ToneScan 1.0.7 and iOS 18.2
I use it for acoustic guitar, tuning, and vocal harmonies. There are very few other polyphonic tuners and none that I’ve found are designed for live performance or analyzing recordings with music theory in mind.
I held on to iOS 17 for a while but upgraded to 18.2 this week. ToneScan stopped working for me when using microphone input. After starting the analysis the frequency display stops after a few seconds. It doesn’t come back. I don’t know what’s happening under the hood, but it looks like the microphone access is being interrupted. However the status bar shows microphone in use by ToneScan. I tried adjusting settings and permission, reinstalling, and I’ve reached out to the developer. I’ll try to update this if anything changes.
I really appreciate the one time upgrade, and I know this issue is exactly the reason some developers only offer subscriptions. I have read about this before, and it’s an old problem Apple may not care to solve. A lot of utility software just works and never needs an update or facelift or content, hence a one-time payment for one-time build. Sort of like buying a book that doesn’t have to be rewritten. The best solution I’ve seen is “compatibility mode” for Windows, which allow users to run legacy software in modern versions of the operating system.
It’s doubtful that’s coming to iOS. I would suggest that financing updates without a subscription could be done with modular features and a voluntary contribution option. For instance, I would like to see decibel readings or relative volume during analysis and an input option for Spotify.
Response from developer
Thanks for your feedback. We really appreciate your patience and support. Version 1.0.8 resolves a mic input issue caused by changes in iOS 18. For more details, visit our App Support page. The latest app update should help you get back to scanning tones in creative ways. As iOS evolves, we regularly assess app pricing models to ensure long-term support. A compatibility mode for older versions would certainly make that easier. We'll assess the feasibility of adding volume readings in a future update. We share your interest in supporting Spotify and Apple Music streams, but unfortunately, due to DRM restrictions, we don’t yet see a way forward. However, the app can analyze music files that are stored on your device. We regret the trouble you experienced and our delay in responding — your review and message came to our attention only recently.
Microphone Doesn’t Work
Response from developer
Thanks for reporting this issue and checking your settings. Version 1.0.8 resolves a mic input issue caused by changes in iOS 18. If you're on iOS 18, please update to the latest app version. For more info and mic solutions, visit our App Support page. We regret the delay in responding — your review came to our attention only recently. Once the app works for you at choir practice, we’d appreciate an updated review.
Can’t get microphone to work
Response from developer
Thanks for reporting this issue. It sounds like your microphone input is unstable. Version 1.0.8 resolves a mic input issue caused by changes in iOS 18. If you're on iOS 18, please update to the latest app version. For more info and mic solutions, visit our App Support page. The mic icon shows when the app is actively listening. We regret the delay in responding — your review came to our attention only recently. Once the app works for you, we’d appreciate an updated review.
Not working right
Response from developer
Thanks for your feedback and support. Based on your input, we updated version 1.0.7 to hide the timer display when the microphone is in use. In older versions, the timer display sits at 00:00 while the mic is in use. If you see no activity in the audio meter after pressing the play button, please check the mic FAQ on our App Support page.
