# Calm Harm – manage self-harm — user reviews > 241 indexed App Store user reviews of Calm Harm by Stem4, rated 4.40/5 from 681 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calm-harm-manage-self-harm/id961611581/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calm-harm-manage-self-harm/id961611581.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 499 · 4★ 91 · 3★ 23 · 2★ 11 · 1★ 57 ## What do users think of Calm Harm? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 👍 Helpful for self-harm, anxiety, and mental health issues - 🚀 Free app with no ads or in-app purchases - 💡 Wide range of activities and coping techniques - 👍 Customizable themes and mascots - 👍 Tracks progress and urge patterns - 👍 Discreet and private app **Cons** - 🐛 Login/password issues, unable to reset or recover account - 🔒 Concerns about privacy and data usage - 👎 Some activities require physical resources not always available - 👎 Repetitive or boring activities for some users - 👎 Doesn't work for all users, not a substitute for professional help **Commonly reported bugs** - App freezing or crashing on certain devices - Inconsistent or buggy behavior of certain features - Layout and UI issues on newer smartphone models - Syncing or data loss problems when switching devices **Most requested features** - Add more in-app activities and distractions - Implement dark mode or customizable themes - Allow users to edit or delete journal entries - Add support for Apple Watch or other wearables - Provide more language options and localization - Integrate with other mental health apps or services ## Newest reviews (19 of 241) ### 4/5 — It’s good defo HOWEVER *2026-06-28, version 6.2.1* I do think it is good and like out of all the self-help apps it’s defo one of the best but one thing is that pretty much all of the activities are something like draw a pic to show your feelings or call a friend and like that’s ok if the urge is low but when it’s really bad then I don’t really have the emotional capacity to go find a pen and pencil and paints etc etc etc and also maybe for like adults it’s easier to call someone but as a 12 year old none of my friends are mature enough to understand and my parents are the last people I want to talk to about this stuff so maybe you could include stuff thats in the actual app like a virtual scribble tool or a mini crossword or mini game or something like that, because I find a distraction is the best also maybe add some more guidance on the journaling because I like open it and get stuck in what to write so like a step by step thing might be better even if it’s optional. ### 3/5 — Good idea but not the best app *2026-02-16, version 6.2.1* It is a bit laggy and I find it confusing the way it’s set up , it is a very good idea just needs a bit of tweaking ### 3/5 — Works great for the hiccups! *2025-08-10, version 6.0.4* This app was recommended by a doctor for stuff. I’ve never rlly found it useful, makes me feel like I’m a child and when I’m struggling with what I do it takes a lot of energy to do basic tasks so when the distraction tasks involve getting out of bed, I’m sorry but it’s just not happening. However, I use the breathing exercises regularly as a way to get rid of the hiccups and it works wonders, really do recommend downloading if u get hiccups regularly. ### 4/5 — Good - ish *2025-07-05, version 6.0.4* I do love this app although I feel like some of the activities don’t help and having to physically find the activity can be frustrating ### 4/5 — Streak *2025-06-22, version 6.0.4* It’s a good app overall but when it says for me to extend or end my streak, it like doesn’t let me end it and continues counting the days. I would really appreciate it if you fixed this problem ### 5/5 — Could you make another offering for addiction help? *2025-01-26* I personally don’t struggle with self-harm, but I do have issues with addictive tendencies. It seems like there’s a surprising amount of overlap when it comes to how self-harm and addictive urges work, so I tried Calm Harm out to see if it’d help. Sure enough, it does. I was wondering if the dev team might be able to add some sort of offering specifically for people who struggle with addiction as well. Not to diminish the importance of helping others who struggle with self-harm, that’s an issue close to my heart in many ways as well. But I think many of the techniques used in the existing app could also be applied to addiction recovery. Thank you, devs, for creating this app. You’re doing God’s work. **Developer response:** Hi there, thank you very much for your review and feedback, it's so great to hear that you have found the app helpful! Thank you for sharing. Calm Harm uses principles of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy which help surf strong urges that lead to a variety of harmful behaviours, so the app can indeed be used for addictive urges, and we are glad that you have found this helpful. In terms of further addiction support, stem4 (the developer of Calm Harm) have a dedicated section on their website for addiction support, which you may find useful: https://stem4.org.uk/addiction/ We have also logged your request for additional addiction resources in the app, for our team to review in future. Thanks again! ### 5/5 — definitely recommend *2025-01-09, version 6.0.4* i was shown this app by someone i spoke with on a hotline a few years ago, i was younger and scared and didn’t have resources but this app is so so good at what it does, very helpful and the visuals themselves are good distractions. also very happy for the queer identity options in settings + no dumb in-app money-hungry purchases means so much to me. thank you :-) ### 5/5 — Excellent *2024-11-16, version 5.3.3* Really good app.if you have self harm issues as I do,trust me and give it a try.I was recommended this app from the SHOUT helpline and I’m so