# The Brain AR App

> Interactive AR/VR app for exploring head and brain anatomy. (iPhone/iPad app by Harmony Studios Limited.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-brain-ar-app/id680599952 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Harmony Studios Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/504522955)
- Category: Education, Medical
- Price: Free
- Rating: 3.80/5 from 8 App Store ratings · 13 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 11.0 · 76 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2013-07-31
- Data updated: 2026-06-06
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-brain-ar-app/id680599952/reviews.md

## What is The Brain AR App?

The app lets you explore the layers of the head from skin, muscle and skull down to the inner areas of the brain.
By using augmented reality (AR), the user gains an amazing insight into the tissues, structures and areas of the mind by moving the device around the special artwork provided.

Switch to virtual reality (VR) mode to view and navigate the inner brain structure. This can optionally be viewed using Google Cardboard.

The app provides an advanced and interactive view of the head and mind which is perfect for educational demonstrations, learning at home or just the enjoyment of finding out more about how our inner-selves work.

To use:
- Print out the artwork which is available at http://harmony.co.uk/project/the-brain-in-3d/
- In AR mode, point your device at the printed image.
- Use your device to navigate the 3D content.
- Switch on and off the various layers - you can animate the brain areas to open and close.
- Tap the different sections of the brain to learn more!
- In VR mode, use your device to explore the 3D content, with the option to use a VR headset. 
- To use a VR headset, simply switch to the split screen view and insert your device into the viewer.

All feedback and thoughts for the next versions are very welcome and thank you for taking the time to enjoy our work.

## Key features

- Augmented Reality (AR) exploration
- Virtual Reality (VR) mode
- Interactive 3D head and brain layers
- Tap sections to learn more
- Animate brain areas
- Printable artwork required for AR

## Recent user reviews (10 of 13)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-brain-ar-app/id680599952/reviews.md

### 2/5 — Doesn’t do anything but show a 3D model

*2024-04-08*

When I open the app, I can see a “person “ with in 3D but once I switched to settings I couldn’t get the app to do anything. I closed it out and retried but nothing happened

### 5/5 — Le bosh

*2023-01-16, version 3.1*

Heinz beans

### 4/5 — Cool but

*2021-03-25*

The AR mode won’t work, I put it in front of my desk but it detects nothing

### 5/5 — The Brain

*2020-07-10*

This app will help to learn.

### 1/5 — No meaningful functionality - it is just a demo app for company’s portfolio

*2020-05-09*

This application doesn’t deliver the features and capabilities it claims it does. It is limited to showing a basic 3D model. You can show/hide the six different layers. For the last two layers - skull and brain - you can “explode” them which just makes the objects in that layer push away from each other to make it easier to view them individually. With the exception of the brain, clicking on different parts of the model does nothing at all - no label or description. The brain structures in the model are extremely high level: Brainstem, Limbic System, Corpus Callosum, Thalamus, Cerebellum, Hippocampus, Basal Ganglia, Ventricle System, and right and left cerebral hemisphere. You can not dive in deeper into any of these structures.  Clicking one begins a short audio clip that again provides the most basic of details. 

The VR option to explore neurons just provides a 360 degree view of an artistic impression of what it might look like if you were inside the brain and relatively sized to a neuron. After a short narration, a basic electrical popping sound effect that likely represents the firing of neuronal action potentials plays on loop. It uses particles (glowing balls) to illustrate signals moving down axons. Other particles float around which I assume are neurotransmitters but they just float around aimlessly. Periodic electric bolts are shown in the distance. The neurons are not scientific and fail to demonstrate meaningful anatomical structure and organization of neurons. There is absolutely no interactivity beyond the 360 view in this mode. Despite being pretty looking, it’s of no practical or applied value as to the supposed intended purpose of this application.

