# Watchful: Personal AI Alerts — Personal AI web checks

> Personal AI web checks (iPhone/iPad app by James Cullimore.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/watchful-personal-ai-alerts/id6812295504 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [James Cullimore](https://appshunter.io/developer/1874857254)
- Category: Productivity, Utilities
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Age rating: 17+
- Requires: iOS 18.0 · 37 MB
- Languages: American English, French (France), German (Germany), Italian, European Portuguese, Russian, European Spanish
- Released: 2026-09-28
- Data updated: 2026-10-21

## What is Watchful?

Less checking. More time for what matters. Create personal watchers for public information, add your preferences and choose when an update deserves a notification. Explore the original sources behind each result.

Use your own OpenAI or Gemini API key with compatible model choices and links to official API prices. Your provider bills that usage separately. Two active watchers are free; lifetime Pro removes the personal-key watcher limit. Alternatively, monthly subscriptions include Pro and 50, 100, 250, 500 or 1,000 shared AI credits. One credit represents US$0.03 of API usage, not one check. The app reserves a displayed maximum, charges known actual usage and returns the unused amount. Credits renew monthly without rollover or paid overages. Failed or interrupted requests may still incur usage; uncertain charges remain reserved. Existing check subscriptions keep their purchased allowance.

Credit checks use OpenAI web research followed by your chosen OpenAI or Gemini model, with your consent. Optional approximate location or a fallback town can help nearby searches. Gemini results are session-only and do not compare history. OpenAI history is stored on your device. Provider processing follows its own terms. AI answers may be inaccurate; verify sources before acting.

Choose schedules or configure named Watchful actions in Apple Shortcuts for supported personal automations, including Wi-Fi, NFC, charging and location. Add time windows and automatic-attempt limits. Background execution depends on iOS and automation settings; timing is not guaranteed.

https://jamescullimore.dev/watchful/policy_ios/
https://jamescullimore.dev/watchful/terms/
https://jamescullimore.dev/watchful/support/

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 50 checks monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| 100 checks monthly | $8.99 | per month |
| 200 checks monthly | $14.99 | per month |
| 500 checks monthly | $34.99 | per month |

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Watchful Pro | $3.99 | one-time |


## Is Watchful safe?

Not enough ratings yet to assess Watchful.

## Is Watchful legit?

Watchful: Personal AI Alerts appears legitimate, with a few gaps. The AppsHunter Legitimacy Score for Watchful is 65 out of 100 points across 7 verification signals from App Store and developer data.


## Version history (last 3 releases)

### 1.2 — 2026-10-05

New model choices and official API pricing links. Monthly AI credit plans with maximum reservations and actual-usage billing. New device automation controls, time windows and automatic-attempt limits. Existing check subscriptions keep their allowance.

### 1.1 — 2026-10-02

Now available in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Russian. Improved validation of notification decisions and suppression of alerts when watcher instructions change during a check. New monthly plans with included AI checks and a one-month trial on the 50-check plan for eligible subscribers. No login required.

### 1.0 — 2026-09-28

No release notes.

## More apps by James Cullimore

- [StarJar: Chore Rewards](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starjar-chore-rewards/id6758762270)
- [Don't Go To Bed](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dont-go-to-bed/id6812278045)

All apps by James Cullimore: https://appshunter.io/developer/1874857254

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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 2026-10-21.*