# Circle Parental Controls App — user reviews > 231 indexed App Store user reviews of Circle Parental Controls App by Circle Media Incorporated, rated 4.20/5 from 13,424 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/circle-parental-controls-app/id1440668949/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/circle-parental-controls-app/id1440668949.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 9,363 · 4★ 1,434 · 3★ 471 · 2★ 196 · 1★ 1,960 ## What do users think of Circle Parental Controls App? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 🚀 Effective at blocking content - ⏱️ Helpful for setting time limits - 👍 Allows monitoring of device usage **Cons** - 🐢 Slows down internet speed - 🔒 Privacy concerns with monitoring - 🔍 Lack of control/customization - 🤬 Causes family conflict - 💔 Damages parent-child relationship **Commonly reported bugs** - Inconsistent behavior - Connectivity issues - Difficulty setting up and managing **Most requested features** - More flexible time/content controls - Ability to whitelist/blacklist apps/sites - Better notification system - Improved performance and reliability ## Newest reviews (16 of 231) ### 2/5 — Not worth it *2026-08-16, version 2.35.0* We had this for a while and just cannot depend on it. ### 3/5 — Support chat does not work *2026-04-03, version 2.34.0* I am having an issue. Websites that I have set to filter are not being filtered. The only way to get support is through a chatbot. I have tried filling out the form, but I keep getting an error message. How can a paying subscriber get help with an issue? ### 2/5 — App is suffering neglect *2026-01-22, version 2.34.0* App is getting worse over time. The devices list takes forever to load or search. Desperately needs performance improvement ### 1/5 — Very bad *2025-11-06, version 2.34.0* I can’t contact the support , I can’t reset the password, I have paid over £50 and can’t use it. ### 2/5 — Can’t login *2025-11-06, version 2.34.0* I literally cannot login on any device because there is a bug that does not allow you to reset your password. You cannot reach out to anyone at Circle for help. When you try to fill out a form, it says you have experienced a problem and cannot do anything about it. Extremely frustrating. ### 1/5 — Kudos to the sadist who made this diabolical peice of technology! *2025-11-02, version 2.34.0* “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.” -Sherrilyn Kenyon Literally so terrible it’s funny ### 2/5 — Helpful but becoming almost unusable *2025-10-24, version 2.34.0* I really appreciate the functionality of this app…for limiting screen time and giving some rewards as necessary. But anything beyond that is absolutely horrible. Want to assign a device to a profile? Tap devices and plan to wait 30-60 seconds for it to list the first 5 devices. Want to scroll through the list of devices there or within a profile!? Probably just not going to happen. It will just freeze there for minutes. I want to love this app… I’ve paid for it for the last couple of years, but it’s basically becoming unusable ### 1/5 — Scam *2025-10-17, version 2.34.0* The app doesn’t work in my iPhone 16 and they charge you any way. Don’t waste your time and money in this app. ### 1/5 — I hate this app *2025-10-02, version 2.34.0* By chance can you delete the screen time app permanently because I don’t like having my screen time limited at all ### 2/5 — Identifying devices is impossible *2025-09-28, version 2.34.0* Everything has either the same name, a duplicate name, or random letters meant to represent the device. I have up to 6 and 7 copies of devices but can’t tell which one needs to be put under a profile AND they add themselves back after deletion. I scroll forever, adding device after device and removing is impossible. This has been an issue from the start with this app. ### 1/5 — Won’t refund *2025-08-23, version 2.33.0* Have tried multiple times to cancel this and it won’t let me. Just a monthly theft - don’t trust this app. ### 2/5 — Parent user *2025-08-20, version 2.33.0* Circle needs to invest in their app. It is extremely glitchy. When I go to search for a specific device, like our Samsung tv it will pull up all the Samsung products. Then, if I click the wrong one and the click back to choose the next in the list, it makes me restart the entire search. Normally that wouldn’t be a big deal, but the app moves like molasses! It’s ridiculously slow! We pay good money for this device and expect better. Disappointed. ### 1/5 — I hate it *2025-08-02, version 2.33.0* When I was trying to do a FNCS it ruined it now $20,000 gone for my hands ### 1/5 — Disappointed *2025-07-16, version 2.33.0* This is the SLOWEST app in the history of apps! Plus the kids have