Back to the 3D model mode, even when you have the brain layer expanded it can be very easy to inadvertently select brain region other than what you intended. Once the narration begins there is no way to stop it and you must wait for it to complete before making next selection (luckily in this respect the narrations are short but it becomes annoying notwithstanding). There is a card you can download and print that will cause the model to anchor and orientate to it. You then move around it vs using your fingers to rotate the model. However it is finicky and if the card moves the slightest bit out of sight of your camera the model resets back to floating (which is a bit odd since other AR/mixed reality systems handles this just fine and can detect flat surfaces to attach a 3D model’s position to without the aid of a card to act as a landmark. If you turn away and turn back it’ll still be there in the “position” you left it. Unclear if limitation in their implementation or maybe limitation in Apple’s AR system when this was built since last update to this application was three years ago). Ultimately, you’ll find yourself just going back to having the model float so you can meaningfully rotate, zoom, etc the model via finger gestures. 

Total time to experience everything: less than five minutes. 

Looking at their website, it is clear this is just a demo application to have in their portfolio to show potential customers the type of work they can do vs. a genuine attempt to build and contribute to the iOS application ecosystem. For this reason, unless you’re looking to evaluate this company to build you an AR app, this application is of no material value and you can safely pass to next option in your search of application to help you study and explore Neuroanatomy.

### 5/5 — I love it

*2019-05-05*

This app is my favorite thing to do if I am bored. The descriptions are so good and I find so much enjoyment in learning about our brain.

### 5/5 — Very interesting, well designed

*2016-04-06*

Great job. What a helpful app

### 2/5 — Print out not accessible

*2016-03-17, version 2.0.2*

Can't access the file on the web to print out

### 4/5 — Cool idea!

*2014-10-14*

Need to play with it a bit more, but it's great seeing the things in 3d. It says this is part of an anatomy series... Are there more like this?

### 5/5 — Fantastic app. Great detail!

*2014-08-07, version 2.0.0*

Great app, helped a lot in my school work.

## Frequently asked questions about The Brain AR App

### What is The Brain AR App?

The Brain AR App is an educational application that uses augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to let users explore the layers of the human head and brain. You can switch between different anatomical layers and tap on sections to learn more.

### How do I use The Brain AR App in AR mode?

To use The Brain AR App in AR mode, you need to print out the special artwork from http://harmony.co.uk/project/the-brain-in-3d/. Then, point your device at the printed image, and the 3D content will appear, allowing you to navigate and interact with it.

### Can I use The Brain AR App with a VR headset?

Yes, The Brain AR App supports VR mode, which can be viewed using Google Cardboard or other VR headsets. Simply switch to the split-screen view and insert your device into the viewer to explore the inner brain structure.

### What devices is The Brain AR App compatible with?

The Brain AR App is compatible with iPhones and iPads. It is designed to provide an immersive learning experience on these Apple devices.

### Is The Brain AR App suitable for children?

The Brain AR App has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for children. Its interactive and visual nature can be engaging for younger learners interested in anatomy.

### How often is The Brain AR App updated?

The Brain AR App was last updated on October 29, 2020, with version 3.1. While updates may not be frequent, the app provides a stable educational experience.

### What do users think of The Brain AR App?

The Brain AR App has an average rating of 3.8 stars from 8 ratings. User feedback is welcomed by the developers for future improvements.

### Does The Brain AR App have ads?

No, The Brain AR App does not contain advertisements. It offers an uninterrupted educational experience for users exploring the human head and brain.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.1 — 2020-10-29

Added Face Tracking and marker-less AR.

### 3.0 — 2016-05-22

• Virtual Reality mode lets you see the inner brain.
• Audio commentary provided by a medical professional.
• Performance, visual and user interface enhancements.
• Automatic AR and 3D mode switching.
• Capture screenshot and share.

### 2.0.2 — 2014-11-19

Support for iOS 8 & above.

### 2.0.0 — 2014-08-04

• Virtual Reality mode lets you see the inner brain.
• Supports Dive by Durovis.
• Audio commentary provided by a medical professional.
• Performance, visual and user interface enhancements.
• Automatic AR and 3D mode switching.
• Capture screenshot and share. 
• Sections of the brain are highlighted when selected.

### 1.0 — 2013-07-31

No release notes.

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## More apps by Harmony Studios Limited

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All apps by Harmony Studios Limited: https://appshunter.io/developer/504522955

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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 2026-06-06.*