# Blue Iris

> Remote client for Blue Iris PC software to manage home security cameras. (iPhone/iPad app by Ken Pletzer.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blue-iris/id585350145 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Ken Pletzer](https://appshunter.io/developer/585350148)
- Category: Utilities, Photo & Video
- Price: $9.99
- Rating: 3.70/5 from 418 App Store ratings · 283 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: +4
- Requires: iOS 15.6 · 31 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2012-12-15
- Data updated: 2026-09-02
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blue-iris/id585350145/reviews.md

## What is Blue Iris?

This app is a CLIENT for the Blue Iris Windows PC software.  In order to make use of this app, you must have Blue Iris version 6 installed and running on a Windows PC or VM.  Instructions for connecting this app to the PC software are found in the Remote Access chapter of its Help file.

This app provides a single point of contact to your home camera network.  There is no need to insecurely open individual cameras to the Internet.  This app connects using a secure and session-based protocol--no passwords are transmitted in plain text.

Remote access does require router configuration or NGROK, which you can test without the app by using Safari.  You should see your Blue Iris login page.

Key features include:

- Manage multiple Blue Iris installations
- Geofencing: set status, send alerts, and more in response to device location *
- Control the shield icon, schedule and profile selection
- Receive iOS push notification alerts when a Blue Iris camera is triggered or there is a critical status message
- Fast H.264 streaming
- Control PTZ, IR and more for any camera that’s also controllable at the Blue Iris PC
- Listen to and talk to any camera that’s also supported at the Blue Iris PC
- Navigate cameras by tapping and swiping
- Review recordings as stored on the Blue Iris PC, up to 64x speed
- Download recorded video from the Blue Iris PC to the iOS device
- Selectively delete recordings from the Blue Iris PC
- Broadcast live video from the iOS device directly into a Blue Iris PC camera window
- Remote control DIO output signals on compatible devices
- Baby monitor functionality: continue to listen to audio with app closed or device in standby **

* Note that continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.
** Note that continued use of audio streaming running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.

## Key features

- Manage multiple Blue Iris installations
- Receive push notification alerts
- Fast H.264 streaming
- Control PTZ and two-way audio
- Review and download recordings
- Broadcast live video from device
- Geofencing alerts

## Chart rankings

- #50 in Top Paid · Utilities (US App Store)

## What do users think of Blue Iris?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🚀 Reliable and stable
- 🔒 Secure remote access
- 👍 Comprehensive features
- 🚀 Smooth video playback
- 💡 Useful push notifications
- 👍 Intuitive user interface

**Cons**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
- 🔋 Drains battery on mobile devices
- 👎 Outdated and dated UI design
- 🔍 Difficult to navigate and configure
- 🚫 Requires Blue Iris desktop software

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Inability to save video clips
- Inconsistent behavior when switching between live view and playback
- Push notifications not working reliably
- Cameras sometimes shown as offline when they are not
- Crashes when rotating device or accessing certain features

**Most requested features**

- Add support for VPN connections
- Improve video scrubbing and playback controls
- Implement a more modern and responsive UI
- Allow for more granular user permissions and access levels
- Provide better integration with home automation systems

## Recent user reviews (10 of 283)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blue-iris/id585350145/reviews.md

### 3/5 — Family sharing doesn't work.

*2026-08-15, version 2.08.09*

Family sharing doesn't work, it doesn't even show up anywhere in family members device it wants another $10.00  per family member.

### 2/5 — Buggy

*2026-07-07, version 2.08.09*

Always having issues, unreliable

### 1/5 — Glitchy update

*2026-05-01, version 2.08.08*

The latest update no longer supports the original version of the server for playing back surveillance videos. They also didn’t fix the bug where most of the cameras in the main view are intermittently not showing up. Perhaps it works with the newest version of server, but the original version which supposed to still work, is no longer supported. Very disappointing.

