# Circle 1st generation — user reviews > 340 indexed App Store user reviews of Circle 1st generation by Circle Media Incorporated, rated 4.60/5 from 28,383 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/circle-1st-generation/id1037062934/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/circle-1st-generation/id1037062934.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 21,779 · 4★ 4,600 · 3★ 1,021 · 2★ 190 · 1★ 793 ## What do users think of Circle 1st generation? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 🚀 Works great - 🔒 Helpful for internet safety - 👍 Customizable and flexible - 💡 Allows controlling devices **Cons** - 🐛 Buggy and unreliable - 🔍 Difficult to set up and use - 💰 Expensive subscription - 🔍 Lacks important features - 🔽 Slows down internet speed **Commonly reported bugs** - Incompatible with certain routers - Devices not detected properly - Time limits not working as expected - App crashes after iOS updates **Most requested features** - Better device identification - Easier profile management - More granular time controls - Remote access from anywhere ## Newest reviews (20 of 340) ### 3/5 — 2nd devise *2026-04-07, version 2.1.12* It is extremely difficult to log in unless you have ultra-fast internet or are connected to Wi-Fi. There is no web-based access; you have to constantly monitor who is trying to connect in order to grant them entry. If you happen to turn off your phone or your IP address changes, you won't be able to log in to grant access. You really need to have multiple phones—or perhaps tablets—running the app just to be able to grant access. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work with new updates *2025-04-27, version 2.1.12* I own a Netgear Nighthawk Rax80 but with recent updates I am not able enable or manage devices ### 1/5 — Always loses settings and can’t log in *2025-04-10, version 2.1.12* I’ve had this supper for four years and it’s not that great. Anytime you reset your router you lose literally everything. I don’t understand why they can’t save a profile under your email address. It’s incredibly frustrating. And now my circle will not link up. Even though I’ve spent my annual fee. ### 1/5 — They keeping charging your credit card *2025-03-21, version 2.1.12* So my Orbi WiFi/router WiFi died back in dec’2024. I just found that they are still charging me monthly. And the app does not work unless you have the Orbi router. So I have no way to cancel … wtw. They need to walk the ‘SHAME’ line. Ripoff artists! ### 1/5 — I’d give zero stars if I could *2025-02-05, version 2.1.12* This thing is trash :D ### 2/5 — Worked “ok” for a while. Now abandoned. *2025-01-05, version 2.1.12* Just stopped working one fine day. I don’t think the developers ever really took care of this app. They were happy to collect the subscription charge for the year though. And this app and the successor apps. ### 1/5 — Good app until you get locked out *2024-12-27, version 2.1.12* I’ve used this app for a number of years and it works great. However, when I got a new phone and had to reinstall the app, I forgot my pin and was not able to get it sent to me. For whatever reason, the app would not send me the pin as a text message. And once you forget your pin, it’s over. You can’t get back into the app. So I guess I’m just canceling my subscription now since it’s like flushing $50 per year down the drain. ### 1/5 — Terrible *2024-11-24, version 2.1.12* This app never should have been made in the first place, it caused us soooo many problems and it barely even works at all. ### 1/5 — Password *2024-10-14, version 2.1.12* Doesn’t allow me to reset password. It doesn’t send a text to my phone. I’ve had the same number for 16+ years. Wish there were more options to access the app ### 1/5 — Engaño. Cuidado Suscripcion *2024-10-11, version 2.1.12* Indican un periodo de prueba y cobran directamente el año ### 1/5 — No longer works *2024-09-07, version 2.1.12* It constantly asks me for a passcode that I never set up in the past and when that doesn’t work it asks to text me a code, but I never receive a code. Extremely frustrated. ### 1/5 — Never worked *2024-08-24, version 2.1.12* I paid for the full version and it the won’t accept the subscription. Not sure what’s going on but it’s been a waste of £48.99 ### 1/5 — Keeps crashing *2024-08-24, version 2.1.12* This app has a lot of potential but it’s very glitchy. Everytime I try