The free cat catching game for iPhone. Photograph real cats outdoors, reveal their rarity and breed with on-device AI, and build your ultimate cat collection.
See what it looks like in the wild
The cat spotting app that makes every walk an adventure
Meowdex is a free location-based cat-collecting game for iPhone. When you spot a cat outdoors, open the app, toss a virtual treat to attract it, and snap a photo. On-device machine learning instantly detects the cat, removes the background, and reveals its rarity tier — Common, Uncommon, Rare, or Legendary.
Each catch is logged on a private map with your GPS fuzzed before storage — exact coordinates are never retained. Breed identification and coat-pattern recognition (8 patterns including Tabby, Tuxedo, Calico, Tortoiseshell, Bicolour, Pointed, and Solid) mean no two catches are quite the same.
Cat welfare is at the heart of what we are building. As Meowdex grows, our goal is to direct a share of profits to cat rescue organisations helping stray and abandoned cats find loving homes. Follow us on social media for updates on our rescue mission.
How to catch a cat in Meowdex
No special equipment needed — just your iPhone and an eye for cats.
Spot a cat
Open the camera tab. Meowdex uses on-device AI to detect cats in real time — a bounding box highlights any cat in frame. No cat nearby? Check the map for community sightings.
Toss a treat
Tap the bait button to spend a treat. Cats sometimes ignore the treat — and yes, it is still spent. That's the game. On success, a 20-second shutter window opens.
Catch it
Tap the shutter. On-device ML cuts out only the cat, assigns its rarity, breed, and coat pattern, and adds it to your gallery. Level up to unlock more daily treats.
Cat breed identifier, live map, daily challenges — all free
Everything a real-world cat spotter needs, built into one game.
On-device cat vision
Cat detection, breed ID, and coat-pattern recognition all run on your iPhone — nothing is shared with third parties. Only the isolated cat cutout is uploaded to Meowdex; the original photo stays on your device.
Live sighting map
A warm watercolour map shows your catches and nearby community sightings. GPS is fuzzed before storage so no exact locations are ever retained or shared.
Daily challenges
Fresh challenges every day: catch a specific rarity, breed, or coat pattern. Complete them for bonus treats and exclusive achievements. Streaks multiply rewards.
City leaderboards
Compete with nearby trainers on a live city leaderboard. Be the first to catch a cat in a neighbourhood and claim permanent Pioneer status.
Cat of the Day
One exceptional catch is featured globally each day. Shareable cards with OG image previews let you show it off on any social network.
Privacy first
Your GPS is fuzzed before it is ever stored — exact coordinates are never retained in our database. Only the isolated cat cutout is uploaded. Anonymous play is supported.
Cat safety is not an afterthought
Every mechanic in Meowdex was built with the wellbeing of real cats — and their owners — in mind. Here is exactly what we do.
Locations are never exact
Every catch is pinned to an approximate area, never a precise address. GPS coordinates are fuzzed server-side before storage — exact coordinates are discarded and never appear in the app or its API. You cannot use Meowdex to find out where a specific cat lives.
No house-level detail in photos
On-device processing removes the photo background before anything is uploaded. House numbers, street signs, gardens, and windows never leave your device. Only the isolated cat cutout is stored — making it impossible to identify a home from a shared catch.
Respectful photography only
The in-app Trainer's Code is a condition of using Meowdex: no chasing, no disturbing, no trespassing. Treats are tossed from a distance — the game mechanics reward patience, not pursuit. Catches that appear to show distressed cats can be flagged by any player.
Not all cats are equal
Rarity is determined by breed, coat pattern, and AI detection confidence. Legendaries are genuinely rare finds.
The Pokémon GO for cat lovers — using real cats
Meowdex is the only location-based cat collecting game where every catch is a real cat you photographed yourself. Unlike virtual creature games, your collection is unique — no two players have the same cats.
Cat catching game
Unlike idle or virtual-pet apps, Meowdex requires you to find and photograph actual cats outdoors. The bait mechanic, shutter timing, and rarity reveal make every catch feel earned.
Cat breed identifier app
On-device machine learning identifies breed and coat pattern in seconds — no internet required. Meowdex recognises over 50 breeds and 8 coat patterns including Tabby, Tuxedo, Calico, Tortoiseshell, Pointed, and Bicolour.
Pokédex for real cats
Every catch is catalogued with breed, rarity tier, coat pattern, and location (fuzzed for privacy). Your MeowDex grows with every walk — a personal field guide to the cats living in your city.
Cat spotting app with a map
A live community map shows recent cat sightings near you. Claim Pioneer status by being the first trainer to catch a cat in your neighbourhood. City leaderboards rank the most active spotters.
Free cat game for iPhone
Meowdex is completely free to download and play. Free trainers receive 4–13 daily treats based on level. Cat Hunter Pro ($4.99/mo) unlocks unlimited treats and 2× XP — no cats are paywalled.
Cat welfare mission
A share of Meowdex revenue is earmarked for cat rescue organisations as the app grows. Playing the game directly supports real stray and abandoned cats finding homes.
Built by cat lovers, for cats
The cats in Meowdex are real — and many of them have no safe home. Cat rescue organisations do vital, underfunded work: catching, treating, and rehoming stray and abandoned cats.
Our goal is that as Meowdex grows and becomes profitable, we will direct a share of revenue to cat rescue organisations. We are a small, independent app — we will be transparent about progress on our socials rather than making promises we can not yet guarantee.
"Catch cats in the app. Help cats in the real world."
Our rescue mission
- Cat welfare is a core value, not a marketing add-on
- Our goal: direct a share of profits to rescue organisations as we grow
- We will prioritise small, independent rescue groups
- Funds would go toward vet bills, food, and rehoming programmes
- Follow our socials — we will share progress openly and honestly
Common questions
Download Meowdex free — start catching cats today
The free cat catching game for iPhone. Identify breeds, collect rarities, claim your city.
Free · iOS · No account required to start