# Airfoil Satellite — user reviews > 167 indexed App Store user reviews of Airfoil Satellite by Rogue Amoeba Software, Inc., rated 4.30/5 from 32 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/airfoil-satellite/id1015554329/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/airfoil-satellite/id1015554329.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 24 · 4★ 3 · 3★ 0 · 2★ 2 · 1★ 3 ## What do users think of Airfoil Satellite? Overall sentiment: mixed **Pros** - 🎵 Seamless multi-speaker audio synchronization - 🏠 Whole-house audio distribution without expensive systems like Sonos - 📱 Easy remote control from iPhone/iPad - 🚀 Quick setup and connection process - 🔌 Works with diverse speaker types (AirPlay, Bluetooth, Chromecast, etc.) - 💪 Reliable long-term stability for years of use - 🎚️ Intuitive volume control interface - 👨‍💼 Excellent responsive customer support - 🎬 Great for parties and whole-home entertainment - ♻️ Enables reuse of older iOS devices as speakers **Cons** - ⏱️ Significant audio latency (2-3 seconds delay) - 🔌 Connection drops and disconnections - 🎵 Audio sync issues between speakers - 🐛 Frequent crashes and glitches - 🔋 High battery drain on iOS devices - 📉 Inconsistent audio quality and distortion - 🎚️ Limited control options from mobile app - ❌ No Windows support (despite misleading descriptions) - 📱 Background mode connectivity issues - 🎬 Poor performance for video synchronization **Commonly reported bugs** - 2-3 second audio delay between source and output - Audio dropouts and connection failures - Speakers frequently go out of sync - App crashes randomly on various iOS devices - Audio distortion and pitch wavering - White noise overlay during trial period - Satellite app disconnects from server - Volume control unresponsiveness with multiple speakers - App fails to detect Airfoil server intermittently - High CPU usage causing device overheating - Clicking noises and audio artifacts - Incompatibility with older macOS versions **Most requested features** - Apple Watch app for remote control - iOS Shortcuts integration for automation - EQ/preset adjustment from satellite app - Audiobus support - Full-screen album art display - Home Screen widgets - Lower latency for video playback - Individual speaker on/off controls - Better speaker selection memory - Improved background mode connectivity - Audio sync calibration across different protocols ## Newest reviews (10 of 167) ### 3/5 — Hello… *2025-06-01, version 2.2.0* Hi, I stay very frustrating with this. Because I can’t put one song in different speakers with this app in mac and in my iPhone. Help me please and update.😔 ### 4/5 — Meh *2025-05-24, version 2.2.0* You can’t stream audio from your pc to your iPhone but you can stream anything from your iPhone to your PC with airplay. Audio quality is good (I’m not an audiophile, I don’t know if the app changes the sound at all). The first thing is a dealbreaker for me but in its current state the app is good enough. ### 5/5 — Unbelievably Useful *2023-02-18, version 2.2.0* If you work with audio and need to quickly test how something will sound on other devices- this is THE app for you. It functions perfectly, plus I find the interface intuitive. There is latency, but that’s to be expected. I don’t think there’s a way around that, and it doesn’t matter for the app’s intended purpose- quickly testing audio on multiple devices. I absolutely love this app. It’s hard to imagine what I’d do without it. ### 5/5 — Einfach eine fantastische Software *2023-02-04, version 2.2.0* Einer der besten Softwarekäufe für mich überhaupt! Nach vielen Jahren immernoch perfekt mit alter und neuer Hardware ein echter Quell der Freude 🍀 Ganz herzlichen Dank an die Entwickler ❤️ ### 2/5 — I Don't Think So *2022-10-17, version 2.1.0* No. I tried the trial version and only played maybe 4 or 5 songs and then it overlaid white noise to obscure the sound and asked for me to buy the license and me thinking that a trial version for something worth 35$ is usually a week or at least a couple