# HEARD - the Plan B for memory — user reviews

> 87 indexed App Store user reviews of HEARD by Faalsa Labs, rated 3.16/5 from 25 ratings.

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/heard-the-plan-b-for-memory/id615420427/reviews
- App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/heard-the-plan-b-for-memory/id615420427.md
- Rating breakdown: 5★ 10 · 4★ 3 · 3★ 1 · 2★ 3 · 1★ 8

## Is HEARD safe?

Not enough ratings yet to assess HEARD.

## Is HEARD legit?

HEARD - the Plan B for memory appears to be a legitimate app. The AppsHunter Legitimacy Score for HEARD is 83 out of 100 points across 7 verification signals from App Store and developer data.

## What do users think of HEARD?

Reviews of HEARD are mixed: the Productivity app is rated 3.2/5 from 25 App Store ratings. What users like most: innovative concept for capturing past audio, useful for note-taking and idea generation. Top complaints: red status bar is intrusive, mutes notifications and other app sounds. Summarized from real user reviews.

**Pros**

- 💡 Innovative concept for capturing past audio
- 👍 Useful for note-taking and idea generation
- 👍 Great for musicians and songwriters
- 👍 Helpful for those with learning disabilities
- 👍 Captures unexpected conversations
- 👍 VoiceOver compatible
- 👍 Clear audio quality
- 👍 Intelligent design

**Cons**

- 🔴 Red status bar is intrusive
- 🔇 Mutes notifications and other app sounds
- 💰 Expensive in-app purchases for full functionality
- 💸 Deceptive pricing/bait and switch tactics
- 🐌 Outdated UI
- 🔌 Issues with exporting/sharing recordings
- 🚫 Background recording unreliable
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🪲 App stops working after iOS updates
- ❓ Lack of clear documentation/prompts

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Cannot export recordings
- App mutes notifications
- Background recording stops working
- App does not allow sending recordings to other apps
- Paid purchase not recognized
- App shuts off unexpectedly
- Flashing red bar when running
- App gets removed when another app runs in background
- Recording becomes unplayable after emailing
- App crashes when accessing menu
- App stopped working after iOS update
- Stopped working with new iOS versions
- App crashes after purchasing longer buffer
- Audio plays through speakers instead of headphones
- Requires force-quit to stop recording
- Emailing recordings results in null error
- App needs to be open to work
- Red bar drains battery
- Speaker not strong enough
- Red banner interferes with other apps
- Mutes phone functions
- Cannot record phone calls
- Red bar fades in and out
- Text messages, emails, keyboard clicks are silent when app is running
- App crashes immediately after pressing hamburger menu
- Recording stops at 30 seconds in free version
- App stopped working on iPad
- Cannot listen through speakers on iPad
- Audio continues to play through speakers when headphones are plugged in
- App requires force-quit to stop recording
- Audio becomes unplayable after emailing
- App crashes after purchasing longer buffer
- App stops working after updating iOS
- App shuts off unexpectedly
- App gets removed when another app runs in background
- Flashing red bar at top of screen
- App needs to be open for it to work

**Most requested features**

- Allow export of recordings
- Longer buffer options (hours)
- Ability to choose microphone
- UI update
- Lock screen control/save button
- Integration with Apple Watch
- Trim audio clips
- Save clips to camera roll
- Option to hide or move the red status bar
- Improve background recording reliability
- Add documentation
- Allow recording phone calls
- Add a stop recording button
- Open In functionality for audio files
- Combine pre-recorded and live audio into one file
- iPad version of the app
- Share clips via MMS/SMS
- Seamless background recording start
- Save clips to Dropbox
- Sound editing features

## Newest reviews (13 of 87)

### 3/5 — Decent

*2024-01-05*

The app works well but it’s ridiculous how you already have to pay for the app at first and then you have to pay extra if you want the buffer size longer than 1 minute. Additionally, the UI looks horrible and like it was made in 2008 for an Iphone 4. No offense to the developer.

### 4/5 — Needs longer buffers

*2023-01-16*

Very useful but I’d like to have much longer buffer choices in settings, as the app is useful in situations where a record of a long event is needed. 1, 2…even 8 hours. There’s plenty of storage space available. Thanks.

### 2/5 — App needs to be updated

*2022-12-24*

This app does not allow you to send your recording to other apps on your device. Also, I wish I could choose which mic the app uses.

### 2/5 — Paid for the app won’t recognize purchase

*2021-06-16*

So I bought this and had the 5 min buffer option but now it saying I didn’t buy this haven’t changed Apple ID. And I remember paying to even use the app did this change???

