Before mobile devices and messaging apps took over, people communicated very differently. Back then, the closest thing to what we know today were walkie talkies. Communications have certainly changed, but if you want to experience that feeling that anyone over 30 remembers, or need to connect with your neighbors without using the internet, we're going to show you the best free apps to turn your phone into a walkie talkie.
The platforms let you communicate with nearby devices using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. You can set up a local network without creating an account or logging in, just by connecting the phones.
Intercom for Android
Intercom for Android is a simple platform that turns your phone into a walkie talkie. The program is for voice communication only. When you open the app, it will ask you to choose a method to connect to other devices. The methods are:
- Bluetooth: Pair both devices via Bluetooth.
- WiFi: Create an access point on one device to connect to another (similar to file-sharing apps like ShareX, etc.).
Once the connection is established, the other phone will appear in the app's interface. From there, select the device and start talking. In the options you'll find the ability to enable or disable it, start a chat conversation, and adjust voice input sensitivity.
Walkietooth
Walkietooth lets you communicate by voice with nearby devices and also lets you share images. The first thing you need to do is choose the connection type:
- Bluetooth
- WiFi Direct
- WiFi
- WiFi Hotspot
To talk, just tap the microphone icon, and to share images, tap the camera icon. If you have trouble with audio quality, you can enable or disable voice filtering, customize the sampling frequency, or adjust the phone's volume.
Talkie – Wi-Fi Calling, Chats, File Sharing
Talkie – Wi-Fi Calling, Chats, File Sharing is the best walkie talkie platform on the list. Unlike the other options, this app has only one communication method: Wi-Fi. From the Wi-Fi network you can connect multiple devices or create a “hotspot network”. The utility lists the connected phones, and from there you can make voice calls, send text messages, share files or multimedia folders. From the program you can call a device or hold a conference.
With the free apps to turn your phone into a walkie talkie, you can communicate with your neighbors or friends without needing to be connected to the Internet.