Search results for: iphone

March 9, 2018

New Apple iOS (iPhone/iPad) RTL-SDR rtl_tcp Client App in Beta Testing

Over on our forums poster hotpaw2 has released news about his new RTL-SDR app for iOS (iPhones/iPads). If we're not mistaken, this will be the first app that enables RTL-SDR usage on iOS. However, as iOS devices don't allow RTL-SDRs (or any arbitrary USB device) to connect directly to devices, you still need to use a Raspberry Pi or other network connected computing device as an rtl_tcp server. So the RTL-SDR does not plug directly into the iOS device. Currently he is looking for beta testers to help test a pre-release of the software. Hotpaw2 writes:

Hi. A first version of my iOS SDR app is nearing completion. So I'm interested finding a few users who would like to beta test a pre-release of the app, and provide some feedback. The beta test requirements are having a 64-bit iOS device (iPhone or iPad) running iOS 11.2.x or newer, having Apple's TestFlight app installed, having a Mac, PC, Raspberry Pi (or other Linux box) that already has rtl_tcp installed and ready to run. (And an RTL-SDR obviously.) The rtl_tcp server must be on a fast WiFi network reachable by your iOS device. Note that iOS TestFlight app distributions do have an expiration date.

iOS does not recognize arbitrary USB devices such as an RTL-SDR. This is even true when using Apple's Lightning Camera Connection kit to provide an iPhone with a wired USB port. So an adapter must be used. I use a headless Raspberry Pi 3 running rtl_tcp as the USB adapter to provide raw IQ samples from the RTL-SDR to the iOS app. A Raspberry Pi Zero W would also work. I then connect to the server either over WiFi, or via wired ethernet.

This iOS SDR app is fairly simple. I've been experimenting with developing low-level DSP code in Swift. So this SDR app was written from scratch in the Swift programming language. Because the app is targeted for the iOS App store, it uses none of the existing SDR C++ code base.

The app currently demodulates AM, N-FM, and mono W-FM. It also displays a spectrum and rudimentary waterfall, and allows one to swipe-to-tune. There are not a lot of controls, as screen real-estate on an iPhone is quite limited. But I can walk around the house and, from my iPhone, monitor if my RTL-SDR or AirSpy HF+ are picking up any interesting signals.

Contact info for beta testing can be found here: http://www.hotpaw.com/rhn/hotpaw/

Source code to librtlsdr and rtl_tcp can be found in many repositories on github, but zero support for finding or installing such, and/or setting up your Raspberry Pi, will be provided by me.

August 31, 2026

Overhead 1090: New iOS/tvOS ADS-B Mapping App for Local PiAware/dump1090 Receivers

Thank you to Michael Russo for submitting news about the release of his new Apple iOS/tvOS app called 'Overhead 1090'. Overhead 1090 is an iPhone/iPad/Apple TV client for dump1090-compatible RTL-SDR-based receivers such as dump1090-fa, readsb, and PiAware builds. Michael writes:

It reads the aircraft.json feed over the LAN and adds what the stock web maps don't have: a persistent logbook of every airframe received, daily traffic reports, and a sightings feed for emergency squawks and rare types. The Apple TV version is the headline feature: a full-screen steerable radar scope for the living room.

Everything is local. No cloud, no account, no analytics (App Store label is "Data Not Collected"). It supports multiple receivers and includes a demo mode with sample traffic. One $4.99 purchase covers all three platforms.

August 19, 2026

VibeSDR Jr: Apple Watch RTL-SDR, KiwiSDR, UberSDR Client now Available

Back in July, we posted about VibeSDR, an AI vibecoded open-source mobile SDR client for rtl_tcp and UberSDR/KiwiSDR/OpenWebRX servers developed for iOS and Android. In that post, Stuart also mentioned that he was developing an Apple Watch app version of VibeSDR that runs directly on an Apple Watch, allowing you to view and listen to the spectrum on your wrist.

