See how to download and use the apps!
Apps for both Android and iPhone (iOS)
Seconds after opening the right app, you can already hear the thump-thump that confirms: there's life growing inside.
Modern smartphones have microphones sensitive enough to pick up the fetal heartbeat; apps do the rest, filtering out surrounding noise and amplifying only what's relevant. The result? Parents, grandparents, and friends can follow the baby's rhythm without leaving home, between prenatal appointments.
This practice has become a favorite because it combines emotion and practicality. Besides keeping the family connected to the baby's development, recording the heartbeat creates a lasting audio diary.
Next, check out the most popular options — all free or with trial versions — and see how each one performs in the task of turning your cell phone into an improvised stethoscope.
✅ Pregnancy Tracker (Android)
The Pregnancy Tracker goes beyond a simple pregnancy calendar: it shows the baby's size week by week, lists doctor-verified health tips, and, amidst all this information, offers a function to listen to the baby's heartbeat.
Simply place the microphone on your lower abdomen and wait a few seconds; the app records the sound, saves it to your gallery, and even generates appointment reminders so you don't miss any check-ups.
Those who enjoy numbers will find simple heart rate reports, ideal for sharing with their obstetrician via email or WhatsApp.
✅ My Baby's Beat (iOS)
Exclusive to iPhone, My Baby's Beat has won over pregnant women by eliminating the need for extra accessories.
The interface displays, in real time, sound waves that rise and fall along with each beat of the little heart.
The user can mark the date of the recording, name the file, and send the audio to family members in just a few taps.
Frequent updates have improved the noise reduction algorithm, but the developers make it clear: use it from week 16 onwards and preferably in a quiet environment for best results.
✅Hear My Baby Heartbeat (iOS)
Also available for iOS , Hear My Baby Heartbeat focuses on simplicity.
After an animated tutorial that teaches you where to position your phone, the app starts capturing sound and displays the estimated frequency in beats per minute.
More curious parents can create playlists with different recordings throughout the pregnancy, comparing how the rhythm changes with each trimester.
A direct sharing button for social media ensures that no one in the family misses out on this moment.
✅Hear My Baby Heartbeat Monitor (Android)
Android users can find a similar solution in Hear My Baby Heartbeat Monitor.
The app guides microphone placement, indicates if the environment is too noisy, and automatically starts recording when a satisfactory signal is achieved.
You can rename files, add notes — "first time the older brother heard it," for example — and exchange everything via message. The support team responds in Portuguese and English, useful for those who need extra help during initial testing.
✅ How do apps that listen to a baby's heartbeat work?
All the apps mentioned follow the same logic: they capture sound through the internal microphone, apply digital filters to eliminate noise from air, clothing, or the mother's own body, and amplify frequencies between 110 and 160 bpm, the typical range of the fetal heart rate.
The process does not emit electromagnetic waves or radiation; it simply "listens" to what is already happening inside.
To use, remove the phone case (it muffles the microphone), put the phone in airplane mode to avoid interference, and place the device on the lower part of your abdomen, where the uterus is closest to the skin.
If nothing appears, move it a few centimeters and try again.
These tools do not replace obstetric Doppler ultrasound or regular checkups, but they serve as an affective and practical complement.
They strengthen the bond between the family and the baby, help to identify rhythm variations that deserve professional attention, and record moments that, later on, become unforgettable sound memories.
