspot on one of the iPhones and connect the second one directly to it.

Main LidarAC RX user interface. Image credit: LidarAC

Once the connection has been established, the RX device displays both the distance readings from the Nucleus system (shown in red) and the real-time measurements from the TX device (shown in green). The RX interface also provides a visual representation of the data through a large, interactive focus scale, including a point-cloud projection of the LiDAR data.

LidarAC app lets you create custom lens and camera profiles for DoF calculations. Image credit: LidarAC

From the RX device, focus pullers can map Nucleus motors to focus, iris, or zoom functions, set focus marks, enable haptic feedback, view the TX iPhone’s camera feed, and even manage custom lens and camera profiles. These profiles help provide accurate Circle of Confusion, Depth of Field, and sensor offset calculations. The system supports 5 LiDAR modes – Subject, Spot, Nearest, Track 3D, and Track 2D – making it a potentially compelling alternative to more expensive rangefinder solutions for users on a budget.

Price and availability

The LidarAC app is now available as a free download from Apple’s App Store.

What do you think of the LidarAC app? Could it become a useful tool for your productions, or does it add unnecessary complexity to your setup? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.