The company also noted on Facebook that the app is “only as useful as the people who use it.” It’s not intended to be used for hurricane or natural disaster rescue services, usually it’s just used for connecting with friends or family. During Harvey channels like 'Texas search and rescue' and 'CajunNavy' were created to help rogue rescuers find those in need of help. Users can join channels to talk with anyone on that channel, so if they upload a message to the channel anyone else in the channel can hear that message. That's because users aren't actually broadcasting, they're adding their messages to a channel using data or Wi-Fi. Unlike walkie talkies there is no specific distance the Zello app can broadcast. The Zello walkie talkie app is free to download and use. The company has a few pieces of advice for those who plan to use the app after a disaster regarding battery, carriers and usage, all of those tips and more are available on Zello’s Facebook page. However, if cell networks are down because of the storm or damage caused by it, the app won’t work. The app is designed and was tested for 2G networks, or the lowest bandwidth. Like most apps that help you connect with other people, it requires some sort of means to transmit data. While the app can make your phone work similarly to a walkie talkie it can’t change the fact that your cell phone is in fact not a walkie talkie radio. The app will only work if you have cell phone service or Wi-Fi. If you want to download the app and plan to use it to either help rescue people or to potentially be rescued there are a few things you should know about the app.

But with the massive surge in popularity some false information about the app has been getting around to some users. The push-to-talk app, available on iOS and Android, shot to the top of the popularity charts in the App Store and on Google Play after its success during Hurricane Harvey in Texas. It's also available in the Windows Phone Store. If you’re in the path of one of hurricanes making their way through the Caribbean islands and heading for Florida you might have heard of the app Zello that can make your phone or device function similarly to a walkie talkie.

What is the zello app