If you want to keep track of an old iPod, a different iPhone, or a backup Mac in the same list, Hoardware offers a separate library for this task. The free device collection app saves model information along with installed software versions. For those who keep track of Apple software releases with their devices, the focus of the app is to turn owned devices into an organized inventory.
The application developed by Aaron Perris covers products such as iPad, iPod, Apple Watch and Apple TV, as well as iPhone and Mac. Device name, model identifier, serial number and notes fields allow you to add details to the collection. In addition, users can organize their records with colors and custom fields.
Keeping a collection based on product name alone is not always enough. Different software versions of the same device may have different values in terms of the purpose of the archive. Hoardware makes this distinction visible by recording the installed version and build number.
The application leverages the independent community database AppleDB for model and software information. Seeing the software generations that the collection covers or leaves out is also among the features. On the other hand, this structure, which works with AppleDB, does not mean that the application is a tool prepared by Apple.
Hoardware syncs collection via iCloud
In addition, collections, groups and wish lists allow those who collect devices for different purposes to organize. The user can add the model he/she wants to purchase in the future to another list while keeping the devices in his/her hands separate. The search field also makes it easier to navigate to the right record in a growing archive.
It is not necessary to open a separate Hoardware account to view device records on different screens. The app leverages the user’s Apple Account for iCloud syncing. There are also options to export the collection as text, JSON, PDF or image.
These export options are important for those who want to store the list within the application elsewhere. It is especially useful for users who add serial numbers and personal notes to check which fields the record they will share contains. Optional read-only linking is another way to share collection details.
On the other hand, version 1.1 brings faster refresh, iPhone Duo support and a new device card option. App Store registration for iPhone iOS 17requires iPadOS 17 for iPad and macOS 14 or later for Mac. Therefore, being able to add a very old device to the collection is not the same as being able to run the application on that old device.
Hoardware offers personal collection logging rather than a remote device management service. Therefore, the usefulness of the application depends on how detailed you want to keep track of the hardware you have and their software history. The current version provides a free editing tool for those who collect different generations of Apple devices.