---
title: "rtl_tcp SDR - Reviews, Revenue and Downloads in United States | Apple App Store"
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_tcp SDR — United States
> RTL-SDR Software Defined Radio

![rtl_tcp SDR App Icon](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Purple211/v4/02/77/9c/02779c12-63d9-d299-d658-a29de5c30f8e/AppIcon-0-0-1x_U007epad-0-4-0-85-220.png/434x0w.png)

**Developer:** [Ronald Nicholson](https://apptail.io/developer/ronald-nicholson-Inl)
**Category:** Utilities
**Rating:** 3.9/5 (32 ratings)
**Price:** Free
**Bundle ID:** com.hotpaw.sdr4rtltcp2
**Store:** Apple App Store
**Country:** United States
**Version:** 1.5.6 (released 2026-01-21)
**Original Release:** 2018-05-02
**Languages:** English

**App Store Link:** [Download on Apple App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/app/id1351164646)
**AppTail Page:** [https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/united-states](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/united-states)

## rtl_tcp SDR 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.

## rtl_tcp SDR Screenshots
- [Screenshot 1](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/PurpleSource221/v4/20/54/b0/2054b09d-f0ab-ec46-4097-d87840ba34b4/b844e009-2a32-423d-bc4e-20e716c0f18e_sdr.ss5v.13pmax.jpg/1284x2778.png)
- [Screenshot 2](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Purple211/v4/90/0d/0f/900d0f94-04ce-85a9-59b9-2f0b70d7df89/pr_source.jpg/2688x1242.png)
- [Screenshot 3](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Purple211/v4/5b/25/37/5b2537e0-55c2-bf0f-aaec-e519e066e72a/pr_source.jpg/1242x2688.png)

## rtl_tcp SDR Rating Breakdown in United States
- 5 stars: 17 (53%)
- 4 stars: 5 (16%)
- 3 stars: 3 (9%)
- 2 stars: 4 (13%)
- 1 stars: 3 (9%)

## rtl_tcp SDR Reviews in United States

### ***** "Great little app!!"
I use this to connect to a pi with SDR I have across the yard on top of my outbuilding, fiber backbone connects that building to my home network. It works like a champ! I can sit on the couch with my iPad or phone and listen or sniff out noise away from the radio room… thanks!
-- Scotty499, 2024-12-25

### ***-- "Oops"
Downloaded then deleted once I saw the setup requirements. Refund possible?
Thanks,
Eric KC1OAV
-- shojiconner, 2024-08-05

### **--- "Works"
Works, interface is terrible, cannot slide back without retuning half a frame, can slide forward any before retuning, fix this please!!!
-- 03excursiin, 2024-02-29

### ***-- "Ok it looks like you did not fix the memory save process"
Please fix the memory save process. Also please add more memories..
-- Jammin297, 2023-02-20

### *---- "Does not work"
I understand how to set up and operate these programs. Though, this one fails. Back to my android app.
-- sclernix, 2022-12-12

### *---- "Save your money and dont buy"
Bought the app and never can get it to work with my SDR server. Contacted dev for support. Tried another server software he recommended. Still wouldnt work. Tried connecting to several other online SDR servers, and none will connect with the app. Apple wont refund purchase. Save yourself the pain and dont buy.
-- Lineman82, 2021-11-21

### *---- "Does not work for IOS"
This app does not work on IOS without a secondary device (computer) plugged into it. Not boldly stated and doesn’t look like a refund will be issued.
-- The Coalson's, 2021-04-26

### ***** "Great"
I combined $25 sdr, Ham It Up, Youloop antenna with a raspberry pi and how I have a internet accessible shortwave radio.
-- Xyzzy1026, 2021-03-12

### ***-- "As a last resort, it works."
I was very apprehensive about buying this, based off the screenshots and the fact that it’s one of the only rtlsdr apps available. $10 is way too much for this. Maybe $2 would be ok but this is sub par. Sometimes it doesn’t connect, or will just decide to drop off and stop all audio and demodulation randomly. The waterfall is glitchy and doesn’t scroll. The interface is very bad. You can’t change modes without stopping the connection and changing it, then starting again, hoping that it will reconnect. You also cannot change the bandwidth of the current frequency. The ui is also glitched on the iPhone 8, the orange text that shows the status is down in the corner and only shows the first letter. As an only option I guess it works, but it really needs big improvements to be worth the $10.
-- KM4OVZ, 2020-08-26

### ***** "Best I have found to date"
I know Apple makes it harder to do true hardware.  I use SDR sharp and sdr console on pc. This is pretty close on iOS.  A little temperamental at times with settings and network server config.   But best out there on iOS I have found.  Wish it had native air spyserver.
-- Davidsaintruby, 2020-06-01

### ***** "Works great"
The BIG variable is network bandwidth. But at the lowest sampling rate it works good. Using a Raspberry Pi 3+ server. 

