# Blackie — user reviews

> 115 indexed App Store user reviews of Blackie by Brutality Arts, rated 3.10/5 from 44 ratings.

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blackie/id904557761/reviews
- App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blackie/id904557761.md
- Rating breakdown: 5★ 16 · 4★ 6 · 3★ 1 · 2★ 7 · 1★ 14

## What do users think of Blackie?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- ✨ Excellent B&W quality
- 🎨 Great filters and effects
- ⚙️ Powerful controls
- 📸 Good for street photography
- 💡 Customizable options
- 👍 Intuitive interface (for some)
- 🚀 Fast startup
- 💎 High-quality output
- 💯 Best B&W app (for some)
- 🌟 Undervalued tool
- 🏅 Top-tier B&W app
- 🤩 Amazing grain and film simulation
- 👌 Great value for money
- 👍 Easy to use (for some)
- 👍 Love the TRI-X simulation

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes
- 🚫 App not usable (on some devices)
- 📉 Poor usability (for some)
- 🐞 Bugs and glitches
- 🫙 Difficult to save photos
- ❌ UI not optimized for new iPhones
- 🎛️ Small icons and text
- 🗜️ Forced square crop
- ⏳ Slow loading of gallery
- 🔋 Battery drain
- 👎 Not user-friendly (for some)
- 💸 Wasted money (for some)
- 🚫 No support website
- 🎛️ Controls not intuitive
- 📸 Cannot take pictures (sometimes)
- ❌ Issues with older iPhones
- 🎛️ Interface not user-friendly
- 🎛️ Overly hip and devoid of options interface
- 🎛️ Tiny icons
- 🎛️ Icons cut off on screen

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Severe crashes
- Photos not saving
- Editing not saving
- Upper side of pictures cut off
- Double assignments in UI (e.g., histogram)
- Filter usage broken
- Setting a frame to black does not persist
- GUI not usable on iPad Pro
- Camera shuts down with manual focus on wide angle
- App crashes when using manual focus on wide angle lens
- App did not save any images
- Latest update crashes consistently
- App crashes on opening/shutter click
- Photo not recorded in Photos app
- Cannot take pictures after setup choice
- App no longer works, shutter circle does nothing
- App freezes on opening screen
- App crashing with iPhone Pro 15
- App freezes when opening photos
- App freezes and hangs
- Some shots lost and not saved
- App drains battery even in background
- App freezes on each section
- App crashes when trying to load/edit from library
- App crashes when importing photos
- App crops images
- App not responding
- App crashes frequently
- App not working on iPhone 7
- App not working on iPhone XR
- App not working on iPhone XS Max
- App not working on iPhone X, Xs, Xs Max
- App not working after last update (iPhone XS Plus)
- Icons too small
- Buttons too small
- Icons are tiny
- UI not optimized for screen size
- Interface not user-friendly
- Cropping to square is forced
- Random/shuffle FX is perfect but cannot be saved
- Clunky unintuitive UI
- Cannot access photos, freezes phone
- Uploads sporadically, then uploads wrong photo
- No icons show up, cannot take photos
- App still doesn't work on new iPhone, unable to take photos
- Controls not quite right for iPhone 14 Pro Max
- App doesn't work with iPad Pro 11
- App doesn't work with iPad Air 4
- Buttons cut off at screen edge and don't respond
- Live camera image visible, but UI buttons cut off
- App crashes
- Bug crashing again
- App not responding

**Most requested features**

- Customizable default comment in metadata
- Home screen shortcut icon
- Masking function
- Retouch/correction function
- Support for 48MP max grid
- Features for night photography
- Optimization for new iPhones
- Ability to turn off shuffle
- RAW capture support
- Zoom while shooting
- Ability to edit preset names
- Save favorite combinations from shuffle
- Support for second lens on iPhone 7 Plus
- Ability to pinch out to zoom in
- Tiff format support
- Color photo option with same interface
- More film simulations
- Smaller font size
- Support for larger photo databases
- Guidance on app usage
- Permanent settings after restart
- Ability to reset chosen preset
- Scroll through camera roll within the app
- Clear way to upload to computer/camera roll

## Newest reviews (14 of 115)

### 4/5 — Great B&W camera app

*2026-01-25*

I wrote my first review for this in 2019 and have been happily using this app since from an iPhone 8, to 11 Pro, and now 15 Pro. Perfect like camera app. My only ask… possible to custom set or clear the default ‘comment’ that is set on every photo? The statement “Processed by Blackie” in the metadata for every photo isn’t great. Pretty awkward.

**Developer response:** Thanks for review. There is option for turn off all metadata in Settings.

### 4/5 — Great B&W camera app

*2024-12-09*

I wrote my first review for this in 2019 and have been happily using this app since from an iPhone 8, to 11 Pro, and now 15 Pro. Perfect like camera app. My only ask… possible to custom set or clear the default ‘comment’ that is set on every photo? The statement “Processed by Blackie” in the metadata for every photo isn’t great. Pretty awkward.

