EPA AIRNow

Name: EPA AIRNow
Rating: 3.1 (563 reviews)
Author: United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)

by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)

iPhone · iPad

Active Last checked 31 Jul 2026

App Store ↗

Quick verdict

What it is: Store information collected; independent summary not yet available.
At a glance: Free to download

Categories and search queries

Official categories

Weather
Utilities

AppCorpus categories

Key functions

Function	Availability	Access	Scope	Evidence
Free app	Yes	Free	—	Store published

Screens

No screenshots collected yet.

Pricing & paywalls

App Store

Free

Last verified 31 Jul 2026

Ratings & reviews

App Store

3.1 563 ratings · App Store

4/5Another Update
Yet another update: This app does NOT give real-time, there are articles online that explain why. It's not a bad app, but I guess it does the job of presenting epa's official aqi? SERIOUS UPDATE: TO ANYONE IN CALIFORNIA READING THIS, USING PURPLE AIR (browser) INSTEAD OF THIS APP. The visibility in my hometown has suddenly gotten a lot worse (in the past half hour, we have gone from 150 aqi to 500!!), but this app says we are still at 128 aqi!!) This app just does not update quickly enough!! DO NOT RELY ON THIS APP UNTIL THEY FIX IT. IMPORTANT UPDATE: The aqi on the app seems to be straight up wrong. It does accurately show the aqi listed on the official website, but I can't tell if the sensors are straight up wrong or if the data is slow-updating. For instance, last night in my area the aqi finally dropped to around 50's. Visibly the smoke had disappeared and the smell of wildfire smoke gone. Today (this morning) visibly the smoke is back and the smell is stronger than ever. This app (and its website) says that the current air quality is still only 50's aqi?! I cross-referenced with some Purple air sensors (aka community provided sensors), and the sensors near my house seem to be reporting a way-more accurate aqi of 150+. What is going on?! Can I trust this app?! Original: Great app that shows the aqi of any chosen city. I think it would be even better if it added the interactive map (that's already available on AirNow's website)!

Scslckje · 31 Jul 2026
4/5How to delete a place
I really like this app and in general it is easy to use. It took me awhile, though, to figure out how to delete a location from the “places” list. To delete a location, tap “Places” at the bottom right of the home screen. The next screen will be a list of places and an option to add a new place at the bottom of the list. Tapping the settings icon at the top of the “Places” screen will give you the option to delete places from the list.

Poppy CA · 31 Jul 2026
2/5Barely Adequate
This app is convenient because it’s there and easy to open. However, there are several faults that make it not the best way to obtain an AQI measurement. First of all, it’s data is not updated often enough. It lags way behind current readings - at least by several hours if not more. Secondly, AirNow doesn’t have a broad enough network of sensors. AQI often depends on land contours and detailed location within a community. This app just doesn’t have enough resolution to provide helpful health information for people in many locations. AND I just found that the latest version of the app crashes when attempting to query ‘Details’ about the reading at my home location. Interestingly, it doesn’t crash when clicking details at other locations.

GoogleTool · 31 Jul 2026
5/5AirNow provides critical air quality information
After not working for a while last year, this app is updating again and providing critical information. I check it multiple times a day because I have asthma. It’s the only app I’ve found that provides actual measurements of ozone and PM10, rather than relying on modeled estimates, which can be less accurate than direct measurements. Your experience with the app will likely depend on your state’s own air quality reporting, since AirNow draws on data from state monitoring networks. Please keep this app updated!!!

Addinganicknameisdifficult · 31 Jul 2026
5/5This is what it looks like when the government works!
Easy to use app that provides you (potentially) life saving information. Too often, government apps are a cluttered mess of information that is difficult to comprehend and use quickly. This app, on the other hand, perfectly displays what you need yo know an the opening screen, and allows you to easily get additional (location based) information if you want it. More agencies need to model this app for how to get information to the public.

Blu-Josh · 31 Jul 2026

Privacy & accessibility

App Store

Privacy

Data Not Linked to You — App Functionality — Diagnostics — Crash Data Developer declared
Data Not Linked to You — App Functionality — Diagnostics — Other Diagnostic Data Developer declared
Data Not Linked to You — App Functionality — Diagnostics — Performance Data Developer declared
Data Not Linked to You — App Functionality — Identifiers — Device ID Developer declared
Data Not Linked to You — App Functionality — Location — Coarse Location Developer declared
Data Not Linked to You — App Functionality — Location — Precise Location Developer declared
Data Not Linked to You — Diagnostics Developer declared
Data Not Linked to You — Identifiers Developer declared
Data Not Linked to You — Location Developer declared

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Accessibility

No accessibility labels collected yet.

