# CEL-FI WAVE — user reviews > 82 indexed App Store user reviews of CEL by Nextivity, Inc, rated 3.40/5 from 44 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cel-fi-wave/id980050278/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cel-fi-wave/id980050278.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 19 · 4★ 6 · 3★ 2 · 2★ 9 · 1★ 8 ## What do users think of CEL? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 👍 Works for some users - 🚀 Boosts signal effectively (when it works) - 💡 Useful for initial setup - 🤝 Responsive customer support (mentioned by one user) **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent connection issues - 🐛 App crashes often - 🐛 Slow performance and lag - 🐛 Outdated user interface - 🐛 Difficult to navigate - 🐛 Multiple units displayed with same name - 🐛 Cannot flash LED before connecting - 🐛 "Downloading settings" hangs - 🐛 Frustrating to use - 🐛 Does not work offline - 🐛 Expensive hardware with poor app support - 🐛 Latest updates worsen experience - 🐛 "Gathering information" indefinitely - 🐛 Blank settings screen - 🐛 Antenna aiming function not working - 🐛 Cannot register device - 🐛 App errors on webform - 🐛 Bluetooth connection errors - 🐛 Out of range issues - 🐛 Disconnects during calls - 🐛 Cannot find signal booster - 🐛 Laggy when signal is low - 🐛 Humorous messages during connection attempts - 🐛 App shows incorrect signal strength - 🐛 No explanation for indicators - 🐛 Does not work with Canadian providers - 🐛 Portrait mode only - 🐛 Locks to one device - 🐛 App keeps crashing - 🐛 Continually says update available but won't update - 🐛 Over promises and under delivers - 🐛 Stationary to mobile setting removed - 🐛 Poor interface for a good device - 🐛 Spurious alerts - 🐛 "Too close" alert frequently - 🐛 Vague explanations - 🐛 App says non-existent signal when phone has signal - 🐛 Latest update breaks access - 🐛 Connection slower after update - 🐛 Drops out on hands free - 🐛 Always searching, never finds - 🐛 Never stops searching - 🐛 Useless app - 🐛 App is garbage **Commonly reported bugs** - App does not work - Multiple units displayed with same name - Will not connect to units without hours of closing & reopening - Cannot flash LED on displayed device before connecting - App is cumbersome to navigate - Legacy Bluetooth 4.2 hardware stack causes delays - App could work much better when offline - Latest 'Update' rendered the product useless - Support webform errors - App implies system is configured but no signal strength increase - Rarely connects after last update - Hard to connect without jumping through hoops - Tech help suggests basic troubleshooting - Never connects to the app - Unit fails to boost signal - Refuses to connect to Bluetooth after app update - App becomes extremely laggy with low signal - App takes an eternity to make a connection - Regularly fails to achieve a connection - Humorous messages during connection attempts - App crashing - App screen goes white - Hangs during 'downloading settings' - Cutesy messages when app doesn't work - Blank settings screen after update - Antenna aiming function doesn't work - Cannot register the cell booster - Features that worked well now don't work - Slow and frustrating system for antenna separation and signal quality - Taken away ability to swap between roaming and stationary - Cannot connect to unit even though it is functioning - No interface with the unit - App hangs at looking for a booster with no option - App does not agree with tech/customer support - App continues to tell you to register device - App only scans for one device - Need to restart phone to pick up a different device - Majority of the time app cannot connect to stationary booster unit via Bluetooth - App cannot maintain a connection - Bluetooth connection error - Out of range apparently - Always disconnects from Bluetooth - Sometimes cannot find a connection to the signal booster - Only connects about 1 out of 10 tries - No information on what screens mean - App stops working - Still says 'gathering information' - App won't connect by Bluetooth even when next to unit - Slow, inaccurate rubbish app - App shows nothing once connected - Clunky - Fails to connect to the Celfi Go - States it's 'gathering data' forever - Connection lost - Phone shows 3G when app shows 4G - Phone does not find booster after update - Web site is useless - Cannot contact support - Waste of money - Constantly disconnects from the cellfi - Slow to connect and gather data - Sometimes cannot find the booster - Wants to update booster software frequently with no improvement - Slow and outdated app - Most of the time app can't find the booster - App shows zeros for incoming signal strength until restarted - App freezes and requires phone restart - Lost blue tooth connection - App freezes and requires booster restart - App needs UI update for iPhone 12 Pro Max - UI looks small on iPhone 12 Pro Max - Stationary to mobile setting removed - App works in portrait mode only - Major accuracy and performance doubts - Forgets the Go and doesn't find it again - Rebooting Go and going through registration process again - Keeps showing need for firmware update but says up to date - Interface doesn't support iPhone X/XS/XR - App crashes a lot - Uninstall and reinstall app to reconnect - Continually says update available but will not update - App keeps going into offline mode - Only supports one device and locks to it - Reset each device and reinstall app to change config - Latest update makes app useless - App sits at 'installing operator configurations' 0% - App keeps crashing - Update available but will not update - Does not work if you live in