managed to bypass it and can get into any website they like even when we have blocked them or paused their profile. It’s a very expensive annual subscription, and along with the hardware, a huge waste of money. It’s been a frustrating two years since we first bought it. ### 1/5 — No Warning About Subscription *2025-07-06, version 2.33.0* There’s no warning before you download this app that it only works if you subscribe and pay a monthly or yearly fee. Any app that wastes my time by making me download it without saying upfront that it’s subscription-based will get one star from me. Enjoy the star ### 1/5 — Very good *2025-07-05, version 2.33.0* The child in picture looks like she was forced to do this and she looks very sad. Pls help her. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — bad *2026-06-25, version 2.34.0* it’s useless and costs money $ ### 1/5 — whoever thought of this terrible thing deserves to go device-free their entire life *2026-06-17, version 2.34.0* do NOT download this dumbahh app for ur kids. first of all it doesn’t do anything bc they can just delete the vpn or swap it with another one, and they’ll also just hate you more. don’t get mad at your kids, bc we literally live in a digital age, so syau. secondly, this app costs money, and like i said the vpn can easily be disabled. so unless you check ur notifs every single day at all times, then u prob won’t notice, and nothing will change. your child will just keep doomscrolling for 3 hours straight. btw this stupid app even blocks reddit like wtf? i’m looking for flippin reading recommendations and it brings me to a page saying the network isn’t secure or some bs like that and that reddit is gonna steal my personal info LIKE ARE WE DEADASS?? and my mom literally gave me 15 mins of amazon??? AMAZON, OF ALL THINGS? SO I CANT EVEN SHOP NOW. and i’m not even buying anything on there mind you. when i do i obviously double check with her. so yeah i literally can’t do anything. ### 1/5 — Garbage App *2026-04-13, version 2.34.0* Company was sold and now the product and the company are useless, no support the new company has no idea ### 1/5 — Why I hate it *2026-03-12, version 2.34.0* It’s bc it controls what I do and how I use my internet my internet, internet was made for kids to learn without having to have much money but companies like this one control that and I hate it. Have a nice day ### 1/5 — Paying user can’t reach support *2026-03-01, version 2.34.0* I’ve been a paying user for several years. We are experiencing technical issues with the system no longer operating correctly. I have tried reaching support, to no avail. The contact form on the website gives an error repeatedly; the AI chat bot goes in an endless loop; and my emails to support remain unanswered. It is unacceptable to not be able to communicate with a human for a paid service. (Despite them responding below and asking me to email them — AGAIN — at the same email account, my multiple contact attempts still remain unanswered. This is truly unbelievable at this point!) ### 1/5 — Paying user can’t reach support *2026-02-22, version 2.34.0* I’ve been a paying user for several years. We are experiencing technical issues with the system no longer operating correctly. I have tried reaching support, to no avail. The contact form on the website gives an error repeatedly; the AI chat bot goes in an endless loop; and my emails to support remain unanswered. It is unacceptable to not be able to communicate with a human for a paid service. Will be canceling and looking for an alternative. ### 1/5 — Don’t use *2026-02-20, version 2.34.0* It tells you you are in apps when you’re not and destroys your phone do not recommend ### 1/5 — Stopped working *2026-02-19, version 2.34.0* Trying to contact support on the website is not working (only AI responses) and there is no way to actually get in touch with anyone. The form on the website gives an error every time. I found an email address online but never got a response. ### 1/5 — WTF *2025-12-31, version 2.34.0* THIS APP DOES NOT DESERVE ANYTHING ABOVE 1 STAR. 1. easy to bypass 2. glitches out 3. uses time even if your phone is off 4. DESTROYS parent to child relationship also not to mention that all the good reviews are BOTS and STAFF GFYS HOE ### 1/5 — No Customer Sevice or supports exists *2025-12-30, version 2.34.0* This is the most useless device and app of all time. Have any issues at all with it and good luck - you’re now totally on your own with outdated hardware AND software ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Caught my cheating spouse 💯 *2026-04-14, version 2.34.0* Life has taught me that you can't control someone's loyalty. No matter how good you are to them, it doesn't mean that they