# CloudSpotter – See the Sky with New Eyes and Discover the Fantastic World of Clouds

> Identify and learn about cloud formations with a gamified virtual guide. (iPhone/iPad app by Cloud Appreciation Ltd.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cloudspotter-see-the-sky-with-new-eyes-and-discover-the-fantastic-world-of-clouds/id642898668 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Cloud Appreciation Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1039373550)
- Category: Education, Weather
- Price: $2.99
- Rating: 3.19/5 from 31 App Store ratings · 111 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 9.0 · 116 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2013-06-05
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cloudspotter-see-the-sky-with-new-eyes-and-discover-the-fantastic-world-of-clouds/id642898668/reviews.md

## What is CloudSpotter?

* * Featured on the Wall Street Journal, BBC, The Guardian, TED, VICE Motherboard • Won Editors' Choice Award from PCMagazine * * 

* * Looking up will never be the same again! Discover the amazing and unexpected world of clouds with CloudSpotter, your virtual guide to the wonders of the sky. Unlock Stars and Achievements for each new cloud type you spot, and compete with other CloudSpotters around the world! * *

* * * 

From the fluffy Cumulus that form on a sunny day, to the rare Noctilucent clouds that shine from the fringes of space, the fleeting beauty and endless variety of clouds have have always fascinated scientists and daydreamers alike.

Fall in love again with this sense of wonder and dreaminess with CloudSpotter, created by Gavin Pretor-Pinney, bestselling author, winner of the Royal Society Winton Prize for Science Books and founder of The Cloud Appreciation Society.

Introducing 40 uniquely different cloud species and light phenomena with hundreds of spectacular photographs and extensive descriptions, CloudSpotter enables you to easily identify and spot them as you look up the sky every day.

Even better yet, CloudSpotter turns cloudspotting into a unique reality-based game by challenging you to earn Stars, unlock Achievement Badges and compete against other CloudSpotters around the world as you build your cloud collection.

A perfect sky-gazing companion for long walks, cross-country road trips or train rides, and above the clouds from the window seat of a plane, where you might even spot the elusive Glory optical effect; a beautiful halo of rainbow colors around your shadow.

* * *

FEATURES:

• The CLOUD LIBRARY features 40 unique cloud formations and optical effects, from the common Rainbow to the rare and beautiful Asperitas cloud, with hundreds of stunning photos and all of Gavin's entertaining explanatory notes from the Cloud Collector's Handbook. Learn what makes each formation special, and how to identify the clouds and light phenomena you spot in the sky.

• You win STARS for each new cloud type you successfully spot. The rarer the cloud, the more Stars you earn! Grow your CLOUD COLLECTION and complete special challenges to earn 20 beautiful, hand-drawn CloudSpotter ACHIEVEMENT BADGES.

• Our team of cloud experts carefully verifies each spotting. That’s right, real people will look at your cloud photos to confirm whether you identified them right!

• Collect all 40 cloud formations and complete your CloudSpotter collection with 115 Stars to clear the legendary TRIUMPH IN THE SKIES Achievement.

• Not sure about the kind of cloud or optical effect you see? The unique CLOUD IDENTIFIER makes figuring out what exactly you are spotting a breeze! Just answer a few questions, and CloudSpotter will tell you what exactly you are most likely looking at.

• Compete against your friends and CloudSpotters around the globe: See how well you fare against the growing worldwide community of cloud lovers on the app’s RANKINGS. 

• Browse the CLOUDSTREAM, a live feed of weird and wonderful cloud photographs by other CloudSpotters worldwide. Every day, we select our favorite photo and feature it at the top. If one of your photographs is selected, it will earn you the special "Photo of the Day" Achievement Badge. Not an easy get!

* * *

LOVE FOR CLOUDS AND CLOUDSPOTTER:

"I can strongly recommend the app. It's a fun, educational, and challenging tool to help you identify, understand, and appreciate the wide variety of clouds that float above our world." (Tony Hoffman, PCMagazine – Editor Rating: Excellent)

"It makes you stare into the sky and think about what you are seeing. And as you start to understand what each cloud in the sky is, you start to appreciate them more." (Shaun McGill, Lost in Mobile)

"The best part was seeing photos of clouds snapped by other users!" (Tatiana Baez, VICE Motherboard)

* * *

Read more about CloudSpotter and preview our introduction video "The World of Clouds" on CloudSpotterApp.com.