days. In the short time I was able to test this app the sound dropped once and it was a somewhat fiddley to use. I'll just buy a blue tooth speaker for the same price. ### 4/5 — Great tool *2022-08-11, version 2.1.0* I’ve been using Airfoil on and off for about 15 years, and it does a great job syncing audio to speakers in different rooms. Better than any other non-wired solution I’ve tried. Listening to the same thing as I walk around the house without needing to wear headphones is really nice! It’s also great for parties. And being able to change which speakers are playing and their volume settings from the satellite app is super convenient. Also, the app is lightweight enough that I’m using some old hardware (iPad Mini 2, iPhone 6s) to run satellite speakers. All that said, it’s not perfect. The speakers occasionally get out of sync just enough to be annoying. The only way I know to fix this is to disconnect & reconnect. And sometimes the sound is distorted in a way which makes it sound like the orchestra didn’t tune before playing! Also, while the old hardware usually works great, the software crashes sometimes out of the blue, or refuses to connect even when it can see the server (neither of these happens on my newer iPhone). ### 5/5 — Rediscovered a Gem *2022-05-16, version 2.1.0* I haven’t used Airfoil Satellite for a few years since the introduction of AirPlay 2. What a mistake. I have a couple Yamaha receivers. One doesn’t take AirPlay 2. And I have a stereo pair of HomePods in the living room, but only an iPad Pro in the kitchen. So my music was mostly localized. But, in a dream world, I figured I would be able to have the same music follow me around everywhere as I did my chores. Well … dreams do come true. After a recent update, I realized Airfoil could reach every one of these devices with the same feed. And that my entire home and detached office setup could be controlled by my iPhone. Highly recommended! ### 5/5 — Solid Delight *2022-02-25, version 2.1.0* An app that is smooth and thoughtful from its UI to technical tightness to its privacy policy. A house and office a-washed with symphonic soundscapes; every space connected by my kind of Rogue Amoeba. ### 5/5 — So, so useful *2022-02-10, version 2.1.0* Any audio! From any computer! On your iPhone or iPad! ### 5/5 — Absolut großartige Software! *2021-11-24, version 2.1.0* Seit über 13 Jahren nutze ich Airfoil und bin ungebrochen begeistert. Airfoil im Zusammenspiel mit Airfoil Satellite ist seit langer, langer Zeit integraler Bestandteil unserer Beschallung in der gesamten Wohnung. Ein kleiner Mac mini ist Server für so ziemlich alles im Haus und dient nebenbei als Medienserver und -player. Airfoil ist dabei das perfekte Bindeglied, um alle möglichen Tonquellen wie Internetradio, iTunes/Musik, Plex oder auch den digitalen Ton vom Fernseher per USB-Adapter wiederum an alle möglichen Geräte im Haushalt zu verteilen. Dazu gehören neben diverser aktueller Airplay-Hardware eben auch ältere „Schätzchen“ wie etwa ein B&O-Audiosystem mit integriertem iPad 3 (!) oder ein Teufel-Radio in der Küche mit iPod im alten Dock-Anschluss. Sogar ein Powermac G4 Cube im Arbeitszimmer kann als Ziel per Airfoil Satellite angesteuert werden! Was soll ich sagen: Sie ALLE werden problemlos und absolut synchron bedient und können ungebrochen genutzt werden. Zusammen mit „Remote Buddy“ auf dem Mac mini ist all dies per Fernbedienung oder Hausautomation aus einem Guss nutzbar. Und es läuft bei mir seit 13 Jahren mit den (jetzt) alten Geräten wie all den neuen Geräten, die kamen und kommen, völlig problemlos! Ich ziehe meinen Hut in Dank und Hochachtung vor diesem ganz besonders feinen Stück Software! ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Absolutely not! *2025-04-16* The app was not working correctly! ### 1/5 — Why drop Windows support?! *2024-02-12, version 2.2.0* Was it that difficult to maintain? You know Windows can run software from 90s… ### 1/5 — z *2023-11-27, version 2.2.0* cant connect to windows version💀💀💀 ### 1/5 — Latency tooo big *2023-08-18, version 2.2.0* About 2 to 3 sec latence so not good enoufh ### 1/5 — Didn’t work at all *2023-06-28, version 2.2.0* there’s literally no way you can change settings, everything is “automatic” on both platforms so when it doesn’t work, you don’t even know why developers really need fix this issue and actually put in some work into this app, if i could give it a 0 star rating, i certainly would ### 1/5 — Buggy und kein mehrwert zu AirPlay *2022-10-31, version 2.1.0* Musik streamen geht. Alles andere geht nur wenn man noch Treiber anderer installiert (z.B. blackhole) um audio von anderen Anwendungen zu Airfoil zu routen, die eigenen Treiber lassen sich garnicht erst installieren. Hat man dieses nicht gerade unkomplizierte setup dann installiert kann man sich über kabelloses Audio mit gigantischer Latenz (2-5sec) erfreuen. Bei AirPlay hat man jetzt auch nicht mehr Latenz, das ist dafür aber kostenlos un intuitiv ohne kompliziertes Routing nutzbar. ### 1/5 — Не работает *2022-09-19, version 2.1.0* С виндовс 10 не работает вообще никак абсолютно. ### 1/5 — funzt nicht mehr mit Windows *2022-04-09, version 2.1.0* Windows wird nicht mehr unterstützt! ### 1/5 — Airflow not available on Windows *2022-01-02, version 2.1.0* Does not work on Windows 10, the Airfoil program is for Mac only. Which means you can only use your phone as a speaker if you use a Mac. Very sad, thought I could use this for my PC. ### 1/5 — Nicht für den PC *2021-11-01, version 2.0.0* Warum steht dort es funktioniert am PC, es funktioniert AUSSCHLIESSLICH auf MacOS. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Fantastisch! *2026-01-18, version 2.2.0* Deze app werkt fantastisch!!! Gemakkelijk te gebruiken en te verbinden. De betaalde versie is het 100% waard. ### 5/5 — Great app! *2025-09-30, version 2.2.0* I love how I can connect my music to this app! ### 5/5 — Finally my B&W speakers works *2025-08-12, version 2.2.0* It’s only taken 11 years for me to get my Airplay 1 B&W A5 and A7 to work without dropouts and now with Apple Homepods, iPhone, iPad, Macbook and Apple TV in mixed whole house Airplay 2 and 2 with no dropouts. And …. it all now works! The sense of satisfaction after years and years of frustration makes this my favourite app! ### 5/5 — Works Immediately *2025-07-14, version 2.2.0* As an airfoil user, I thought to myself “I wish I could control my session with my phone.” In 10 seconds I was doing it. Fastest any app has ever met my need. In a world where everything requires several logins and ends up not working anyway, I was amazed at the seamlessness. I would give 50 stars if I could. ### 5/5 — Works great *2025-02-23, version 2.2.0* I’m impressed how well this works with my Apple devices. Thank you amoeba once again. My only biggest miss is the Radioshift app. It was amazing back in 00’s. Wish you could fill the hole in my heart with this. ### 5/5 — Excellent! Worth 10x its price. *2024-07-19, version 2.2.0* This is an EASY 5-Stars. I’ve been using Airfoil Satellite on iPhone in conjunction with Airfoil on the Mac for around 5-10 years. I absolutely love Airfoil / Satellite I will add: it is central to my own, “roll your own” DIY super low cost BUT best quality whole house sound system. There is simply no better solution for setting up your own highly controllable DIY multi-speaker setup. (like Sonos) My setup is to play audio (Sound Cloud or Spotify) out from MacBook Pro via WiFi out to WiFi speakers throughout my house and property. Having a rock solid mesh WiFi system is key. A must. Play out is controlled by Airfoil on a MacBook Pro. I remotely use the Satellite iOS app to control volume, playback on the fly as needed. To receive the audio signal being sent out I use Speakers with WiFi capability like the Google Nest Audio speaker. Or even much better: use an Apple AirPort Express with audio jack to connect to studio grade monitors. Like amplified Mackie it Dyn Audio. Put the $$$ in best quality amp & speakers. Not the software & connectivity . Let Airfoil / Satelite and Apple do the rest. note: I don’t use Bluetooth speaker in the mix. Although tempting to put good/cheap BT speakers all over my property, they get out of sync, loose connection too often. Kudos to the awesome people at Rouge Amoeba. Over many years, any time I reach out there are super responsive, knowledgeable and well versed in the tech they support. A++ ### 5/5 — Super come tutte le App Rogue Amoeba ! *2023-12-05, version 2.2.0* Adoro le applicazioni di questa software house ! Satellite e’ un’altra di quelle applicazioni che quando scopri non puoi più farne a meno !!! 