to subscribe as a premium user, I get an error message and it suggest I close the app and wait a while to open it back up. I’ve tried twice to subscribe and had to request refunds. I really wish they’d fix it because it would be really awesome to use. ### 1/5 — Unusable *2024-07-29, version 2.1.12* Admin passcode does not get sent as sms ### 3/5 — New Iphone version, Circle broke *2024-06-11, version 2.1.12* With Ios 17.5.1, circle stopped working. I did factory reset on my netgear and now circle is going in loop on screen Your Router is Compatible. ### 1/5 — Terrible software. Not free yet doesn’t work *2024-06-11, version 2.1.12* Worst parental controls I’ve ever used. Extremely difficult to set up. Then it can just lose all those settings randomly, so you have to go through the whole process again. Right now it isn’t working correctly at all. It’s like the clock is wrong so it blocks tv when it shouldn’t and works when it shouldn’t. I don’t see a place to set the clock, so I have to manage it manually. I can’t believe I am paying for this garbage. I’ve used much better free software on routers made by other manufacturers. Stay away! ### 1/5 — Subscribed on AppStore but it won’t recognize subscription *2024-06-06* Subscribed on App Store but it won’t recognize and asks to subscribe again. If I try to subscribe again, it says you already have subscription. If I try to restore subscription, it says I don’t have subscription. ### 2/5 — Slows your internet *2024-05-07, version 2.1.12* Blocks unwanted sites but slows your internet down. ### 1/5 — NO LONGER SUPPORTED *2024-04-29, version 2.1.12* Do not use. They’ve long since closed this down. Do not pay for this service. ### 2/5 — Deletes all devices after while, tired of starting over!!! *2024-04-18, version 2.1.12* This is a great app WHEN IT WORKS. It seems like every 8-12 months it deletes all of my info and for a day or so there is no monitoring , I just happen to notice it when I tap in to control a device. What in the world!!? I use it with my Netgear Orbi as an included feature and still pay the $6/mo or so for the service. Seems there are other services that are portable and will back up my account so this doesn’t happen. Very disappointed that it’s not a consistent, reliable product. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — もう使えないのかな？ *2026-04-07* 何も動作しないと思いますが、これはまだ使えるのでしょうか。疑問です。 **Developer response:** We would love the opportunity to assist you further, please email us at help@meetcircle.com and our support team will assist you as soon as possible. Thank you ! ### 1/5 — No longer works and should be removed from the App Store *2026-02-26, version 2.1.12* Worked okay for about a year then stopped. No way to reactivate it so had to cancel subscription and delete the app. Netgear should withdraw it from the website and let customers know as it appears it’s no longer supported. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work *2026-01-18, version 2.1.12* Won’t work at all! Can’t even get it started. Sure hope I won’t get billed! ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work *2025-09-16, version 2.1.12* I actually paid for the app to give it a try and it doesn’t consistently block sites that are set the be blocked AND if I’m paying to see history of each device then it should save that information for a few days. Nope only a few hours. So am I suppose to keep checking history every few hours??? Seriously not a poorly designed and poorly thought out app. Shame. ### 1/5 — Useless app esp for NETGEAR *2025-09-10, version 2.1.12* The app never even fires up, just keeps rotating ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work *2025-08-31, version 2.1.12* Keeps asking to enable I click it few seconds later ask to enable won’t do anything other then a cycle of asking to enable ### 1/5 — Circle is now FLAT *2025-08-26, version 2.1.12* Circle was an amazing app at one point. It worked great with my Netgear Router, I could control all me devices from anywhere at anytime. Then the company spiraled like a Kamikaze Fighter and Splattered flat to the ground. Does anyone have a tip on another company that can do what Circle use to be. ### 1/5 — Seriously bad app *2025-08-14, version 2.1.12* I have a Netgear Nighthawk r7000 router from 5 years old. I need to download and install the app. So far so good. Enable circle is active in the Nighthawk app. I continue in the Circle app