## Key features

- Cloud library with 40 formations and effects
- Hundreds of spectacular photographs
- Gamified spotting with stars and achievements
- Expert verification of cloud sightings
- Cloud identifier tool
- Global leaderboards and rankings

## What do users think of CloudSpotter?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 🎓 Educational cloud identification library with detailed descriptions
- 🎮 Gamification with badges and stars motivates engagement
- 📸 Expert verification system validates cloud identifications
- ☁️ Inspires users to observe and appreciate the sky
- 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Fun family activity that encourages outdoor observation
- 🌍 Community aspect with global cloud spotting contributions
- 📚 Well-designed interface with helpful visual examples
- 💡 Unique niche app with no real competitors

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues across iOS versions
- 🔐 Mandatory account creation and login requirements
- 📱 Outdated app design and aging interface
- ⚠️ Lack of customer support and unresponsive developers
- 🌍 Location detection broken - shows wrong geographic areas
- ⏱️ Slow expert verification process for submissions
- 📊 Static 'Recently Spotted' feed that never updates
- ❌ Outdated cloud information (e.g., asperitas recognition)
- 🚫 Cannot upload photos from camera roll
- 📷 Poor in-app camera quality and limited controls

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes on launch or during use
- Forced logout requiring re-authentication frequently
- Photos disappear after upload before verification
- Upload failures with no error explanation
- Incompatibility with iOS updates (iOS 8, iOS 15.1)
- Registration dropdown menus non-functional
- No account creation option available
- App won't open after iOS updates
- Internet connection errors despite active connection
- Previous photo persists when attempting new capture
- Unverified photos cannot be deleted
- Location services showing incorrect regions
- Star and badge counts not updating correctly
- Broken developer contact links
- Photo metadata not being read properly

**Most requested features**

- Zoom functionality for camera and photos
- Ability to upload existing photos from camera roll
- Feedback on incorrect identifications from moderators
- Option to delete unverified or failed uploads
- Flash control and exposure adjustment in camera
- Ability to edit or replace photos in collection
- Comment/note feature for photo context
- Better location services and regional cloud filtering
- More detailed camera controls (focus, contrast, resolution)
- Ability to resubmit rejected photos with different identification
- Connection and messaging between users
- Metadata reading to verify photo authenticity
- More cloud types and optical phenomena in library
- Daily challenges or competitive features
- Map view of cloud sightings
- Ability to disable flash
- Text size adjustment for accessibility
- Wi-Fi only upload option
- Larger photo resolution support

## Recent user reviews (10 of 111)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cloudspotter-see-the-sky-with-new-eyes-and-discover-the-fantastic-world-of-clouds/id642898668/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Little Use

*2024-06-02*

The app does not work in identifying clouds other than what you could find by your own research. Using the iOS, the app did little in interacting with the photos at least in my own experience in trying to research the clouds or identify them.

### 1/5 — LOL

*2024-05-25*

This app is so old

### 2/5 — Is this app still being monitored?

*2024-05-11*

I heard about this app recently while reading about clouds online and thought I’d give it a try. When I first opened the app, I was really excited, and couldn’t wait to start uploading clouds, but I’ve since noticed there are a few issues, some of them major:

Under asperitas clouds, it says that the cloud has not yet been recognized. This isn’t try, however, as asperitas could were officially recognized in 2017. As of the time of writing this review, it is 2024, meaning this information is woefully out of date.

I listed my location as the United States when I regestered, but all the “nearby” clouds are located in Iceland. I’m not entirely sure why this happened, and there’s no real personal profile I can go onto in order to fix/edit anything.

Perhaps most frustratingly, I uploaded some cloud photographs several days ago, and they have yet to be confirmed by the team of experts the app tells me it has. Also concerningly, none of the clouds on the recently spotted page have changed since I uploaded mine. Is this app even being monitored anymore?

### 1/5 — App not working

*2023-11-15*

Paid and downloaded. Registered but wouldn’t let me in. Kept dropping out and returning to the app icon.

