My installer is fantastic and good at maintaining my system but the developers backend is slow for improvements. I wonder if they really test their own product sometimes prior to release. I upgraded to version 3 last summer with the understanding that all functionality was not up to par. I was fine with that but come on, some basic things like all of my rooms automatically set to mute when I open that room but it’s not muted should be obvious. I have to click to unmute to clear it while sound still plays, then when I click volume again it will mute. Symbology for custom buttons is poor and non existent after a long wait. Page up and down buttons way too small and needs to utilize more real estate to be useful. There are other needed improvements but I do not want to be completely negative. I’ve been a client for 8+ years and think the move to version 3 is the right upgrade and can see the potential with the UI and custom ability of the functions for homeowners is there and I know it will come. However for the cost I’ve paid over the years I’m expecting a more robust version patches and bug fixes than what I have seen to date.
Do the control for developers even read these reviews?
We have had the control for system for about a year and a half now, installed by a professional installer when we built our home theater. It was their recommendation, and of course we decided to go with it. However, I find the iPhone interface cocky at best, and like everyone else, we are super annoyed and having to log back in every time we task out of the app. I’ve seen literally hundreds of reviews here about that feature, so you would think the developers would actually do something… Ridiculous. Also, we have issues where the app hangs when we try to login, so we have to exit out reload exit out reload numeral times before we finally get the option to select our Apple TV and turn the system on. My kids won’t even bother with it, and just grab all the remotes to turn everything on which kind of defeats the purpose of spending the money on the control for system. The other issue we have, is random increasing the volume up to 100 without any way to control it… And whenever we shut the system down more often than not, the projector stays on and we have to manually turn it off. And I understand there isn’t even an app on the MacBook Pro to manage this.
While most functionality of the app is good I find it incredibly frustrating that every time there’s an app update I have trouble reconnecting to my system. This time the usual tricks don’t work. Hoping a new update comes quickly to resolve. I’ve double checked my password, restarted the phone and the app but none of that’s working. Fix this reoccurring problem and I have no problem rating the app as 4 stars. Thanks.
I’ve had Control4 in my house for over 10 years, and honestly I’d hate to live without it. This new update makes life even easier and more convenient. The intercom feature is a favorite. I use it many times a day to communicate with my kids if they are in a different part of the house, and also when I’m out running errands I can check in with them even using the intercom since they don’t have cell phones. It’s great to be able broadcast throughout the house or call individual rooms. I like being able to see who is at my front door and to communicate with them without opening the door or even being at home. I love being able to turn all the lights off at the same time, or create different light scenes for waking up or at bedtime. Perhaps it makes me a bit lazier, but I prefer to say Control4 allows me to use my time more efficiently. Great job on this newest update.
I made the mistake of buying a house 5 years ago with Control4 and I tell everyone I know to avoid it. It’s a dreadfully awful system for quite a few reasons. The app is buggy and slow and rarely updated. Changing and setting lighting scenes is overly convoluted and difficult even if you know what to do because sometimes it doesn’t even save. There is no option to automate any of these scenes either like in Homekit how you can set sunset/sunrise as a trigger. You cannot use the controls in the app including lighting or alarm outside of your house unless you pay a $13 a month fee forever. This reason is the most egregious in my opinion because I have a $20 HomeKit enabled outlet that lets me use it no matter where I am in the world AND schedule automations whereas this $30,000+ system does not. There’s also no way to link Control4 to HomeKit unless you use a Raspberry Pi with Homebridge and then buy a $200 controller which may or may not work because I have read mixed reviews from both and all the hardware is from a third-party. I do not know you, my Internet friend reading this, but I can at least try to save you from the absolute nightmare that is Control4. Please do not subject yourself to this system. I would rather have just built smart switches from Luton and save myself tens of thousand dollars and using this god-awful system. While my smart home situation is lost, yours may yet be redeemed. Please DO NOT get Control4!