### 5/5 — Bug fixed in v4.1

*2024-10-06*

Problem was quickly solved within a few days. The app did not save any images.

**Developer response:** Sorry for this one, fix is on review by apple right now.

### 3/5 — Latest update crashes

*2024-10-05*

I love the app, but the latest update crashes consistently for me. I am on an iPhone 13. Is that no longer supported?

**Developer response:** Sorry it was a bug on our side. New release will fix this issue is live right now.

### 2/5 — What Happened to the App?!

*2024-10-02*

Been using this for years, but now every time I open it, click the shutter, it just crashes. And the photo does not get recorded in the Photos app. I deleted and reinstalled. Still the same. Help?!

**Developer response:** Yes, sorry for that, something broke during the code update. I will fix it ASAP.

### 2/5 — Trouble taking pictures

*2024-09-06*

I just got the app on the App Store. When going thru the pages in the set up I accidentally clicked on don’t share my photos hence I can’t take pictures. Is there a way to fix this?  I’m rating the app 2 stars only because I can’t use it until I fix my screwup.

**Developer response:** Hello yes you can, Go to iPhone->Setting, Search Blackie then , Allow Blackie to access Photos -> All Photos.

### 5/5 — white or black frame choice

*2024-08-12*

the setting for a black frame is not preserved each time the application is opened. unless black is specifically chosen the white frame will be automatically used. can this please be fixed. as far as i can tell, all other choices persist when the application is (re)opened, which is great.

### 5/5 — white or black frame choice

*2024-07-26*

the setting for a black frame is not preserved each time the application is opened. unless black is specifically chosen the white frame will be automatically used. can this please be fixed. 
as far as i can tell, all other choices persist when the application is (re)opened, which is great.

### 5/5 — BW The Great

*2024-06-03*

I've tried many black and white photo apps, but this one is the best. The image quality is good and the preset control is very convenient. Long live the app!

### 2/5 — App no longer works

*2024-05-31*

I loved the photos from this app. But now it doesn’t actually take pictures. When I press the shutter circle nothing happens. This is really disappointing as this is the only app I have ever used for B&W

### 5/5 — Cuts to the Chase

*2023-11-02*

Blackie is all about the photograph, not the means with which to achieve it. Simple, uncluttered display lends itself well to street or candid shots, but the built in controls and filters allow a powerful level of control, both before or after the shot. Ideally suited to a user familiar with camera controls, but easy to use and pick up.

### 4/5 — App

*2023-10-29*

O app está travando muito com o iPhonePro15, usava o 12 ProMax e funcionava, a dois dias não consigo praticamente. Entendo que deveriam atualizar mais vezes pois o app é maravilhoso

### 3/5 — iPhone 14 pro max -48mp

*2023-10-21*

Are we going to get support to use full grid max ?

### 5/5 — Perfect for my needs

*2023-09-08*

Been an iPhone photographer for almost a decade now and this app quickly became one of my favorites. I love that you can either upload photos to edit, or take them within the app. My preference is the former because I can mess with  color filter after the fact. I’m not stuck on the one image.

## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated)

### 1/5 — Shutter Doesn’t Work

*2026-06-15*

I want to love and use this app SO bad, but I can’t even get the dang shutter to work! I hit it to choose between .5x and 1x and then try to hit it again to take the photo, to no avail. Please either fix it or provide a users guide somewhere for stupid people like me. Thank you!

### 1/5 — 完全用不了

*2025-10-23*

闪退严重，拍照无法储存，编辑后也无法储存，根本找不到储存的按钮，这玩意废了，一星都嫌多

### 1/5 — Not usable on iPhone 17 Pro (and maybe 17 ProMax as well?)

*2025-10-19*

The upper side of each picture is getting cutted of because the UI doesn‘t resemble the screen of the new  iPhone 17 Pro (and maybe 17 Pro as well?)

**Developer response:** Added support for iPhone 17 and iPhone Air

### 1/5 — Seit den letzten Update nicht mehr nutzbar

*2025-04-27*

Habe gebe mit der App gearbeitet, aber seit dem letzten Update gibt es Doppelbelegungen (das neue Histogramm zum Beispiel) so dass die Filter nicht mehr genutzt werden können. Somit nutzlos. Schade.

### 1/5 — Not usable on iPad pro 2024

*2024-10-26*

Good App on iPhone, GUI not usable on actual iPad Pro

**Developer response:** Will be fixed in new version

### 1/5 — Ruim!

*2024-02-23*

Defeito quero meu dinheiro de volta! Muito fraco, nada de mais, apenas filtros e sem indicação de iso e velocidade do obturador. Na terceira abertura do app para usar ele ja trancou na tela de abertura…como posso avaliar um app que não abre e o pouco que usei foi má experiência.
Câmera genuína do Iphone é muito melhor!
20 reais jogados no lixo!

