# Bivy - Messaging & Navigation — user reviews > 57 indexed App Store user reviews of Bivy by Headgate Studios, rated 3.50/5 from 109 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bivy-messaging-and-navigation/id747595150/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bivy-messaging-and-navigation/id747595150.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 48 · 4★ 18 · 3★ 10 · 2★ 10 · 1★ 23 ## What do users think of Bivy? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 🗺️ Useful for finding new trails - 👍 Easy to use interface (recent updates) - 🛰️ Handy for staying in contact out of cell range - ✅ Great for tracking and recording adventures - 🌟 Lots of variety for outdoor activities **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent app crashes - 📉 Poor tracking reliability - 😵 Confusing and cluttered interface - 📱 High phone battery drain - 🙈 Difficult to see in daylight - 🛒 Forced in-app purchases for download - ❓ Unclear instructions and navigation - 📍 Incorrect location data - 🌐 Limited dataset outside USA **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes on startup constantly - Tracking is nonexistent or unreliable - App glitches when tracking - Does not properly send or receive messages - Crashes when looking at user guide and other menus - App crashed in backcountry, unable to send messages until reinstalled - App crashes constantly - App crashes on start after last update - Unable to activate Bivy via the app - App requires in-app purchase before download - App crashes every time when sending a text - Lost message responses - App initiated tracking issues - App stopped working on iPhone 11 iOS 14 - Unable to log in, says no connection even on Wi-Fi - Tracking stopped mid-day and missed most of the hike - Check-ins sending with old locations - Basic editing functions don't work - Moving between screens sometimes doesn't work - Keyboard won't disappear, forcing app closure - Find Me feature does not work - Incorrect river trail data leading to private property - Device heats up and battery drains on iPhone 11 - Top part of the app screen is clipped on iPhone X and 11 **Most requested features** - Improve search results to exclude paid advertising - Allow searching for places by lat/lon coordinates - Enable password pasting and visibility on iOS - Make the app less cluttered and more focused on core features - Add an option to opt out of paid search results - Allow creating waypoints directly from the map - Add more camping options to the map - Allow saving favorite activity types - Improve visibility of routes on topo maps - Add arrows to routes for direction guidance - Provide a way to clear contacts from message threads without reinstalling - Allow users to exclude campgrounds from the map - Increase the number of adventures in the database - Add more climbing types to filters - Optimize app for iPhone X and 11 screen sizes ## Newest reviews (17 of 57) ### 2/5 — Not good for people with poor vision *2022-11-13, version 8.02* The fonts and color of the fonts are difficult to see for someone with anything but 20/20 vision. The map legends and narratives can’t be zoomed and are tiny. It seems to be grey on black. Difficult to see in daylight. ### 2/5 — It's better than nothing. *2022-10-05, version 8.01* After buying a Bivy stick I quickly found that when searching for places the results are that of paid advertising many hundreds of miles away from the location searched for. Also discovered locations cannot be searched for in lat lon ie you cannot enter a coordinate and have it take you there on the map. The only way the places searched for were found was via topography land marks and then The location was saved so it could be found again. This app could use some improvement. It should be able to search places on topo maps and should have an option to opt out of paid search results. Hopefully they get the message HERE. ### 4/5 — Password pain *2022-06-05, version 8.00* Can’t tell you what a pain it is on iOS to get a password in. If it’s strong then you can’t paste it. Also can see the password to make sure you’ve got it right. Please, please fix. Enable paste and enable visible text on password if desired. ### 2/5 — App not free, must purchase prior to download *2022-04-10, version 7.02* Back in March 2022 I was able to download the bivy app from the apple store without being charged on several different devices I have. After I had an issue with one device I removed apps including this one. Then, as of the April 2022 app update for “battery optimization” I went to download the app again. However this time it required a in-app purchase be made for “Premium One Month” even though I had not even entered the app itself. Once the payment was completed then the app finished download and I could enter the app. Labeling the app as “Free” with in-app purchases is fraud since, in my experience, to simply get the app downloaded so you can open it requires a forced in-app purchase. ### 3/5 — This should be two apps! *2022-03-22, version 7.01* The Bivy Stick features should be their own app. To much going on in one app. ### 1/5 — Better get yourself a Inreach *2022-01-13, version 7.00* Wow What a terrible device- App. Coming from using a Garmin Inreach I truly regret this purchase. Do yourself a favor and all the hassle, get yourself a easy to use and operate Garmin Inreach. This thing is light years behind the competition. ### 1/5 — App stopped working iPhone 11 ios 14 *2021-11-03, version 6.40* The app stopped working but they keep charging me. You have to open the app to cancel. It’s too