# Cactus Watch > Real-time public safety incident information feed for situational awareness. (iPhone/iPad app by Ledyz LLC.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cactus-watch/id6502905744 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Ledyz LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1747290062) - Category: Utilities, News - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 2.00/5 from 7 App Store ratings · 4 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 16.0 · 107 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2025-04-07 - Data updated: 2026-08-20 - Monetization: freemium - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cactus-watch/id6502905744/reviews.md ## What is Cactus Watch? Cactus Watch provides real-time access to publicly available public safety incident information through a simple feed designed for mobile devices and optional premium features. The app is designed for situational awareness information in a mobile-friendly format. FREE ACCESS Cactus Watch includes a free experience that allows users to view basic incident information, including: - Incident type - Approximate location - Dispatch time - Live incident feed Basic situational awareness remains available at no cost. CACTUS WATCH PLUS Cactus Watch Plus enhances situational awareness with premium features: - Interactive live incident map - Day, night, and satellite map views - Push notifications - Fire station overlay - Custom map color themes - Manual refresh controls - Enhanced incident details Cactus Watch Plus provides premium features for viewing publicly available information in a mobile-friendly format. WHY CACTUS WATCH Cactus Watch is designed to make publicly available incident information easier to access, view, and understand on mobile devices. The value of the app is in speed, clarity, mapping, and usability, not ownership of the underlying data. DATA SOURCE Incident information is sourced from publicly available government public safety systems. Official source: https://maps.phoenix.gov/phxfire/rest/services/Active_Incidents__Public/MapServer IMPORTANT NOTICE Cactus Watch is an independent application and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by any government agency, fire department, EMS agency, public safety organization, or emergency dispatch center. Information may be delayed, incomplete, or unavailable. Not all incidents may be displayed. Cactus Watch is for informational and situational awareness purposes only and must not be used for emergency response or life-safety decisions. In an emergency, call 911. SUBSCRIPTIONS Cactus Watch Plus is an auto-renewing subscription billed through your Apple ID account. Payment is charged upon confirmation. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current billing period. Manage or cancel anytime in your account settings. Support: support@cactuswatch.com Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ ## Key features - Live incident feed - Incident type and location - Dispatch time - Interactive live incident map - Push notifications - Customizable map themes ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **Subscriptions** | Subscription | Price | Period | | --- | --- | --- | | Premium Yearly | $54.99 | per year | | Premium Monthly | $4.99 | per month | ## Recent user reviews (4 of 4) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cactus-watch/id6502905744/reviews.md ### 1/5 — Paywalled Public Info *2026-06-12* This app was great when it was not subscription based. It has since turned into a paywalled version of a readily available online site that is operated by the Phoenix Fire Department with the public’s interest in mind for emergency incident in the greater Phoenix area. Charging nearly $80 for little to no additional features is not something that I believe anyone should participate in. This is extremely disappointing. **Developer response:** Thank you for your feedback. We understand that some users are disappointed with the transition to a subscription-supported model. Cactus Watch is built on publicly available incident information, and we don’t claim ownership of that data. The subscription is designed to support the ongoing work required to maintain and enhance the app, including hosting, development, and adding features like improved mapping, alerts, customization options, and more detailed incident information beyond the basic feed. For users who prefer basic access, a free version is still available, and the original public information can still be accessed directly from its source. ### 1/5 — HORRIBLE APP *2026-06-12* This app used to be excellent until the developer decided to put basic functionality behind a $76 per year subscription. The information provided by this app comes from free publicly available sources. For the past year, the app displayed incidents, maps, and alerts without issue. After the latest update, users are now expected to pay $76 annually to continue using many of the same features they already had. Nothing significant was added to justify the $76 annual fee. Money is not the issue. The issue is why charge people for information that is free to the public. **Developer response:** Thank you for your feedback. We understand that changes to features and pricing can be frustrating. To clarify, the subscription is not for access to public incident data. That