Avoid Control4 App - Full of Bugs and Costly to Maintain
I've had the Control4 app for a couple years now, and it has been nothing but a headache. The app is incredibly buggy, constantly crashing, and riddled with issues that make it nearly impossible to use consistently. Every time something goes wrong, which is often, we have to call the company, Sounds Idea, to come and fix it. Not only is this incredibly inconvenient, but we also have to pay each time they come out. This has turned into an ongoing and expensive nightmare. The constant need for service visits, combined with the app's poor performance, has made this a complete waste of money. I regret choosing Control4 and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable and cost-effective smart home solution. Save yourself the frustration and look elsewhere.
I love what control 4 has to offer in terms of lighting and control, but this app just feels so dated when compared to those of Josh and HomeKit. There is no overview of the house that gives you an overall picture of what is going on in the home at a glance. Using the HomeKit or Josh app, with just a glance of the home screen, I can see a ton of useful information, such as what lights are on, the status of shades, garages doors, alarm, etc, as well as cameras views all from one page, with quick controls to make changes to those devices. When I go into the control 4 app, I have to dig around to find out what lights are on, what each devices status is, it’s so clunky. I really feel it’s time for a fresh start, an all new app for the next chapter.
Lack of MacOS support & Chime Notifications Annoying
I’ve been a Control4 user since 2017 and have generally been impressed with it. However, the lack of an App that works on MacBook Pros and other Mac computers is annoying and a surprising gap. When working on my computer, which I do a lot at home, it’s very annoying to have to pull out my phone or iPad in order to adjust something on C4. Really wish they would address this. Updated: The Chime doorbell notifications needs to obey the iPhones usual notifications protocol, rather than coming in as a phone call which is super annoying. We should be able to select through the standard notifications preferences how exactly we will be notified by Chime. While c4 could preserve the option to receive a phone call, this should not be forced on users.
My wife and I are in are 30s and have a joke for apps like this—boomer tech. That is, technology that is ubiquitously not user friendly because it was designed by some boomer who has no idea how to use any technology, thus this must be everyone else’s experience too. This app and all of its expensive and fancy remotes are absolute garbage. The fact my parents paid for this overpriced system is infuriating and every time I come home to try to help them with their system I am enraged. If you are considering getting this system, for the love of all that is holy, STAY FAR AWAY and don’t waste your money. The system is slow, poorly designed, and is constantly malfunctioning. This is seriously just a money sink to trick old people into thinking they have the latest and greatest tech.
The iPhone app does the job - controls everything fairly easily. My main frustration is each time you leave the app, maybe to pop over to email or texting for a moment, then come back, you have to wait while it reloads all the system settings again and then you have to navigate from the home screen back to where you left off. If you are using the app as a TV remote control, it’s a bit frustrating to have to wait and then make several clicks to get to the specific TV remote screen you need just to adjust volume or pause the show or whatever.
Upgraded my theater to a JBL synthesis Atmos system. We had an RTI with apps on iPad and iPhone, which were pretty good. Unfortunately my installer of the upgrade system said that atmos doesn't work well with TI and switched us over To Control4. It's absolutely horrible. My chief complaint ia that of it sits idle you have to log back in to the system. Also, the volume control is all over the board. If you increase the volume with the slide bar it may increase it or it may lower it. No rhyme or reason. Either way the app is horrible. They should take some lessons from RTI on layout, design, and user interface. It would also be nice to have favorite channels stored. I’m looking into the possibility of changing back to RTI, but not sure if it’s possible.
Okay so I may be young be I don’t get how you all hate on this app. You know “it’s buggy” and all the stuff like that. Maybe you got bad internet or something else. Don’t be hating on an app that makes it so that you don't gotta wait for the remote to connect to the system. Maybe people who’ve rated this 5 stars have better internet or they just got a better house than you. You’re self probably has to get another house. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Irony personified...doesn’t work with Apple devices and services...
Extremely ironic that this iOS app even exists. Control 4 Doesn’t control Apple TV via IP, no way to change the user on Apple TV without having to manually goto settings menu every time. In other words you can’t access the shortcut side menu, per our Control 4 dealer Control 4 can’t emulate long presses on the actual Apple remote to any of its controllers, software bars or real physical ones!!!!!This is true for both iOS app and the actual Control 4 remote. Control 4 systems don’t work with or support Apple Music, which makes the Control 4 four channel stereo amplifier we have an expensive dust magnet. I was dupped by my dealer/installer that this worked with all Apple devices and services, complete lie. If you are in the Apple eco system I would avoid getting a Control 4 system until such time the fully support Honekit, Apple TV and Apple Music. Otherwise you’ll have an ad hoc key sequence or random button half programmed to try and emulate a function.
