deviceOwl - Main Screen

What is deviceOwl?

With an eye towards privacy, deviceOwl can help you identify popular household smart devices, and covert consumer surveillance devices, along with their capabilities.

The knowledge of a device's capabilities can help you make better decisions about how to protect yourself, and the people you care about.

If you are using deviceOwl for the first time, please refer to our Introduction.

Lets review the features available from the main screen.

Once you have installed deviceOwl from the App Store, run the app. The main screen will be displayed.

Check Device (Owl Icon)

This button starts device checking, allowing you to check a device, and reveal it's capabilities.

Tap this button to check a device. You can also tap and hold this button to repeat the last device check.

For more information on checking devices, refer to Checking Devices.

Each time you check a device, deviceOwl confirms whether you have the latest device knowledge for the device type you selected. If updated device knowledge is available, you can update it prior to checking.

Important: If you are planning to travel to an area with limited or no Internet, use the "Travel" option from the main screen to fully update deviceOwl's knowledge before you leave. This avoids having to worry about accessing device knowledge while travelling.

For more information, please refer to Knowledge Updates.

History (History Icon)

Select this option to access and manage devices you have checked previously.

For more information, refer to Device History.

Guidance (Steps Icon)

This button displays the Getting Started guidance, which guides you through the initial setup, and covers important topics that can help you get the most out of deviceOwl.

Important: To be sure you're getting the most out of deviceOwl's detection capabilities, please fully review this guidance.

Travel (Travel Icon)

Select this option if you are planning to travel to an area with limited or no Internet. This will fully update deviceOwl's knowledge before you leave. This avoids having to worry about accessing device knowledge while travelling.

For more information, please refer to Knowledge Updates.

News (Newspaper Icon)

Select this option to get information about the latest deviceOwl App & device knowledge updates.

For more information, please refer to Knowledge Updates.

Toolbar Functions (below)

Help Button

Allows you to access this deviceOwl help.

Share Button

Allows you to share information about deviceOwl with others.

Preferences Button (cog)

Allows you to specify preferences for the app. For more information, refer to Preferences.

(i)nformation Button

Displays information about product version, acknowledgements, and has useful support links in case you are having problems.