Seek By INaturalist

What Is It, In Plain Words?

Seek is a free app that identifies plants, insects, birds and other animals through your phone's camera. Point it at a flower or a bug and it tells you what it is.

It's made by iNaturalist, a nature project run by a charity. You don't need an account, and it doesn't collect your personal details.

What You Can Use It For

• Walks. Name wildflowers along the path.
• Gardening. Find out which insects are visiting.
• Days out with grandchildren. Earn badges together for spotting new things.

Getting Started Step By Step

On A Phone Or Tablet

1. Open the App Store (iPhone and iPad) or Google Play (Android).
2. Search for Seek by iNaturalist and check it's made by iNaturalist. Copycat apps exist.
3. Tap Get or Install, then open it.
4. Allow camera access when asked. Location is optional.

Your First Spot

1. Tap the green camera button.
2. Point at a plant or creature and keep the phone steady.
3. Watch the name appear as Seek works it out.
4. Tap the photo button to save it.

Things To Try Typing

Things to try in the app.

What It Costs

It's free. There's no paid version to buy.

If anyone asks you to pay to use it, or to "unlock" it, that's a scam.

Privacy And Safety

• Seek doesn't need an account. It can use your location to suggest nearby species, but you can turn that off.
• Photos stay on your phone unless you choose to share them with iNaturalist.
• Never type passwords, PINs, bank or card numbers, your National Insurance number (UK) or Social Security number (USA).

Good Points And Watch-Outs

Good Points

• Free and private.
• Fun for all ages.
• Shows names step by step, from family to species.

Watch-Outs

• Small or moving creatures can be hard to identify.
• Never eat a plant or mushroom based on the app.
• Needs good light.

Similar Tools

• PlantNet: a free plant identifier from scientists.
• Merlin Bird ID: names birds from a photo or their song.
• PictureThis: names plants and gives care tips.

Common Questions

Is Seek free?

Yes, it's completely free.

Do I need an account?

No. Seek works without an account.

Can Seek identify mushrooms?

It can try, but never eat any wild mushroom based on an app.