If you’re looking for a free police scanner app for your Android device, you’re in luck. There are several options available on the Google Play Store that offer real-time access to police, fire, and emergency services broadcasts.
1. Scanner Radio – Fire and Police Scanner
One of the most popular free police scanner apps for Android is Scanner Radio. This app allows you to listen to live audio from over 7,000 police radio scanners, fire scanners, and amateur radio repeaters worldwide.
With Scanner Radio, you can browse by location or genre (such as public safety, weather, aviation, marine) to find the channels that interest you. You can also set up notifications when major events or incidents occur in your area.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use interface
- Large selection of channels from around the world
- Option to save favorite channels
- Ability to record audio
Cons:
- Some ads can be intrusive
- Premium features require a subscription
- Occasional buffering or connection issues
2. Broadcastify – Listen Live to Police, Fire, EMS
Another popular choice among free police scanner apps is Broadcastify. This app provides real-time access to over 5,700 live audio feeds from police and fire departments across the United States.
With Broadcastify, you can search for feeds by location or keyword (such as “police” or “fire”), and sort them by popularity or distance from your current location. You can also create custom alerts to notify you when specific keywords are mentioned on any channel.
Pros:
- Huge selection of feeds from all over the US
- User-friendly search and filtering options
- Customizable alerts and notifications
- Option to record audio
Cons:
- Premium features require a subscription
- Ads can be distracting at times
- No access to international feeds
3. Police Scanner X
If you’re looking for a free police scanner app that offers more customization options, Police Scanner X might be the right choice for you. This app allows you to listen to live police, fire, EMS, and railroad scanner feeds from all over the world.
With Police Scanner X, you can create your own custom channels by adding or removing specific frequencies or talkgroups. You can also set up alerts for specific keywords or channels, and adjust the audio quality and volume levels.
Pros:
- Customizable channels and alerts
- No ads or in-app purchases
- Option to record audio with no time limits
- Affordable premium version with additional features
Cons:
- User interface could be more intuitive
- No access to some popular feeds in certain regions (such as NYPD)
- Sometimes experiences buffering or connection issues.
The Verdict:
Overall, all three of these free police scanner apps offer great features for listening to live broadcasts from emergency services around the world. The best choice for you will depend on your personal preferences and needs.
If you want a simple and user-friendly app with a large selection of feeds, Scanner Radio might be the way to go. If you prefer more customization options and don’t mind paying for premium features, Police Scanner X could be the better option. And if you’re looking for extensive coverage of US-based emergency services, Broadcastify is an excellent choice.
No matter which app you choose, always remember to use it responsibly and respectfully. Listening to police scanner feeds can be informative and entertaining, but it’s important to be aware of the potential privacy and security risks involved.