Up/Down tuning buttons would be nice with it changing the selected frequency digit for slow or fast tuning.
-- Flintstone, Fred, 2019-03-06

### ****- "This app is long overdue; Basic features but a good effort. Thanks!"
Looking forward to using this app as it matures. It worked right away with my Raspberry Pi RTL server.  It even works OK over my VPN. 

Features that it definitely needs in future updates:
1) The upconverter frequency needs to allow a more exact calibration down to 1 Hz.
2) Same for the PPM value. At least 3 decimal points are needed for accuracy. 
3) A slider would be helpful for fine tuning SSB and CW signals. Say +/-1000 Hz. Maybe along a vertical edge. 

Nice effort, well done. Keep up the good work. Much appreciated!
-- GweepDad, 2018-11-10

### **--- "It is works but lack several functions"
- bookmark of frequencies is too small (only allow to save 5 freq)
- real-time saving
- auto scanning
-- sendmans, 2018-10-14

### **--- "Could use some polish..."
This is the ONLY (iOS) RTL-SDR application in town.  It’s get the job down, albeit crashes occasionally and could use some polish. I’d like to be about to pinch bandwidth. Needs a LOT of work. I sincerely hope they continue developing. Could be a great app. Not worth $10, I hate to say..
-- KD0, 2018-09-06

[View all rtl_tcp SDR reviews and detailed analytics on AppTail](https://apptail.io/account/signup?utm_campaign=ai-crawl&utm_content=reviews)


## rtl_tcp SDR Store Rankings
| Chart | Country | Category | Rank |
|-------|---------|----------|------|
| Top Paid | United Kingdom | Utilities | #147 |
| Top Paid | Ukraine | Utilities | #413 |
| Top Paid | Finland | Utilities | #479 |

## rtl_tcp SDR Discovered Keywords
- rtl sdr


## rtl_tcp SDR Available In
- [United States](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/united-states)
- [Germany](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/germany)
- [United Kingdom](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/united-kingdom)
- [Italy](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/italy)
- [Austria](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/austria)
- [Canada](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/canada)
- [Switzerland](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/switzerland)
- [Saudi Arabia](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/saudi-arabia)
- [Denmark](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/denmark)
- [Japan](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/japan)
- [France](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/france)
- [Ukraine](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/ukraine)
- [Chile](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/chile)
- [Israel](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/israel)
- [Netherlands](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/netherlands)
- [Spain](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/spain)
- [Finland](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/finland)
- [Kuwait](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/kuwait)
- [Lebanon](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/lebanon)
- [Lithuania](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/lithuania)
- [Latvia](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/latvia)
- [Mexico](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/mexico)
- [Malaysia](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/malaysia)
- [Norway](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/norway)
- [New Zealand](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/new-zealand)
- [Peru](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/peru)
- [Philippines](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/philippines)
- [Portugal](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/portugal)
- [Sweden](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/sweden)
- [Singapore](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/singapore)
- [Slovenia](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/slovenia)
- [Slovakia](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/slovakia)
- [Thailand](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/thailand)
- [Taiwan](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/taiwan)
- [United Arab Emirates](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/united-arab-emirates)
- [South Africa](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/south-africa)
- [Argentina](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/argentina)
- [Australia](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/australia)
- [Belgium](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/belgium)
- [Colombia](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/colombia)
- [Cyprus](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/cyprus)
- [Czechia](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/czechia)
- [Dominican Republic](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/dominican-republic)
- [Ecuador](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/ecuador)
- [Greece](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/greece)
- [Hong Kong SAR China](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/hong-kong)
- [Croatia](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/croatia)
- [Hungary](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/hungary)
- [Indonesia](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/indonesia)
- [Ireland](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/ireland)
- [India](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/india)
- [Iceland](https://apptail.io/app/rtl-tcp-sdr-OpHc/iceland)

---

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