---
title: "What Is dig? A Vinyl Collection App for Crate Keepers"
description: "dig is an iOS app for vinyl collectors who want to identify records, catalog exact pressings, avoid duplicate buys, track collection value, and choose what to play next."
canonical: https://digcrates.com/how-it-works/
updated: 2026-08-12
---

# What is dig?

dig is an iOS app for vinyl collectors. It helps you identify records from a barcode, cover, or center label; catalog exact pressings; separate owned records from wishlist copies; track value and condition; and choose what to play from the collection you already have.

## What does dig do?

- Scan records from a barcode, cover, or center label.
- Catalog owned records, wishlists, notes, conditions, locations, and pressing details.
- Discover what to play with Spin Roulette, Mood Picker, Release Radar, and Deep Cuts.
- Share pickups, reviews, questions, and now-playing moments.
- Keep market context and collection-worth notes attached to the copy you own.

## How does dig identify vinyl records?

Use the fastest reliable clue available. A barcode is useful for many modern releases. A cover photo helps when the jacket is distinctive. A center-label photo is useful for older, obscure, or sleeveless copies. Confirm the artist, title, format, label, country, year, catalog number, and other copy-level clues before treating a match as the exact pressing.

## How is dig different from Discogs?

Discogs is a release database and marketplace with deep catalog and selling context. dig is a daily collection workflow built around your physical shelf: scanning a pickup, keeping owned and wishlist copies separate, remembering condition and location, tracking value context, and deciding what to spin. You can use dig alongside deeper release research.

## FAQ

### What is dig?

dig is an iOS app for vinyl collectors. It helps you identify records, catalog the exact copies you own, manage a wishlist, track collection value, and decide what to play next.

### Can dig identify vinyl records?

dig can use a barcode, album cover, or center-label photo to help identify a record. Collectors can confirm the match and keep pressing details attached to the copy in their collection.

### Is dig a replacement for Discogs?

dig is a collector workflow built around the record in your hands. It focuses on scanning, collection search, exact copies, wishlists, value context, discovery, and listening. It can complement release databases when you need deeper marketplace or pressing research.

[Join the dig waitlist](/?utm_source=product-guide&utm_medium=content&utm_campaign=how-it-works#waitlist)