A free walkie-talkie app that does what it says
Hold the button, talk, let go. Everyone on your channel hears you at once — like a radio, without buying radios.
CRAGGEN turns a group of Android phones into one voice channel. One person talks at a time, everyone hears it, and it keeps working with the phone zipped in a pocket or clipped to a rucksack strap. There is no account to create and no contact list to build. Voice is never recorded or stored on our servers; Pro and Crew can replay only the last message temporarily held on their own receiving phone.
The honest bit, before anything else. CRAGGEN works over mobile data or Wi-Fi — every phone in the group needs a working connection. It is not a radio, it cannot work with no signal at all, and it cannot call the emergency services. In an emergency, call your local emergency number directly — in the UK that is 999, and you can register for 999 by text at emergencysms.net before you head out.
How it works
One person creates a channel and gets a random four-word code — something like
ridge-otter-flint-cairn. Everyone else types it in (or taps an invite link) and
you're all on the same channel. Hold the big button to talk; release to listen. Add a PIN if you
want the channel locked to your group only.
What makes it different
- No accounts, no numbers. You never hand over a phone number or email, and nobody can look anyone up. Anyone with the channel code and optional PIN can join, so share them carefully.
- No server recording. Voice is relayed live and never written to server storage. Paid replay holds only the last received message in that listener's phone memory and replaces it with the next one.
- Screen-off, glove-friendly. Join the channel, pocket the phone. The talk control is a huge bar you find by feel, and one press covers the whole group.
- Free to join, no adverts. Invited users never pay. Optional Pro and Crew plans charge the person who wants to host more people or use organiser tools.
Joining is free. Only hosting costs.
One organiser chooses the capacity; everyone they invite joins without paying or creating an account.
| Plan | Host capacity | Organiser features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 1 channel · up to 6 people | Save 1 channel; PIN lock, mute, report and screen-off use |
| Pro | Up to 16 people | Save 25 channels; physical PTT button support; replay the last received message |
| Crew | Up to 40 people | Everything in Pro; monitor up to 4 channels; unlimited saved channels |
Bluetooth and wired headset audio is available on Free. A compatible physical push-to-talk button requires Pro or Crew. Google Play shows the current monthly and annual subscription prices before purchase.
Who it's for
Any group that's spread out and has signal: walking and hiking groups, campsites, family days out, ski trips, cycling clubs, car convoys, allotments, event volunteers. If you've ever shouted across a car park or typed "where are you??" with cold thumbs, it's for you.
Questions people ask
Is CRAGGEN really free?
Yes. Joining any channel you are invited to is always free. Free also lets you host one channel for up to six people. Pro and Crew add hosting capacity and organiser features; nobody you invite has to subscribe.
Does a walkie-talkie app work without signal?
No app on a normal phone does live voice with zero signal — anyone claiming otherwise is overclaiming. CRAGGEN needs mobile data or Wi-Fi on every phone. See our honest guide to what actually helps when there's no signal.
How many people can join a channel?
A Free host can have up to six people on a channel, Pro up to 16 and Crew up to 40. Joining someone else's channel is always free.
Is it safe for younger users?
CRAGGEN is for ages 13 and up. Channels use generated four-word codes and can add a PIN. Everyone can see the roster, mute a person and report a concern, but names are not verified identities.
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