# ChirpHound: Smoke Alarm Finder — Follow the chirp, not the echo

> Offline utility to locate and identify beeping devices using audio analysis. (iPhone/iPad app by Robert Corbin.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chirphound-smoke-alarm-finder/id6777020126 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Robert Corbin](https://appshunter.io/developer/1890247992)
- Category: Utilities, Lifestyle
- Price: $2.99
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.0 · 67 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2026-06-10
- Data updated: 2026-09-03
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chirphound-smoke-alarm-finder/id6777020126/reviews.md

## What is ChirpHound?

Turn repeated chirps into a search map.

ChirpHound is a private field tool for locating periodic smoke-alarm battery chirps and other hard-to-find household beeps. It listens only during an active hunt, identifies repeatable tonal evidence, and turns the wait between chirps into a practical search plan.

HOUNDMAP - SPATIAL SEARCH EVIDENCE
- Mark separated checkpoints on a simple map of the space
- Capture only target-matched chirps at each checkpoint
- Fuse relative dB above the local floor, Signal Lock identity, frequency, tonality, repetition, stability, and coverage
- See a probability heatmap instead of trusting one loud reflection
- Keep confidence, an 80% uncertainty zone, and edge evidence visible
- Follow the next checkpoint expected to reduce uncertainty most
- Save the map with the hunt and include it in Sweep Plan, History, and PDF reports

HoundMap identifies a search zone. It does not claim an exact device coordinate, distance, calibrated sound level, or emergency verdict.

SIGNAL LOCK, ECHOMAP, AND CHIRPMESH
- Learn a compact numeric fingerprint from repeated matching chirps
- Keep unrelated lookalikes from steering the warmer/colder trail
- Compare repeated evidence across named rooms with one phone in EchoMap
- Compare the same chirp simultaneously across opted-in nearby iPhones and iPads with ChirpMesh
- Require repetition, stable spread, identity quality, and a meaningful margin before showing strong evidence
- Exchange compact numeric ChirpMesh observations only; raw audio is never sent

TIME THE WAIT AND FIND THE BAND
- Next Chirp Clock learns the measured interval between events
- WALK / FREEZE / NOW coaching keeps footsteps out of the measurement
- Auto Discover scans 24 bands from 400 Hz to 6 kHz
- 15 presets cover alarms, appliances, leak sensors, UPS units, and more
- Live spectrum and spectrogram views reveal tonal energy in the room

FIELD WORKSPACE
- One-handed live hunt and Sonar mode on iPhone
- Two-pane HoundMap evidence workspace on iPad
- Safety-first recognition of repeated three- and four-beep groups
- Hearing Assist can provide screen flash, torch pulse, speech, and a headphone-only low echo tone
- Local history stores notes and compact numeric evidence
- Export CSV data or a PDF field report through the system share sheet

PRACTICE OFFLINE
- 18 original synthetic Signal Lab scenes cover echoes, distance, timing, fan masking, and common sources
- Hidden Source Checklist covers 43 easy-to-miss locations and devices
- Chirp Field Guide includes 44 original reference plates with visible safety and technique sources

PRIVATE BY DESIGN
- Microphone audio is analyzed live only during an active hunt
- Raw audio is never recorded, stored, uploaded, or shared with a nearby device
- HoundMap works on device and requires no new permission
- ChirpMesh sessions are opt-in, encrypted, nearby, and foreground-only
- No account, subscription, In-App Purchase, ads, analytics, tracking, third-party SDK, or developer server
- Hunt data stays in the app container unless you explicitly export it

ChirpHound is a locating and reference aid. It is not a smoke alarm, carbon-monoxide alarm, calibrated sound-level meter, medical device, or substitute for emergency action. If a real alarm is sounding, leave the area, follow its instructions, and contact emergency services from a safe location.

## Key features

- Offline audio analysis
- Live warmer/colder guidance
- Device identification and fixes
- Spectrogram and frequency presets
- Hearing assistance features
- Room comparison and ranking
- Exportable reports

## Chart rankings

- #191 in Top Paid · Utilities (US App Store)

## Recent user reviews (2 of 2)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chirphound-smoke-alarm-finder/id6777020126/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Doesn’t work

*2026-08-01*

Don’t waste your money. Complicated interface, doesn’t detect obvious beep every 47-48 seconds. No way to get help or support.

**Developer response:** Thanks for the direct report. This review predates newer ChirpHound builds, and we are continuing to improve detection reliability and the help flow. If you still see this on the current version, please use the App Store support link with your device and recording context so we can reproduce it.

### 1/5 — App doesn’t work

*2026-07-19*

Opens to a frozen page

**Developer response:** Thanks for reporting this. This review predates newer ChirpHound builds. A frozen launch screen is not expected behavior, and we keep testing startup reliability with each update. If it still happens on the current version, please contact support with your device and iOS version.

## Frequently asked questions about ChirpHound

### What is ChirpHound?

ChirpHound is a utility app designed to help you locate and identify the source of intermittent beeping devices. It works by analyzing the local noise floor and isolating tonal energy from household sounds, providing live feedback as you approach the source.

### How does ChirpHound help find beeping devices?

ChirpHound uses a 'hot-and-cold' game approach. It provides 'WARMER' or 'COLDER' verdicts for each new chirp, along with dB changes and a trail of recent chirps. It also offers a live relative-dB warmth gauge and, on supported devices, a directional bearing arrow.

