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How To Turn Your iPhone Or iPad Into A Fully Functional Police Scanner

Police scanners have been around for many years, but it wasn't until recently that the scanner technology was implemented into mobile apps. Whether you are a journalist looking to follow the most current events or are simply just a curious citizen who would the chance to listen in, there are multiple iOS apps that will allow you to do so. From my experience testing out there police scanner apps, two of them stuck out above the rest.

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5-0 Radio Police Scanner

This app is the most popular police scanner iOS app having been downloaded over 20 million times. It includes a sleek interface that is easy to navigate. You can browse a huge list of police scanners around the world as well as choose from 100 of the most popular scanners. When listening to a particular scanner you can add it to your favorites, chat with other listeners, see how many people are current listening to the same channel, find the scanner's location via a mini-map and look up common 10 code meanings to help better understand what the police are communicating. If you don't want to pay for this app they also offer a lite version supported by advertisements.

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Police Scanner +

Police Scanner + is another top choice for police scanner apps, which happens to be made by the same developer as 5-0 Radio Police scanner. The interface differs drastically which makes it less straightforward  to use. You get the same basic functionality with the ability to browse scanners by location, most popular, and nearby scanners. Besides working as a police scanner, this app also provides the ability to listen to radio stations of your choice. Another notable element is the ability to turn on your flashlight directly through the app's interface without disrupting your scanner's feed. Police Scanner + also offers a free version that has advertising.

Have a favorite police scanner apps that I didn't mention here? Leave a comment!

Photo Credit: Scott Davidson