The Apple Watch version, called VibeSDR Jr, is now available as a full standalone Apple Watch App, meaning that no iPhone is required. The app costs £0.99 (~US$1.35). As before, Stuart has provided us with 20 free giveaway codes for the VibeSDR Jr App, so be sure to comment on either this post, the Facebook post, or the X post for a chance to win one of the codes.

Stuart has also noted that he now has a live VibeSDR demo running at demo.vibesdr.net, allowing users to see VibeSDR's DSP and server functionality in action. Stuart writes, "There is an RTL-SDR V4C, SDRPlay RSP1B, and AirSpy HF running on that demo server, all connected to the same AirSpy YouLoop with LNA antenna setup. The RSP1B is locked to 2.8MHz - 10.8MHz and can handle 10 users and the RTL-SDR & AirSpy are unlocked frequencies but 1 user at a time, each user gets a 30 minute time slot to play with. All the built in decoders are available and for the FM-DXers there is a full advanced RDS suite measured against a professional broadcast analyser too."

He also notes the following to avoid confusion with the software in the VibeSDR family:

VibeSDR + Buddy: The Main VibeSDR app and the Apple Watch Remote control companion app for that app.
VIbeSDR Jr: The full standalone Apple Watch SDR client no iPhone required
VibeServer: Built in to Android and standalone apps which allow you to quickly and easily share your SDR’s on a network

Use VibeServer to connect your radio and serve it and then use Jr to listen to it on your wrist, or if you don’t have your own radio Jr is compatible with almost all the same servers as the main VibeSDR app, the only thing it cannot do due to bandwidth/processing requirements is anything that is RAW IQ such as RTL-TCP or SpyServer.

Finally, Stuart notes that the Android version is coming soon and is currently just pending acceptance on the Google Play Store.

VibeSDR Jr - SDR Client for the Apple Watch

August 17, 2026

DXLens: An iOS App Combining Shortwave Schedules, Propagation Data and Public SDRs

Thank you to Muayyad for sharing news about the release of his iPad/iPhone-compatible application, 'DXLens', designed for listening to remote shortwave SDR receivers. DXLens also comes with features like aggregated shortwave schedules from multiple sources, and propagation data and reception forecasting to help users choose the right global receiver for the conditions. He writes:

DXLens is a newly released iPhone/iPad application built around connecting the shortwave schedule and SDR listening workflows.

A listener can begin with a broadcast from EiBi, Aoki/NDXC, or HFCC, inspect the schedule-source evidence and transmission path, review modeled propagation context and assumptions, and then request compatible public SDR receivers for the frequency.

From there, DXLens provides a native listening workspace with live spectrum and waterfall, frequency/mode/bandwidth controls, receiver switching and reconnection, SDR presets, signal/session information, and local recording.

The app also includes Path Atlas, ionospheric and space-weather context, RF Environment tools, Model Audit, alerts, Custom listening views, and a structured reception logbook.

An important design boundary is that scheduled activity, propagation modeling, public receiver availability, and actual reception are kept separate rather than being presented as equivalent evidence.

The app appears to connect to the KiwiSDR network, and also has support for personal rtl_tcp based receivers.

At the moment, the app appears to be free, with no in-app purchases. DXLens is available on the Apple App Store.

July 29, 2026

Radio Silence: A Native iOS App for Listening to Public KiwiSDRs

Thank you to 'Radio Silence Dev' for writing in and sharing the beta release of his iOS native app, Radio Silence, designed for listening to public KiwiSDR receivers around the world on an iPhone or iPad.

The app streams live audio from the KiwiSDR network, with a live directory showing each node's signal quality, load, and online status. If a receiver drops out mid-session, the app will automatically fail over to another one. There is also a tap-to-tune live spectrum waterfall.

Radio Silence also includes CW, RTTY and FT8 decoders, which all run on-device rather than on the receiver, printing text under the dial as it comes in. Audio keeps playing with the screen locked, and captures are saved to a logbook tagged with frequency, mode, node, S-meter reading and UTC timestamp, with export to ADIF, CSV and WAV. Captures can also be shared as QSL-style reception report cards stamped with the solar flux and Kp index at the time of the catch. NAVTEX and SSTV decoders are in development.

