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    Health & Wellness Tech
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    4 min read 5 stepsApril 20, 2026Verified April 2026

    KardiaMobile: Take a Medical-Grade EKG From Your Phone

    Use the KardiaMobile device and AliveCor app to record your heart rhythm at home and share results with your doctor.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Health & Wellness Tech
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    4 min read
    Steps
    5
    Topics covered
    heart health
    EKG
    ECG
    KardiaMobile
    AliveCor
    atrial fibrillation
    arrhythmia
    1

    Get the device and download the Kardia app

    ~27s
    Purchase a KardiaMobile device from AliveCor's website (alivecor.com), Amazon, or a pharmacy. Then download the free "Kardia" app from the App Store or Google Play. Open the app and create a free account. During setup you will enter basic health information such as your age and any known heart conditions.

    Quick Tip

    The KardiaMobile 6L model records a 6-lead EKG and gives more detailed information than the standard 1-lead model. Talk to your doctor about which version is best for you.

    2

    Pair the device with your phone

    ~21s
    KardiaMobile communicates through sound, not Bluetooth, so no pairing setup is needed. Make sure your phone volume is turned up to full and your phone is not in silent mode. The device works by sending a signal through the phone's microphone.

    Warning

    A phone case with a thick rubber bottom can sometimes block the device's signal. If recording fails, try removing your phone case first.

    3

    Take a recording

    ~29s
    Open the Kardia app and tap the large "Record" button. Place the KardiaMobile device on a flat surface or hold it in one hand. Rest the fingertips of both hands lightly on the two metal electrode pads — one hand's fingers on each pad. Hold still for 30 seconds while the app records. Avoid talking or moving during the recording.

    Quick Tip

    For best results, rest your elbows on a table so your hands are steady. Moving too much during a recording can create interference that makes the result harder to read.

    4

    Read your result

    ~29s
    After 30 seconds the app will display your result. "Normal" means the recording looks like a healthy heart rhythm. "Possible AFib" means the app detected an irregular pattern and you should contact your doctor. "Unclassified" means the recording could not be analyzed automatically — this often happens if you moved during the recording, and you can try again.

    Warning

    KardiaMobile is not a replacement for emergency care. If you have chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or feel like you are having a heart attack, call 911 right away rather than taking a recording.

    5

    Share your recording with your doctor

    ~19s
    Inside the app, open your recording history and tap on any saved result. Tap the Share button to email a PDF report of the recording directly to your doctor or print it to bring to an appointment. Some doctors' offices also accept recordings through their patient portal — ask your doctor's office which method they prefer.

    You Did It!

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    KardiaMobile is a small credit-card-sized device made by AliveCor that pairs with your smartphone. When you press your fingertips against it for 30 seconds, it records an electrocardiogram — the same type of reading a doctor's office uses to look at your heart rhythm. The result is displayed right on your phone screen and can be saved or sent to your doctor.

    Many people use KardiaMobile because they feel occasional heart flutters, skipped beats, or palpitations but cannot capture them during a regular doctor visit. With this device in your pocket, you can record a reading the moment you feel something unusual and show your doctor exactly what was happening.

    The Kardia app can automatically flag readings as "Normal," "Possible Atrial Fibrillation," "Unclassified," or "No Analysis." Atrial fibrillation — often called AFib — is a type of irregular heartbeat that can increase the risk of stroke, so catching it early matters. The device is FDA-cleared for detecting AFib.

    You do not need any medical background to use KardiaMobile. The app walks you through every recording and stores all your results in a history log. You can also pay for a Kardia subscription that lets board-certified cardiologists review your recordings and send you a written report, which you can then bring to your own doctor.

    KardiaMobile works with most iPhones and Android phones. The device itself costs around $99 and does not require a subscription to take and store recordings at home.

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    heart health
    EKG
    ECG
    KardiaMobile
    AliveCor
    atrial fibrillation
    arrhythmia

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