bad they allow this. I like the stick when the app worked during the Summer but I just feel cheated the last few months. Can’t turn off billing. ### 1/5 — Recent Log In Trouble *2021-09-14, version 6.31* I used this for the first time a couple weeks ago and had no problems! Was able to send texts and location in an area with no service. Now I can’t even get the app to work at all. Refuses to let me log in. Constantly says no connection even when I’m on wifi and good cell reception areas. On the website itself I can log in with no issues but the app is useless to me now. ### 3/5 — It mostly works *2021-08-31, version 6.30* The BivyStick itself is a fantastic product. The app works and allows me to send messages and get weather information with no issues. The app itself is very colorful with lots of buttons… But, as others have mentioned, the app is bloated with stuff that is completely unnecessary in the backcountry, making for a convoluted interface that can be rough on phone battery life. Also, the only way to clear out contacts from message threads that have been deleted is to delete the app and then reinstall it. Clean up the app, remove all but the needed stuff, and include a way to clear out messages and contacts and this thing gets 5 starts. ### 2/5 — Disappointed *2021-06-19, version 6.10* I had high hopes for the bivy device, tested it on a few small hikes and had some weird results, but put it down to learning curve and device glitches. The app itself is just noisy and confusing: so many fonts/button/tabs/options and yet finding out if the bivy is WORKING and tracking seems to be lowest priority. Just got back from a backpacking trip and it was sending checkins with locations from the day before, the tracking stopped in the middle of the day and missed most of the hike, but when I hooked to bivy and looked it seemd to show my location (hint: it was using iPhone's GPS position). All this "adventure" stuff is noise and detracts from using this as reliable tracking/communicating tool. I wish they had a basic app that didn't have all of this social crap in it, that let me know: * is Bivy working, if not how long since it was * what is the link for spouse to follow (no adventure!) * are communications/tracking being delivered ### 2/5 — Very Poorly Implemented Software *2021-06-01, version 6.10* I just bought the Bivy Stick with high expectations. From a physical perspective, it is an extremely well designed product - compact, good ergonomics, USB-C connection, etc. However, the iPhone software feels like it was created as an afterthought. Extremely cluttered, designed more for a mobile than a desktop device, confusing, etc. It was obviously created using cross-platform coding tools in order to save on development costs, and it shows in how the code arbitrarily works. In conclusion, would not risk trying to get this to work under pressure in the bush. ### 3/5 — App needs update still *2021-05-27, version 6.10* Although this app does help figure out about what places are near by on the map but is still several updates away from being perfect. ### 3/5 — It is a start but needs work *2021-04-01, version 6.09* Ok I am an older person But very tech savvy and do app design work The text is really hard to read it is a very light grey with small font - so bright day good luck. Also the routes are done in a light green that is easy to miss on a green topo map The green route does not have any arrows to help you know which way to go on trails that are loops. ### 1/5 — Not easy to use for main purpose *2021-02-05, version 6.07* This application tries too hard to do too many things, it has sales experiences in the core user interface wasting precious space, way too many colors, too many icons, etc. For this reasons I don’t recommend people buy this device or use this application. ### 2/5 — Needs work *2020-11-18, version 6.03* Basic editing functions don’t work. Moving between screens sometimes doesn’t work. For example I was editing my standard checkin message and the app got to a point where the keyboard won’t disappear so you can’t save the message or cancel the edit. You have to force close the app. Hardware works great so far, software a little half baked. ### 1/5 — Find Me does jot work *2020-10-24, version 6.03* My brother has a bivy stick on his sail boat - he has friended me and yet I cannot locate him from this app or from the website. I also cannot find him by searching by name. The Find Me linkbis completely dead. ### 3/5 — Clunky *2020-10-20, version 6.03* The app needs some work. Why is there a “Shop Now” banner in an app that already requires the purchase of the device? Too much screen real estate for branding at the expense of necessary functionality. I expect to use this app primarily for messaging and SOS capabilities (I use other apps for maps and tracking), so I would prefer to have the app emphasize the UI for those functions, and for providing information about the satellite connection. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Awful App *2023-03-09, version 9.05* I’m returning my Bivy stick, piece of crap…the app tracking is nonexistent, crashed on startup constantly…not worth the 60 a month…get a HAM radio 📻 walky talkie or a Noah weather band radio 📻 you’re better off ### 1/5 — Do not buy *2022-11-06, version 8.02* Really horrible interface that glitches out when tracking (can’t back out of menus), doesn’t properly send updates or receive messages, and crashes when looking at the user guide and a few other menus. Really regret this purchase ### 1/5 — Useless *2022-09-13, version 8.01* The app crashed while in the backcountry and I was unable to send messages until I had service and re-installed it. Don’t risk your safety or families peace of mind ### 1/5 — Bad *2022-08-23, version 8.01* Terrible app to navigate and nothing is explained very well, the tracking is a joke(if you can figure it out) ### 1/5 — Disappointed *2022-08-21, version 8.01* The app and the BIVY stick are less than desirable. The app and the mobile device has NOT been throughly tested. You will be very disappointed. ### 1/5 — Constant Crashing *2022-08-06, version 8.00* The app is terrible. It crashes constantly. I will give it one update but will return it and switch to Zoleo if it doesn't improve. ### 1/5 — Return or do not buy *2022-06-06, version 8.00* Garbage. App crashes on start every time since last update on an iphone Xs Max. What a waste of money. Idk what I was thinking getting a satcom device that requires an app to hit the SOS button. Buy the inreach. ### 1/5 — App is a problem can’t even activate Bivy *2022-05-21, version 7.02* Purchased a Bivy yesterday and have been trying to activate it ever since. The app gets the user name and sets up sos info but won’t activate. Trying to “activate” results in a screen that simply tells me I am logged in. I log out and try again, same thing. I tried to send a support message from the app and that doesn’t work either. You think for the price of a monthly plan and their revenue from the plan activating would fool proof. If they can’t get that working right, what can you expect for the features you need? ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work when you need it to *2022-04-06, version 7.02* I hadn’t used my Bivy stick in over a year, the app has been updating regularly. When I opened it I had high hopes since it looked like it had been worked on. When I went to send a text it instantly crashed every single time on my IPhone 11 Pro. It used to only crash with special characters but now it crashes all the time. Absolutely useless. My wife was able to use her iPhone 12 to send the text we needed. What if she wasn’t there? I think of this device as a lifeline and it is not reliable. I will be switching to Garmin. ### 1/5 — Still not so good *2022-03-14, version 7.00* I bought my Bivy stick a year ago and had many problems, some that were quickly resolved with the new platform. A year later though, there are still big issues. For example, lost message responses, app initiated tracking issues, Extreme phone battery usage (50% over 24 hours without even using the app), etc. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Excellent! *2022-01-19* Excellent product and software ### 5/5 — Love the new update! *2021-04-30, version 6.09* The most recent update is a game changer for me. It is much smoother and more intuitive. I was recently down in Goblin Valley, Utah and I stumbled upon a cool trail that I just submitted to the database. It’s cool to be a part of it all! ### 5/5 — Great variety *2020-11-12, version 6.03* This app has so much variety for anyone who loves the outdoors. Camping, hiking, off-roading adventures, and more! I have used the bivystick orange and blue and the device is super handy when I’m out of cell range enjoying no cell service....but need to stay in contact with my family. ### 5/5 — Great app *2020-05-02, version 4.8* I don’t normally review apps but this one deserves it. Great app that helps me not only find things to do but also helps me track and record adventures when I do them. ### 5/5 — Great Adventure App *2020-04-07, version 4.8* I am an avid trail runner and I am always looking for new places to explore. Bivy has been a great resource for finding new trails. It is especially helpful when traveling to new areas that I am not familiar with. The descriptions have lots of useful info. I am looking forward to using the app a lot more this summer. ### 5/5 — The Best! *2019-02-18, version 3.4* This app is amazing! I really enjoy the time details for paddling and hiking routes, so that I know how long to plan for. There’s tons of adventures on here but not as many as some other apps - so hopefully the count increases. It looks like the only way to add an adventure is to do it and track it yourself. This helps keep the very informative details for each one but also limits the adventure count. I’d also like to see a way to exclude campgrounds from your map if you’d like to. ### 5/5 — Best app *2018-07-22, version 2.1.1* This is literally my favorite app! I didn’t think there was anything to do around me till I got this app. This has everything! I love how it gives me the intensity and approximation of the time for the hikes. Everything screams perfection! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ### 5/5 — Must have adventure app *2018-04-04, version 2.0.2* If you’re looking to get out and find new adventures, this app is a necessity. Tons of filters to pinpoint exactly the thing you’re looking for. You can even share adventures that aren’t already on the app. It’s amazing! ### 5/5 — New version is great. *2018-04-02, version 2.0.2* So nice that it tells me when I am off track. When I am hiking and accidentally head down a game trail or something, this app will give a heads up. Plus it keeps track of my pace and mileage. So I know how slow I really am. ### 5/5 — Bored? Find a trail *2018-02-02, version 2.0.1* This app is amazing, found multiple trails in my area that I never knew about and I lived in this area for 20 years now. I highly recommended getting this especially for outdoors type! --- *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 2026-08-02.*