The developer notes that the app is written to be a good citizen on the KiwiSDR network, releasing its channel slot when listening stops and handing it back automatically if playback is left running unattended. Streaming uses about 22 MB per hour.

Radio Silence is free during the beta, and listening is set to remain free at launch, with any future subscription covering software features only. Beta invites can be requested via radiosilencesdr.com.

July 6, 2026

Demod: An iOS/iPadOS Client for rtl_tcp, SpyServer and KiwiSDR

Thank you to Alphonse Romero for submitting news about the release of his new iOS and iPadOS SDR receiver app called Demod. Demod is a network client that connects to remote SDR servers, so it can be tried out immediately with no dongle needed at all.

The app works as a client for rtl_tcp, SpyServer (Airspy and RTL-SDR), and KiwiSDR, all in a single app. It features a Metal-accelerated waterfall and spectrum display, AM/NFM/WFM/USB/LSB/CW demodulation, and adjustable bandwidth, gain, and squelch. Other features include frequency memories with CSV import and export, AirPlay and Lock Screen controls, and native layouts for both iPhone and iPad. It can also browse and connect to public SpyServers directly from within the app, which is how it can be used with no hardware of your own. The developer notes that it collects no data, with no ads or tracking.

Alphose writes that Demod is a solo project and is available on the US App Store for US$9.99. More information and screenshots can be found on the project website, and the app itself is available on the App Store.

The developer has also provided us with 15 free codes that we will be giving away in one week. To enter the giveaway, simply comment on this post (make sure to include your email address in the comment so that we can send you the code), the X post, or the Facebook post. (UPDATE: ALL CODES HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED NOW, THANKS!)

June 4, 2026

RTL-SDR Now Runs on iPad M-Series Devices Directly via USB Without Jailbreak

Thank you to Arved (DK5AV/M0KDS) for writing in and sharing with us some exciting news. Arved has just announced his USBDriverKit extension for RTL-SDRs over on X and released it as open-source code on GitHub.

This is an unofficial port of librtlsdr, created using USBDriverKit instead of libusb, which is not available on iOS. This now allows RTL-SDRs to run directly on iPad iOS devices via USB without any jailbreak requirements. Previously, RTL-SDRs were unable to run on iOS devices directly. The only way around this was to run an RTL-SDR remotely and connect to it over a network via rtl_tcp.

The one caveat at this stage is that this currently only supports iPads with an M-Series SoC. At this time, only iPads use M-series chips, whereas iPhones currently use A-series chips. It also appears that the Blog V4 is not yet compatible with this driver due to the required EEPROM strings not being read by the drivers yet.

In the video embedded below Arved shows an RTL-SDR running on his M1 iPad, and demonstrates CoronaSDR, welle.io, SatDump and rtl_tcp running.

RTL-SDR Running Directly on iPad via USB — Demo with CoronaSDR, welle.io, SatDump & rtl_tcp (no JB)

Watch this video on YouTube

Arved has also released a video (embedded below), demonstrating SatDump connecting to an RTL-SDR and receiving a signal from a Meteor M2 LRPT weather satellite. He first records the IQ data with SatDump, then uses SatDump to decode the recorded data into an image.

Meteor-M2 4 LRPT Reception on iPad with RTL-SDR via USB — SatDump Demo

Watch this video on YouTube

April 3, 2026

Echo: KiwiSDR, OpenWebRX, WebSDR and FM-DX iOS Browser App now Officially Released

Back in February, we posted about the beta release of Echo, an iOS app designed for browsing global web-based KiwiSDR, OpenWebRX, WebSDR, and FM-DX software-defined radios. Mark, the developer of Echo, has now officially released the app on the Apple App Store for free.

Echo turns your iPhone and iPad into a global radio receiver. Browse 2,000+ KiwiSDR, OpenWebRX, WebSDR, and FM-DX servers to hear shortwave, aviation, numbers stations, and distant FM in real time.

More information can also be found on the new echosdr.com website.

Echo iOS KiwiSDR, OpenWebRX, WebSDR and FM-DX Browser App