Get started. Next Enable circle. All i get is a smiley with the words your device is compatible. Nowhere support to find or able to contact customerservice. There is no other app available for the router. Do something about it. And no i will not buy a new device. ### 1/5 — Pretty Useless *2025-07-19, version 2.1.12* It will alert me that a new device has joined my network, but my device list has hundreds of unknown devices and there’s no way to tell which one just connected! Here’s an idea: show a date and time the device last connected!!! Useless as it is. ### 1/5 — Doesn't work *2025-05-16, version 2.1.12* This app is impossible to use. All devices are stated as unknown device and you can't find the one to put controls on. Have uninstalled after wasting an incredible amount of time. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Should not be 4+ *2022-09-20, version 2.1.12* This is an adult app and should be rated as such. Kids could download and override. ### 5/5 — Don’t worry it’s good *2021-06-11, version 2.1.12* I get really stressed with my parents handing this but look guys when your older your going to understand why your parents did this for you ### 5/5 — Très bonne application *2021-04-03* Application qui permet un filtrage très précis et efficace pour tous mes produits connectés à mon réseau orbi rbr20. Une des très rares applications où j’ai accepté de payer, car pour moi il n’y a pas d’équivalent sur le store. C’est la seule application qui résiste encore au piratage de mon ado ;-) ### 5/5 — Please Read *2021-02-03, version 2.1.11* So, what is the point of having internet if you’re not allowed to use it? My parents use this app so much that I don’t know what I’m even allowed to do at this point. I can’t even do online school without this app getting in the way. I’m giving this app a five star review because it works perfectly but my parents over use this. It’s making it hard as ever to make friends because I can’t contact them online or even play video games with them. I’m 16 and I can’t do anything. ### 5/5 — Essential and Easy Parental Controls *2021-01-07, version 2.1.11* Love the Gen 1 device and not paying subscription. ### 5/5 — Excellent device to keep children and teens safe. *2020-11-30, version 2.1.10* Even though the kids and teens despise it. It has helped keep our family safe a, focused, and on track. ### 5/5 — Amazing *2020-10-23, version 2.1.10* Exactly what I was looking for! It’s integrated into our Netgear router and works seamlessly. No more fighting with kids over devices, TVs, bedtimes, app limits, nothing. Set it up and forget it! They know what time things are cutting off and are prepared for it. Again, no more fussing and asking, it just happens. No more thought on our part, it’s just set to go on and off as needed. You can always add reward time as needed too. Just what I was looking for to control everything in the house by grouping devices to each child. Been using over a month and it Lundy be easier. Thanks!! ### 5/5 — روعه *2020-10-21, version 2.1.10* الجهاز روعه ومفيد لضبط الاستخدام..انصحه وبشده لأولياء الامور ### 5/5 — Helpful partner but *2020-09-12* Initially I didn’t sign up for this application because it was separate from the router. But after power strike on my other router, I decided to give it a try and it was amazing. The ability to divide out all of my equipment was great. We’ve been having someone hack our Internet from across the street and this was a great way to consolidate all the TVs all of the specific equipment in one profile and watch the activities and filter them out. One of the problems with this application is if hackers name their stuff with a period in front of it or a name and then just a period with no extension the application does not allow the site to be blocked. I consider this a big oversight but the application is still very helpful in filtering. ### 5/5 — Sets limits *2020-08-14, version 2.1.9* Circle allows me to set and enforce healthy limits to screen use in our family of teenagers, when they find it almost impossible to set limits for themselves. It is easy to set up and navigate. Now that kids have more power over the information they consume, Circle gives me the ability to filter on an age appropriate basis. I use it together with Apple screen time on iPhones as sometimes tech needs to simply go off. --- *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 2026-08-28.*