Australia (US addresses only) - App always searches, never connects - Latest software doesn't help - Never stops searching - App says it is not boosting but phone has full signal - App doesn't function properly - Latest update breaks access to cel-fi device - Cannot take readings - Screen needs optimization for iPhone X - Latest update made connection slower - Drops out on Hands Free - Boosters defaulting to band 2 over band 12 or 4 and not releasing it - App shows basic networking statistics - Little information on functionality features - App still not working after July 2016 update - Keeps saying booster update required - App is garbage - Cannot see any information from the device - Constantly searching but never finds anything - App always searches, never connects - Never stops searching - App says it is not boosting but phone has full signal - App doesn't function properly - Latest update breaks access to cel-fi device - Cannot take readings - Screen needs optimization for iPhone X - Latest update made connection slower - Drops out on Hands Free - Boosters defaulting to band 2 over band 12 or 4 and not releasing it - App shows basic networking statistics - Little information on functionality features - App still not working after July 2016 update - Keeps saying booster update required - App is garbage - Cannot see any information from the device - Constantly searching but never finds anything - App always searches, never connects - Never stops searching - App says it is not boosting but phone has full signal - App doesn't function properly - Latest update breaks access to cel-fi device - Cannot take readings - Screen needs optimization for iPhone X - Latest update made connection slower - Drops out on Hands Free - Boosters defaulting to band 2 over band 12 or 4 and not releasing it - App shows basic networking statistics - Little information on functionality features - App still not working after July 2016 update - Keeps saying booster update required - App is garbage - Cannot see any information from the device - Constantly searching but never finds anything - App always searches, never connects - Never stops searching **Most requested features** - Allow users to see phone's cell signal strength while app is running - Auto-login feature - More descriptive device state (booting up, scanning, service detected) - Faster signal strength meters - Instruction manual detailing settings/features - Ability to increase Maximum Uplink and Downlink dB's power per carrier - Real-time Donor antenna optimal placement location - Option to swap between roaming and stationary - Password protection for settings - Block certain traffic - More flexibility with settings, e.g., specific WiFi band - Landscape mode support - UI update for newer iPhones - Explanation of indicators and settings - Ability to lock to specific LTE bands ## Newest reviews (16 of 82) ### 3/5 — Ok functional but time to upgrade. *2025-12-30* OK functionality. Could do with some more polish on UX. Some things are not easy to find. Expect to wait for the legacy Bluetooth 4.2 hardware stack to provide settings. Often frustrating COULD WORK MUCH BETTER WHEN OFFLINE which is when I most need it to work. In some dark double brick shielded utility room in marginal MNO cell. ### 1/5 — Expensive junk *2024-10-06, version 2.1.3* Unit fails to boost any signal and since the app update, refuses to connect to Bluetooth ### 1/5 — Save your money get starlink *2024-09-06* There is a great degree of irony in the fact that you buy a Celfi to assist in obtaining signal in remote areas, and every time the signal is low the app becomes extremely laggy, either taking an eternity to make a connection with your device, or regularly failing to achieve a connection. The developers obviously think this poor performance is charming hence why as the app goes through an endless amount of processes to connect to your device they have humorous messages including telling people not to shake or poke the screen. Well I hope they developers can see the humour, those of us who have paid thousands of dollars to have this device installed may not share the same opinion. ### 1/5 — Absolutely useless waste of money device *2024-07-10, version 2.1.0* Absolutely useless waste of money device Cel-fi go. Will not register ### 1/5 — App crashing *2024-05-22, version 2.1.0* App takes forever to connect to cel fi unit and when it does the app screen just goes white ### 1/5 — Cannot connect after today’s release *2024-01-22* One star to get your attention (will revise after fix). I could connect with the last version, but with the current one, it hangs during “downloading settings”. All I get are the cutesy messages (sorry guys, entertaining, but annoying when the app doesn’t work.) ### 2/5 — Disappointed *2023-11-04, version 2.0.3* When it works on Mobile it’s good, on stationary it’s great. You got rid of the old signal graphics why ? It was easy to to see at a glance. ### 3/5 — Thanks, V2.0.3 fixed blank settings screen *2023-11-02, version 2.0.3* Glad to see this update which returned settings screen. ### 1/5 — App update is bad *2023-10-14* This update has left this app in a bad state. The Antennas aiming function doesn't work at all - did 3 seperate antenna positions and all results were exactly the same which is impossible! The signal strength/quality indicators on the old app were much better. This needs an urgent update- everyone else, stay away from the new update! ### 1/5 — Horrific! *2023-10-08, version 2.0.0* This app is horrific. It’s even worse since your update 2 days ago. It does not connect to the device at all. Honestly, who developed this? You are a disgrace