Best of 8 police scanner apps on mobile

Ever feel like you're in the loop about everything except what's happening in your own neighborhood? Well, with a police scanner app, you can listen in on what's going on around you, from traffic accidents to emergencies. These apps can be a fun way to stay informed and even give you a glimpse into the action of first responders. Some apps even include features like location tracking so you can hear what's happening in your specific area.

You'll want to choose the app that best fits your needs. A couple of the top-rated apps include Scanner Radio, Police Scanner, and Police Scanner 5. They offer a wide variety of features like real-time audio feeds, location tracking, and even the ability to save your favorite channels. No matter what you're looking for, there's a police scanner app out there for you!

App Logo Available On Reviews Downloads Features
1. Scanner Radio Scanner Radio Icon Android, iOS 4.6/5 38M+ Live audio from 8000+ scanners, Notifications for major events
2. Police Scanner Police Scanner Icon Android, iOS 4.8/5 10M+ Live audio of public safety, Breaking news alerts, Wildfire map and info
3. Police Scanner 5 Police Scanner 5 Icon Android 4.2/5 7M+ 5,000+ live channels, GPS or WiFi location, Background listening
4. Scanner 911 Scanner 911 Icon Android, iOS 4.6/5 2M+ Live audio from scanners, Search by location, Background listening
5. Police Scanner 5.0 Police Scanner 5.0 Icon Android, iOS 4.4/5 1M+ 7000+ Police/Fire/Ems Stations, Police BodyCam Videos
6. Police Scanner Police Scanner Icon Android 4.2/5 206K+ Live scanner radio streams, Worldwide coverage, Crystal clear audio
7. Police Scanner Radio 2.0 Pro Police Scanner Radio 2.0 Pro Icon Android 4/5 8K+ 7000+ Live Scanner Feeds, Breaking News and Videos
Best of 8 police scanner apps on mobile

1. Scanner Radio

Scanner Radio Icon

Live audio from scanners, Location-based scanner discovery, Notifications for major events

Cost:

Free (Free), Scanner Radio Pro ($4.99/month)


Download:

Android iOS

Application information

Category News & Magazines
Downloads Over 38 million
Features Listen to live audio from thousands of police, fire, weather, air traffic, and marine scanners worldwide, receive alerts for major events, and add scanners to your favorites for quick access.
Who It’s For People who want to stay informed about breaking news, local events, and public safety activity.
Scanner Radio - Live audio from 8000+ scanners, Notifications for major events
  • Tags:
  • Live audio streaming
  • 8,000+ scanners worldwide
  • Real-time major event alerts

Scanner Radio is a popular police scanner app that lets you tune in to live audio feeds from across the globe. Users rave about the app's extensive selection of channels, including those from different cities and even countries. While some users note occasional static or misidentified channels, they appreciate the app's minimal ads and the quick delay in broadcasts, which allows for near real-time listening. However, recent changes introducing ads that interrupt listening have left some users frustrated, as they consider it a significant drawback to an otherwise well-regarded app.

Pros & Cons

  • Short time delay
  • Many cities and countries
  • Lots of scanners
  • Good variety
  • Misidentified scanners
  • Annoying ads interrupt
  • Forced ad viewing

Why we chose it?

I've tried a bunch of police scanner apps, but Scanner Radio is my go-to. It's packed with features like live audio from thousands of scanners worldwide, easy-to-use browsing by location or genre, and even notifications to alert you about major events. I've found it super reliable and helpful for staying up-to-date on local happenings.

