# RealADSB — ADS-B based flight tracking

> ADS-B flight tracking for stationary observers of local air traffic. (iPhone/iPad app by Nikolay Klimchuk.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/realadsb/id743911968 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Nikolay Klimchuk](https://appshunter.io/developer/283288431)
- Category: Education, Entertainment
- Price: $6.99 (on sale, was $9.99)
- Rating: 3.00/5 from 4 App Store ratings · 17 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 26.0 · 51 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2013-12-29
- Data updated: 2026-08-13
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/realadsb/id743911968/reviews.md

## What is RealADSB?

RealADSB app is intended for stationary observers of local air traffic. It can consume traffic feed generated by adsb_hub or adsb_hub3 server applications. With some limitations traffic feed in SBS-1 BaseStation format (port 30003) is also supported. For example Stratux ADS-B device or ADSBx feeder can produce such feed. Another option to get traffic feed is to use Airplanes.live integration. That could be a good way to start using app because such option doesn't require additional hardware.

You can setup traffic feed yourself or use one of the public feeds covering Germany, UK and New York. adsb_hub server application is using Java runtime and can run on PC, Mac or Raspberry Pi. It can work on top of FlightAware, FR24 feeders or generate feed using cheap USB adapter and external antenna. For more information please check our web site http://www.realadsb.com

Inside mobile app commercial, private and military aircrafts are shown on map or in scrollable list sorted by distance from reference point. It can be your current location or airport defined by ICAO code such as LFPG. When ICAO code entered special button provides access to METAR and aircrafts below transition altitude will have altitude adjusted using barometric pressure of the airport. There is a way to search/filter aircrafts by tail number, callsign, type, altitude in both list and on map. Additionally 2 layers with airports and weather are available on map.

For each airframe following basic parameters shown: 
* Speed, Altitude, Heading, Rate of climb/descend, Squawk
and for most of them there is additional information:
* Tail number, Callsign, ICAO type, Origin/Destination, Photo

If information about tail number or type of aircraft is missing you can easily add it right inside the app. This change will be automatically shared across all devices that using same iCloud account. 

Other features:
* Quick access to online resources including FlightAware, Google Flights, LiveATC etc. 
* Push notifications for special squawks 7600/7700
* Imperial or metric units
* 3 types of map: standard, satellite and hybrid 
* Sharing of map with aircrafts using standard iOS Sharing Panel
* Barometric pressure and altitude measured by mobile device conveniently shown at the bottom of main menu

## Key features

- ADS-B traffic feed consumption
- Map and list view of aircraft
- Aircraft filtering by tail number, callsign, type
- METAR and altitude adjustments
- Push notifications for squawks 7600/7700
- Integration with online flight resources

## Chart rankings

- #199 in Top Paid · Education (US App Store)

## Recent user reviews (10 of 17)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/realadsb/id743911968/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Does not work do not buy

*2025-03-28*

I bought this just now and no instructions how to use and nothing is set to set up. I’m buying something else now which I hope actually works

### 1/5 — Waste of Time/Money

*2024-10-07*

Zero instructions. I gave up after trying for 30 minutes.

### 1/5 — Inoperative

*2024-08-08*

This app does not work, asked for a refund!

### 5/5 — Freeze

*2023-03-01*

I have used this app since it’s inception. I normally connect to my dump1090 feed using the appropriate iPad. I recently downloaded the latest version, and the app freezes once a setting is entered. Very slow connecting and showing aircraft from feed. Possibly the trouble is IOS 16.

I now have upgraded my rating to 5. The developer has updated this app and provided many fixes.

The addition of OpenSky now enables the use of an airport if to see tracked aircraft at the selected airports, a great addition to the app.

I now am able to connect my own dump1090 decoder without ant difficulty.

### 5/5 — Local ADS-B   OpenSky Integration = Greater Drone Pilot Awareness

*2023-02-22*

This app was super useful for setting up a personal ADS-B receiver and viewing those results. With the recent addition of OpenSky Traffic feed, you can now merge your local receiver's data with what is received from OpenSky. This makes the ADS-B service much more reliable at a local level. This is super useful for drone pilots and Remote Pilots to search for incoming aircraft. FlightAware Hides flights that this app will receive if you configure it. 10/10. This is exactly what I have been looking for.

### 1/5 — Leider eine Luftnummer

*2022-03-16*

Schade ums Geld. Die App lädt keine Flüge außer NewYork und England. Hatte erwartet, dass ich dafür auch in Mitteleuropa Flüge verfolgen kann. Im wahrsten Sinne eine LUFTNUMMER

### 1/5 — Don't waste you money

*2021-08-17*

Horrible app and very limited to only 3 air traffic control areas.

### 1/5 — Save your money

*2020-06-02*

You have to guess your way through this app. No instructions at all

### 1/5 — absolutely disappointing

*2019-03-21*

Doesn‘t work with dump1090 on a Raspberry Pi, no connection. Much too expensive!

### 1/5 — Misleading Description

*2019-02-18*

This is extremely misleading one assumes that they can radar area in the UK this is not the case DO NOT BUY!

## Frequently asked questions about RealADSB

### What is RealADSB?

RealADSB is an application designed for stationary observers to track local air traffic. It consumes ADS-B data feeds from sources like adsb_hub, adsb_hub3, or SBS-1 BaseStation format.

### How does RealADSB display aircraft information?

Aircraft are displayed on a map or in a scrollable list, sorted by distance from a reference point. You can view parameters like speed, altitude, heading, and rate of climb/descend.

### Can I add missing aircraft information in RealADSB?

Yes, if information like tail number or aircraft type is missing, you can add it directly within the app. These changes are automatically shared across devices using the same iCloud account.

### What are the supported data feed options for RealADSB?

RealADSB supports feeds from adsb_hub or adsb_hub3 servers, SBS-1 BaseStation format, Stratux ADS-B devices, ADSBx feeders, and Airplanes.live integration.

### Does RealADSB offer notifications?

Yes, RealADSB provides push notifications for special squawks, specifically 7600 and 7700, which are often used for emergency situations.

### What map layers are available in RealADSB?

The app offers three map types: standard, satellite, and hybrid. Additionally, there are two layers available for airports and weather information.

### What is the price of RealADSB?

RealADSB is a paid application, priced at $9.99. It does not feature in-app purchases or advertisements.

### On which devices can I use RealADSB?

RealADSB is available on a range of Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Watch.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.43 — 2026-08-13

* Updated link to website decoding 24-bit ICAO codes
* Fixed icon for KA27 and GA7C ICAO designators
* Database of airplanes has been refreshed with latest deliveries for multiple airlines

### 2.42 — 2026-07-27

* Updated databases

### 2.41 — 2026-06-14

* Emergency bug fix for extra large airplane photos completely covering the map
* Updated databases

### 2.40 — 2026-05-26

* Refresh interval for live (airplanes.live) connections has changed to 10 seconds
* Fixed the problem with track retrieval for live connections
* Updated internal databases

### 2.39 — 2026-05-05

* For Airplanes.live connections don't show an error message when airplane track can't be retrieved. Third party API is experiencing issues that can't be quickly resolved.
* Updated databases

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## More apps by Nikolay Klimchuk

- [Inflight Map](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/inflight-map/id1486490824)
- [PixNut - Quick Text Reader](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pixnut-quick-text-reader/id1569993541)

All apps by Nikolay Klimchuk: https://appshunter.io/developer/283288431

## Related topics

[adsb flight](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/adsb-flight)

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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 2026-08-13.*