to developers. Hand it over to someone who knows that they are doing!!! ### 1/5 — Garbage *2023-10-07* After the update I can’t register the cell booster and can’t use it! It’s the 20th century and you still can’t do an update with out screwing up everything and then you don’t even know there is a problem. Absolutely ridiculous and unacceptable, pay your techs more or swap them out!!! ### 1/5 — App upgrade *2023-10-06* The new app upgrade is absolutely terrible. Features that worked well before now don’t work at all. The ability to quickly view the antenna separation and signal quality has been replaced with a different system that is so slow it’s frustrating. I’ve had my cel fi set up in the same place for ages and it’s always been between 80 and 100% for everything but since I’ve downloaded the new version I have 9% for separation and no matter where I put the aerials the best I can get is 20%. It has also taken away the ability to swap between roaming and stationary. Why??? I can’t stand this version and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. ### 1/5 — V2 does not work *2023-10-05, version 2.0.0* Old app worked fine. V2 cannot connect to unit, even though it is functioning fine. Now have no interface with the unit at all. ### 2/5 — Just wow *2023-07-12* First, the app says it provides installation/setup instructions. However if you open the app before you set up your booster, the app hangs at looking for a booster with no option to do anything - one can only close the app. Secondly, the app does not agree with your tech/customer support. I set the booster up for the first time, and it continued to blink a green light which the app says, but if it does not go steady within 30 minutes to power down and power back up, which in my case did not solve the issue. The app continues to, tell you, you may need to register your device with your provider. I found instructions online on the Nextivity site for registering the booster with AT&T on the AT&T website that did not work AT&T customer service advised me to return the product and buy their booster when I got an email response from your customer service, they did not acknowledge the need to register and insist for me to try again. ### 3/5 — Useful app for set up *2023-04-08* Useful for band setting and aiming and setting the outdoor antenna and checking signal quality. Disadvantage is it only scans for one device. You need to restart your phone to pick up a different device. ### 1/5 — Can’t connect to Booster Unit via Bluetooth *2023-03-06, version 1.28* Same issue as many others. Majority of the time the app cannot connect with stationary booster unit via Bluetooth. Booster working well but app is a major fail as it can’t maintain a connection to give you necessary data. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Would give 0 starts *2026-06-27, version 2.1.18* App does not work making it useless ### 1/5 — Substantially Worse Experience *2026-02-13* This app somehow got worse with each update. It displays multiple units while searching with the same name (a sequence of letter led and numbers at first good, luck deciphering that while you’re in a roof cavity), will not connect to said units without an hour of closing & reopening the app. You can now no longer flash the LED on a displayed device before connecting to it, instead you have to just connect and hope it’s the device you’re after or else wait for it to “download settings” which clearly does nothing. Once you’re finally in, the app is cumbersome to navigate and alter settings. If you’re not going to do the app properly and instead outsource its development (which I would hope it has been, since if this was in-house I’d be ashamed to put my name to it), just don’t have an app at all. ### 1/5 — Substantially Worse Experience *2025-08-29, version 2.1.10* This app somehow got worse with each update. It displays multiple units while searching with the same name (a sequence of letter led and numbers at first good, luck deciphering that while you’re in a roof cavity), will not connect to said units without an hour of closing & reopening the app. You can now no longer flash the LED on a displayed device before connecting to it, instead you have to just connect and hope it’s the device you’re after or else wait for it to “download settings” which clearly does nothing. Once you’re finally in, the app is cumbersome to navigate and alter settings. If you’re not going to do the app properly and instead outsource its development (which I would hope it has been, since if this was in-house I’d be ashamed to put my name to it), just don’t have an app at all. ### 1/5 — App does not work! Can I get refund on hardware !!!!!!!! *2025-08-28, version 2.1.10* App does not work! Can I get refund on hardware !!!!!!!! ### 1/5 — Buy Star link mobile don’t waste money *2025-07-03* I have both cel fi roam and star link mobile set up in the car. Cel fi will let you down more times than you can count. Won’t connect to wave app so you can’t update and check on the function of the unit. Signal is boosted f all when it does and you make calls it drops out. For $1000 it is junk. Star link mobile cost $350 will connect anywhere no matter how remote you are, multiple people can be connected and once and pay so you go plans starting at $50 month with no lock in (before you go traveling depending on how long you are away just pay the $50 and then cancel when your back till the next trip away) and install of the star link takes 30 seconds. really disappointed in the cel fi because it let me down when I needed it the most and if I didn’t have the star link I would of had to of called emergency