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2. Police Scanner

Police Scanner Icon

Live audio of public safety, Breaking news and major events, Wildfire map and information

Cost:

Free (Free), Premium ($4.99/month)


Download:

Android iOS

Application information

Category News & Magazines
Downloads Over 9.5 million downloads
Features This app lets you listen to live audio streams of police scanners, fire alarms, weather alerts, and more, providing real-time updates on emergencies, breaking news, and major events.
Who It’s For People interested in staying informed about local events, emergencies, and breaking news.
Police Scanner - Live audio of public safety, Breaking news alerts, Wildfire map and info
  • Tags:
  • Live audio streaming
  • Public Safety Alerts
  • Breaking news coverage

"Police Scanner" is a mobile app that lets you listen in on live audio feeds from police scanners, fire departments, and other emergency services. Users rave about the app's detailed descriptions of frequencies, channels, and even "10" codes, making it incredibly informative. However, while the app provides a wealth of information, some users find the intrusive ads and occasional connectivity issues to be frustrating. Despite these shortcomings, "Police Scanner" remains a popular choice for those seeking real-time insights into local public safety events.

Pros & Cons

  • Provides channel descriptions
  • Includes vehicle number info
  • Offers 10 code explanations
  • Has a variety of channels
  • Frequent and intrusive ads
  • Offline or non-connecting channels
  • Unwanted notification pop-ups

Why we chose it?

I've tried a bunch of police scanner apps, and Police Scanner is definitely my go-to! It has a huge selection of live audio feeds from all over, so I can always find something interesting to listen to. Plus, the interface is really user-friendly and it's super easy to find the feeds I want. If you're looking for a reliable and easy-to-use police scanner app, this one's a winner!

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3. Police Scanner 5

Police Scanner 5 Icon

Live police radio feeds, Search by location or area, Save favorite channels

Cost:

Free (Free), Premium ($11.99/year)


Download:

Android

Application information

Category Casual
Downloads Over 7 million
Features Police Scanner 5 offers live audio feeds from thousands of police, fire, rescue, and other radio channels across the US and globally, allowing users to search by location, save favorites, listen in the background, and access new feeds as they become available.
Who It’s For Anyone interested in listening to live police, fire, and rescue communications.
Police Scanner 5 - 5,000+ live channels, GPS or WiFi location, Background listening
  • Tags:
  • 5,000+ Channels
  • Real-Time Action
  • Favorites and history

Police Scanner 5 is a popular mobile app that lets you tune in to live police, fire, and rescue radio feeds. While users appreciate the access to over 5,000 channels and the ability to stay informed about local events, they've expressed some frustrations with the app's design and functionality. Many users have found the navigation to be clunky, with limited options for selecting channels and a lack of explanation for how to access the "gameplay" feature mentioned in the app description. Additionally, users have reported issues with the playback function and the inability to "scan" for activity on multiple frequencies simultaneously, which they feel detracts from the classic police scanner experience. Despite these drawbacks, the app's ability to provide real-time information about local happenings has been a valuable tool for users, particularly those who work late nights or travel to different neighborhoods.

Pros & Cons

  • Great way to pass time
  • Keeps you well a prised
  • Good chance there'll be
  • Really good police app
  • App does not scan
  • UI design needs improvments
  • Playback not working

Why we chose it?

I've tried a ton of police scanner apps, but Police Scanner 5 really stands out! It's got the most channels compared to other apps, and I can easily search by location to find feeds near me. Plus, the background listening feature is a lifesaver - I can stay in the loop even when I'm using other apps!

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4. Scanner 911

Scanner 911 Icon

Live audio from thousands of scanners, Search for scanners by location

Download:

Android iOS

Application information

Category Entertainment
Downloads Over 1.7 Million
Features Listen to live audio from thousands of police, fire, and EMS scanners across the country, search for scanners by location, customize sound settings, and view a list of common 'ten-codes'.
Who It’s For Anyone interested in listening to live police, fire, and EMS scanner audio.
Scanner 911 - Live audio from scanners, Search by location, Background listening
  • Tags:
  • Live audio streaming
  • Real-time emergency response
  • Nationwide scanner coverage

Scanner 911 is a game-changer for anyone looking for a reliable and user-friendly police scanner app. This app stands out with its remarkably light footprint, making it perfect for older or less powerful devices without compromising performance. Users rave about the crystal-clear reception, eliminating the annoying hum or static often found in other apps. The easy navigation allows you to quickly find your local police band, eliminating the need to scroll through multiple states and cities. This app truly shines for those who want to stay informed and connected to their community, offering a convenient and powerful way to listen in on local police activity.

