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The tuner listens through your device's microphone to detect the pitch of the string you play, then shows how many cents sharp or flat you are. You're asked for permission the first time you open the tuner, not when you launch the app.

Your audio never leaves your device. It's analyzed in real time, on-device only, and is never recorded, saved, or transmitted. If you decline microphone access, the rest of Fretkit still works — only live pitch detection is unavailable. You can change the permission any time in your device's Settings.

Version 1.1 replaces the tuner with an all-new dial. The note turns green with a checkmark the moment you're in tune, and an optional chime confirms it so you can tune without looking at the screen. The dial auto-zooms as you get close for fine adjustments, and tracking is steadier and faster.

In Standard or Drop tuning modes, tap a string to lock the tuner onto it; strings you've finished get a check. The tuner also has full VoiceOver support. You can turn the chime on or off in Settings.

A few things help the tuner lock on cleanly:

• Play a single string and let it ring — chords and muted strokes are harder to read.
• Reduce background noise and keep the device a comfortable distance from the instrument.
• For bass and baritone, give the note a moment; very low pitches take a little longer to stabilize.

If you use an alternate or down-tuned setup, make sure you've selected the matching tuning so the target note lines up with what you're playing. In Standard or Drop mode, tapping the string you're tuning locks the tuner onto that note and stops it jumping to nearby pitches.

Out of the box (free), Fretkit covers 6-string guitar and 4-string bass on a horizontal rosewood board, with the core scale library — major, natural minor, major & minor pentatonic, blues, the seven modes, and harmonic/melodic minor — plus chord diagrams for common chords and an interactive circle of fifths.

Every scale is spelled correctly for the chosen key, and tapping a key on the circle of fifths sends its scale and diatonic chords straight to the fretboard.

Below the circle of fifths you'll find common progressions — I–IV–V, I–V–vi–IV, ii–V–I, 12-bar blues, doo-wop, reggae and ska changes. Since version 1.1 each one shows the real chord names in whatever key you've selected, so picking G on the circle turns I–IV–V into G–C–D. Tap play to hear a progression in that key.

Progressions are part of Fretkit Pro. If you see a padlock next to them, the 7-day free trial unlocks everything.

Standard guitar and bass tunings are free in both the fretboard and the tuner. Non-standard and custom tunings — Drop D/C, DADGAD, open G/D/E, half- and full-step down, baritone, and your own custom tunings — are part of Fretkit Pro. Selecting a tuning updates the whole board so what you see matches how your instrument is actually tuned.

Fretkit Pro unlocks vertical board orientation, additional fretboard finishes (maple & ebony), baritone guitar, non-standard & custom tunings (including Drop D in the tuner), chord progressions in every key, the extended scale library, CAGED positions and boxes, advanced chord voicings, and interval color-coding.

It's a one-time $19.99 lifetime unlock, or an optional $14.99/year subscription, with a 7-day free trial. The essentials stay free forever — there are no ads and no account required.

Open Fretkit's Settings and tap Restore Purchases. As long as you're signed in to the same Apple Account you used to buy Pro, your unlock will reappear — there's no separate account to log into.

If it still doesn't restore, make sure you're signed into the right Apple Account in your device settings, then try again. Still stuck? Send us a message and we'll sort it out.

Fretkit needs no account and no sign-in. Your preferences — instrument, tuning, colors, finish, and last-viewed key — are saved locally on your device. Nothing is uploaded to a Fretkit server, because there isn't one. Deleting the app removes its stored settings. See the Privacy Policy for the full details.

Fretkit is a native Apple app for iPhone and iPad running iOS / iPadOS 17 or later, with a Mac version (macOS 14 or later). The fretboard and circle of fifths take full advantage of the larger iPad and Mac canvas. There's no Android or web version today.