TL;DR
Zephy is a free iPhone app that uses the device gyroscope to present nearby aircraft in a simple, compass-style radar. Users can tap individual contacts to see details such as altitude, speed, tail number, destination and plane model; the app is customizable and requires iOS 13 or later.
What happened
9to5Mac's Indie App Spotlight highlighted Zephy, a new plane-spotting tool for iPhone that aims to reduce the complexity of traditional flight-radar apps. The app relies on the iPhone’s gyroscope to orient a compass-style radar view showing aircraft within a configurable range — 20 km is the default. Tapping any aircraft brings up a card with operational details including altitude, speed, tail number, destination and the aircraft model, plus an example photo of the model. Zephy also lets users adjust the radar’s field of view and the distance radius to focus on nearby traffic or broaden the scan. The app is available for free on the App Store for iPhones running iOS 13 and later, and it is distributed without ads, in-app purchases or subscriptions. The piece frames Zephy as a lightweight, curiosity-driven utility rather than a professional tool.
Why it matters
- Simplifies aircraft identification by removing the clutter common to full-featured flight-radar apps.
- Offers quick access to basic aircraft details (tail number, altitude, speed, destination) for on-the-spot curiosity.
- Customizable range and field-of-view settings let users tailor the view to local conditions or interests.
- No ads or subscription model lowers the barrier for casual users who want occasional plane-spotting.
Key facts
- Zephy uses the iPhone’s gyroscope to align a compass-style radar view with what’s overhead.
- Tapping an aircraft reveals data such as altitude, speed, tail number, destination and plane model.
- The app displays an example photo of the aircraft model.
- Default detection radius is 20 km; users can increase or decrease this range.
- Field of view for the compass feature is adjustable.
- Available for free on the App Store for iPhone users running iOS 13 and later.
- Distributed without ads, in-app purchases, or subscription fees.
- Featured in 9to5Mac’s Indie App Spotlight series.
What to watch next
- How Zephy obtains its aircraft data (data sources and update frequency) — not confirmed in the source
- Privacy and location/data handling practices for the app — not confirmed in the source
- Whether the developer plans versions for Android or other platforms — not confirmed in the source
Quick glossary
- Gyroscope: A sensor in smartphones that measures orientation and rotation, used to align on-screen elements with physical device movement.
- Compass-style radar: A circular, directional interface that shows objects relative to the user’s facing direction, similar to a compass.
- Tail number: A unique alphanumeric identifier painted on an aircraft, used for registration and tracking.
- Field of view: The angular range visible in a sensor or display; in this context, the horizontal sweep shown by the app’s radar.
Reader FAQ
Is Zephy free to download?
Yes. The app is available for free on the App Store.
What iOS version is required?
Zephy requires iOS 13 or later.
Does Zephy include ads or subscriptions?
The app is distributed without ads, in-app purchases, or subscriptions.
How does Zephy source aircraft information?
Not confirmed in the source
Is Zephy available on Android?
Not confirmed in the source
Rumor Replay: iPhone Fold’s crease-free display, and more Ryan Christoffel Jan 8 2026 AD APPS INDIE APP SPOTLIGHT Indie App Spotlight: ‘Zephy’ makes plane spotting easy, with an AirTag-style interface…
Sources
- Indie App Spotlight: ‘Zephy’ makes plane spotting easy, with an AirTag-style interface
- Indie App Spotlight: 'Zephy' makes plane spotting easy …
- Podcast
- Space Explored – Space News and Launch Views
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