27 Smartphone Survival Apps Checklist

Below you’ll find a list of very useful smartphone apps that I recommend you download and install in order to make use of one of your most valuable survival tools. As with most lists, though, without proper context it will do you little good. Therefore, I encourage you to understand why these specific apps are important by reading the book first if you haven’t done so yet. Inside you’ll discover exactly why these apps are so useful, how to setup them properly, which ones may be more important than others, and more. That said, the following is sorted in the order in which they were introduced and not in any order of importance.

Please note: Unfortunately, not all the apps that I recommend are available on iTunes. In any case, I have attempted to find suitable alternatives in all cases, though, you should take some time to find what works best for you. Please also understand that any prices shown below are subject to change.

4 Apps Probably Already Installed on Your Phone

1. Camera

2. memo

3. Google Drive or Dropbox or OneDrive

4. Built-in Emergency Settings (e.g., any “Emergency Alerts” app that might already be installed)

4 Alert Apps to Keep You Well Informed

1. NOAA Weather International by Pandamonium Software
   1. Play Store Link
   1. iTunes Link
2. Emergency by American Red Cross
   1. Play Store Link
   1. iTunes Link
3. Hazard Alert by Roanoke Software
   1. Play Store Link
   1. iTunes Link not found
4. Police Scanner by Police Scanner
   1. Play Store Link
   1. iTunes Link not found, but 5-0 Radio Police Scanner is good as I’ve used it for years.

2 Navigational Apps to Stay on Track

1. Maps.ME by My.com B.V.
   1. Play Store Link
   1. iTunes Link
2. Compass by gabenative Tools
   1. Play Store Link
   1. iTunes Link not found, though this Compass app is a very easy to use substitute.
   1. Note: many people prefer “Smart Compass” by Smart Tools co. because it overlays the compass directly atop the camera view; it’s cute, but not necessary.

5 Vital Emergency First Aid Apps to Keep You Safe

1. First Aid by American Red Cross
   1. Play Store Link
   1. iTunes Link
2. Pet First Aid by American Red Cross
   1. Play Store Link
   1. iTunes Link
3. Baby & Child First Aid by British Red Cross
   1. Play Store Link
   1. iTunes Link
4. Real Time CPR Guide by Chen Gantz
   1. Play Store Link
   1. iTunes Link not found, but CPR Tempo is a handy, albeit basic, CPR reference.
5. WebMD by WebMD, LLC
   1. Play Store Link
   1. iTunes Link

5 Information Apps to Keep You in The Know

1. U.S. Army Survival Handbook by Government Conspiracy
   1. Play Store Link
   1. iTunes Link not found, but this Survival Guide is pretty much the same thing.
2. Useful Knots by Neptuns Apps (yes, I spelled “Neptuns” right)
   1. Play Store Link
   1. iTunes Link not found, but this Knots Art – 3D appears to be a good substitute, though, you need to download most knots one at a time (be sure to do that after installation).
3. Hazmat Pocket Guide by McNeil and Company, Inc.
   1. Play Store Link
   1. iTunes Link not found, but this ERG 2016 might work well instead.
4. Cargo Decoder by Strategies In Software
   1. Play Store Link
   1. iTunes Link ($1.99) – just stick with the Hazmat Pocket Guide if you don’t want to pay.
5. ASPCA – Emergency Pet Safety by 3 SIDED CUBE
   1. Play Store Link
   1. iTunes Link

7 More Apps Not to Ignore

1. GammaxPix Lite by Image Insight, Inc.
   1. Play Store Link
   1. iTunes Link ($4.99) – no “lite” version available, though, there are other free radiation detection apps, such as this Pocket Geiger Counter Lite (which I have not tried).
   1. I also said that I would link to the paid-for “Radioactivity Counter” app by Rolf-Dieter Klein, if interested: Play Store Link ($4.49), iTunes Link ($4.99).
2. Flashlight – LED Torch Light by ZenUI
   1. Play Store Link
   1. iTunes Link not found, though this Flashlight LED HD is very similar (there are plenty of other choices).

• Unit Converter by MobiTrendz
  • Play Store Link
  • iTunes Link not found, though this Unit Converter seems a good substitute from my iPad tests (again, there are many other choices).
• Google Translate by Google Inc.
  • Play Store Link
  • iTunes Link
• Voice Recorder by Green Apple Studio
  • Play Store Link
  • iTunes Link not found, though this Recorder Plus seems fine from my iPad tests.
• Bible Offline by MrRocco
  • Play Store Link
  • iTunes Link
• Audio Bible Offline by LE THU THANH HAI
  • Play Store Link
  • iTunes Link not found, though this Audio Bible seems a good substitute; just be aware of how much data storage it may be using.

Honorable Mentions

1. Amazon Kindle by Amazon Mobile LLC
   1. Play Store Link
   1. iTunes Link
2. Adobe Acrobat Reader by Adobe (alternative to Amazon Kindle or for viewing PDF files)
   1. Play Store Link
   1. iTunes Link
3. Simple Radio by Streema, Inc.
   1. Play Store Link
   1. iTunes Link
4. Family Locator – GPS Tracker by Life360
   1. Play Store Link
   1. iTunes Link
5. Seek Thermal by Seek Thermal, Inc. (Note: requires the add-on thermal camera to work!)
   1. Play Store Link
   1. iTunes Link