Downdetector guide
Downdetector App: How to Get It, Set It Up, and Get Alerts
The Downdetector app is now part of the free Speedtest by Ookla app, for iPhone and Android. It shows the same live reports as downdetector.com, and adds favorites and outage alerts. Setup takes about five minutes.
Updated
Is the Downdetector app free?
Yes. Downdetector free features cover everything most people need. You can search services, read reports, and see outage maps without paying.
- To check outages
- $0
- For favorites and alerts
- Free account
- Inside Speedtest by Ookla
- iPhone + Android
Ookla has also tested a paid Pro plan in some countries, with more favorites and extra alerts. Check the app for the current limits where you live.
Get the app on your phone
Downdetector app for iPhone
- Open the App Store and search for "Speedtest by Ookla."
- Download it. The maker is Ookla.
- Open it and tap the Downdetector tab.
Downdetector app for Android
- Open Google Play and search for "Speedtest by Ookla."
- Install it. The listing says "Speedtest + Downdetector."
- Open it and go to the Downdetector section.
How to use Downdetector app: three everyday jobs
Check a service
Search for it, like Instagram or Verizon. A spike far above the shaded area means a likely outage. Our guide to reading Downdetector charts explains each part.
Save favorites
Tap the star next to the services you rely on most, like your phone carrier, home internet, and bank. They show at the top every time.
Report a problem
Tap the report button and pick what is wrong. Each report helps spot outages faster. See how to report an outage.
Downdetector alerts and notifications
Alerts are the main reason to use the app instead of the website. Here is how to get Downdetector alerts on my phone, step by step:
- Sign in to your free Speedtest account.
- Star your favorite services.
- Turn on Downdetector notifications in the app's settings.
- Allow notifications for Speedtest in your phone's settings.
Not getting alerts? Our guide to fixing Downdetector alerts covers the common causes.
App or website: which should you use?
| App | Website | |
|---|---|---|
| Check outages and maps | Yes | Yes |
| Favorites | Free account | Limited |
| Push alerts | Yes | No |
| Speed test | Built in | At speedtest.net |
Both use the same reports. If Downdetector shows no outage, run a speed test in the same app. Slow results point to your own connection. Learn where the reports come from in how Downdetector works.
Every Downdetector app feature, explained
The Downdetector tab packs the whole website into a few screens. Here is what each part does.
Search
Find any of thousands of services by name. Start typing and pick the right match, like "Verizon" rather than "Verizon Fios" if your phone is the problem.
Service page
Each service has a status line, a 24-hour chart of problem reports, the most reported problems, and a map.
Favorites
Starred services sit at the top of the tab, so a quick look tells you if any of them have current problems.
Downdetector alerts
Push notifications when one of your favorites shows a spike in reports. This is the feature the website cannot match.
Outage map
Shows where reports come from, so you can tell a problem in your city from a nationwide outage.
Speed test
One tap tests your own connection. It answers the other half of the question: is the service down, or is it me?
How to use Downdetector app during a real outage
Here is a typical case. Your phone suddenly shows SOS, and you want to know why. With the app, the whole check takes about a minute.
- Connect to Wi-Fi if you can, since your cell data may be the thing that is down.
- Open the Downdetector tab and search for your carrier.
- Read the status line. "User reports indicate problems" means many people see the same thing.
- Check the chart's right edge. A line far above the shaded baseline means it is happening now.
- Open the map and look at your city. A local cluster points to a nearby tower or cable.
- Run a speed test on Wi-Fi to make sure your home internet still works for calls.
If the chart is calm and the map shows nothing near you, the problem is likely your phone or account. That is when restarting and checking settings makes sense.
Down detector app permissions and privacy
The app asks for a few permissions. Each one has a clear job, and you can say no to the ones you do not need.
| Permission | Why it asks | If you say no |
|---|---|---|
| Notifications | To send outage alerts | You can still check services by hand |
| Location | To center the map and place your reports | The map and reports still work, with less local detail |
| Account email | To save favorites across devices | You can browse without an account |
You can change any of these later in your phone's settings. For details on what Ookla collects, read the privacy policy linked inside the app.
Downdetector app vs. your provider's own app
They answer different questions, so many people keep both. Downdetector shows what thousands of users report, across every service. A provider app, like My Verizon or the Xfinity app, checks the exact line at your address and can show a repair time.
Use Downdetector first to see if others are affected. Then use the provider's app to confirm and to get updates. Our official outage maps directory lists each provider's tool.
When the app itself acts up
If a service will not load in the app, pull down to refresh or switch networks. If search cannot find a service, try its parent name, like "Google" for Gmail problems. If the map stays blank, check that the app is up to date. During huge outages, the app can be slow because millions of people open it at once.
More from this guide
The map in the app works just like the one on the website. Our guide to the Downdetector outage map shows how to read its hotspots. If the app will not load at all, check whether Downdetector is down. To test a single website without the app, try our website down checker.
Frequently asked questions
Is there still a separate Downdetector app?
Downdetector’s mobile features are now part of the Speedtest by Ookla app, which the app stores list as Speedtest plus Downdetector. The older standalone Downdetector app has reportedly been retired. If you still have it, switch to Speedtest for the latest features.
Do I need an account to use the Downdetector app?
You can check outages without one. To save favorites and turn on alerts, you need a free Speedtest account. You can sign up in the app with an email address.
Does the Downdetector app use a lot of battery or data?
No. Checking outages uses very little data. Alerts are push notifications, which use almost no battery. Running speed tests uses more data, so only run them when you need to.
Can I use Downdetector on a computer or tablet?
Yes. On a computer, use the website at downdetector.com. On an iPad or Android tablet, you can install the Speedtest by Ookla app, or use the website in your browser.
Is the Downdetector app safe to install?
Yes, if you get it from the official App Store or Google Play listing for Speedtest by Ookla. Avoid apps from other publishers that use the Downdetector name. Check that the developer is Ookla before you install.
Can I report an outage from the Downdetector app?
Yes. Open a service’s page and tap the report button, then pick the problem type. Your report counts the same as one made on the website. See how to report an outage.
Does the Downdetector app work outside the US?
Yes. Downdetector covers many countries, and the app shows services for the country you pick. US users see US services like Verizon, Spectrum, and Chase by default.
Independent guide. Not affiliated with Downdetector or Ookla.