Pros & Cons

  • Lightweight and fast
  • Easy to find local bands
  • Clear reception and volume
  • Easy to navigate locations
  • Lacks auto-switching for travel
  • No automatic code translation
  • No background/neck hang feature

Why we chose it?

I've tried a bunch of police scanner apps, but Scanner 911 is my go-to. It has an amazing selection of scanners, covering tons of locations, even smaller towns. The app is super easy to use and lets me listen in the background while I do other things. Plus, it has awesome features like a sleep timer and custom equalizer, so I can make the most of my listening experience.

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5. Police Scanner 5.0

Police Scanner 5.0 Icon

Live police scanner feeds, Top 200 police stations, Police bodycam videos

Cost:

Free (Free), Premium ($4.99/month)


Download:

Android iOS

Application information

Category Entertainment
Downloads Over a million downloads
Features Police Scanner 5.0 allows you to listen to live police, fire, and EMS scanner feeds from around the world, search for stations, save favorites, and access breaking news updates.
Who It’s For Anyone interested in staying informed about local police activity and events.
Police Scanner 5.0 - 7000+ Police/Fire/Ems Stations, Police BodyCam Videos
  • Tags:
  • Live Police/Fire/EMS Feeds
  • 7000+ Stations Worldwide
  • Crystal-Clear Audio

"Police Scanner 5.0" is a game-changer for anyone who wants to stay informed about local events. This app is a reliable and user-friendly police scanner that keeps you connected to live feeds, free from the constant interruptions of intrusive ads. Users praise the app's ability to seamlessly run in the background, even with the screen off, making it a perfect solution for those who want a dedicated listening experience. The ability to save favorite channels and effortlessly switch between them adds to the convenience and functionality, making "Police Scanner 5.0" a true successor to traditional police scanners.

Pros & Cons

  • Fewer ads than other apps
  • Saves favorite channels easily
  • Runs in background, even asleep
  • Great for old phones, stays on
  • Limited to specific locations
  • May not cover all local channels
  • Ads play when starting or switching

Why we chose it?

I've tried a bunch of police scanner apps, but Police Scanner 5.0 really stands out! It has a huge library of stations from all over the world, and the crystal-clear audio makes it feel like you're right there in the action. Plus, the easy-to-use interface and customizable features let me tailor it to exactly how I want to use it. If you're looking for a top-notch police scanner app, look no further than Police Scanner 5.0!

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6. Police Scanner

Police Scanner Icon

Live police and fire radio, Thousands of scanner feeds, Crystal clear audio

Cost:

Free (Free), Premium ($4.99/month)


Download:

Android

Application information

Category Entertainment
Downloads Over 200,000 downloads
Features The app allows you to listen to live police, fire, and other emergency services radio traffic from around the world, featuring station searching, favorites lists, and displaying listener counts for each station.
Who It’s For Those interested in public safety, news, or simply curious about the daily activities of emergency services.
Police Scanner - Live scanner radio streams, Worldwide coverage, Crystal clear audio
  • Tags:
  • Live scanner radio streams
  • Free to listen
  • Crystal-Clear Audio

"Police Scanner" is a mobile app that brings the world of police and emergency radio communication right to your fingertips. Users rave about its real-time audio feeds, praising the app's speed and clarity. One user even noted that the app's audio was a remarkable 45 seconds ahead of a top-rated competitor, a critical difference in situations where time is of the essence. While the app is already well-regarded, users are eager for features like a code and signal list for their listening area, which could catapult it to the top of the app store. Some users have also expressed a desire for simultaneous code viewing and audio listening, and a smoother connection experience. Despite these minor drawbacks, "Police Scanner" remains a favorite among those seeking a reliable and engaging way to stay informed about public safety in their communities.

