### 2. Set Up Your Account (Optional) When you first open the app, you will be prompted to sign in with an existing Broadcastify account or create a new free one. You can skip this step for casual listening, but an account is recommended for regular users who want to save frequent local feeds or receive alerts for new feeds in their area. No payment information is required for a free account. ### 3. Locate Your Desired Public Safety Feed The app’s home screen organizes feeds into clear categories, with a dedicated "Public Safety" section broken down by type: Police, Fire/EMS, Multi-Agency, and more. To find local feeds, scroll through categorized lists for your state or region, or use the top search bar to enter a specific city, county, state, or agency name. Feeds marked with a green "Live" indicator are actively streaming, while "Offline" feeds are not currently broadcasting and cannot be played. ### 4. Start Streaming the Feed Tap the title of any live public safety feed to open its page, then press play to start streaming audio. You can adjust volume, pause playback, or switch feeds at any time without closing the app. Most mobile devices support background playback, so you can use other apps or lock your phone while listening. ### Troubleshooting Common Streaming Issues If a feed will not play, first confirm a stable internet connection, then verify the feed is marked live, as offline feeds will not generate audio. Choppy audio is usually caused by an unstable cellular connection; switching to Wi-Fi or moving to an area with stronger cellular signal typically resolves the issue. If no local public safety feeds appear for your area, there are no active volunteer scanner operators broadcasting to the Broadcastify network in your region. You can check the Broadcastify website for a coverage map to confirm availability, or turn to alternative official sources like your local government’s emergency management page for public safety updates if no scanner feeds are available.
### Responsible Use Guidelines for Public Safety Feeds All Broadcastify feeds are user-submitted by volunteer operators, and content may include sensitive details about ongoing emergencies or private individuals. Users should avoid sharing identifiable information from live feeds on public platforms to avoid interfering with active emergency response efforts. Feed availability is not guaranteed, as it depends entirely on volunteer participation, and Broadcastify does not curate or verify the accuracy of individual feed content. Some U.S. states and local jurisdictions restrict rebroadcast of public safety communications, so users should review local regulations before sharing feed audio publicly.