Police Scanner 5-0: Live Radio
Overview
Police Scanner 5-0: Live Radio, developed by Police Scanner Radio, functions as a mobile aggregator for real-time emergency responder transmissions. It allows users to listen to live audio feeds from police, fire, EMS, weather alert networks, and amateur ham radio stations globally.
The application is regularly updated for modern compatibility. At its core, the software manages connections to more than 7,700 live emergency service channels. These audio feeds are hosted by regional volunteers who use physical radio scanner hardware connected to streaming servers, providing the public with real-time access to transmissions from municipal, county, and state law enforcement agencies.
The application features background execution optimizations, allowing streams to continue playing with low battery draw when the device screen is off or when other apps are active. It includes notification player widgets, sleep timer auto-shutdown controls, and a favorites list. To differentiate itself from audio-only aggregators, the app also indexes video content, such as public safety vlogs and police bodycam compilations.
However, the application’s monetization model has been a point of significant friction for users. While marketed as a free tool, many of the advanced features and continuous streams require a premium subscription. This has led to user complaints regarding confusing trial terms, automatic Google Play billing charges, and a complex subscription cancellation flow.
Pros & Cons
The application contains an extensive index of over 7,700 live feeds, providing comprehensive emergency broadcast coverage.
The background streaming engine is optimized for efficiency, resulting in low battery draw during long listening sessions.
The inclusion of bodycam footage and public safety video content provides visual context that goes beyond basic audio monitoring.
An integrated countdown timer automatically shuts down audio playback after a user-defined period, preserving device battery overnight.
Clear visual indicators show if a feed is online or offline, saving users from selecting inactive streams.
Modern updates support newer Android distributions, resolving playback issues with advanced streaming container formats.
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The free version is heavily ad-supported, with unskippable startup ads that can delay access to feeds during active emergency events.
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At $39.99 per year, the subscription price is significantly higher than alternative scanners.
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Users have reported a difficult cancellation process, leading to unexpected billing charges after trial periods.
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Feed availability relies entirely on third-party volunteers, meaning local feeds may go offline without warning.
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Get it on App Store FAQs
How are the live police scanner feeds sourced within this application?
The audio feeds are provided by volunteers who connect physical radio scanners to internet-connected computers. These streams are then aggregated and delivered through the app's player.
Can a user listen to emergency feeds in the background while performing other tasks?
Yes. The application's audio player is optimized for background execution, allowing users to lock their screen or run other apps without interrupting the stream.
Is there a way to automatically shut off the audio playback?
Yes. The app includes a customizable countdown sleep timer that automatically stops the stream after a set duration, helping to save battery and network data.
Why are certain local police departments unavailable in the directory?
Feeds depend entirely on local volunteers hosting physical scanners. If no volunteer is broadcasting in a specific area, or if local agencies use encrypted digital radio systems, the feed will not be available.
Hot Reviews
The app connects to local emergency channels quickly, and the background player is reliable for long-term monitoring during regional weather events.
Several reviews highlight unexpected billing charges and difficulty cancelling trials within the Google Play Store subscriptions menu.
Users report that long startup advertisements make it difficult to quickly access live feeds when sudden sirens are heard in their neighborhood.