app
dB Pulse widgets — latest noise readings on iPhone
dB Pulse provides free Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets for the latest shared noise snapshot. Widgets display stored meter information and are refreshed by iOS; they do not independently keep the microphone measuring or guarantee a live reading.
Swipe to see the full table →
| Question | What to know |
|---|---|
| Before setup | Take an actual reading in dB Pulse. |
| Freshness | Check the update time; reopen Meter if current sound matters. |
| Measurement source | The app shares a snapshot; the widget is not a separate microphone. |
| Longer record | Save a session instead of treating a widget as a timeline. |
Measure once before relying on a widget
Open dB Pulse, allow microphone access and confirm that the Meter screen is showing a current measurement. Then add a dB Pulse widget using the iPhone’s normal Home Screen or Lock Screen editing controls. Widget galleries and setup states can show example content, so a number visible during setup should never be treated as a measurement of the room.
After measuring, look for the update context on the widget and compare with the app if freshness matters. A stored reading from an earlier location can still look plausible in a new one. Plausibility is not evidence that the phone has just sampled its surroundings.
Choose a layout for the information you need
The app supports small and medium Home Screen widgets and several Lock Screen layouts. These layouts make the current shared reading and peak easier to glance at without repeatedly navigating to Meter. Available sizes and placement depend on the device and the system’s widget editor.
Choose a layout you can read comfortably. Do not choose a smaller gauge if the question requires seeing the update time or distinguishing current from peak. The same data can be presented in different ways without becoming a new measurement.
Treat refresh as a system-managed process
Widget updates are scheduled rather than a live microphone stream inside the widget. iOS may manage refresh timing according to its own conditions. Returning to the app to take a fresh reading is the right response when you need to know what is happening now.
This matters particularly after changing rooms, connecting a microphone or returning after the phone has been inactive. A widget can help you revisit your measurement habit, but it is not a replacement for checking the active input and settings. Never infer a quiet period merely because the displayed number did not change.
Keep a record somewhere else
Widgets are designed for convenience, not for creating a detailed log. Start a session in Meter when you want a timeline and later review it in Sessions. A screenshot of a widget alone does not establish measurement duration, microphone placement or calibration.
The widget feature is free. Pro is not required to put dB Pulse on the Home Screen or Lock Screen. For a quick one-off check, the browser meter is also available; for repeated native access, the app’s widgets and shortcuts reduce navigation. Both still provide estimates from consumer hardware rather than certified safety or legal measurements.
Sources
Phone and browser readings are estimates. For formal decisions, use the specified equipment and procedure; see the accuracy notes.
Try the next check
Noise dose calculator can help with this question. See the matching dB Pulse feature.