NORAD Tracks Santa Claus icon
NORAD Tracks Santa Claus App: Blending Tradition with Mobile Entertainment

by NORAD

3.9
IOSEntertainment
For families seeking a festive digital experience, this app offers real-time tracking of Santa's Christmas Eve journey alongside daily holiday games. It serves as a mobile companion to NORAD's long-standing tradition, providing interactive fun with a touch of authenticity. Designed to help parents engage children during the holidays, it balances entertainment with seasonal cheer.

Detailed Review

The NORAD Tracks Santa Claus app translates a decades-old holiday tradition into a mobile format, allowing users to monitor Santa's global route on December 24th directly from their iOS devices. As an official extension of the North American Aerospace Defense Command's (NORAD) seasonal program, it occupies a unique niche in the entertainment category, combining whimsical tracking with educational elements about NORAD's role. Unlike generic holiday apps, it leverages NORAD's simulated data for credibility, appealing to those who value the program's historical backstory and military-inspired approach to Christmas magic. Core functionality centers on the live Santa tracker, which updates every few minutes to display his location, speed, and the number of presents delivered. Beyond Christmas Eve, the app includes a calendar of daily activities throughout December, unlocking minigames like Gift Joy or simulations that show Santa's sleigh in action. Features such as countdown clocks, notification alerts for Santa's proximity, and historical tracking data from previous years add depth. The interface incorporates maps with Rudolph's icon and seasonal adjustments, such as the COVID-19 era detail showing Santa with a mask, reflecting annual updates to keep content fresh. In real-world usage, the app excels in simplicity and reliability, with straightforward navigation that families can operate during hectic holiday evenings. Scenarios include parents using it to build anticipation before bedtime or educators incorporating it into classroom activities about geography and traditions. However, some users note minor imperfections, such as occasional game glitches—like Gift Joy failing to restart after a loss—or confusion over date displays showing December 23rd instead of the 24th in off-peak times. These quirks do not detract significantly from the overall experience but highlight the app's seasonal focus and occasional technical hiccups. User feedback trends indicate high satisfaction, with reviews consistently praising the app's ease of use and quick updates. Specific examples from the App Store include mentions of the realistic simulations, the fun of daily game unlocks, and appreciation for NORAD's authentic involvement. One reviewer highlighted the COVID-19 mask detail as a thoughtful touch, while another emphasized the app's role in family traditions over years of use. Criticisms are sparse but point to desires for enhanced features, like a local Santa proximity alert or archived tracking history, suggesting areas for potential improvement. Overall, the NORAD Tracks Santa Claus app delivers a solid holiday experience with strong nostalgic appeal and functional tracking. Its strengths lie in official NORAD backing, engaging multimedia content, and reliable performance during peak hours. Limitations include its narrow seasonal relevance and sporadic bugs in ancillary games. For those committed to the NORAD tradition, it remains a dependable choice, though casual users might find its utility limited outside the Christmas period.

Key Features

  • Real-time Santa Tracking: On December 24th, the app provides live updates on Santa's global location, sleigh speed, and present delivery counts via an interactive map.
  • December Daily Activities: Each day in December unlocks a new minigame or simulation, such as gift-catching challenges, offering entertainment throughout the holiday season.
  • Educational NORAD Backstory: Includes details on the military program's history of tracking Santa, adding authenticity and a learning component for users.
  • Notification and Alert System: Allows users to set custom alerts for Santa's approach to their location, helping manage children's bedtime on Christmas Eve.
  • Seasonal Content Updates: Annual refreshes incorporate new elements, like Santa wearing a mask during COVID-19, ensuring the app remains timely and engaging.
  • Historical Data Access: Provides glimpses into Santa's previous routes and delivery statistics, catering to users interested in year-over-year comparisons.

Why Users Love It

Official NORAD credibility for authentic tracking
Family-friendly games enhancing holiday engagement

Perfect for: Perfect for parents and children looking to integrate technology into Christmas Eve traditions with a trusted, interactive tool.

Screenshots

NORAD Tracks Santa Claus screenshot 1NORAD Tracks Santa Claus screenshot 2NORAD Tracks Santa Claus screenshot 3NORAD Tracks Santa Claus screenshot 4NORAD Tracks Santa Claus screenshot 5NORAD Tracks Santa Claus screenshot 6

Ranking History

Track NORAD Tracks Santa Claus's performance in Entertainment over the last 30 days

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Current Rank

#2

Best Rank

#2

All-time high

Average Rank

#26

30-day average

User Reviews

AdelaideSlays
Dec 12, 2025

I track Santa every year and I always use this app! It’s easy to use and updates very quickly. It’s just a really good app. 😊 I love this Santa Tracker! 🎅🏻🎄 I track Santa every year and I always use this app! It’s easy to use and updates very quickly. It’s just a really good app. 😊

Doogie_F
Nov 30, 2025

I just love the back story of how NORAD started tracking Santa’s yearly Christmas Eve flights, a genuinely fun and wholesome way to help celebrate the holiday! This app is an extension of that spirit and is a nice addition to the NORAD Tracks Santa Claus website…so if you can’t be near your computer, having this app will help let your kids know just how close Santa is getting so they get to bed before he arrives! Merry Christmas all 🎄🎅🦌🎁 NORAD and Santa I just love the back story of how NORAD started tracking Santa’s yearly Christmas Eve flights, a genuinely fun and wholesome way to help celebrate the holiday! This app is an extension of that spirit and is a nice addition to the NORAD Tracks Santa Claus website…so if you can’t be near your computer, having this app will help let your kids know just how close Santa is getting so they get to bed before he arrives! Merry Christmas all 🎄🎅🦌🎁

aubs :>
Nov 23, 2025

ive been using this app since I was little and it's beneficial, helpful, & realistic. NOARD knows what they're doing with this app!! THE OG TRACKER!!! ive been using this app since I was little and it's beneficial, helpful, & realistic. NOARD knows what they're doing with this app!!

Love or hate (most love)
Nov 13, 2025

You made a amazing app thank you norad for protecting North America and a whole collection of great people and stuff like that to me you just built a community. Sincerely,my username i forgot what it was…. thank you to norad You made a amazing app thank you norad for protecting North America and a whole collection of great people and stuff like that to me you just built a community.Sincerely,my username i forgot what it was….

Cantley cool guy
Nov 6, 2025

This is the best Santa tracker ever because it uses military stuff for it! That proofs it’s real! But one thing… you can add all of the recent years that you tracked Santa and there is one setting that you can watch that would see Santa near you! That would make it even better with 5 stars! Otherwise, it is so good. The best Santa tracker ever!!!!!!!!! This is the best Santa tracker ever because it uses military stuff for it! That proofs it’s real! But one thing… you can add all of the recent years that you tracked Santa and there is one setting that you can watch that would see Santa near you! That would make it even better with 5 stars! Otherwise, it is so good.

App Details

Developer

NORAD

Platform

ios

Rating

3.9

Last Updated

12/24/2025