Control4 does everything in my home. Lighting, pool, HVAC, security, audio, video, shades… I can’t for the life of me understand why the IOS app has to load all the Control4 settings EVERY TIME you run it. I can’t think of any other app that takes 10-15 seconds to load. Users have been complaining about this for years and I guess it is impossible for you to improve this functionality. This is the only negative about using Control4.
Really a 4.5 review. I do love the system but a few tweaks needed to be a true 5. New interface is nice and much more interactive. Connecting to music still too slow though. And currently can’t connect to my ADT security system which is annoying because of how I had it all installed in my home that setting the alarm currently is very difficult. Hoping my tech can fix that soon. And when is the app on an Apple Watch going to work again?
Yes, it’s much more beautiful than previous one - and I like that - but the bar was so low with the prev version that you don’t really earn extra life points when giving us something that’s just meeting what’s seen as a standard today. Good app is not just about the beauty, it’s about actual experience - and man, i just CANNOT stand how this app every. single. time. loads what ever settings before i can start using it. It drives me crazy and don’t even ask my wife. Just fyi, I put good $80k to this setup and yes I’m starting to regret it. Seriously. It‘s not that hard. One single stupid “feature” ruins whole experience. Yes, it’s that bad.
While I love to use the app it is a struggle for someone like myself who is blind that depends on voiceover which is the built-in screen reader on iPhone to interact with the app. There’s absolutely no reason why this cannot be made accessible. The developer just needs to make it a priority and make this app inclusive for all. I’ve spent thousands of dollars on Control4 but have very limited access using the app because the developer has not made accessibility a priority. Please make accessibility for voiceover users a priority.
The setup and usage are not that intuitive and many things you still need a dealer to setup for you like adding devices. They will need to step up their game to compete with the many other choices out there. It’s a premium cost offering so it should be easier to use and have a more pleasurable interface. Some behaviors are quirky but the app generally functions ok if you know what you’re doing. Not for technically challenged people.
The latest release has resulted in a complete loss of my system on my iPhone. The update initially cause the app to crash during opening so I deleted it and reinstalled. That allowed me to open the app so I could try to add my system but it is perpetually stuck in “getting the latest settings/associating devices. Basically, I can only control my home from my main panel and that’s not really a good thing since we’re heading on vacation soon! Please test your updates before releasing them because this isn’t the first time an update has crashed my app.
I’ve lived in my home for approximately six months now. Nothing but problems with Control4. The whole system went out we could not turn her lights on or off, your intercom app does not work never rings through on any of our phones, we replaced the intercom system and still have problems, the thermostat system resets itself constantly or turns it self off. I had the option to use Savant or crestron. I’m over $100,000 invested in this garbage. Can’t even get a customer service person on the phone to follow through. I even went as far as to upgrade my C4 system. Total waste of money
I’ve also had Control4 for 10 years and this new version is terrible. For some stupid reason, they removed all of the functions that are available on the touch screen from the TV. So now, if I want to change the temperature in a room, I have to go to the touch screen or find my phone. Why would you have full functionality from the touch screen but remove that same functionality from the TV. So when you’re sitting and watching TV and want to something that you can from the touch screen, you have to get up. Makes no sense whatsoever. Control4 please put it back the way it was!
new software never has good features, you need to pay your installer to run software updates (which i find ridiculous) there’s absolutely no ability to have multiple tvs in one room and you can’t even play music in the room at the same time the tv is on. my installer set up two rooms so one has the music for the room and one has the tv which i find very weird and adds a lot more confusion to the UI as i have double the amount of rooms in my system now
Why can’t the app stay on the remote control page?
While using as a tv remote control, it goes back to the main page within seconds & I have to re-select it from the bottom every time I want to pause or fast forward or whatever! This is so basic of a feature that it should be the default! It should default to what I was just using the app to control my device for. If there is a way to make this happen, please let me know and I will update the review. Otherwise, please correct this in the next update.