glad I got it.Not like it’s going to heal you of course,but at the time of the urge it does help distract you from it. ### 4/5 — amazing! *2024-09-18, version 5.3.3* i’ve been using this app for almost 4 months and it has helped so much and i have not done anything since, very highly recommended ### 5/5 — ❣️ *2024-08-24* разработчики я вас люблю **Developer response:** Hi there, thank you very much for your lovely review! ### 5/5 — Love it *2024-07-25* I really really Love it. It so cute and there are many aczivitys. The only Thing I dont like are the gifs and jokes. Maybe they could be changed up? **Developer response:** Hi there, thank you very much for your kind review! And that's a great idea to update some of the gifs and jokes, we have logged this as something to explore next time we update the app. Thanks again! ### 5/5 — Love it *2024-06-24, version 5.3.3* I love tracking and seeing my progress. Just makes me proud of myself. What I would like and suggest is adding widgets. I would love to have it on my Home Screen so I could see it without opening the app! Other than that I love it and have been using it for years. ### 5/5 — Incredibly versatile and effective *2024-04-16, version 5.3.3* Not only is this app incredible for managing s/h urges, but for other struggles I've had with feeling overwhelmed by emotions, but also helped to manage stronger feelings of anxiety. ### 5/5 — Already in love *2024-04-07* I just downloaded the app and I’m already tearing up. I went through an extensive DBT program and this app focuses on a lot of the same principles I am already familiar with. One of my biggest triggers is idle hands. I get so antsy and bored and then overwhelmed by the tightness in my chest and paralyzed by options. It causes me to spiral and make impulsive decisions with negative consequences. It’s so refreshing to have a list of activities that are ACTUALLY doable for a neurodivergent person. Just taking a look around in this app reminded me that there are so many more ways to practice self care. It’s not all working out, skin care, and meal prepping. Sometimes it’s best to just sit and notice. Just be where you are ♥️ **Developer response:** Hello! It's so wonderful to read this lovely review of Calm Harm - thank you so much for sharing. ### 5/5 — saved my life multiple times *2024-03-12* i first downloaded this app when i was 15, i’m turning 21 soon. i cannot tell you how thankful i am for this app. it worked so well i stopped using it about two years ago. even though every working coping skill i’ve learned has been from this app, i nearly forgot about it until today. worst panic attack i’ve had in my life, and it pulled me out of it in 2 minutes. rather, my thankfulness did. i was always partial to the comfort and release exercises. I did one of each and calmed myself enough to write this review. it’s not appropriate for me to describe the trenches i’ve been through, but in all of my major episodes i’ve turned to this app. i still remember being happy to see the update to hide exercises we didn’t like, suggesting and being happy to see exercises not asking for mobility or supplies. I don’t have right cocktail of emotional intelligence and vocabulary to say how thankful i am. i used to recommend this app like handing out candy on halloween. hopefully i won’t have to, but i absolutely will again. thank you so much, calm harm. just thank you. **Developer response:** Hello! Thank you so much for sharing this lovely feedback with us, it is wonderful for us to hear that the app has made such a difference to your life. Thank you for sharing the app with others who may need it. ### 4/5 — CalmHarm *2024-02-03, version 5.3.3* It’s a pretty decent app. It’s help full when your feelings to self harm are like in between low and mid. But if you really feel like your going to it’s not the best. It does keep your streak and has a journal and stuff. You can either do a 1 min or 15 min exercise. Overall I think it’s pretty good ### 5/5 — Super helpful *2023-12-11, version 5.2.4* the only thing i would change is the fact that it stops giving you the little trophies after a year. having a higher goal to work towards after one year clean can be difficult :/ ### 5/5 — Good *2023-09-28, version 5.2.4* Very helpful I had suicidal thoughts but now I don’t ### 5/5 — Devs plz read this!!! *2023-09-26, version 5.2.4* THIS APP IS AWESOME!!! Loves 💖 but I was wondering if you guys could add some more options/ activities. It’s AMAZING as I said but I’d really like more things whether it be loud or quiet cuz I get urges late at night but my mom has me go to bed at 8pm. And she hears one little creak and she is like “WHY ARE U UP?!” So yeah, would totally love more activities. LOTS OF LOVE :] ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Not helpful for setting goals *2024-01-11, version 5.3.3* The activities are helpful but the tracking doesn’t work which means you don’t have an accurate picture of how well you are doing. Raised this with support but got no reply. Use I am sober - it’s far more useful for tracking milestones. ### 1/5 — Freezing up *2023-02-06, version 5.1.6* The app is freezing can’t get past the wave pop up ### 1/5 — please help! *2022-12-28* it’s not working for me, I got onto the ride the wave thing but a text is on my screen and it’s not going away **Developer response:** Hi there, sorry to hear you're having trouble with the app! Have you increased the text size on your phone? If it's increased considerably, it may cause formatting issues like those you're experiencing. If you are happy to decrease the font size a little in your phone's settings, this will hopefully fix your issue. If this hasn't helped, please do email us at calmharm@stem4.org.uk with details of your device and the iOS version it's running, and our developers will look into this for you. Hope this helps. ### 1/5 — something’s