10 e lode ! ### 5/5 — Terrific! *2023-11-26* Been using this app for years. My Mac becomes the media player. Cast to my HomePods, appleTvs, iOS devices!, Sonos speakers and wiim device. Whole-home, customizable sound solution. Remote control everything from my iPhone. Just LOVE it! ### 5/5 — Cool app! *2023-04-05, version 2.2.0* It works! All is okay, off course on Mac OS) Thank you for good and helpful app! ### 5/5 — THE audiobook solution *2023-03-17, version 2.2.0* This is one of those apps that you ignore because it seems irrelevant to your life, until you realize how well it solves a particular problem. My problem is that I want to play audiobooks in my bathroom while I shower and shave. This may seem trivial but all of the Apple solutions are terrible. In particular playing to a HomePod from either an iPhone or a Mac breaks the connection as soon as the audio is paused for more than about 20 minutes or so. I did not want to have to futz around with trying to connect to the HomePod every day when I start shaving. Airfoil removes this problem by maintaining a persistent connection. So my solution is - Airfoil running on an old mac, playing audiobooks on that mac, sending the audio to the HomePod. - Airfoil satellite running on an old iPhone essentially mounted on the wall (think like a carphone mount). Now I just tap the iPhone to wake it up, the lockscreen shows Airfoil Satellite, I hit play and audio starts. 20 minutes later I hit pause and audio ends. Nice and smooth! Extra bonuses I did not expect: - Books.app (apparently as part of its general incompetence and user contempt) reduces the volume of audiobooks substantially compared to Music.app, so you can't get full volume out of your HomePod. Airfoil restores that full volume. - I didn't know or care about the ability to send audio to multiple speakers, but once I experimented with it, I decided to send the audiobooks to not just the bathroom HomePod, but also the source iMac and to my aTV (which in turn plays it through the soundbar). Now the audio is essentially present through the entire house at an even volume, and I can leave it playing after I finish showering as I then get dressed and wrap up other things. ....... Much of this functionality (playback on homepod, synching across multiple speakers in different rooms) is available in one form or another IF all you care about is listening to music. The problem is if you want to listen to non-music content (eg lectures or audiobooks, acquired and curated by you). That's where Apple's (and other companies') solutions fall apart, and that's where Airfoil shines. It's also possible to send the audio to whatever other speakers you have lying around. I tried this to a Jambox BT speaker and a Chromecast Google Home Mini. It absolutely works, and if those speakers are all you need, life is good. However I found that the audio to both of these tended to be slightly out of sync with the Airplay audio (ie what was being sent to HomePod and Apple TV), so while experimentally this is cool, it wasn't actually useful to me. I expect that it's hard to ensure that different protocols stay in sync, regardless of what you do, though it would be really cool if they could do the same sort of thing as Apple does to sync HomePod audio with your TV/Apple TV, to get a one-time delay calibration across all speakers. But maybe that's not helpful if the latency varies from run to run? --- *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 2026-08-30.*