# AirChat: Local Chat — user reviews > 17 indexed App Store user reviews of AirChat by Mark DiFranco, rated 4.20/5 from 33 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/airchat-local-chat/id1606916296/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/airchat-local-chat/id1606916296.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 19 · 4★ 7 · 3★ 3 · 2★ 2 · 1★ 2 ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Not working *2026-02-21* It does not work **Developer response:** We’ve made a huge update to the app, please give it another shot! ### 1/5 — Don’t work at all *2025-07-17* It doesn’t work and the app is absolutely unusefull **Developer response:** Please give the app another try, we’ve recently rewritten the entire connection protocol. ### 1/5 — No privacy? *2024-08-02* The app chat is open to anyone in the area and automatically joins so there's no privacy if you were trying to message between friends or spouses like on an airplane if others have the app. When you go to direct message the replies back to the direct message are in the public chat. This seems like it should be such a simple solution and not set up this way. You should be able to direct message chat back-and-forth or only with select group members. **Developer response:** We’ve rewritten AirChat from the ground up with better privacy controls, and end to end encryption! ### 1/5 — I am mad *2023-07-14* I thought this would actually work… It tried it and it didn’t work what so ever. I am really mad I was so excited for that don’t get the app **Developer response:** Please give the app another try, we’ve recently rewritten it! ### 2/5 — Can’t turn off *2024-10-05* The app won’t completely shut down. You have to disable Live Activities in settings. I will reinstall the app once this is resolved. **Developer response:** Sorry about this bug, we’ve fixed this in the latest version. ### 2/5 — Does not make sense *2023-07-08* I can only send chats when another user has the app open. I could possibly have a setting wrong, but as it currently stands it’s useless if I can’t message someone without telling them to open the app. **Developer response:** We’ve recently rewritten the app, please give it another shot! ### 3/5 — small issue. *2026-08-03* app only sends messages when when both people are using the chat at the same time. notifications don’t go through, u have my background on my notifications on we’re near each other but it’s just stuck ok sending. i’m guess ios has a problem with this app. **Developer response:** Thanks for the review, and letting us know about the bug! We are already working on a fix. ### 3/5 — Can’t turn off *2024-09-29* Can’t figure out how to turn it off. Had to uninstall. **Developer response:** Sorry about this bug, we’ve fixed this in the latest version. ### 3/5 — Does not work in the background *2024-09-04* Only works if you keep the app open **Developer response:** We’ve completely rewritten the wireless protocol, and the app now works even when it’s backgrounded. ### 4/5 — Would love to see on MacOS *2024-05-05* I have this app on an iPhone and iPad. It’s easy to see how useful this might be for communication in a grid down scenario. That being said, please make a desktop version of this software for the Mac. It would be a welcome pairing. **Developer response:** Mac version is on the way! ## Most praised reviews (7 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — ✨Great App✨ *2026-03-15* Very functional! **Developer response:** Thank you! We have some cool updates in the works, hang tight. ### 5/5 — Great Concept! *2026-01-19* A great option for communicating without WiFi! I tested it briefly and it works well, although I couldn’t find an option to send photos 🤨 looking forward to trying it in a real world scenario. **Developer response:** We’ve added photo support back! ### 5/5 — Perfect for flights 🛩️ *2023-08-16* This is perfect for those long flights without internet. So much fun! ### 5/5 — Its really nice, a few ideas though *2023-04-18* Sending files would be nice! - Groups - voice messages Important: keep chat history on restart ### 5/5 — Great app *2022-07-21* I like this app because of functions: (1) immediate connecting two devices whenever communication is started; (2) support both pressing Enter on the keyboard and clicking Send to send messages. Most apps has only the function of clicking send on the screen. (3) iPad and smart phone are not restricted to use the app, and not user is required to register. Etc I hope the developer to add the option to save transcripts because they are important for business record. ### 5/5 — Great communication nearby *2022-05-24* Tried AirChat. I can see it’s similar to FireChat but it’s only nearby. Great use for neighborhood, school, nearby areas. ;-) ### 4/5 — Bluetooth seems to be broken *2022-10-31* No matter what distance Bluetooth seems to be broken on iOS 16.1- however with WiFi enabled, the app works seamlessly. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-26.*