wrong *2022-08-23, version 5.1.6* a lot of the pages or activities are off-center and only partially on the screen so you can’t see or do them and sometimes can’t even click out of them, which ironically only exacerbates my thoughts of self-harm. ### 1/5 — lame *2022-08-22, version 5.1.6* this goofy app made me relapse them animals mockin me frl like stupid fat seahorse i cant stand yall frl thats why i use plastic straw curse the sea animals frl 😪❌ ### 1/5 — Not really helpful *2022-04-07, version 5.0.4* I heard about this app because I was told about it by CAMHS, and while in a crisis I really didn’t want to relapse so I decided to download it. The only thing the app did was giving me things to do in order to distract myself and release what I had pent up. Unfortunately, Self Harm is an addiction both for me and for many other people who do it, so we need more than to take our anger out or calling a friend. But I understand the intention and I think it is an amazing app, but I also think that people who self harm (myself included) need more than just completing tasks to distract ourselves ### 1/5 — Waste of time *2021-11-28, version 4.6.2* Been advised to download this by a few people now and it’s the most ridiculous idea I’ve ever seen. None of these things would ever feel the same as actually doing it and don’t help whatsoever. Don’t waste your time downloading it ### 1/5 — Won’t even start *2021-11-01, version 4.6.2* After being told by my therapist that this app would help me I download it to find that the app wont even start, just stuck on a white screen. This isn’t helping me much right now :( ### 1/5 — Data is shared with Google *2021-03-26* I looked at the app as someone working with mental health. I uninstalled it immediately when I realised that usage data is shared with Google via Analytics. The privacy statement says that this data is not linked to you, which means via app functionality. However, Google can easily identify you individually through their other data collection and then link your usage of the app to it, which means that they will, just as an example, know that and how often someone is dealing with self harm and related phenomena. I consider that extremely problematic in such a sensitive and personal area, and the app would work just as well without the analytics. ### 1/5 — It’s cool until you forget your password *2021-02-03, version 4.2.1* The only way to get back in is your memorable word...guess it wasn’t that memorable if I forgot it. Not really the best time to be locked out of a app to calm down. :) ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — I love it so far *2026-05-29, version 6.2.1* I feel like this app is so far really helpful, but it can be hard to do some of the distraction things. ### 5/5 — Amazing app, beneficial for all 🤍🩷 *2026-04-25* I have found this app very helpful not only for myself but for friends of mine that have needed help with managing sh urges. It was reccomended to me by an online helpline during times of struggle and have since had the app for about 2.5 to 3 years and have found it very beneficial 🤍 **Developer response:** Hi there, thanks very much for your kind review! It's so great to hear that you and your friends have found the app helpful, that's brilliant - thank you for sharing. Additionally, if you would be happy to share your personal story with us to help reach other young people who might benefit from the app (can be shared anonymously), we'd love to chat with you, or if you prefer you can send us a write-up or recording. Please contact us at calmharm@stem4.org.uk if so. Thanks again! ### 5/5 — A great help *2026-02-15, version 6.2.1* I am incredibly grateful for this app. It helps me immensely when I am emotionally dysregulated to calm down and feel better. Thank you. ### 5/5 — Thank you so much for this app! Just one suggestion *2025-12-31, version 6.2.1* Can you add custom breathing patterns? ### 5/5 — Thank You *2025-11-16* No ads, no pop-ups, just support. The calming exercises are perfect. The hand cream one helps me a lot. I have a ocean scented one for Disney and it brings back happy memories <3 You are not alone <3 **Developer response:** Hi there, thank you so much for leaving such a lovely review! It's so great to hear that you like the app and are finding it helpful, thank you for sharing. Wishing you all the best. ### 5/5 — I like it *2025-09-11* Please make a widget, I can’t remember about an app in a stressful situation without it **Developer response:** Hi there, thanks very much for your suggestion, we have logged this with our developers as something to explore when we next update the app. Thank you again! ### 5/5 — perfect in every way *2025-07-30, version 6.0.4* this app helped me through so much. it is so perfect in every way shape and form. the little characters are so cute and soothing and the app itself reminds me of a nice cool bed to lay down in when all things go wrong. I always had an issue with storage but this heaven sent gift doesn’t even take up 50 mb. from the bottom of my heart id like to thank the developer(s) with every fiber in my body and every place on it that is clean of scars. thank you ### 5/5 — amazing *2025-07-20, version 6.0.4* it’s nice to find a free, good quality app like this which is really good and has loads of options. the visual aspect i really enjoy - one thing is maybe it could have more breathing exercise options (like a standard quick-access one for if you need it then and there, but also an option to do longer holds and different in and out times)! ### 5/5 — tysm. *2025-06-27, version 6.0.4* this app helped me a lott💗 ### 5/5 — Great self harm app *2025-02-26, version 6.0.4* This app provides activities to stop self harming. Unfortunately I have days where I give in but it’s not often. --- *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 2026-09-03.*