Sound Meter Support

Last updated: August 25, 2026

If something is unclear or not working, email us. We reply within two business days.

About measuring

Q. Another sound meter app gives a different number. Which is right?

Both are reference readings. A phone microphone is not a certified sound level meter (IEC 61672 class 1 or 2), so microphone characteristics, cases, and the operating system's automatic gain control make apps disagree. If you have a meter you trust, use Settings → Microphone calibration to shift the app by the difference.

Q. Can I use these results as evidence in a noise dispute?

As supporting material, yes; as the sole evidence, no. Official determinations rely on the methods and accredited measurements prescribed by the applicable law. This app is built to keep a steady record of when, how loud, and what kind of noise occurred — which is what makes a pattern visible to a mediator, building manager, or authority.

Q. The app says I exceeded the reference standard. Is that a violation?

No. The reference figures are shown to help you interpret your reading; the app does not determine whether any law has been breached. Real standards account for measurement method, position, duration, and repetition — never a single momentary peak.

Q. What are the equivalent level (Leq) and maximum level (Lmax)?

Equivalent level averages the sound energy over the measurement period — how loud it was overall. Maximum level is the single loudest moment within it. Short, sharp impacts show up in the maximum level; continuous noise shows up in the equivalent level.

Q. How do I calibrate the microphone?

Measure at the same spot and time as a meter you trust, then use the slider in Settings → Microphone calibration to add or subtract the difference. If a quiet room reads unusually high, check first whether a case or film is covering the microphone.

Using the app

Q. Measurement stops when I switch apps or turn off the screen.

That is intentional. Operating systems replace background microphone input with silence, so continuing would leave a record padded with 0 dB stretches. Instead the app stops cleanly and tells you when you return. The screen will not sleep on its own while the measurement screen is open, so you can leave it running.

Q. Why record a place and a type?

Because the period report counts them — "footsteps ×12 · door slam ×5". A repeating pattern is far more persuasive than a single loud reading. If the note sheet gets in the way, turn off "Ask for notes when saving" in Settings and fill them in later from the record detail screen.

Q. Can it record the audio too?

Turn on Settings → "Save audio while measuring" and an m4a file is stored alongside the record. It is off by default, and recordings stay on your device — we never receive them. Please check that recording is lawful in your situation; some countries and regions restrict recording conversations.

Q. Can I export my records?

Yes — a PDF report from a record's detail screen, and CSV or PDF for a whole period from the Report tab. Files are created on your device and shared straight to whichever app you choose.

Q. Can the app use a different language from my phone?

Yes. Settings → Language. Choosing "Follow system" hands control back to your phone's language.

Data and purchases

Q. Where are my records stored?

On your device only. The app has no account and sends no measurement data to us. See the Privacy Policy for details.

Q. How do I delete my records?

• One record: delete it in the History tab — its recording goes with it.
• Everything: delete the app, and all measurements, recordings, and settings are gone.

We hold none of your measurement data, so there is nothing to request deletion of from us.

Q. Do my records move to a new phone?

No — they live on the device, so they do not transfer automatically. Export anything you need to keep as CSV or PDF beforehand.

Q. I bought ad removal but ads came back.

Tap "Restore purchases" in the Purchases section of Settings. You must be signed in to the same App Store or Google Play account used for the purchase. If that does not work, email us with your receipt.

Q. I want a refund.

Payments are handled by the App Store and Google Play, so refunds go through them: on iOS use reportaproblem.apple.com; on Android, Google Play → Payments & subscriptions → Order history.

Q. The ads are too frequent or in the way.

Sorry about that. Tell us where and how — we do act on it. If you would rather not see ads at all, ad removal is available from Settings or the Gift tab.

Troubleshooting

Q. Readings are zero or implausibly low.

Microphone permission may be denied, or another app (a call, recorder, or video meeting) may be holding the microphone. Close it and try again, and check that Sound Meter has microphone permission in your system settings.

Q. The app freezes or closes during a measurement.

Low storage or aggressive battery optimisation are the usual causes. Free up space and exempt Sound Meter from battery optimisation. If it still happens, email us with your device model, OS version, and how long the measurement had been running.

Q. A translation is wrong or awkward.

Tell us and we will fix it. The app ships in 50 languages; send the wording along with the screen it appears on and it goes into the next update.

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