### 3/5 — Alright

*2020-12-29, version 1.1.4*

I’ve had this app for about 3 years. It’s a great idea, but doesn’t really work in the way you’d hope. As it’s running in the background, you’re going to have to constantly put up with the flashing red bar at the top left of the screen. Also, if you set another app to run in the background, it will get rid of HEARD. A little bit disappointing, but worth having if you can somehow get it for free.

### 3/5 — Needs a lock screen control/save button

*2020-06-14, version 1.1.4*

Awkward having to unlock phone and open app to hit the save button mid conversation. Defeats the purpose of secret recording. 

Ideally would work better having the save button available on home screen when screen is locked. Or save button controllable via bottom volume button like taking a photo. 

This app helps for recording arguments in the office and home form legal reasons but it’s not secret enough with the giant red save button and having to unlock phone and open app...

### 3/5 — Works. Kinda. Sort of.

*2020-03-11, version 1.1.4*

It does record and play back, but as soon as you email it out the recording becomes unplayable.

### 4/5 — One of a kind

*2018-11-03*

This is a great app for recording things that you might not be expecting. It does its job really well. It has its downsides, such as the red bar, but a recording app must have it. Even apples own app has it.

### 4/5 — Cool. Needs more documentation.

*2018-08-04*

The app wasn’t buffering. There was no explanation as to why. It turns out the permissions needed to be set to allow the app to use the microphone under settings. A warning/prompt from the app would have been nice.

### 4/5 — Needs updating (looks bad ok iPhone X)

*2018-06-06, version 1.1.4*

Great app, but the UI is dated (black bars on iPhone X) and odd sound when you save a file.
I bought the upgrade, but I hope they will facelift it soon.

### 3/5 — Extra $7 for 5min buffer

*2016-09-11, version 1.1.3*

The pricks fooled me. After you buy it, you still have to pay another $7 to remove the handicaps.

### 2/5 — dont bother

*2016-03-17*

not really much use for anything

### 3/5 — Needs Update

*2015-04-17, version 1.1.2*

Good app. Needs to be updated. Does not work with iOS 8.3.

## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated)

### 1/5 — Can Not Export

*2024-06-04*

It requires quick time to export your recordings. QuickTime has been discontinued by Apple. Have found no way to get my recordings off my phone.

### 1/5 — Mutes notifications

*2023-10-17*

Useless app that sells you on background recording which doesnt actually work after a few minutes while also silencing all notifications.

### 1/5 — App shuts off

*2021-02-06*

The purpose of this app is to remain on and listening for when you need to capture something recently said. Unfortunately every phone call or activity on your phone turns the app OFF (???) and you must constantly remember to restart it — negating the background convenience it was designed for.

### 1/5 — Rip off

*2018-07-16, version 1.1.4*

Don’t buy, wants extra money after you purchase for more than 1 minute

### 1/5 — App stopped working after updating iOS

*2018-01-18*

I would recommend if this wasn’t happening.

### 1/5 — Needs updating for ISO11.

*2017-09-20, version 1.1.4*

Stopped working. Can see an update in the ‘Settings, General, Appications, About’ but will not update. Not yet in new App Store.

### 1/5 — Crap!!!

*2017-01-02, version 1.1.3*

Don't buy the full/paid version. It doesn't work !!! This is a total embarassement: I could use free version and it works just fine , but when I paid them 4 GBP formthr full version it turns out that the extra part is crap!!!

### 1/5 — Not worth it

*2016-04-16*

When you have the app activly recording, it will show a red bar across the top of your iPhone the entire time. 

You have to pay 99 cents for the app and it will give you the ability to save the last minute of "what just happened". If you want the full 5 minutes it'll cost you another 4.99. I understand this company has to make money, but that is asking way too much for something that is disruptive (red bar). I would say it would be reasonable to make this app free with one minute of recording and the 4.99 option for the full unlock, OR 99 cents for the full 5 minutes since you can't download it for free and you probably won't want to buy it after you see that red bar. At least you won't be upset about wasting a dollar.

### 1/5 — Waste of time and money.

*2015-12-06*

Impression went downhill the longer I used the app. Disappointed to only have 1 minute of history after paying for the app, and that I would have to pay more just for an extra 4 minutes. No reason this shouldn't be far more configurable. Next was quite disappointed to have missed a rather important txt message. While the app is recording in any way, alerts don't seem to sound. Tested this quite a bit to confirm it being caused by this app. Last straw was when I finally had a recording I wanted, went to email it to myself so I could actually do something with it. Just get some kind of a null error, and the email never sends. Tried several times with different recordings, different email addresses and typed (gmail, exchange etc.) on both the to and from side. No difference.

