# Best Apps for New Dads: Pregnancy, Baby Tracking and Support

> The best apps for expecting and new dads: pregnancy apps made for dads, baby trackers both parents can share, free government apps, and where to find other dads, with what each app shares about you.

By Yoedhistiera, Bapak Life. Topic: Dad Life. Published November 1, 2026.
Canonical: https://bapaklife.com/best-apps-for-new-dads/

## Key takeaways

- For pregnancy, pick an app written for dads (Daddy Up, HiDaddy or The Big Daddy) or join her app's partner mode, like Ovia's Friends and Family Sharing.
- For the baby, use one tracker you both log in. Huckleberry and Baby Tracker list caregiver sync among their free features; Baby Daybook's family sync is part of Premium.
- Two free government apps are worth installing: the CDC's Milestone Tracker and NHTSA's SaferCar for car seat recall alerts.
- Health apps may not be covered by HIPAA, the FTC warns. Check each app's privacy label and turn off what you don't need.
- A contraction timer helps you log contractions, but the rule for when to go comes from her provider, not the app.

## Our quick picks

- **Best pregnancy app for dads: Daddy Up**. Written for expecting dads, with a contraction timer. ([Check price](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dad-pregnancy-guide-daddy-up/id1097347717))
- **Best shared baby tracker: Huckleberry**. Caregiver sync and a contraction timer are in the free features. ([Check price](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/huckleberry-baby-tracker/id1169136078))
- **Best free government app: CDC's Milestone Tracker**. Free milestone checklists from 2 months to 5 years, in English and Spanish. ([Check price](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cdcs-milestone-tracker/id1232718688))

There are hundreds of pregnancy and baby apps, and almost all of them are written for moms. That's fine for her; for you it means wading through week-by-week notes on her body to find the parts that apply. This list is the short version: pregnancy apps actually written for dads, baby trackers both parents can log in at 3 a.m., two free government apps, and where to find other dads. We checked every app on its official App Store and Google Play listing and the developer's own site, including when it was last updated and what its privacy label says.

None of these apps pay us anything. The links go straight to the app stores.

## The short answer

- **Pregnancy, written for dads:** Daddy Up, HiDaddy or The Big Daddy.
- **Pregnancy, her app with you added:** Ovia or Pregnancy+.
- **Baby tracker you both use:** Huckleberry, Baby Tracker or Nara.
- **Free and official:** the CDC's Milestone Tracker and NHTSA's SaferCar.
- **Other dads:** Dads Supporting Dads (free, local and online groups) and Postpartum Support International's dads group.

## Pregnancy apps made for dads

These follow the pregnancy week by week from your side: what's changing for her, what's coming up, what you should be doing. All three are free to download with in-app purchases.

| App | What it says it does | Contraction timer | Privacy label (App Store) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Daddy Up](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dad-pregnancy-guide-daddy-up/id1097347717) | "the trail guide for expecting dads" | Yes | Purchases, contact info, identifiers and usage data linked to you |
| [HiDaddy](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hidaddy-pregnancy-for-dads/id1328264789) | A dad's version of the HiMommy app, for following her pregnancy | Yes | Identifiers and usage data used to track you |
| [The Big Daddy](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/big-daddy-pregnancy-tracker/id1447942380) | "built specifically to help fathers-to-be feel confident" | Yes | "Data Not Collected" |

**Our pick: Daddy Up.** It's written for American dads, was updated in 2026, and covers the jobs, not just the baby's size this week. The Big Daddy collects no data at all, the cleanest privacy label in this list, but it's made in the UK, so check anything about care or leave against US sources. Pair any of them with our week-by-week guides for the [first](/first-trimester-for-dads/), [second](/second-trimester-for-dads/) and [third trimester](/third-trimester-for-dads/).

## Pregnancy apps with a partner mode

If she already uses a pregnancy app, the simplest move is to join it.

- **[Ovia](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ovia-cycle-pregnancy-tracker/id570244389)** lets her add "your spouse, partner, sibling, or your BFF to share your daily updates." It's free and has a kick counter and contraction timer. Know what sharing means: Ovia's privacy policy says an invited person "will be able to see all of your personal data in the Ovia apps," and can add others.
- **[Pregnancy+](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pregnancy-tracker-app/id505864483)** from Philips says a partner or grandparents "can join in the fun and follow your baby's development." It's free with in-app purchases. Philips says that if a user consents to personalized ads, it shares "information about your pregnancy status" with Google's ad services; without that consent, the app still shows ads, just not personalized ones.

