Great Additions in v4
I’ve used this widget for years and loved that I could keep it simple. Now, I appreciate the additional features (trend line, especially) and that I still can keep the simple small widget for a glance at the air quality, plus have a bigger one on another screen for when I’m wondering when it got hazy or smokey outside.
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Better and better
I’ve had Breathable for about 3 months. During that time, the app has gotten better and better. From fixing bugs to better interface updates, to customizing how you want your widgets to look, the app has proven very useful.
Take the time to carefully setup your location. Once you get that done, everything else just flows!
Take the time to carefully setup your location. Once you get that done, everything else just flows!
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I feel like I should pay for this app
While initial setup (to get API keys) isn’t zero effort, it does allow several data sources for air quality. The app otherwise seems perfect and it really feels like I should at least give the devs some coffee money.
Fantastic update
I’m very glad to see the update, it’s so much more useful now. No wonder the old version was being neglected a bit.
I want to like it but the barrier to set up too high.
I am looking for a good widget that will show current AQI in my location and although the widget appeared on my screen just fine and the app was able to detect my location, it’s not able to gather location-based air-quality data without me setting up an account or getting API codes from external sources? I don’t understand why there are additional hoops. I didn’t have to do any of that for my pollen data widget or my UV index widget. I hope the developers can figure this out for a smoother set-up because it’s a promising, well-organized app with a nice, clean interface, but it’s still a work in progress from my perspective and not useful to me as is.
Edit: alright, I’ve given it another shot since I’ve had some time this morning. I signed up at AirNow, received my API key, and I have validated it in the app, but the widget is not displaying any data. It says “unknown,” despite showing my location within the app.
Edit: alright, I’ve given it another shot since I’ve had some time this morning. I signed up at AirNow, received my API key, and I have validated it in the app, but the widget is not displaying any data. It says “unknown,” despite showing my location within the app.
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Quality Air Monitor
The functions work very well once the api keys are entered, and the options for the design of this is a very nice touch, subtle animations and nice details added in makes it very complete and customizable. Well done, Karbon.
I want to like it but the barrier to set up too high.
I am looking for a good widget that will show current AQI in my location and although the widget appeared on my screen just fine and the app was able to detect my location, it’s not able to gather location-based air-quality data without me setting up an account or getting API codes from external sources? I don’t understand why there are additional hoops. I didn’t have to do any of that for my pollen data widget or my UV index widget. I hope the developers can figure this out for a smoother set-up because it’s a promising, well-organized app with a nice, clean interface, but it’s still a work in progress from my perspective and not useful to me as is.
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Response from developer
Thank you for your feedback, I appreciate it. Here’s the simple truth: I would love to be able to provide all of this AQI data without any of the personal API key setup and management, it just isn’t financially viable. AQI data is extremely expensive, and running a service for all users would not allow me to give away this app for free. While setting up personal keys is a bit of a one-time pain, it means that I can make this app free for everyone and you can get all of the benefits of real-time AQI data without any cost to you or me. I hope you’ll give it another shot, but I understand either way. Thank you again.
API 404 abandoned.
Not sure why the user has to juggle api keys but it doesn’t matter since the source we are directed to doesn’t exist.
Completely different to every other source
No idea why it’s always so completely wrong, it shows validation for my current location.
Response from developer
Apologies for the delay in response, and thank you for leaving a review! IQAir API keys expire after ~1 year, but you can create a new free key and update it in Breathable. We've updated our FAQs to be clearer on this. Please reach out to support if you need more help, but a new free key will get you back to business!
Well designed, works well
This is such a cool app for monitoring AQI. I wish it had a menubar option as well for quickly glancing!
Is this app dead?
Not getting any data
Great! But Watch complication won’t update
Great and free app, very nicely designed! Thank you! The only downside for me is that the Watch complication never automatically updates for me - maybe I’m doing something wrong, or maybe it doesn’t support background refresh? It’d be cool if updates on the iPhone were pushed to the Watch complication, since the iPhone widget updates perfectly. Hard to complain when it’s free :) It’d just be so nice, as Apple Weather doesn’t have air quality data for my country.
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AirNow [Q&A]
I thought recommended meant I could use only the AirNow API with this app. I admit it is my mistake. However, the documentation could be improved. It seems like a useful app. Spreading awareness is great. Thanks regardless. What I am asking is: why is an AirNow key insufficient by itself and what exactly does that US organization provide that the global API does not? [Edit: thanks for the answers. Second edit: as of 2025 August 3 it seems AirNow is down. IQAir remains. Breathable works for me!]
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Great app
Really good app. Super easy to set up. Don’t know what that other review is complaining about, getting API key was really obvious
Does what it says on the tin
It does what it says it does - sort of no frills. I wish there was an option or even indication at least of how often the data was reloading. Not the biggest fan of the design but it’s okay.
Almost perfect
Almost perfect! Beautiful widgets, easy setup, using good quality air quality services. Would love it if the location gets automatically updated.
John McEnroe: "You can't be serious?!"
My initial rating of one star was an error. I meant to average the one-star on onboarding with the five-star function. I don't know how I made that mistake. The onboarding (obtaining the API) is the worst user experience I've encountered in my 40 years of using a computer. I managed it but I don't have the heart to recommend it to anyone but my software-developer son. It's obvious that the onboarding was designed without adequate attention to the iPhone, though that's the obvious device where it will be used. The iPhone screen (I'm using the largest iPhone made) can't display the information on the initial screem without a correct guess to how to manipulate it. You input the API and nothing happens when you hit return. Ah,, there's a tiny "validate" button in the corner. Btw, I initially used iCloud "hide my email," I got nothing and had to input my regular email. The second API from the gov site was a similar terrible experience. One star for the onboarding and five for the app function. Thanks for doing this but please have someone go through this with a smart phone to reference.
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Consistently great for years
I bought this when it was a paid app. It’s been extremely helpful for years. What a kindness the developer has done making it free for everyone!
John McEnroe: "You can't be serious?!"
The onboarding (obtaining the API) is the worst user experience I've encountered in my 40 years of using a computer. I managed it but I don't have the heart to recommend it to anyone but my software-developer son. It's obvious that the onboarding was designed without adequate attention to the iPhone, though that's the obvious device where it will be used. The iPhone screen (I'm using the largest iPhone made) can't display the information on the initial screem without a correct guess to how to manipulate it. You input the API and nothing happens when you hit return. Ah,, there's a tiny "validate" button in the corner. Btw, I initially used iCloud "hide my email," I got nothing and had to input my regular email. The second API from the gov site was a similar terrible experience. One star for the onboarding and five for the app function. Thanks for doing this but please have someone go through this with a smart phone to reference.
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Response from developer
Thank you for your feedback, and sorry you found the set up process unpleasant. Obviously, we don’t own AirNow or IQAir and therefore cannot optimize their mobile experiences, we can only control Breathable itself. I understand that the process of getting an API key is not as straightforward as most people would like, but it is the only way an app like this can exist and remain free for all users. I’d kindly suggest that rating the app one star for other companies’ websites is a bit odd when you write in your review that the app you left one star on is actually a five star app. Just worth considering that reviews like this have impact. Thank you for using the app!
Difficult to Set Up
The widget is difficult to set up. Requires you to create multiple log ins and manage APIs. Not ideal for someone who is often traveling.