information remains freely available in the app as well as from its source, and Cactus Watch has always disclosed where the data comes from. What the subscription provides is the continued operation and development of the app, along with enhanced features such as improved mapping, alerts, customization options, and additional incident details beyond the basic feed. A free version of the app continues to be available. ### 1/5 — DO NOT PAY A SUBSCRIPTION FOR THIS APP! *2026-06-11* This app was great until it wasn’t. The developer decided to charge a ridiculous $76 per year for an app that piggybacks data and information that’s freely available to the general public on Phoenix Fire’s incident board page. Charging money for public information is absurd and the developer should be ASHAMED for that. Other great apps like Watch Duty and PulsePoint do not charge subscription fees for relaying public information. The app worked great displaying incidents and showing a map until you go to update the app and now they want to charge you $76 to use the same features that we all have been using for the last year! Do not waste your money subscribing to this app, just use the free public information board that’s available through Phoenix Fire on the internet. This app literally copies that website display and charges YOU money for it! **Developer response:** Thank you for your feedback. We understand concerns about pricing and feature changes. Cactus Watch does not charge for access to public incident information. That data remains publicly available and is clearly sourced within the app and on the app listing. The subscription exists to support ongoing development, hosting, maintenance, and improvements to the app, along with added functionality such as enhanced mapping, notifications, customization options, and expanded situational awareness tools. A free version remains available for users who only need basic incident information. ### 1/5 — Awful Awful Awful *2026-06-09* They changed AZ incident alert to this garbage. The app was wonderful and was very helpful as a fire photographer being able to get alerts for calls even when I’m not on the radio. But now they want to profit off of people by asking for a really overpriced subscription service that barely gets you anything. This is actually very devastating to us fire photographers who constantly use this app for alerts but now they want to profit off of us 😭😔👎 Not cool guys at all, I’m not happy about this at all. ## Frequently asked questions about Cactus Watch ### What information does Cactus Watch provide for free? The free version of Cactus Watch offers basic incident information, including the incident type, approximate location, dispatch time, and a live incident feed for general situational awareness. ### What are the premium features of Cactus Watch Plus? Cactus Watch Plus enhances situational awareness with an interactive live incident map, multiple map view options (day, night, satellite), push notifications, fire station overlays, custom map themes, manual refresh controls, and enhanced incident details. ### How does Cactus Watch obtain its data? Incident information is sourced from publicly available government public safety systems. The app is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by any government agency or public safety organization. ### Is Cactus Watch suitable for emergency response? No, Cactus Watch is for informational and situational awareness purposes only and must not be used for emergency response or life-safety decisions. In an emergency, always call 911. ### What devices does Cactus Watch support? Cactus Watch is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices. ### How often is Cactus Watch updated? The latest version, 3.0.2, was last updated on June 16, 2026, indicating a commitment to ongoing development and improvements. ### What is the subscription cost for Cactus Watch Plus? Cactus Watch Plus offers a Premium Monthly subscription for $4.99 and a Premium Yearly subscription for $54.99. Both plans include a 7-day free trial. ### How can I cancel my Cactus Watch Plus subscription? Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current billing period. You can manage or cancel your subscription anytime in your App Store or Google Play account settings. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 3.0.4 — 2026-08-14 Bug fixes: scrollable incident details, better support for large text sizes, and incident age now stays visible during data-source outages. ### 3.0.3 — 2026-06-25 This update delivers more reliable real-time incident alerts, a refined incident feed, and subscription and stability improvements. ### 3.0.2 — 2026-06-16 • Clearer on-screen disclaimers • Fixed an issue where the subscription screen could be hard to close • Stability improvements ### 3.0.1 — 2026-06-10 • New: 7-day free trial — try every Cactus Watch Plus feature free for a week before your subscription starts • Refreshed App Store screenshots • Bug fixes and performance improvements ### 3.0.0 — 2026-06-09 • New: Dark Mode — Cactus Watch now follows your device appearance, with a full dark theme on every screen • Refreshed About page • Bug fixes and performance improvements ## Related topics [incident alerts](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/incident-alerts) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-20.*