### 1/5 — App needs to be open for it to work!

*2015-01-13, version 1.1.2*

Red bar on main screen at all time, basically like opening a voice recorder on your phone 24/7 but allows you to make phone calls etc. that red bar kills it, probably drain battery too. What a useless app trying to trick people that this is something new while it's only recording live, saving it on hard drive and delete and repeats. Battery waster. Stay away! And yeah.. App needs to be on and drains for it to work.

## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated)

### 5/5 — Still the only one of it’s kind on the App Store

*2022-10-17, version 1.1.4*

I gave this app 5 stars 9 years ago and I am giving it 5 stars again now.  I see many low rating because I think many users have based their rating for the app on mistaken expectation.

This is NOT an app for secret recording.  Many other recording apps allow you to keep recording even in the background.  What this app allows you to do is to keep it running perceptually in the background to capture unexpected occurrences like things that your growing kids have said(which I was able to do plenty of times as mine were growing up), an unexpected argument that you want to listen back to so you know what you and the others had said…etc, etc.  For this purpose, there is no other app in the App Store that would allow you to do.

I do wish for more features in the app as others and myself have stated in the past reviews but I guess the poor misplaced reviews were not helping.

### 5/5 — My Favorite App

*2022-02-15*

For anyone involved in brainstorming, creating, and developing ideas this is an amazing app.  You can sit around and verbally explore different ideas and solutions to problems with peers without having to stop and and write things down and loose momentum or train of thought.  When an innovative or useful thought is expressed you simply tap the phone without stopping the creative conversation.  I don’t ever write anything down at our creative sessions anymore, I simply tap and when the meeting is over have all our relevant useful talking points at my fingertips.  If I could give it 6 stars I would!

### 5/5 — Excellent. Simple, functional, highly useful

*2019-12-22, version 1.1.4*

I was literally about to code this up for myself but found this app instead; it includes all of the primary features I would’ve included in my code.

### 5/5 — Awesome App, Many Uses

*2017-11-20*

This app is great.  It performs exactly as advertised, and runs perfectly in the background while your phone is off or being used for other things (surfing the internet, watching videos, etc.).

As mentioned in other reviews, it does silence notifications (such as text messages), so you need to be aware of that.  And if you get into your car with the app running, it will automatically take over the bluetooth (silence the radio and start recording you through the car's microphone).  Also, Apple does not permit ANY app to continue recording during phone calls, so it automatically pauses when the phone rings and then resumes recording when you hang up.  But these are all manageable issues.  There is definitely a time and a place where this app is appropriate to use, and it works wonderfully in those circumstances.

### 5/5 — Great

*2017-10-01*

Invaluable for capturing key conversations that you did not plan on happening. Inexpensive upgrade lets you capture 5 minutes of conversation which is typically plenty. It has helped me at work, traveling, remembering instructions and other times. I imagine it would be especially helpful for those with hearing issues. You can plug in ear buds and clarify what was said after the fact. Red bar at top of home screen helps me to remember if I forgot to turn on. One of my most used favorite apps.

### 5/5 — Great app

*2017-09-20, version 1.1.4*

Just try it to see. And then compare it with kapture. This app is simply amazing. It is also ios 11 compliant.

Two requests: 
1. Update it for ios 11. [Thank you for doing this swiftly]
2. Can it be integrated with Apple Watch so that I can tap complication in watch to activate heard on phone.

### 5/5 — Great for songwriting

*2016-10-27, version 1.1.3*

We use this for songwriting all the time. And when you get that great idea for a lyric or chorus you don't miss it. Just click the button to save it. It's so so useful. I wish renaming the files was a bit less clunky but overall highly recommended, especially for musicians.

### 5/5 — Great app for conferences

*2016-02-14, version 1.1.3*

I'm using this app at a conference right now. It's helped me many times recall something that I just missed.

### 5/5 — Great substitute to me for Post-It notes

*2014-09-21, version 1.1.1*

Great for note taking while driving and practicing singing or playing music.
Highly recommended to all innovative people for catching their ideas wherever/whenever occurs!

### 5/5 — New version with fix for iOS8 crash is coming

*2014-09-20, version 1.1.1*

I contacted the developer and they told me a fix for the ios 8 crash problem is submitted and should be available very soon! Great app.

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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 2026-10-29.*