FAQ & troubleshooting
FretPilot Pro calls a note, listens through your iPhone's microphone, and times how fast you find it on the neck. Most questions are about getting that listening step reliable — so that's where this guide starts.
Can't find your answer? Message us on Instagram or email us — we read everything and we're happy to help.
Contents
1The basics
What is FretPilot Pro?
A fretboard trainer for iPhone. It names a note, you play it anywhere on the neck, and it times you — then tracks your average and personal best so you can watch them drop.
What do I need?
An iPhone and a guitar. An acoustic or classical works straight away with the built-in microphone. An electric works too — see Connecting your guitar.
Does it work on iPad or Android?
FretPilot Pro is iPhone-only for now.
2Microphone & permissions
The app isn't hearing my guitar
First, tap the play button to start listening — detection is off until you do. You should see the level meter move as you play. If it doesn't move at all, it's almost always a microphone-permission issue (below). If it moves but notes don't score, jump to When a note won't register.
It asked for microphone access — why?
FretPilot needs to hear the note you play to time you. The audio is analysed live on your device and is never recorded, stored, or sent anywhere — see our Privacy Policy.
I denied microphone access — how do I turn it back on?
Open the iOS Settings app → scroll to FretPilot → enable Microphone. Then return to the app and tap play.
3When a note won't register
If the meter is moving but the right note isn't being detected, the input just needs tuning to your guitar and room. The fastest fix is the built-in calibrator.
Try this first: the Optimise button. Open Audio Settings (the slider icon, top-right) and tap Optimise. Stay quiet for a moment so it can measure your room, then play across the strings when prompted. It sets the input gate, meter and detection confidence automatically. This resolves most detection problems.
I'm playing the note but it doesn't score
Hold the note so it rings clearly for a moment — FretPilot waits for a couple of clean frames before it counts a note, which keeps stray noise from scoring for you. If it still won't catch, run Optimise, or lower the Input gate in Audio Settings so quieter playing is picked up.
It's too jumpy, or it scores from background noise
Raise the Input gate a little so it ignores quiet sounds, and play in a quieter spot. Optimise sets a sensible gate just above your room's noise floor.
It detects the wrong note, or reads sharp/flat
Make sure your guitar is in tune first. FretPilot listens at your device's real sample rate, so tuning is accurate — but an out-of-tune string or a strong harmonic can read as a neighbour. Play single notes cleanly rather than strumming, and let the note settle.
My room is noisy
Move somewhere quieter if you can, raise the Input gate, and run Optimise in that space so the gate is set for the actual background level.
Still no luck? Message us on Instagram or email us — tell us your phone model and guitar and we'll help.
4Electric guitars & interfaces
Can I use an electric guitar?
Yes — either play through an amp with the iPhone nearby, or plug in through an audio interface. We've written a short guide: Connecting your guitar.
Can I use Bluetooth headphones or a Bluetooth mic?
We don't recommend it. Bluetooth adds a delay between playing and the app hearing you, which throws off your timing — the whole point of FretPilot. Use the built-in microphone or a wired interface for accurate times.
5Practice, modes & stats
What do the learner modes do?
Novice asks only open-string notes. Beginner shows the note's position on the neck. Improver reveals it slowly (the blur clears over a few seconds). Mastery never shows it — you find it from memory. Your stats are tracked separately for each mode.
What is "Focus on my weak spots"?
When it's on, FretPilot weights practice toward the notes and strings you're slowest or least accurate on, so your time is spent where it helps most. It's on by default and learns purely on your device.
What's the note timeout?
If you don't find a note within the time limit it's skipped and counted as a miss (with no time recorded, so it can't inflate your average). You can change the limit — or turn it off — in Audio Settings.
How do I see my progress, or reset it?
Tap any tile in Your Speed to chart that string's times over the days. The Reset button there clears the stats for the mode you're currently in.
6Subscription & purchases
Is there a free trial?
Yes — a free trial, then an auto-renewing subscription. You can cancel anytime before it renews from the App Store. Full details are in our Terms of Use.
I subscribed but the app isn't unlocking it
Tap Restore Purchases on the paywall, and make sure you're signed in to the same Apple ID you purchased with. If it still won't restore, contact us and we'll sort it out.
How do I manage or cancel?
iOS Settings → tap your name → Subscriptions → FretPilot Pro.
7Privacy
Your microphone audio is analysed live on your device and never recorded or sent anywhere, and your practice stats are stored on your device. The full details are in our Privacy Policy.
Still stuck? Message us on Instagram or email us. We'd genuinely like to get you playing.