What to Expect, BabyCenter and The Bump are popular, but their App Store listings don't describe a partner mode, and all three list "Sensitive Info" among the data that may be used to track you across other companies' apps and websites.

## Baby trackers you can both use

After the birth, a shared tracker settles the 3 a.m. questions: when did the baby last eat, which side, how many wet diapers today. The key feature is sync, so you both see the same log. Check how each app handles it:

| App | How sharing works | Cost model for sharing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [Huckleberry](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/huckleberry-baby-tracker/id1169136078) | "Sync with multiple caregivers across devices." Huckleberry says caregivers sign in to the same account on each phone. | Listed among the free features |
| [Baby Tracker (Nighp)](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/baby-tracker-newborn-log/id779656557) | "Sync records across multiple devices." You create a sync group and add each phone. | Free to download; Nighp says "core tracking stays free" |
| [Nara](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nara-baby-pregnancy-tracker/id1444639029) | "Invite partners, grandparents, and caregivers to your Nara account" | Free with in-app purchases |
| [Baby Daybook](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/baby-daybook-newborn-tracker/id1446283219) | "Real-Time Syncing" with caregivers | Family sharing is a Premium feature; connected caregivers get Premium with one purchase |
| [Baby Connect](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/baby-connect-newborn-tracker/id326574411) | Shares with family, sitters or daycare | Subscription required to keep saving entries after a 7-day trial |

**Our pick: Huckleberry.** Sync and a contraction timer are both in its free features. One thing to know: on the App Store, Huckleberry's label lists health and fitness data among the data linked to you, and usage data that may be used to track you. If you want a tracker with simpler sharing and a lighter label, Nara is the alternative.

We left out Glow Baby: its site says a second caregiver needs its paid Family Plan, and its iOS app hadn't been updated since November 2025 when we checked.

For what to actually log on night shifts, see [night feeds for dads](/night-feeds-for-dads/).

*Dad's job:* set up the tracker before the birth, add both phones, and agree on what you log (feeds, diapers, sleep). Then log your shifts without being asked.

## Free government apps worth installing

**[CDC's Milestone Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cdcs-milestone-tracker/id1232718688).** The CDC says it's free on iOS and Android, in English and Spanish, and tracks developmental milestones "from age 2 months to 5 years." The CDC says it "does not collect or share any personal information that can be used to identify you or your child." It isn't a screening test: the CDC says it's no substitute for the developmental screening the AAP recommends at checkups. Bring it to the pediatrician instead.

**[SaferCar](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/safercar/id1526869558).** NHTSA's app lets you add your car seats, and "When SaferCar discovers a recall for the vehicle or equipment you entered, it will send you an alert." NHTSA says your data stays on your device. It needs to run in the background, and it hadn't had an update in over a year when we checked, so still register your car seat with the maker. See [how to install an infant car seat](/how-to-install-infant-car-seat/).

## Contraction timers: useful, but not the decision-maker

Daddy Up, HiDaddy, The Big Daddy, Ovia, Pregnancy+ and Huckleberry all include a contraction timer, so you probably don't need a separate one. Tap at the start of each contraction and the app logs how long and how far apart they are.

What the app shouldn't do is tell you when to leave. Some standalone timers say they'll "notify you when it's time to go to the hospital," and some alert on the "5-1-1 rule." Follow her provider's instructions instead. MedlinePlus, from the National Library of Medicine, says to call for regular, painful contractions every 5 to 10 minutes for 60 minutes. A watch with a second hand works too. The full rules are in [when to go to the hospital for labor](/when-to-go-to-the-hospital-for-labor/).

## Finding other dads

- **Dads Supporting Dads** (formerly City Dads Group) runs free local groups, a "New Dads" group, dads' nights out and online support. Its groups run through WhatsApp. The National At-Home Dad Network keeps a state-by-state directory of dad groups.
- **[Dad Tribes](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dad-tribes/id6470240338)** is a newer app for meeting dads nearby. It says locations are randomized so your exact location isn't shown. It's small, so results depend on your city.
- **Postpartum Support International** runs over 50 support groups, "including a group for Dads," and a free app, [Connect by PSI](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/connect-by-psi/id6463211482). The app collects no data, though it hadn't been updated in over a year when we checked. See [postpartum depression in dads](/postpartum-depression-in-dads/).

Peanut, the best-known parent-friends app, is built for moms: it describes itself as connecting women.

## Before you install: the privacy check

Pregnancy and baby apps hold sensitive information: a pregnancy, a due date, health details. The FTC says health apps, "unlike your doctor," may not be covered by health privacy laws like HIPAA. Its Health Breach Notification Rule, updated in 2024, applies to health apps that HIPAA doesn't cover, and the FTC has brought cases against health and fertility apps (none of the apps above) over sharing users' data with advertisers.