will treat you the same way. I have been married to my husband for years with no idea he was cheating. Suddenly i started noticing changes in behavior, i suspected something was wrong So i confided in a friend who convinced and introduced me to an hacker. He was able to hack into my husband mobile phone to access his Text messages, Call logs, IG, browser history, deleted messages, Emails and WhatsApp remotely. It seemed as though my life was spinning out of control getting to find out he has someone else. I filed for a divorce just could not continue with his lies. If you feel you have been exploited in your marriage and you need proof. I suggest you contact Micheal on his gmail and thank me later, he's into any hacking related issues and can solve all hacking problem contact ( hackspymaster@ gmailcom ) to clear your doubt Tell him I recommend ### 5/5 — Caught my cheating spouse 💯 *2026-04-02, version 2.34.0* I highly recommend this app. I've been thoroughly impressed with the services of (hackspymaster @ gmail. Com), who is a very reliable private investigator. Their service is incredibly effective and resourceful. With their assistance, I was able to remotely access my partner's cellphone and monitor her activities. The service was untraceable and remote, so she was unaware. I quickly caught her cheating, thanks to Lance, who helped me uncover the truth. ### 5/5 — Yo chat, 17yr cyber security nerd *2026-02-04, version 2.34.0* If you want to get this goofy app off yo phone I would recommend a few things. Get an VPN and yes ik it's prob disabled but few years back it worked for me and I just swaped it. if your parents don't look at their notifications then that would be good because it notifys them when you disconnect from wifi or vpn. Few VPN apps I would recommend would be ornet, xvpn, windscribe. Now if your dad works in the IT department that won't work you will have to find a VPN app in disguise. Now if that ain't work use the simple screen record and have them enter password on your phone. I'm lowk tired so like I'ma end it here but there are several ways. Just use that head of yours twin. ### 5/5 — I HATE THIS SOOO MUCH *2026-01-24, version 2.34.0* It’s I such a bad app I really do not like it my mom and dad love this i hate it! ### 5/5 — Nope *2024-05-12, version 2.31.1* i dont need that cuz i am 15 ### 5/5 — Life saver and brain saver too! *2023-12-23, version 2.31.1* Even if it takes a bit of work, this application is really worth it to be honest with you for a long while my children didn’t know why their devices suddenly didn’t work, but this controls everything from iPhones to iPads to computers and TVs even the echo that we have, and didn’t realize the children had figured out how to watch shows from them this is worth the cost of the device as well as the subscription to make sure this is functional ### 5/5 — Great for blocking devices *2022-10-10, version 2.31.1* I use other software to manage apps and control screen time but this one is great for being able to just hit a button and turn everything off in the home ### 5/5 — Circle *2022-09-16, version 2.31.1* Test ### 5/5 — The best parent control *2022-08-01, version 2.31.1* I have tried several routers with parent control.. This is the best one that I know.. ### 5/5 — Could be improved *2022-02-09* First off I’m not parent using this to nany-cam their child as I am the child in question, although I will try to look at it from the perspective of a parent just take this review with a grain of salt. If you were a parent I can see the uses for this app (Thus the rating of 5 stars) as it can prevent unwanted materials such as violence or pornography from crossing your child’s screen. (As the child in question I can verify that it does a REALLY good job at this) Sometimes though you may want to allow you child to access X and not Y even though they are in the 17+ category. This can cause some issues though as let’s say your child needs to do a research project on the Holocaust but you don’t want the child to be at risk of seeing pornography… I propose that the developers add a “Custom” restriction so that the child my be able to access X but not Y. Although another thing that some may want added is the ability to chose what apps take up your time limit. For example it would be annoying when I try to do something in the settings app but it takes me 30mins to figure it out only to have 30mins left to do whatever else… In conclusion this app is great if you want to manage the material that might come across your child’s screen but, this can be somewhat infuriating from the child’s perspective as it adds a time limit to almost everything. Anyways have a great day! --- *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.*