### 1/5 — Playback is jerky and slow

*2026-04-27, version 2.08.08*

Latest update causes playback to be super slow or never start.  Not good at all.  Please revert this release.

### 1/5 — Constantly crashes

*2026-04-19, version 2.08.03*

Please fix, app constantly crashing while scrolling through cameras…

### 3/5 — Works?

*2026-04-19, version 2.08.03*

Latest update fixed the issues, but rating 3 for now because the app was completely unusable for like a month prior to the fix.

### 1/5 — App is not great any more!

*2026-04-14, version 2.06.09*

The app does not load correctly, it does not show the saved videos. Overall it is not a great use of the app anymore

### 1/5 — Horrible Update

*2026-04-09, version 2.06.09*

Please fix this update! The last version was so much better!!! My cameras will hardly load and playback.

### 4/5 — Good app. Bad update

*2026-04-05, version 2.06.06*

With the most recent update- video is no longer playing smooth. It like skips randomly. Overall blue iris is great though (v4). I know they want you to update to version 5- but everything I read seems to refer to problems with updates. As someone who already has a reverse proxy with https running- I don’t see any major new benefits that would be worth the risk yet…

### 2/5 — Cams not loading

*2026-04-04, version 2.06.06*

Not sure what happened with the update, but for about a week now when i access the cameras on my phone camera not loading or takes for ever to load. Never had this problem before. I am on the last Bi desktop version and iphone 16 pro max plus version

## Frequently asked questions about Blue Iris

### What is this app?

This application serves as a client for the Blue Iris Windows PC software. It allows you to remotely access and manage your home camera network. You must have Blue Iris version 5 installed and running on a Windows PC or VM to use this app.

### What are the key features of this app?

Key features include managing multiple Blue Iris installations, receiving push notification alerts, fast H.264 streaming, controlling PTZ and two-way audio for compatible cameras, reviewing and downloading recordings, and broadcasting live video from your device.

### Is this app free to use?

Based on the provided information, this app is a paid application. It does not have in-app purchases or advertisements, indicating a one-time purchase model.

### What devices is this app compatible with?

This app is designed as a client for the Blue Iris Windows PC software and is available for iOS devices. Remote access requires router configuration or NGROK.

### What are common use cases for this app?

Common use cases include monitoring your home security cameras remotely, receiving instant alerts for triggered events, reviewing past recordings, and even using it as a baby monitor with audio streaming functionality.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.08.09 — 2026-05-09

Timeline view landscape layout fixes
Timeline view swipe left/right for groups
Fix for timeline view alert images when using HTTPS

### 2.08.08 — 2026-04-22

Big fixes
Timeline was not properly usable on landscape phone
Tapping alert from camera view opened incorrect video

### 2.08.06 — 2026-04-20

A crash fix some experienced
Continued modernization of the UI
Next/previous alert navigation in the Timeline view
+/- 10 second buttons with auto-repeat added to the Player view

### 2.08.03 — 2026-04-18

Enhancements made to the Timeline playback view
Fix for Alerts memo search (requires Blue Iris 6.0.4.7 as well)
More efficient loading of images on the Camera view
Other miscellaneous layout adjustments

### 2.08.01 — 2026-04-17

A timeline playback view--swipe-up from a camera or group view; navigate cameras and groups as you do in the camera views, pinch to zoom in the timeline, or tap and hold to zoom in, double-tap and hold to zoom out
Custom alert sounds (server 6.0.4.7)
Alert list search text sent to server for better results
Modernized more UI elements
Alert view filtered by camera/group shown in camera view
Confirmed swipe to delete in Alert view
Calendar view now features a layout like alert view
Filter the log pages

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## More apps by Ken Pletzer

- [SentryPODS](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sentrypods/id1165081643)

All apps by Ken Pletzer: https://appshunter.io/developer/585350148

## Related topics

[perspective video](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/perspective-video)

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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 2026-09-02.*
