rtl_tcp SDR 4+
RTL-SDR Software Defined Radio
HotPaw Productions
-
- £9.99
Screenshots
Description
An RTL-SDR Software Defined Radio receiver app for iOS devices. Listen to AM, FM, SSB and CW radio signals. View an RF spectrum and waterfall. Connect, via the rtl_tcp network protocol, to networked RTL-SDR USB peripherals.
This app requires an external rtl_tcp server. iOS devices do not currently support the direct connection of USB peripherals such as an RTL-SDR. Thus, the use of this app requires network access to a server, such as a Raspberry Pi (or Mac), with an RTL-SDR unit plugged into its USB port, and running the rtl_tcp protocol at an TCP/IP network address accessible from your iOS device. This allows a Raspberry Pi (or Mac) to act, essentially, as the USB port adapter for your iOS device. The rtl_tcp SDR app can also connect to hfp_tcp for the Airspy HF+, rsp_tcp for SDRPlay devices, and lmm_tcp for the LimeSDR Mini; see GitHub for server source code. This app can also connect to a Hermes Lite 2 QRP transceiver directly, if it has a known IP address, or through an hl2_tcp server.
No support is provided for installing any of the rtl_tcp or other tcp software needed to use this app (with a Raspberry Pi, or otherwise). Please do not download this app unless you are already familiar with Software Defined Radio, have an RTL-SDR or equivalent USB SDR peripheral, and have already installed and tested rtl_tcp on your Raspberry Pi, Mac, or other server. Note that this app requires a very high bandwidth network connection in order to receive streams of real-time RF samples from an RTL-SDR. It is recommended that your rtl_tcp server be on a wired connection rather than on the same WiFi as your iOS device.
What’s New
Version 1.5.3
Bug fixes and stability enhancements
Ratings and Reviews
Needs improvement
This is the best SDR app for iOS but needs improvement. The main interface and settings interfaces are clunky and need a redesign, and the limitation of only 5 presets is ludicrous. There should be so many more, with the ability to store frequencies in bands or lists with station ID, modulation, date and time stamp etc.
This app could be so good but is only very rarely updated. I have two other stars waiting for this one…
No support
It works, but not great considering the price.
Also despite there being an e-mail address, they do not reply to any e-mails you send them. I have sent three now and not even an acknowledgement from them.
I have requested a refund from Apple and I’ll be trying the other RTL SDR App that is on the app store
Doesn’t work
Will not connect to any of the popular RTL SDR servers. This is a waste of money.
App Privacy
The developer, HotPaw Productions, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy.
Data Not Collected
The developer does not collect any data from this app.
Privacy practices may vary based on, for example, the features you use or your age. Learn More
Information
- Provider
- Ronald Nicholson
- Size
- 4.2 MB
- Category
- Utilities
- Compatibility
-
- iPhone
- Requires iOS 12.3 or later.
- iPad
- Requires iPadOS 12.3 or later.
- iPod touch
- Requires iOS 12.3 or later.
- Apple Vision
- Requires visionOS 1.0 or later.
- Languages
-
English
- Age Rating
- 4+
- Copyright
- © 2025 HotPaw Productions
- Price
- £9.99
Supports
-
Family Sharing
Up to six family members can use this app with Family Sharing enabled.