### 1/5 — Funktioniert leider nicht (iPad Air 4)

*2022-12-20*

Leider scheint die App auf einem iPad Air (4. Gen) nicht zu funktionieren. Beim Öffnen ist ein Live-Bild der Kamera zu sehen, alle Buttons zur Bedienung sind jedoch am Rand des Bildschirms abgeschnitten und reagieren nicht auf Berührung. 
So kann ich damit überhaupt nichts machen. 

Die Website der Entwickler existiert anscheinend nicht mehr. Das ist alles nicht grade seriös…

Dear developers, if you read this: please fix the app or refund me the money.

**Developer response:** Thanks for feedback. It should be fixed right now.

### 1/5 — BLACKIE

*2019-03-07, version 2.6*

NO ICONS SHOW UP WHEN APP IS OPENED.   CANNOT TAKE PHOTOS.

### 1/5 — Not working for IPhone XR

*2019-01-22, version 2.6*

I see they pushed a update for XR, but it isn’t working for me. *new update on 1/21/2019 still doesn’t work properly. Buttons are still way too small!

### 1/5 — Too limited

*2019-01-14, version 2.5*

The interface is overly hip and devoid of options. The app comes right up to usability - then shrinks away. 
Go back and finish the application.

## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated)

### 5/5 — Basically what positive reviews say

*2025-04-13*

Like most apps, you have to experiment to see the possibility. Assumes you are wanting BW photography and the more you use it the vision of your minds eye begins to open up.

### 5/5 — Undervalued

*2025-04-01*

To be sure I don’t use it enough. If you’re trying to get a punchy black and white image. This is the tool you need.

### 5/5 — Definitively the best

*2025-03-25, version 4.7*

I’ve spent the better part of 3 days and lots of money evaluating every monochrome camera app on the App Store. Blackie is easily the best.

I just wish there was a home screen shortcut icon, so I could replace my default camera app with Blackie. The default app icon with the “open app” shortcut looks horrible.

### 5/5 — 我欠你一個好評

*2025-02-20*

記不得多少年前了，當年還用著4s吧，之後每次換手機都不會忘記把你安裝好，在我心裡你一直是最好用的黑白攝影APP，感謝你這麼多年的陪伴，謝謝！

### 5/5 — Revelation

*2025-02-16*

Only B&W camera I use

### 5/5 — Preis-/Leistung ist unschlagbar

*2024-11-19*

Als BnW-Liebhaber ist die App einfach fantastisch, weil sie voller liebevoller Details steckt.
Z.B.: 
-  Vignette: hoch individualisierbar. Das habe ich so bei noch keiner anderen App gesehen. Auch nicht bei Lightroom und Luminar…
- Speicherung im
tiff-Format 
- Farbfilter 
- Rahmenfunktion, die NICHT das Bild beschneidet. Top!
- 8 speicherbare Presets
- Focus peaking
- durchdachte Bedienfläche
- und noch viel mehr… 

Wenn es jetzt noch eine Masken-Funktion geben würde, bräuchte ich Lightroom für 90% meiner Fotos nicht mehr.  😉
Einen Wunsch hätte ich: eine Retusche-/Korrektur-Funktion. 

Fazit: Grandiose App, die ein Vielfaches dessen wert ist, was sie kostet. 

Bitte weiter entwickeln!

### 5/5 — 흑백사진앱 중 최고

*2024-11-16*

이것보다 더 좋고 효율적이고 흑백사진을 위한 앱은 없다.  수 많은 흑백사진앱이 존재하지만 하나같이 흑백사진 자체가 지니는 매력을 뒤로하고 쓸데없는
기능들이 많은데,
이 앱은 흑백사진이 주는 매력을 가장 질 파악하고 그걸 앱으로 가장 잘 재현시켰다. 흑백사진은 이 앱 하나면 된다.

### 5/5 — frame

*2024-11-13*

setting a frame to black does not persist when the application is closed and reopened. 
it automatically reverts to white. 
it would be great if this could be fixed.

### 5/5 — Thanks for the quick fix!

*2024-10-08*

There was a nasty bug that caused crashes, now fixed. Once again Blackie is my favorite B&W camera app.

**Developer response:** Sorry it was a bug on our side. New release will fix this issue is live right now.

### 5/5 — Please ! One more thing! ! I would like you to fix the error! !

*2024-10-06*

Thank you for your prompt response to the error! However, there is one more error...I would like to see an improvement to the error where the camera shuts down when using manual focus when shooting with a 0.5 size wide angle! I am using iphone13mini. I use this app every day, so I appreciate your support!

**Developer response:** I can not reproduce the issue tested on iPhone 13 Pro max. Can you send me details on brutalityarts@gmail.com it will be helpful, thanks

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*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.*