Mobile applications such as Drone Scanner and DroneScout pro are turning ordinary iPhones and Android phones into live drone detectors by capturing Remote ID information. Available for free on most smartphones, these tools allow the public and law enforcement to monitor nearby drone activity, including aircraft flown by rail photographers, by picking up digital license plates broadcast during flight.
Remote ID broadcasts in-flight data using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals, though iPhones receive only the Bluetooth transmissions. The broadcast data includes the drone's serial number, current GPS coordinates, altitude, and speed, alongside the location of the pilot or the drone's takeoff point. This broadcast enables law enforcement to spot unauthorized or unsafe flights in real time. While smartphone app users generally need to be near an unmanned aircraft to pick up its data, more advanced radio frequency receivers and dedicated hardware can detect drones across greater distances.
Only the Federal Aviation Administration can match an aircraft's serial number to its registered owner, though it can share this information with law enforcement. Drone owners registering a new aircraft with the FAA must provide and link a Remote ID serial number if the drone weighs more than 0.55 pounds (250 grams). Some aircraft below this weight limit, such as several DJI Mini models operated with standard batteries, are exempt from registration if flown strictly for recreation. Conversely, heavier models like the DJI Air and DJI Mavic series require FAA registration regardless of their intended use, and any drone operated for commercial or work purposes must be registered regardless of weight. The FAA also offers its B4UFLY service through desktop and mobile apps from approved providers to display where drone pilots can and cannot fly.
