HowHigh, From the Archive

HowHigh launched on October 1, 2014, as a focused way to use the barometric sensor in an iPhone. It turns changes in air pressure into useful elevation readings and makes both signals easier to observe over time.

The idea came from a class of questions that are simple to ask but awkward to answer: How much elevation did I gain on that climb? How high is this building? Is the air pressure rising or falling?

An altimeter and barometer in one app

HowHigh displays current elevation and barometric pressure. A recording session charts how the readings change, making it possible to follow a climb, descent, or pressure trend instead of looking at only one number.

Today the app includes:

• Live elevation and barometric-pressure readings.
• Recorded sessions with charts over time.
• Summaries of elevation gain, loss, and duration.
• Manual or WeatherKit-assisted calibration.
• Metric and imperial units.

Because the app uses the device's pressure sensor, relative changes can be observed even where a GPS altitude reading may be unavailable or slow to update. Absolute altitude still depends on calibration and changing weather conditions, so HowHigh makes those controls visible rather than presenting the reading as a professional survey measurement.

Useful for small, specific questions

On a hike, a session can show elevation gained between the trailhead and the destination. In a tall building, it can show the pressure change from one floor to another. The barometer view can also help someone observe pressure trends as weather changes.

HowHigh is a utility, not a navigation instrument or safety device. Its purpose is to make the sensors already in the phone legible and useful for everyday observation.

Still available on iPhone

HowHigh remains available on the App Store. The HowHigh product page explains current device requirements, calibration, recording, and units.