# Drone Scanner — Drone Remote ID scanner

> Mobile application for scanning and tracking drone Remote ID broadcasts. (iPhone/iPad app by Dronetag.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drone-scanner/id1644548782 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Dronetag](https://appshunter.io/developer/1527565212)
- Category: Utilities
- Price: Free
- Rating: 1.82/5 from 145 App Store ratings · 107 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 14.0 · 41 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2022-09-11
- Data updated: 2026-08-11
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drone-scanner/id1644548782/reviews.md

## What is Drone Scanner?

The world's first drone Remote ID scanner made by Dronetag.

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READ BEFORE DOWNLOADING!
Limited access to features on some phones is caused by manufacturers’ restrictions. All iOS phones, for example, prohibit app access to Wi-Fi, so only Bluetooth data transmission will work (if and only the drone has an active Remote ID over Bluetooth). It is not a flaw of our app; we cannot fix this, and we don’t deserve negative reviews for these issues.
_____

Transform your phone or tablet into a drone scanner and track all the nearby flights over Direct / Broadcast Remote ID standards. Browse real-time data about drones on a detailed map highlighting specific flying space zones. Download Drone Scanner for free and discover what drones fly above your head.

Favourite features:
- Discover more about drones flying nearby in real-time
- Examine detailed information broadcasted by drones via Bluetooth 4, Bluetooth 5, Wi-Fi Beacon, and Wi-Fi NAN
- Browse a detailed map with your location and all nearby aircraft
- Check available data about drones, including real-time height, direction, pilot identification, pilot position, operation description, and location history
- Various flying zones marked and highlighted on the map
- Easy export of collected data
- Continuously updated to reflect the latest EU & US regulations

All these features you find in Drone Scanner – a free app for tracking drones. The app is developed by Dronetag, manufacturing devices for remote drone identification.

How it works:
Anyone can quickly identify what drones are flying in the sky nearby. Direct Remote ID is a feature that transmits live flight data via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to the surrounding area. Drone manufacturers use various technologies to build an identification feature in new drones. Older drone pilots use add-on devices, enabling them to become digitally visible. With hardware on your smartphone, Drone Scanner can receive and read broadcasted data.

## Key features

- Real-time drone tracking
- Detailed drone information
- Interactive flight map
- Support for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi broadcasts
- Flying zone highlighting
- Data export functionality

## What do users think of Drone Scanner?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- 👍 Works as advertised
- 🚀 Great app for Android
- 💡 Excellent Remote ID scanner

**Cons**

- 🐛 Does not work on iOS
- 🐛 Unable to detect drones
- 🔒 Privacy concerns
- 🔒 Collects personal information

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes on launch
- Unable to locate drones in proximity
- Inaccurate location tracking

**Most requested features**

- Add support for WiFi-based Remote ID
- Add support for more drone models
- Allow changing units from metric to imperial

## Recent user reviews (10 of 107)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drone-scanner/id1644548782/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Invasion of privacy

*2026-03-31, version 1.20.0*

Completely bad practice of destroying our drone flying enjoyment when some stranger can find the pilot and try to steal there drone or even start a fight as they don’t agree with the rights we have as drone
Flyers. Bring back the 80/90s when we could do things and have fun and no one was bothered. UK now sucks.

### 5/5 — This App works perfectly.

*2026-03-30, version 1.20.0*

If you cannot see your drone, it’s likely not the app - here’s my story. I started using this app on my iPad and iPhone when it first came out. But I could  not see my Phantom 4, my Autel EVO Ii or my DJI M2EA - all of which have RID via firmware upgrade. I used Holy Stone’s RID modules broadcasting via Bluetooth 5. As stated by the app developer and many online sources, Apple devices are not allowed to open their WiFi, and many of the drones use the WiFi versus Bluetooth. Being somewhat OCD, I wanted to really see if my three drones were really outputting RID like the manufacturers claimed. So…. After hunting, I found a great device, albeit a lot of money, that ACTUALLY CAN read the WiFi and Bluetooth signals from the drones, and then rebroadcasts locally to Bluetooth, so this app reads that VERY WELL I am pleased beyond measure - no more external module, relying solely on the drone’s output. The device is made in and shipped from Norway and is called Dronescout Bridge, made by Bluemark. (see the models at www.dronescout.co) They have four versions $99, $149, $129 and $79. (Plus shipping and custom fees) The less expensive has an internal antenna and hence the receiver distance is less. The most expensive one comes enclosed in a little case with external antenna, has almost a mile reception and is powered by usb-c connector. With the REMOTE SCANNER APP here, you can see multiple drones in the air at the same time. Awesome. I realize you can buy a whole bunch of RID modules for that money, but you will be stuck with Bluetooth reception only. If you are a ‘perfectionist’ and have some ‘extra’ money for this hobby or business, do it!