services because of the situation I was in. Don’t waste your time and money on this. ### 1/5 — Latest ‘Update’ rendered the product Useless *2025-04-25* Since the latest update, the R41 Roam is now an expensive paperweight! When trying to write to the support webform, it keeps erroring saying ‘this field is required’ despite the field being filled in! What the actual???? Pay nearly $1000 for this product and get less than useless support and a product that doesn’t work! ### 1/5 — Stay away *2025-04-13, version 2.1.7* App implies my system is configured and working correctly, but not getting any additional signal strength. Whole system is a waste of money. ### 1/5 — Worse *2025-04-11, version 2.1.6* This app has gone downhill after the last update or two. It rarely connects with the most recent update making it almost useless. ### 1/5 — Terrible app *2024-12-28* One of the worst apps I’ve had the displeasure of using. Spending over a grand on their hardware which barely does what it supposed to and then the app is even worse. So hard to connect, without jumping through hoops. Even the tech help just say try turning it off and on again. That’s the best they can come up with. I use Victron gear and their app works flawlessly every time. They need to take a page out of their books and fire the current people in charge of apps Don’t waste your money on their devices, total waste of time. ### 1/5 — It never connect to the app worse app ever *2024-11-16, version 2.1.4* It never connect to the app 1/10 it might work n then disappear worse app ever the older model n app was much better to connect to . ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Update booster *2026-06-24* Used the app to update firmware in a booster that had quit working. Worked great! ### 5/5 — Cannot connect after today’s release *2024-02-02* The current version is working well. Thank you. ### 5/5 — Great booster *2023-07-23* Great booster and cel fi customer service is very responsive. It can be a lot to install one of these and get it calibrated correctly. Most the negative reviews are from people who could not figure out installation or gave up and wanted to complain. Without this product I wouldn’t be able to work from home. ### 5/5 — Stay logged in *2022-11-10, version 1.27.10* Each time you go back to the vehicle started up and go you have to keep logging back in. How do you auto log back in? ### 5/5 — Works great *2021-08-11* The booster hardware and this app are working great, boosting an intermittent 1 bar signal to a 3 bar usable LTE. I would like to see the app show more descriptive device state. It can take the booster several minutes to start up. This app will sit for a long time at “syncing data” and then show zeros for all incoming signal strength until the app is restarted. Meanwhile other users are getting signal and working, so we know the booster is functioning despite this app showing all zeros for incoming strength. I would like to see the app get to the signal strength meters faster, and to better identify the device state (“booting up” “scanning” “service detected”) so it’s clearer if I’m really getting zero signal vs device isn’t up yet. ### 5/5 — Living on the road *2019-08-29* Top bit of gear, travel full time and still able to keep up with our business and keep in touch in more spots then just mobile service would allow us. Recommend highly! ### 5/5 — Works for me. *2019-01-05* I read the terrible reviews and wasn’t going to download it but found it was the quickest way to register the unit - to my surprise App works perfectly for me and my supplier said they use it all the time without any major problems. Would have saved me time and frustration if I had of downloaded it first up- give it a try. ### 5/5 — Fixed my issue with 2 sets of Tmobile boosters *2018-01-27* This simple app helped me fix issues I was having with 2 sets of boosters from Tmobile. The issue was that the boosters were defaulting to band 2 over band 12 or 4 and would not release it even after multiple resets. The first unit I thought the booster was defective because first power up it had 4-5 bars then boom down to one and LTE dropped off. Multiple resets and no change. I sent it back to Tmobile and they sent another. Same result I turned it in 5 bars I smile wait 5 min and jumps to one bar and my frustration starts. I thought it was defective as well. I called my networking friend and he said download this app and see if band 2 is checked! By simply downloading this app going to my coverage unit opening the app clicking the booster settings tab and I checking band 2 was all it took. It took me 1 min to fix the issue I was having for 6 weeks. This app also shows some basic networking statistics as well for you. It may not have every option a technician needs but it suited my needs nicely and by the way it was FREE. Thank you for this app!!! ### 5/5 — Very cool *2015-08-25* Installed this today. I could connect to my Cel-Fi Pro in a few minutes. Very easy to use. This app does everything it is supposed to do. I found a better place for the network unit by reading the signal strength on the app. Now, signal boosters are part of The Internet Of Things family! ### 4/5 — Thanks for fixing the dashboard *2023-06-19* Please allow the user to see phone’s info (cell signal strength - bars) while the app is running. Sadly, many iPhones will not stay connected to your boosted signals. The iPhones connect, then revert to the much weaker signal coming from outside or the iPhones indicate no cellular service at all after disconnecting from your boosted signals. --- *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 2026-08-21.*