Pros & Cons

  • Real-time audio feed
  • Fast audio updates
  • Works for Indianapolis
  • Good overall performance
  • No code list display
  • Connection issues occur
  • Commercials present

Why we chose it?

I'm a huge fan of Police Scanner! It's got a huge selection of feeds from all over the world, so I can always find something interesting to listen to. The audio quality is crystal clear, and the app is super easy to use. Plus, it lets me save my favorite feeds so I can quickly access them later. If you're looking for the best police scanner app, Police Scanner is definitely worth checking out!

7. Police Scanner Radio 2.0 Pro

Police Scanner Radio 2.0 Pro Icon

Live police scanner feeds, Breaking news with videos, Ad-free listening experience

Cost:

Free (Free), Pro ($0.03)


Download:

Android

Application information

Category Entertainment
Downloads Over 7,530 downloads
Features Listen to over 7,000 live police, fire, and radio scanner feeds, get breaking news with stories and videos, watch police bodycam videos, save favorite stations, record broadcasts, and more.
Who It's For People interested in listening to live police scanner feeds, staying up-to-date on breaking news, or learning more about police activity.
Police Scanner Radio 2.0 Pro - 7000+ Live Scanner Feeds, Breaking News and Videos
  • Tags:
  • 7000+ Police/Fire/EMS Stations
  • Breaking News with Videos
  • Police BodyCam Videos

If you're searching for a reliable and feature-rich police scanner app, look no further than Police Scanner Radio 2.0 Pro. This app delivers crystal-clear audio from thousands of police, fire, and EMS stations, keeping you informed about events in your area and around the world. Users rave about its ease of use, with features like police bodycam video footage and breaking news updates making it a standout among competitors. The app's ad-free experience ensures an uninterrupted listening experience, allowing you to stay informed without distractions.

Pros & Cons

  • Clear audio, easy to use
  • Lots of extra features
  • Live police scanner broadcasts
  • Breaking news around the world
  • No information on source
  • May not be accurate
  • Reliance on user-submitted content

Why we chose it?

This app is a must-have for anyone interested in police activity! I love that it has over 7,000 police, fire, and EMS stations to listen to, and the crystal clear audio makes it easy to hear everything. Plus, the breaking news section keeps me up-to-date on everything happening in my area, and it’s way better than those other apps that are full of ads and glitches.

8. Police Scanner Pro

Police Scanner Pro Icon

Live police and fire radio, Thousands of scanner feeds, Crystal clear audio quality

Download:

Android

Application information

Category News & Magazines
Downloads Almost two thousand
Features Listen to live police and fire radio feeds from around the world, find stations by location, track listener counts, add favorites, set timers, record audio, enjoy ad-free listening, and switch between dark and light mode.
Who It’s For Anyone interested in staying informed about public safety events and listening to live police and fire radio communications.
Police Scanner Pro - Crystal clear audio, No advertisements, Unlimited recording
  • Tags:
  • Live scanner audio
  • Unlimited recording
  • No advertisements

Police Scanner Pro promises to be your window into real-time emergency broadcasts, boasting a vast collection of police, fire, and radio scanner feeds from around the globe. While users praise the app's crystal-clear audio and ability to access feeds near their location, some have expressed frustration with the app's performance. Several users have reported that the app frequently stutters and lags, despite having purchased the premium version, which should remove ads and offer a smoother experience. Despite these drawbacks, Police Scanner Pro remains a popular choice for those seeking access to live emergency feeds, and the developers are actively working to address user concerns.

Pros & Cons

  • Access live police and fire radio
  • Stay informed about local events
  • Provides real-time information updates
  • Can be a valuable tool for safety
  • Frequent lagging and slow performance
  • Missing feeds from major metropolitan areas
  • Ads persist despite premium service purchase

Why we chose it?

I'm a huge fan of Police Scanner Pro! It's packed with features that make it the best app for staying up-to-date on public safety. I love the huge library of feeds from around the world, the ability to record audio, and the crystal clear audio quality. Plus, it's completely ad-free, which is a huge bonus!