### 2/5 — Mini 4 pro

*2025-11-22, version 1.20.0*

The app is not working, at least for my DJI mini 4 pro, and I'm pretty sure this drone is broadcasting Remote ID all the time, please let me know why

### 1/5 — Don’t get it

*2025-07-23, version 1.20.0*

This doesn’t do anything many other better products don’t do better, privacy issues too, I’d pass

### 5/5 — Works as advertised

*2025-06-09, version 1.20.0*

Shows the FAA id and all the parameters

### 1/5 — No worky

*2025-06-07, version 1.20.0*

Had 3 drones flying around me and none of them were on the map

### 5/5 — Install this on Android

*2025-05-27, version 1.20.0*

This app works better on an Android device.   Most drones broadcast RID on wifi, so your iPhones wont detect them.    However the iphone app works about as well as one could expect for a bluetooth-only scanner.

### 1/5 — Doesn’t work

*2025-05-25, version 1.20.0*

This app doesn’t work I see drones flying near by or even over me and it doesn’t pick up the rid.

### 1/5 — Map

*2025-05-11, version 1.20.0*

Why does the map show Czechoslovakia when it starts?

### 1/5 — Pointless

*2025-05-10, version 1.20.0*

Does not work

## Frequently asked questions about Drone Scanner

### What does the Drone Scanner app do?

The Drone Scanner app transforms your phone or tablet into a drone scanner. It allows you to track nearby drone flights broadcasting over Direct/Broadcast Remote ID standards. You can view real-time data about these drones on a detailed map, including their height, direction, pilot identification, and location history.

### What are the key features of Drone Scanner?

Key features include discovering drones flying nearby in real-time, examining detailed information broadcasted via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, browsing a map with your location and nearby aircraft, checking data like height and pilot identification, and viewing marked flying zones. The app also supports data export and is continuously updated for EU & US regulations.

### Is Drone Scanner free to use?

Yes, Drone Scanner is a free app for tracking drones. The app is developed by Dronetag and is available for download without any cost.

### What are the compatibility limitations of Drone Scanner?

Some phones may have limited access to features due to manufacturer restrictions. For example, iOS phones prohibit app access to Wi-Fi, meaning only Bluetooth data transmission will work if the drone has an active Remote ID over Bluetooth. This is a hardware limitation and not a flaw of the app itself.

### How does Drone Scanner work with drones?

Drone Scanner works by receiving and reading broadcasted data from drones that use Direct Remote ID. This feature transmits live flight data via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Drone manufacturers build this identification feature into new drones, or older drone pilots use add-on devices to become digitally visible.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.20.0 — 2025-04-15

New in this version: units can now be configured to match your preferences. Export functionality has been improved for better consistency, and location timestamps are now included in exported data.

This update also includes general stability improvements and performance enhancements.

### 1.15.3 — 2024-06-17

We have added an initial version of our data spoof detection, along with fixes for a few minor issues.

### 1.14.2 — 2024-05-19

We're excited to bring you a new update! This version includes improved reading of ID messages and enhanced drone type detection. Additionally, we've squashed many bugs to ensure a smoother experience. Update now to enjoy these improvements!

### 1.11.2 — 2024-02-07

We've added a feature to recognize drone model, new GPX export format, and fixed a few bugs.

### 1.8.1 — 2023-08-21

We've returned the Drone Scanner back to App Store after it has been removed by Apple due to non-Apple phone displayed in the introductory photo.

## Apps similar to Drone Scanner

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Drone Buddy: Fly Drone Safely](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drone-buddy-fly-drone-safely/id992303145) | 4.7 (8,422) | Free | Utilities |
| [OpenSky - App for Drone Flyers](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/opensky-app-for-drone-flyers/id1460758466) | 4.8 (673) | Free | Utilities |
| [Bwine Drone](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bwine-drone/id1566691900) | 2.6 (40) | Free | Utilities |
| [RUKO DRONE](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ruko-drone/id1528821629) | 2.8 (104) | Free | Utilities |
| [Anker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/anker/id1635029057) | 4.5 (1,295) | Free | Utilities |
| [PIX4Dcatch: 3D scanner](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pix4dcatch-3d-scanner/id1511483044) | 4.7 (262) | Free | Utilities |

## More apps by Dronetag

- [Dronetag](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dronetag/id1527565210)
- [Dronetag Toolbox](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dronetag-toolbox/id6443763841)
- [Drone Scanner (gen.2)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drone-scanner-gen2/id6742736434)

All apps by Dronetag: https://appshunter.io/developer/1527565212

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*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 2026-08-11.*