WhatWeather - Weather Station: Live Weather Display

WhatWeather - Weather Station is a weather app by kolov.com that turns an older Android phone or tablet into a dedicated, always-on weather display. The app shows current conditions, hourly and daily forecasts, and a three-day weather history on a screen that stays lit and refreshes automatically. It is designed for devices that have become too slow or outdated for everyday use but are still capable of running a single focused application, giving that hardware a practical second life as a home weather station.

The free tier covers the essentials: current weather, hourly and daily outlooks, and a rolling three-day history, all without ads and without any time limit. If you want more, the app offers optional in-app purchases that unlock extra providers, private weather station integration, precipitation radar, moon phase, feels-like temperature, and additional data like UV index and visibility. There is no separate Pro version anymore; all paid features are handled through purchases inside the app itself.

Because the app targets older hardware, it keeps the interface simple and legible, with a layout that adapts to different screen aspect ratios. You can leave it running on a shelf, kitchen counter, or bedside table, and it will keep updating without constant interaction. The app needs location permission to fetch weather automatically, but if you decline, you can type in your location manually, and only coordinates, language, and app version are sent to the backend.

This tool suits anyone who has a retired tablet or phone lying around and wants a low-effort, glanceable weather display. It is equally useful for people who prefer a free, ad-free weather widget on a secondary screen, or for hobbyists who want to feed data from their own weather station into a dedicated dashboard. The developer explicitly references an old Google Nexus 7 as the reference device, so the app is tuned for modest hardware rather than flagship specs.

Key features

• Free basic use with no ads and no time limit
• Always-on display with automatic content updates
• Current weather, hourly forecasts, daily forecasts, and up to 3 days of weather history
• Optional in-app purchases for multiple weather data providers (MeteoSource, OpenWeatherMap, Weather API, DWD, NOAA, Visual Crossing, WeatherFlow)
• Optional integration with private weather stations via Netatmo, Weather Underground, Tempest WeatherFlow, or Davis WeatherLink
• Paid extras include minutely rain forecast, precipitation radar, moon phase, feels-like temperature, and a full history graph
• Additional paid data in popups: rain probability and intensity, cloud cover, dew point, UV index, ozone, and visibility
• Variable intervals for hourly forecasts and history, plus switchable full screen and auto dimming options

How to install

1. Tap the download button on this page to get the APK file (3.8 MB).
2. When Android prompts you, allow your browser or file manager to install apps by enabling the “Install unknown apps” setting for that app.
3. Open the downloaded APK file from your notification bar or downloads folder.
4. Tap Install on the confirmation screen and wait for the installation to finish.
5. Open WhatWeather from your app drawer or home screen.
6. Grant location permission if you want automatic weather detection, or enter your location manually. Note that the app requires Android 12L or newer.

What's new

The latest update focuses on reliability and speed. Weather data now loads without waiting for the radar to finish loading. Pro users get faster radar images. The map reloads automatically after connection problems, and data refreshes as soon as the network is back. Support requests now flag invalid e-mail addresses. The current version is 1.20.5.

This app is for anyone with an older Android phone or tablet that still runs Android 12L or newer, who wants to repurpose it as a permanent weather display. It is also good for users who prefer a free, ad-free weather app for glanceable forecasts, and for owners of private weather stations who want a dedicated dashboard for their data.

Place the device near a window or power outlet so the screen can stay on continuously. If you reject the location permission, remember to set your city manually in the settings. For a cleaner look, consider purchasing the auto-dim option so the screen does not stay at full brightness overnight. Since purchases are tied to your Google account, you can unlock features once and use them on multiple devices you own.

WhatWeather - Weather Station is a thoughtful way to extend the life of an aging Android device, turning it into a useful, always-on weather panel. The free version covers the basics well, and the paid upgrades are optional, so you can start with nothing and decide later if you want more depth.