The app has improved immensely over the past few months. The load time and responsiveness are both much better. My only gripe now is that they moved the toggle buttons for lights etc. from the right to the left. I’m right handed and the old placement was perfect for my thumb to toggle things. The lefties get a chance now.
This is a good app for users. I would like to see that C4 open smoother and great connectivity with other Z Wave devices to include lighting systems, garage door openers, cable TV (DirectTV, Apple TV, AmazonStick, and Roku.). Currently the last update nocked muy garage doors offline and they’d no longer function with LiftMaster for some reason. I’ve tried to reboot the system several times but they have not come back online. Can you do anything about this? Thanks!
My home system is maxed out with Control4 products and with OS3, is it spectacular! We used to use Crestron a few years ago and Crestron doesn’t even come close to this! Not only is the OS3 ui layout functional and beautiful, but it just works! I have never had an issue and can’t wait to continue using Control4 in the future!
I agree with the other reviews. Previously you could leave the app open on your phone and toggle to other applications like email and then go back to the Control4 app and still control your TV without waiting to have it re-load. Would you please provide this convenience to us again?
100% agree with other reviewers: system works well, but if you switch to another app for a minute and come back to C4, it needs to pause to reload settings, which is really annoying. The C4 WIFi remotes don't need to do that, so it seems odd the app needs to do that. Otherwise, it controls C4 well and is pretty intuitive and straightforward.
The app has the functionality but not the easy usability we all use to. Looking forward to great improvements to the interface and ease of use, just a bit clunky and needs better integrations with other apps.
The Neeo remote is a piece of poorly designed, unintuitive garbage for people with tiny little hands. No instructions on how to program it, or set up the Neeo from the company that installed it. Just some generic b.s. about quick launch… When using the Control4 app it suddenly launches another app that ISN’T the Control4 app, The new, magical app that appears is “MyControl 4” with no explanation as to what the new app does, or if its a hacker redirecting your information. So done with this company after 3 long years.
I have a great wifi network, and I’m using an iPad Pro. This app is extremely slow, slow to connect, slow to respond, and slow to change settings. When you open it up it can take 20-30 seconds to connect. Want to change the volume? Be prepared for a 10-15 second wait after opening. Could be a dream controller, but instead is used only when I have to.
Everything about this company is terrible. From the products to the installers, and it’s not the installers fault. It’s Control4 doesn’t have a good product or business model. You have to pay a lot of money to get a sub par product. You would think paying a annual fee they’d at least support and improve the product. So many other SmartHome Products that accomplish everything you can get from control4, beautifully integrated, but without the headache, pain, and suffering.
We went with all these gorgeous button-free devices (TVs, audio, shades, etc) that are now the bane of my existence thanks to Control4. This persnickety little app refuses to load, freezes, or operates on a delay that’s so long it’s unusable - or, my personal favorite - randomly turns up the volume to an ear splitting 100. I thought that was a freak feature unique to my system until I looked at the reviews here. Awful. It will be a big problem when we run out of our service warranty.
Had 2 updates 2 days in a row. The 2nd update yesterday messed up the intercom feature on just the iPhone (latest version of IOS is installed on 12 pro) so now it only rings and notifies you in the touch pads and not on iPhone so if you are not by the touch screen you cannot answer, see or do anything. It gives an error of intercom unavailable - intercom gateway not registered after yesterday’s update.
This latest version of the mobile app is a huge improvement over the previous. The interface feels more modern and polished. The ability to customize each room with your favorites is a game changer.
Worst system I have seen .not user friendly. Everything you need to contact control 4 tech to come in, very expensive , they spend a lot of time. When I moved the system needed configuration because now new internet, I could not do it my self , so control 4 tech told me this will need 3-4 days of work and it will cost $2500/ day to come in . I end up calling another guy reasonable. Paid $500 he spent five hours only, fixed it.
Long wait times to load, pretty unintuitive UI. I’ve spent over $50k on a control 4 system and frankly I just wish I’d put HomeKit stuf around the house more. We have a HomeKit baby monitor that integrates video far faster and easier and is always on and cost $150. With control 4 you have to click endlessly to do things. It takes five clicks and answering a call just to open our front gates. It’s just easier to walk to the wall and buzz people in. Avoid.
