Pocket Seismograph for iPhone
Pocket Seismograph records what a phone accelerometer feels when it rests on a washing machine, floor, dashboard, HVAC unit or beam. A live trace can show magnitude or all XYZ axes, with NOW, MAX, AVG and RMS values updating as the event happens; sessions can be paused, named, searched and exported as CSV with ISO timestamps. Raw, Stable and gravity-removed Vibration modes make it clear how a trace was processed, while a calibration wizard measures baseline noise on the particular device. It also estimates Modified Mercalli intensity from peak acceleration. That estimate is not a certified seismic measurement, structural assessment or legal evidence: phone accelerometers vary, and official earthquake warnings should come from the relevant national alert system.
At a glance
- Platforms
- iPhone
- Price
- Free
- Category
- Utilities
- No ads
- ✓
- No tracking
- ✓
- Last verified
- 2026-07-29
- Minimum OS
- 13.0
- Version
- 1.0
- Released
- 2026-05-06
What is it?
Pocket Seismograph is an app for live vibration traces, peak readings, saved sessions, and CSV export.
What problem does it solve?
Intermittent vibration is hard to describe after it has passed. A trace and exportable session provide a record to inspect.
What it can do
- Real-time accelerometer trace, smooth and readable
- Magnitude or full XYZ axis display
- NOW, MAX, AVG, RMS metrics, updated continuously
- Pinch to zoom, pan to inspect, freeze without stopping
- Auto-scale fallback so tiny vibrations are still visible
- Live estimate of Modified Mercalli Intensity (I to X+)
- Based on peak ground acceleration (Wald 1999, USGS standard)
- Clearly disclaimed as estimated felt intensity, not a certified seismic measurement
Screenshots
How to use it
Place the phone on the surface, watch the live trace, save the session when the event occurs, and export its CSV.
Who it is for
People investigating household appliances, vehicles, floors, or building vibrations.
Privacy and permissions
You can find the permissions an app may request in its store listing and on its support page. The linked legal pages explain how the app handles data and the privacy choices it provides.
Support is available through the app store.
FAQ
Does Pocket Seismograph include Real-time accelerometer trace, smooth and readable?
Pocket Seismograph lists this feature in its store description: Real-time accelerometer trace, smooth and readable
How does Pocket Seismograph handle Magnitude or full XYZ axis display?
Pocket Seismograph lists this feature in its store description: Magnitude or full XYZ axis display
What can Pocket Seismograph do with NOW, MAX, AVG, RMS metrics, updated continuously?
Pocket Seismograph lists this feature in its store description: NOW, MAX, AVG, RMS metrics, updated continuously
When is Pinch to zoom, pan to inspect, freeze without stopping useful in Pocket Seismograph?
Pocket Seismograph lists this feature in its store description: Pinch to zoom, pan to inspect, freeze without stopping
Can I use Pocket Seismograph for Auto-scale fallback so tiny vibrations are still visible?
Pocket Seismograph lists this feature in its store description: Auto-scale fallback so tiny vibrations are still visible
Why would I use Live estimate of Modified Mercalli Intensity (I to X+) in Pocket Seismograph?
Pocket Seismograph lists this feature in its store description: Live estimate of Modified Mercalli Intensity (I to X+)