Frequently Asked Questions

FirstNet does not limit app use to apps included in the FirstNet Catalog.  However, public safety agencies may implement policies or limitations to what apps are distributed and or accessible to agency users.  (It’s best to check your agency policies for app downloads and use.)

No. Although all providers who want to be in the App Catalog have to be able to meet the requirements for FirstNet Verified, those who want FirstNet Certified^TM can apply directly for that on our developer portal.

Every app is inspected by the FirstNet review team and App Review Board to receive one of two designations – FirstNet Verified or FirstNet Certified™.  Every app included in the App Catalog must qualify for the designation of FirstNet Verified.  App providers who demonstrate their ability to meet heightened requirements and additional criteria can attain the higher designation of FirstNet Certified™.

Your app submission and designation will be automatically changed from FirstNet Reviewed to FirstNet Verified.  You will benefit from your apps new designation as FirstNet Verified, because any new binary submissions (needed to launch new product releases or address deficiencies found during the evaluation processor) will no longer require you to provide a binary code scan or Video Optimizer reports.  Instead, the FirstNet review team will perform the necessary security scans, and use of the Video Optimizer report is only required of FirstNet Certified^TM apps.  Of course, you are still encouraged to use the free, yet optional, Video Optimizer tool to make sure you app does not unnecessarily drain device battery  or inefficiently use network resources.

The FirstNet Reviewed designation was eliminated and replaced with the FirstNet Verified designation on September 5, 2018.  Based on feedback from the development community, the FirstNet App Review Board authorized several valuable changes to the app submission process.  As of September 5, 2018, providers who want their app included in the FirstNet App Catalog simply request the FirstNet Verified designation.  FirstNet Verified app submissions only require the completion of a simplified FirstNet Verified App Submission Checklist, the app binary (IPA or AAB file) and app images.  The FirstNet review team then performs the necessary security scans as part of its evaluation – at no cost to the app provider. We believe this relieves public safety product providers of some of the burdens once associated with being evaluated for inclusion in the App Catalog. 

At minimum, every app in the App Catalog must qualify for the designation of FirstNet Verified. 

A FirstNet Verified submission requires:

• Completion of a simplified FirstNet Verified App Submission Checklist;
• App binary (IPA or AAB file)
• App images

After submission and before inclusion in the App Catalog and designation as FirstNet Verified, the FirstNet review team must confirm:

• The app is relevant for use by first responders.
• A high confidence the app adheres to security practices that protect data sources and users from intrusion and malicious attacks, demonstrated via scan of the app binary.
• A high confidence the app uses security mechanisms designed to avoid unauthorized data access, use and leakage, demonstrated via scan of the app binary.
• The app has a history of three 9’s (99.9%) availability.

Providers can also choose to seek the FirstNet Certified^TM designation, which has requirements for security, availability, mobility, resiliency and scalability that exceed the requirements for FirstNet Verified.

Every app in the App Catalog must be able to qualify for the designation of FirstNet Verified.  To be considered for the special designation of FirstNet Certified™ the app providers must complete a more extensive app submission package than that required of a provider who only wishes to attain the designation of FirstNet Verified. 

A FirstNet Certified™ submission requires:

• The completion of a full App Submission Checklist and related evidence of answers;
• Reports from source code security scan from an FirstNet accepted scan provider;
• Reports from the Video Optimizer tool;
• App binary (IPA or AAB file)
• App images

After submission and before designation as a FirstNet Certified^TM app, the FirstNet review team must confirm:

• The app is relevant for use by first responders
• A higher confidence the app adheres to security practices that protect data sources and users from intrusion and malicious attacks, demonstrated via scan of the source code.
• A higher confidence the app uses security mechanisms designed to avoid unauthorized data access, use and leakage, demonstrated via scan of the source code.
• The app has a history of four 9’s (99.99%) availability.
• The app appropriately optimizes it use of device and network resources, demonstrated by results reported by the Video Optimizer tool.
• The app provider demonstrates that mechanisms are in place to enable service and data restoration or recovery after an outage or failure
• The app provider demonstrates that mechanisms are in place to accommodate surges and other relevant changes in demand and use.

Both FirstNet Verified and FirstNet Certified™ apps have been vetted by a multidisciplinary app review board to confirm they are relevant and appropriate for public safety use.  Apps in each app designation have been inspected to evaluate security and data, but FirstNet Certified™ apps have demonstrated a higher degree of confidence.  Apps in each category are inspected for availability. A FirstNet Verified app must be at or above 99.9% availability, and a FirstNet Certified™ app far more available at 99.99%.  Only apps with the FirstNet Certified™ designation have been inspected and proven to demonstrate their optimization of mobility resources, resiliency to recovering after failure, and scalability to accommodate peaks in demand.

See the chart below for more specific information on the differences in commercial apps, FirstNet Verified apps, and FirstNet Certified™ apps.