Love love love the new interface. Can you please make it more obvious to people that they will likely need to delete and re-download the app (or system within the app) every time their device changes? I now find myself answering that question weekly.
Was happy to see the latest update to the app integrated many actions from the C4 to the watch. You have to favorite those actions in the C4 app and sync for it to come over to the watch. Also enable the app on your iwatch app but all in - it works.
Capabilities of this app are great, the problem is it can sell them perform the tasks and when it does it takes forever to do so. With any automation it should happen almost instantaneously. I’ve used this product for several years and been through many updates and it is always just another version of bad…
This current version does not allow you to see the room temperature and what the thermostat is set on at the same time, you have to click into the room to view that. Also, when turning the oxygen on and off, there is no visual to tell you if the system is on or off. The on/off toggle doesn’t light up or do anything. Please consider fixing these problems.
With the last update, the app now throws errors every time I open it, saying that an error occurred and that it was disconnected from the C4 appliance. I have to manually reconnect for it to function. Happens probably 6-8 times a day. I’ve had the system for 2.5 years and have never seen this behavior, and looks like the problem was introduced in the last app update.
The OS3 app works well enough, but loads very slowly. It’s always syncing setting, and taking longer to load than it should. Dedicated devices such as their T3 and Neeo remotes are much faster to use. Large features continue to be missed: 1. No color light support via color-wheels. The Hue ecosystem integration in general is poor. 2. No support for Siri Shortcuts. 3. No Apple Watch app Integration into the IOS ecosystem in general Is poor, and lags competitors such as Hue. Widget support would be great to allow quick access to key scenes (“house on / house off”) from the lock screen.
New system, just installed in newly built home. Using on an iPhone -12 pro max. Excellent Wi-Fi signal strength. App opens to a message advising “connecting to system” and the either: connects after 5-10 minutes of waiting, OR just never connects to anything. Not at all useful for controlling anything. Make me feel like I just wasted a lot of money on this system.
Well done and much better interface than prior. Would be great to have some simple videos to show customization capabilities. When will the watch app be deployed for this version?
Thanks Control4 for getting this out to dealers. This is an infinitely better app, look and feel of what Control4 should have been for the past 4 or more years! Congrats on this achievement!!!
The last update issued 6 days ago broke the app for me and several others reporting the same issue on Facebook groups. I deleted app and reinstalled, but it just won’t connect anymore. It gets stuck before it actually loads/connects. You guys need to look into this issue and resolve it or roll back the update. We pay a lot of money for your annual service.
I used to love Control4 but this update just personalizes the user experience to a whole new level. Love you can set what you use the most on each screen. Makes everything so much simpler!!
The app doesn’t work. I’ve had complaints to my building to the point where now they’re resetting the equipment almost weekly and it’s not solving problems. And the membership you need to make this work remotely hasn’t worked at all (and you have to buy an annual membership for more than $100). All of it is a wast of money.
This Control4 app is specifically designed to be used with Control4 Smart Homes running OS 3. It turns your iPhone or iPad into your personal user interface to control all your smart home devices. ------------ NOTE: Prior to using this app, your Control4 system must be updated to Control4 Smart Home OS 3 or later. If you are unsure of the software version on your system, check with your Control4 Dealer or login to your Control4 account at control4.com. ------------ Smart Home OS 3 was thoughtfully redesigned to make it more personal and the smart home OS of choice for families. It enables you to check on the status and control your entire smart home including music, video, lights, thermostats, security system, cameras, door locks, garage doors, pools, and much more. New features in OS 3 • Favorites give you fast access to the devices and sources that you use most • Quickly personalize the interface right from the app • Each room can have its own favorites for fast access to the things you use most • Hide icons that are less important, but easily access them through the room menu • Swipe between favorite rooms to quickly navigate around the home • Filtering lets you see all lights, locks and shades, or just those that are on, unlocked or open • All-new Active Media Bar shows what’s currently playing and gives you fast control of media • Easily adjust volume through a new, intuitive volume slider control • Background wallpapers for each room can now be easily changed right from the app Visit Control4.com to learn more, find a showroom near you, or find a Smart Home Professional.
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