Private Ear Recorder
Sound-activated audio recorder
$1.99 · Designed for iPad. Not verified for macOS.
Set a threshold. Capture the sound. Skip the silence. Live levels, session playback, and a pocket-recorder feel for iPhone and iPad.
Keep the sound. Skip the silence.
Private Ear is a sound-activated audio recorder for iPhone and iPad. Set a sound threshold, start listening, and save clips when the microphone level rises above it.
SET THE THRESHOLD WITH CONFIDENCE
Watch live sound levels as you adjust the threshold. Move the slider or drag the threshold line directly on the scrolling meter to choose which sounds to capture. Foreground metering does not save audio until you tap Start listening.
KEEP NATURAL PAUSES
Choose a Silence delay to keep a clip open through short pauses, or choose Immediately to end it as soon as sound drops below the threshold. Continuous sound is split into clips of up to 10 minutes.
LISTEN, LOCK, AND COME BACK
After you start listening, Private Ear can continue with your device locked or while you use another app. Microphone use is clearly indicated. Calls, microphone changes, and other audio interruptions can stop listening.
FIND THE MOMENTS THAT MATTER
Clips are grouped by recording session, with the session start time and individual clip timestamps. Play a whole session in order, skipping the gaps between clips, or play a single clip. Watch the playback level trace and miniature dBFS display as you listen. Rename, share as WAV, or delete clips from the library.
A POCKET RECORDER WITH CHARACTER
A dark electronic-device design pairs segmented displays with a physical-style threshold slider. Layouts adapt to iPhone, iPad, and larger text sizes.
YOUR AUDIO STAYS WITH YOU
No accounts, ads, tracking, or analytics. Audio is stored on your device and is shared only when you choose to export it. Device backups may include your recordings.
UPGRADING FROM THE ORIGINAL PRIVATE EAR
Readable recordings stored by the original app are imported automatically. Version 3.0 uses your device's security instead of the old in-app password lock. The former desktop transfer client is replaced by WAV sharing.
Microphone permission is required. The sound meter shows digital microphone levels (dBFS), not calibrated environmental decibels. Record only with the permission of the people involved.
Private Ear has been rebuilt for modern iPhone and iPad devices.
• Set your sound threshold against live microphone levels using the slider or draggable threshold line.
• Capture quieter sounds with thresholds down to -80 dBFS.
• Choose how long clips stay open during quiet pauses.
• Browse clips grouped by recording session and play each session in order.
• See live playback levels and a miniature dBFS display in each playing clip.
• Rename, share WAV audio, and delete clips in the recording library.
• Enjoy a dark electronic-recorder design with support for larger text sizes.
• Import readable recordings from the original app automatically.
Upgrade note: the old in-app password lock is no longer used. Use your device passcode and iOS app locking to protect access. WAV sharing replaces the old desktop transfer client.
The developer, Excelltech Inc., indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Not Collected
The developer does not collect any data from this app.
Accessibility
The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More
Information
- Seller
- Excelltech Inc.
- Size
- 959.5 KB
- Category
- Utilities
- Compatibility
Requires iOS 18.0 or later.
- iPhone
Requires iOS 18.0 or later. - iPad
Requires iPadOS 18.0 or later. - Mac
Requires macOS 15.0 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later. - Apple Vision
Requires visionOS 2.0 or later.
- iPhone
- Age Rating
4+
- 4+
- Copyright
- © 2026 Excelltech Inc.
