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Air Quality Reader

Air Quality Reader

Real-time air quality readings

135 ratings
56 reviews
#172 in free Weather
💪 Health & Fitness
☀️ Weather
Free

Details

  • Released
  • Updated
  • October 11, 2020
  • August 29, 2021

Features

Developer

Bret Taylor
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Air Quality Reader screenshot #1 for iPhone
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Air Quality Reader screenshot #3 for iPhone
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📉no. 172
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About

View real-time air quality index (AQI) readings from a global network of sensors. Get instant health insights and monitor pollution levels directly on your home screen with customizable widgets.

✓Real-time AQI readings
✓Global sensor network
✓Home screen widgets
✓Health effect information
✓Pollution monitoring
Show original description

What users say

Summarized from real user reviews of Air Quality Reader. Based on 135 reviews and a 4.1/5 average, it highlights the 5 positives and 7 negatives reviewers mention most about this Weather app.

Positive things

  • 👍Simple and effective app
  • 🗺️Map widget available
  • 💨Real-time air quality data
  • 💙Great public service app
  • ✨Ad-free experience

Negative things

  • ❌Data not updating
  • staleData displayed
  • ⚠️Dangerously misleading data
  • 📉Sensors disappeared
  • ❓Data accuracy issues
  • 📱iOS specific limitations
  • 🪲Bugs introduced by iOS updates
See all reviews

What's New in Air Quality Reader

1.2

August 29, 2021

With this release, you can toggle between the default EPA air quality readings and the raw PurpleAir air quality numbers that you see on the PurpleAir web site. While the EPA numbers more accurately represent US EPA air quality, so many users have asked me about the discrepancy, I wanted to provide access to both in the app. Please keep the feedback coming!

More

Charts

Top Free

📉 172-8

Weather

This app dropped -8 positions in Weather chart.

Last updated on July 20, 2026.

User reviews

Most RecentHighest RatedLowest Rated

Great app… until it broke

Sometime in the past 3 years this app completely stopped updating its air quality data. This makes this app basically entirely useless.
KronopathKronopath

Stopped working

This app was awesome but unfortunately it stopped working as of October 2025, the data is no longer updated from PurpleAir.
SFLover94103SFLover94103

Data is not current

The data shown by the app is not current. It shows all green while Purple Air’s own map shows red and orange.
davidg42davidg42

this info isnt updating

it shows the sensors, but they all say updated two months ago. not useful unfortunately
hg dkdivndkvnhg dkdivndkvn

Dead app

Hasn’t been updated in years. Uses stale data now so it’s completely useless. Should be pulled from the App Store.
MattyMcNMattyMcN
See 51 more reviews

User experience

🐞

Reported Bugs

13 issues

App stopped updating air quality data

Bug

Data feed stopped working

Bug

Sensors not updating for months

Bug

Indoor sensors not showing

Bug

My unit is missing from map

Bug

Sensor data is incorrect

Bug

Data not current

Bug

No widget available

Bug

App not connecting to network

Bug

Inaccurate readings compared to other sources

Bug

App unable to read zero AQI

Bug

Widget not showing data

Bug

App shows stale data with no indication of age

Bug
✨

Requested Features

10 requests

Increase font size for visually impaired

Feature

Add ability to toggle indoor sensors

Feature

Add ability to filter indoor vs outdoor sensors

Feature

Add pollen data

Feature

Notification options for air quality drops

Feature

Add temperature display

Feature

Option to sign in to personal Purple Air monitor

Feature

Add PM 0.3 option

Feature

Ability to filter by EPA conversion

Feature

Add dark mode

Feature

FAQ

What does this app do?

This app provides real-time air quality index (AQI) readings from PurpleAir sensors located worldwide. It helps you understand how clean or polluted your air is and any associated health concerns.

How can I see air quality on my home screen?

The app offers widgets that allow you to display a map of real-time AQI readings directly on your device's home screen for quick access.

Is this app free to use?

Yes, the application is available for free. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned.

Where does the air quality data come from?

The app sources its AQI readings from PurpleAir sensors. These sensors are operated by both enthusiasts and air quality professionals globally.

Who is this app for?

This app is designed for anyone interested in monitoring air quality, including individuals concerned about pollution's impact on their health or those who want to stay informed about environmental conditions.