Check your heart rate with your iPhone camera
A fingertip on the lens is all it takes. Pulse Tracker reads your pulse optically, draws the pulse wave live and gives you BPM, respiratory rate and HRV in about 30 seconds. Free, no wearable, no account.
Watch every heartbeat as it happens
Most heart rate apps show a spinner and then a number. Pulse Tracker shows the actual pulse wave coming from your fingertip, with every detected beat marked, so you can see the signal quality for yourself.
- Beats per minute with a Measurement Quality score
- Respiratory rate and average R-R interval above the trace
- Compare today's reading with your own 30-day baseline
- Tap any card for a full explanation of what the number means
How a phone camera measures your pulse
The technique is called photoplethysmography (PPG). When the flash lights up your fingertip, a small amount of light passes through the skin and back to the camera sensor. Each time your heart beats, blood volume in the capillaries rises and absorbs slightly more light. The camera sees that as a tiny, rhythmic dip in brightness.
Pulse Tracker samples the camera up to 60 times a second, filters out noise from movement and ambient light, and detects each pulse peak. The time between peaks gives your heart rate; the variation between them gives your heart rate variability; and the slow rise and fall of the signal as you breathe gives your respiratory rate. The app also computes a perfusion index to judge whether the signal is strong enough to trust.
It is the same principle used by hospital pulse oximeters and the green LEDs on the back of a smartwatch, just with the sensor you already own.
One scan, eight insights
Trends that mean something
Measure at the same time daily and the app builds a personal baseline. A reading 10 BPM above your normal matters more than the population average.
Syncs with Apple Health
Heart rate, HRV and respiratory rate are written to Apple Health, where your doctor-facing apps and Apple Watch data already live.
Reminders and streaks
Set a morning reminder, build a streak and see long-term change instead of one-off numbers.
Heart rate monitor FAQ
How accurate is a camera heart rate monitor?
In controlled conditions, fingertip PPG on a phone camera agrees closely with pulse oximeters and chest straps for resting heart rate. Accuracy drops if you move, press too hard, have very cold fingers or measure in strong sunlight. Pulse Tracker shows a Measurement Quality score with every reading so you know when to repeat it.
Can I measure heart rate without the flash?
The flash gives the most consistent signal, so the app turns it on automatically. The lens may feel warm during long measurements; this is normal.
What is a normal resting heart rate?
For most adults, 60 to 100 beats per minute. Well-trained athletes are often in the 40s and 50s. See our resting heart rate by age chart.
Does the app detect AFib or arrhythmia?
No. Pulse Tracker is not an ECG and does not diagnose atrial fibrillation or any arrhythmia. It does show the spread of your beat-to-beat intervals, which can prompt you to measure again or talk to a doctor if readings look unusual.
Is the heart rate monitor free?
Yes. Heart rate and respiratory rate measurements are free with unlimited use. Premium adds HRV, stress and energy analysis, baselines and unlimited history.
Does it work on iPad?
Yes, on iPads with a rear camera and flash. iPhone gives the best results because the flash sits right next to the lens.
Measure your heart rate now
Free heart rate monitor for iPhone. Download, place a finger on the camera and get your first reading in 30 seconds.
Download for iPhoneRequires iOS 17 or later · ★ 4.7 rating · Available in 8 languages
Wellness disclaimer. Pulse Tracker is intended for general wellness use only. It is not a medical device, is not FDA cleared or approved, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition. Blood pressure shown in the app is either a value you entered from your own cuff or an estimate derived from the pulse signal after cuff calibration; it is not a measurement and must not be used to make medical decisions. Read the full wellness disclaimer. Camera readings, estimates and classifications are for general information only and can be affected by movement, lighting, skin temperature and other factors. Do not use them to diagnose, treat or make decisions about a medical condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional, and call emergency services if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting or other urgent symptoms.