The FTC's advice, in short:

- **Compare privacy before you choose.** On the App Store, scroll to "App Privacy." Apple notes that these labels are the developer's own answers and haven't been verified by Apple.
- **Change the defaults.** The FTC says "An app's default settings often encourage sharing."
- **Keep the app and your phone updated.**

Our rule of thumb: if two apps do the same job, pick the one that collects less. And remember that joining her pregnancy app may let you see everything she logs, so ask before you accept the invite.

## FAQ

### What is the best pregnancy app for dads?

Daddy Up is our pick: it's written for expecting dads, includes a contraction timer, and was updated in 2026. HiDaddy and The Big Daddy are also made for dads. If your partner already uses Ovia or Pregnancy+, she can add you instead.

### What is the best baby tracker app for both parents?

Huckleberry, because syncing between caregivers is in its free features. Baby Tracker and Nara also sync between phones. Baby Daybook and Baby Connect charge for sharing or for logging after a trial.

### Are there any free apps from the government for new parents?

Yes. The CDC's Milestone Tracker is free and tracks developmental milestones from 2 months to 5 years, and NHTSA's SaferCar app sends recall alerts for car seats and vehicles you add.

### Do I need a contraction timer app?

Not a separate one: most pregnancy and baby apps include one, and a watch works too. Use it to log contractions, then follow her provider's rule for when to call or go in.

### Are pregnancy apps safe for privacy?

They vary. The FTC says health apps may not be covered by HIPAA. Check each app's privacy label before you install, compare apps, and tighten the default settings.

### Is there an app to meet other dads?

Dads Supporting Dads runs free local and online dad groups through WhatsApp, and Dad Tribes is a newer app for finding dads nearby. Postpartum Support International runs a support group for dads.

## Sources

- App listings (Apple App Store, U.S.): [Daddy Up](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dad-pregnancy-guide-daddy-up/id1097347717), [HiDaddy](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hidaddy-pregnancy-for-dads/id1328264789), [The Big Daddy](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/big-daddy-pregnancy-tracker/id1447942380), [Ovia](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ovia-cycle-pregnancy-tracker/id570244389), [Pregnancy+](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pregnancy-tracker-app/id505864483), [What to Expect](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pregnancy-tracker-app-wte/id289560144), [BabyCenter](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/babycenter-pregnancy-tracker/id386022579), [The Bump](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-bump-pregnancy-baby-app/id568940747), [Huckleberry](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/huckleberry-baby-tracker/id1169136078), [Baby Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/baby-tracker-newborn-log/id779656557), [Nara](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nara-baby-pregnancy-tracker/id1444639029), [Baby Daybook](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/baby-daybook-newborn-tracker/id1446283219), [Baby Connect](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/baby-connect-newborn-tracker/id326574411), [Glow Baby](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/glow-baby-tracker-growth-app/id1077177456), [CDC's Milestone Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cdcs-milestone-tracker/id1232718688), [SaferCar](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/safercar/id1526869558), [Dad Tribes](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dad-tribes/id6470240338), [Connect by PSI](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/connect-by-psi/id6463211482), [Peanut](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/peanut-find-mom-friends/id1178656034)
- Developer pages: [Ovia privacy policy](https://www.oviahealth.com/privacy-policy/), [Pregnancy+](https://www.philips.com/a-w/pregnancy-plus-app.html), [Huckleberry](https://huckleberrycare.com/product/free), [Baby Tracker FAQ](https://nighp.com/babytracker/babytracker_faq.html), [Nara](https://nara.com/pages/nara-baby-tracker-app), [Baby Daybook Premium](https://babydaybook.app/premium/), [Glow Baby](https://glowing.com/glow-baby-app)
- [CDC's Milestone Tracker app](https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones-app/), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; [SaferCar app](https://www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/safercar-app), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- [Am I in labor?](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000508.htm), MedlinePlus
- [Does your health app protect your sensitive info?](https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2021/01/does-your-health-app-protect-your-sensitive-info) and [Health Breach Notification Rule update](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/04/ftc-finalizes-changes-health-breach-notification-rule), Federal Trade Commission
- [Join](https://dadssupportingdads.org/join/), Dads Supporting Dads; [Find a dad group](https://athomedad.org/community/find-a-dad-group/), National At-Home Dad Network; [Help for dads](https://postpartum.net/get-help/help-for-dads/), Postpartum Support International