Survival and Preparedness Apps for Your Smartphone

According to Statista, the current number of smartphone users in the world today is 6.65 billion, and this means 83.72% of the world’s population owns a smartphone. For a survivalist or prepper a smartphone can be an excellent resource. By adding multiple apps - especially apps that work off-line (with no cellular connection) - you have any number of useful tools and a large source of information that can be carried in your pocket.

Some will argue that there is no place for technology in preparedness, because "well an EMP might kill it". We don't believe that to be necessarily true, but even if it is, not every disaster involves an electronics killing EMP. It should also be noted that small electronics (like a smartphone) can be protected from an EMP by storing them in a Faraday cage.

Of course, we don't put all our eggs in one basket, nor do we put all our faith in one electronic device. Still adding apps and information to support your survival to a device that you carry with you everyday may be something that should be considered.

Cascadia Survivalist uses an Ulefone Power Armor 13 smartphone (https://www.ulefonemobile.com/product/ulefone-power-armor-13/) as a "field computer", with a large number of apps installed to support different scenarios.  Some of those apps include the following:    

ATAK-CIV (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.atakmap.app.civ&gl=US) The Tactical Assault Kit is DoD nomenclature for the Team Awareness Kit (TAK) application: a mission planning, geospatial, Full Motion Video (FMV), and system administrator tool that reduces the operational footprint from a tactical laptop, to a commercial mobile device. The geospatial engine and communications component support Department of Defense (DoD) and commercial sector standards.

APRSDroid (https://aprsdroid.org/) APRSdroid is an Android application for Amateur Radio operators. It allows reporting your position to the APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) network, displaying of nearby amateur radio stations and the exchange of APRS messages.

Briar (https://briarproject.org/) Peer-to-peer encrypted messaging and forums. Messages are stored securely on your device, not in the cloud. Connect directly with nearby contacts - no Internet access required. Free and open source software.

Compass Steel 3D (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.simplywerx.compass3d&gl=US) Compass Steel 3D is an ad-free and easy to use marine-style compass app. With Compass Steel 3D app you get:2 compass modes to choose from - True mode (based on True north) and Magnetic mode (based on Magnetic north). Sun and Moon positions. Sunrise and sunset times. Moonrise and moonset times.

Echolink (https://echolink.org/) EchoLink® software allows licensed Amateur Radio stations to communicate with one another over the Internet, using streaming-audio technology.  The program allows worldwide connections to be made between stations, or from computer to station, greatly enhancing Amateur Radio's communications capabilities.  There are more than 350,000 validated users worldwide — in 159 of the world's 193 nations — with about 6,000 online at any given time.

First Aid: Disaster Readiness App From American Red Cross (https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/mobile-apps.html) Be Prepared for Emergencies. Accidents happen – but you can be ready to help yourself and your loved ones with this FREE app. The First Aid app puts expert advice for common emergencies at your fingertips. Videos, interactive quizzes and simple step-by-step advice makes learning easy and engaging.

*GoTenna* (https://gotenna.com/) The goTenna app works with our devices to enable 100% off-grid messaging, GPS, and other fantastic features like 'push for help'.

ManyVerse (https://www.manyver.se/) Manyverse is a social networking app with features you would expect: posts, likes, profiles, private messages, etc. But it's not running in the cloud owned by a company, instead, your friends' posts and all your social data live entirely in your phone .

*Meshtastic* (https://meshtastic.org/) Meshtastic is an off-grid, encrypted communication platform that runs open source software on affordable radios. These radios rebroadcast messages they receive in order to create a mesh network. The underlying technology, LoRa is a long range radio protocol that is available to most regions without needing certification like ham operators. Paired with the Meshtastic companion app, you are able to send and receive encrypted messages on your personal mesh.  

Mint Mobile (https://www.mintmobile.com/) Nationwide cellular cover $15 per month / Unlimited $30 per month.

Offline Survival Manual (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.ligi.survivalmanual&gl=US) This is a Survival Manual which is fully working offline (which is important to survive in a case of some extreme situation). It contains info on how to make fire, build a shelter, find food, heal and other useful content in a case of emergency.

Paranoia Text Encryption (https://paranoiaworks.mobi/) Paranoia Text Encryption is the universal text encryption application.

ProtonMail (https://protonmail.com/secure-email-app) The ProtonMail mobile app makes it easy for you to access your e-mail and send private messages from your favorite device!

Repeater Book (https://repeaterbook.com/) Repeater Book enables you to easily find Amateur Radio repeaters across the USA and Canada, for free and without a network connection.

Scanner Radio: Police & Fire (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.scannerradio&gl=us) Scanner Radio is the #1 police scanner and alerts you of breaking news so you can listen to the action live with millions of others. Stay up to date with your local news, traffic, emergency and public safety or listen in during major national live events in real time.

Session (https://getsession.org/)  Session is an end-to-end encrypted messenger that minimises sensitive metadata, designed and built for people who want absolute privacy and freedom from any form of surveillance.

Signal (https://www.signal.org/) Signal is an encrypted messaging app used by millions of users around the world. The service uses your phone's internet connection to make calls and send SMSs, so you can freely install Signal without worries about your cellular plan's voice or data limits.

Waze (https://www.waze.com/) The Waze app gives you quick access to GPS, Maps, Live Navigation and Traffic Alerts on your smartphone.

WeatherBug (https://www.weatherbug.com/) Our weather network delivers the fastest alerts and the best real-time forecasts (current, hourly and 10-day). The weather app has 18 different weather maps, including: Doppler radar, lightning, wind, temperature, alerts, pressure, and humidity.

Zello (https://zello.com/) Zello's push-to-talk walkie-talkie app lives on your phone, delivering unlimited and secure private channels and crystal clear broadcasts over cell networks and Wi-Fi. With no need for expensive specialized equipment or tower leases, you can finally afford to give everyone a voice.


IMPORTANT! While smartphones can be very useful tools, it should also be understood that a smartphone can be used to track your location when you don't want to be tracked. Consider the potential risks that are associated with having a smartphone with you in certain circumstances.

Read the EFF's Surveillance Self-Defense Guide: Mobile Phones: Location Tracking https://ssd.eff.org/en/module/mobile-phones-location-tracking