### Can ChirpHound identify the type of device that is beeping?

Yes, ChirpHound features a 'Device Dossier' that identifies the likely source of the beep, such as a smoke alarm low battery. It shows the evidence and sources for its identification and provides the exact fix for the device.

### Does ChirpHound have ads?

No, ChirpHound does not contain any advertising. The app is built for privacy and does not include advertisements, analytics, tracking, or third-party SDKs.

### What is the price of ChirpHound?

ChirpHound is a paid application, available for $2.99. This one-time purchase grants you access to all of its features without any recurring fees or in-app purchases.

### Is ChirpHound available on multiple devices?

ChirpHound is supported on iPhones and iPads. The app is designed to function on these Apple mobile devices.

### How often is ChirpHound updated?

ChirpHound was last updated on August 11, 2026, with version 4.0. This indicates a recent update, suggesting ongoing development and support for the application.

### What kind of beeps can ChirpHound detect?

ChirpHound can detect a wide range of beeps, from 400 Hz to 6 kHz, covering common household alarms, appliances, leak sensors, UPS units, and smart devices. It also recognizes patterns for potential smoke or carbon monoxide alerts.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 8.0 — 2026-08-31

ChirpHound 8.0 introduces HoundMap: a one-phone spatial search tool for the chirp that keeps reflecting through the room.

- Mark separated listening checkpoints on a simple map.
- Capture only chirps that match the active Signal Lock target.
- Combine relative level, frequency, tonality, repetition, identity quality, stability, and spatial coverage.
- Use a reflection-tolerant probability grid so one loud outlier cannot decide the result.
- See the most-supported search zone, confidence, an 80% uncertainty area, and edge evidence.
- Follow a next-best checkpoint chosen to reduce uncertainty.
- Save HoundMap evidence with the hunt, feed it into Sweep Plan, review it in History, and include it in the PDF field report.
- Use a cleaner Hunt workspace with one focused 8.0 introduction instead of stacked legacy notices.

HoundMap is a search aid, not an exact coordinate, calibrated sound-level reading, smoke or carbon-monoxide alarm, or emergency detector. Audio remains live and on device. No raw audio is recorded or uploaded. No account, subscription, In-App Purchase, ads, analytics, tracking, third-party SDK, or developer server.

### 5.0 — 2026-08-28

ChirpHound 5.0 introduces Signal Lock: lock onto one beep and ignore the rest.

- Learns a compact acoustic fingerprint from two matching chirps.
- Compares frequency, duration, tonal shape, and timing entirely on device.
- Filters lookalike sounds so they do not steer the warmer/colder trail.
- Shows live confidence plus matched and ignored event counts.
- Adds Retarget and Unlock controls when the sound you want changes.
- Carries the lock state into Sonar, hunt history, and PDF field reports.
- Preserves rapid multi-beep warning patterns instead of filtering them out.
- Pins Stop and Sonar controls above the tab bar for reliable one-handed access.
- Refreshes the Hunt and Sonar surfaces with a clearer graphite field palette.
- Improves large-text layouts and iPad reachability.

Raw audio is never recorded, stored, or uploaded. Signal Lock retains numeric measurements only. No account, ads, analytics, or tracking.

### 4.3 — 2026-08-22

Housekeeping release. Nothing changes in how ChirpHound works — this update refreshes the App Store listing so the app is easier to find when you're searching for a chirping smoke alarm, a CO detector, or a beeping UPS.

The 4.2 improvements are all still here: the wide-scan escape hatch when a beep falls outside the current listening band, next-chirp prediction, and the hearing-assist output (flash, torch, speech, and echo tone).

### 4.2 — 2026-08-19

ChirpHound 4.2 adds Personal Field Baseline to Insights.

- Compare the last five completed hunts with the five before them.
- See recent average chirps and find rate without sending data anywhere.
- Keep the Next Chirp Clock, adaptive lock, offline Signal Lab, field guide, room comparison, exports, and safety-first guidance from 4.1.
- Same privacy: no account, ads, tracking, analytics, or uploaded audio.

### 4.1 — 2026-08-15

ChirpHound 4.1 is about the wait between beeps. After two chirps, the Next Chirp Clock times this device’s rhythm so you can walk, then freeze for the measurement.

• Next Chirp Clock — a countdown and WALK / FREEZE / NOW coach, using the interval ChirpHound actually measured, not a generic preset guess.
• Freeze for the beep — stop walking in the last few seconds so footsteps don’t bury the chirp. Haptics (and spoken guidance, if you use Hearing Assist) tell you when.
• Listen window — slightly more sensitive only when the chirp is due, so a faint beep still counts. Never less sensitive between chirps.
• Adaptive lock — retunes the listening center to the tone in the room without narrowing the band.
• Missed-chirp help — if the expected beep doesn’t arrive, ChirpHound tells you to raise sensitivity or tap when you hear it.
• Same privacy as always. Fully offline. No account, no ads, no tracking.

## More apps by Robert Corbin

- [Daily Word Journey](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/daily-word-journey/id6761548266)
- [Hush Secret Text](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hush-secret-text/id6761658175)
- [Renew Guard](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/renew-guard/id6761755447)
- [Receipt to PDF](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/receipt-to-pdf/id6761782025)
- [Route Your Pay](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/route-your-pay/id6761783719)
- [Tip Arbiter](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tip-arbiter/id6761786879)

All apps by Robert Corbin: https://appshunter.io/developer/1890247992

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-03.*