Versions

App Store

2.0.2
Added push-to-refresh, and bug fixes.
2.0.4
Various bug fixes and improvements, including: - Better handling for stale data values - Removed the ability to add a duplicate place - Fixed an issue with multiple primary forecast values - Properly handles values beyond the AQI index now - Fixed some text boundary issues on the detail screens
2.0.5
Bug fixes and added timestamps to conditions overview
2.1.0
Updates to EPA’s AirNow App increase public access to information about air quality all year, including during wildfires. The app updates add two maps to give the public additional, actionable information about air pollution at their location: the popular Fire and Smoke Map, which provides information on fire locations, smoke plumes and air quality from monitors and low-cost sensors; and the AirNow Interactive Map, which shows ozone and particulate matter from air quality monitors across the country. The AirNow Interactive Map uses data from air monitors operated by experts to reflect particulate and ozone pollution in a given area. While particulate matter (also called “particle pollution”) is the key pollutant in smoke, ozone also can be elevated during wildfires. While the Fire and Smoke Map is the map to use during wildfire season, the Interactive Map shows ozone and particle pollution at any time of year.
2.2.0
Recent trends for locations. Various bug fixes and framework updates.
2.2.1
Fixed an issue with the location lookup not working.
3.0.0
Library updates and minor bug fixes
3.0.1
Improved Location Searching Fixed some map loading issues Fixed other minor bugs and text values
4.0.0
Exciting News! Forecast Notifications are now available! Stay informed with automated updates tailored to you. Simply navigate to the notifications section of the app to subscribe and turn them on!
4.0.1
Minor bug fixes
4.0.3
Minor Bug Fixes
4.0.4
Minor Bug Fixes
4.0.5
Minor Bug Fixes
4.0.6
- Fixed minor visual bugs - Fixed issues adding notifications on some devices
4.1.0
Minor improvements to Map and Notifications Screens
4.2.0
- Full places screen redsign. - Allows for reorganizing places - Simplier removal of places - Added how to to places screen - Adds ability to report issues directly in the app - Fix some minor display issues
4.2.1
- Full places screen redesign. - Allows for reorganizing places - Simplier removal of places - Added how to to places screen - Adds ability to report issues directly in the app - Fix some minor display issues
4.3.0
- Fixed various bugs throughout the applications
4.3.1
- Minor Bug Fix
4.4.0
Upgraded the app’s API for better performance.
4.4.1
- Improve loading and refreshing of observation data - Fix issue when searching for some places - Fix bug with using geolocate button
4.4.2
- Improved trend data - Fixed minor visual bugs
4.5.0
- Ability to search via user's location - Fix minor bug with filtering on the map - Other minor bug fixes
4.6.0
- Map Improvements - Place Search Improvements - Bug Fixes
4.6.1 · 22 Jun 2026
- Added new notification for when a state has active wildfires - Updated some text - Added AQI value to map markers - Improved interactions between different screens

Show more Show less

Alternatives

Air Quality & Pollen - AirCare — Same category + similar ratings
AirNow - Real-time Air Quality — Same category + similar ratings

Availability by market

Data quality & evidence

Page completeness: Live store listing
Last verified: 31 Jul 2026
Sources: App Store

Independent summary has not been published yet.
Screenshots: not yet collected

Report a correction

Use this page with an AI agent

AppCorpus MCP gives your agent current app data, prices, screens, features and sources.

Example prompt

Compare EPA AIRNow with Air Quality & Pollen - AirCare.

View JSON

GET /api/v3/apps/467653238

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          "title": "Another Update",
          "body": "Yet another update: This app does NOT give real-time, there are articles online that explain why. It's not a bad app, but I guess it does the job of presenting epa's official aqi? SERIOUS UPDATE: TO ANYONE IN CALIFORNIA READING THIS, USING PURPLE AIR (browser) INSTEAD OF THIS APP. The visibility in my hometown has suddenly gotten a lot worse (in the past half hour, we have gone from 150 aqi to 500!!), but this app says we are still at 128 aqi!!) This app just does not update quickly enough!! DO NOT RELY ON THIS APP UNTIL THEY FIX IT. IMPORTANT UPDATE: The aqi on the app seems to be straight up wrong. It does accurately show the aqi listed on the official website, but I can't tell if the sensors are straight up wrong or if the data is slow-updating. For instance, last night in my area the aqi finally dropped to around 50's. Visibly the smoke had disappeared and the smell of wildfire smoke gone. Today (this morning) visibly the smoke is back and the smell is stronger than ever. This app (and its website) says that the current air quality is still only 50's aqi?! I cross-referenced with some Purple air sensors (aka community provided sensors), and the sensors near my house seem to be reporting a way-more accurate aqi of 150+. What is going on?! Can I trust this app?! Original: Great app that shows the aqi of any chosen city. I think it would be even better if it added the interactive map (that's already available on AirNow's website)!",
          "author": "Scslckje",
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          "author": "Poppy CA",
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          "title": "Barely Adequate",
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          "author": "GoogleTool",
          "date": "31 Jul 2026"
        },
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          "title": "AirNow provides critical air quality information",
          "body": "After not working for a while last year, this app is updating again and providing critical information. I check it multiple times a day because I have asthma. It’s the only app I’ve found that provides actual measurements of ozone and PM10, rather than relying on modeled estimates, which can be less accurate than direct measurements. Your experience with the app will likely depend on your state’s own air quality reporting, since AirNow draws on data from state monitoring networks. Please keep this app updated!!!",
          "author": "Addinganicknameisdifficult",
          "date": "31 Jul 2026"
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        {
          "rating": 5,
          "title": "This is what it looks like when the government works!",
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          "author": "Blu-Josh",
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      "notes": "Updates to EPA’s AirNow App increase public access to information about air quality all year, including during wildfires. The app updates add two maps to give the public additional, actionable information about air pollution at their location: the popular Fire and Smoke Map, which provides information on fire locations, smoke plumes and air quality from monitors and low-cost sensors; and the AirNow Interactive Map, which shows ozone and particulate matter from air quality monitors across the country. The AirNow Interactive Map uses data from air monitors operated by experts to reflect particulate and ozone pollution in a given area. While particulate matter (also called “particle pollution”) is the key pollutant in smoke, ozone also can be elevated during wildfires. While the Fire and Smoke Map is the map to use during wildfire season, the Interactive Map shows ozone and particle pollution at any time of year."
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      "notes": "Exciting News! Forecast Notifications are now available! Stay informed with automated updates tailored to you. Simply navigate to the notifications section of the app to subscribe and turn them on!"
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      "app_id": 1190987663,
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      "app_id": 6449847370,
      "name": "AirNow - Real-time Air Quality",
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