### 1/5 — Sign-In?

*2023-06-20*

App downloaded then promptly deleted. Not entirely sure why an app to ID clouds requires a mandatory login and password, unless just another way to acquire data for third-party sale. Why can we not opt to not upload our own photos “to experts”? Fed up with 1,001 logins to random things sprawling across the internet. Not for me.

### 2/5 — Can’t create an account??

*2023-03-12*

I took my photo. I did’t have an account. So I figured I’d better create one. There is NO PLACE to create an account, only a place to log in. That is ridiculous! So I guess I’ll just have to delete the app.

### 1/5 — Poorly documented

*2022-09-11*

Lacks adequate help text. Irritatingly childish video keeps popping up. Support address don’t respond

### 5/5 — I can’t take my eyes off the sky

*2022-03-30, version 1.2.1*

I’m a pilot who struggled with meteorology when studying for my exams. This app really helped me understand weather to the point where it became a hobby! After learning all the cloud types I felt on sync with the atmosphere and it’s workings as an art. Now I just can’t take my eyes off the sky. If you haven’t read The Cloudspotter’s Guide by Gavin Pretor-Pinney, I also recommend.

### 5/5 — Problems uploading

*2022-01-13*

Since my iPhone 8+ upgraded to iOS 15.1, I have not been able to upload ANY clouds to the CloudSpotter app. I have deleted and reinstalled the app several times, which seems to be the solution, but it is not ideal and most tedious! HELP! I’m a very keen CloudSpotter and have been doing so with the CloudSpotter app since 2013.

### 3/5 — Error Correction

*2021-12-14, version 1.2.1*

When uploading a cloud photo that is incorrectly identified, it would be nice to know what cloud it actually is. This would help with learning and proper identification. I realize the verification of clouds is likely done by volunteers so this may not be possible. Also, which clouds are considered ‘rain clouds’ for achieving the Silver Lining badge of a rain cloud and a rainbow in the same day. Would it be any cloud that produces rain light, heavy or otherwise? Thank you :) ⛅️🌦⛈☁️🌨🌩 Finally, how do I delete failed uploads from my cloud collection? Thank you for this fun, educational app! Trish

## Frequently asked questions about CloudSpotter

### What does CloudSpotter do?

CloudSpotter acts as your virtual guide to the sky, helping you identify and learn about 40 different cloud species and light phenomena. It provides detailed descriptions, hundreds of photographs, and turns cloudspotting into an engaging game with stars and achievements.

### What are the key features of CloudSpotter?

Key features include a comprehensive cloud library with stunning photos and expert notes, a gamified system for earning stars and achievements, an easy-to-use cloud identifier tool, and global leaderboards to compete with other users.

### How much does CloudSpotter cost?

Based on the provided information, CloudSpotter is a paid application. There are no mentions of in-app purchases or advertisements, suggesting a one-time purchase model.

### What kind of cloud formations can I identify with this app?

The app features 40 unique cloud formations and optical effects, ranging from common types like Cumulus and Rainbow to rarer ones such as Noctilucent clouds and Asperitas. Each is accompanied by detailed descriptions and photographs.

### Who created CloudSpotter and is it reliable?

CloudSpotter was created by Gavin Pretor-Pinney, a bestselling author and founder of The Cloud Appreciation Society. Furthermore, your cloud sightings are verified by a team of cloud experts, ensuring accuracy.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.2.1 — 2016-09-07

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

• We've fixed a critical issue that could cause the app to crash when reuploading a spotting.

New features in 1.2:
• Spotting a small cloud or feature? Zoom in with the tap of a button!
• Tapped away the help screens a little too quickly? You can now view them again to your heart's content.
• App sounds are now silenced by default. If you miss them, just re-enable sounds in Settings.

Fixes in 1.2:
• Never miss a verification or a new badge: Push notfications work again.
• No more blackouts during update notifications.
• Better compatibility with iOS 9 and iPads.
• Various bugfixes and stability improvements.
• Note: If your spotting locations have been blank since the last app update, simply reinstall CloudSpotter. It's a permissions issue that can't be fixed any other way.

We won't bug you in the app to leave a review, but if you enjoy CloudSpotter, it would mean so much if you would share this by rating & reviewing the app on the App Store. Thank you!

Like fb.com/CloudSpotterApp or follow @CloudSpotterApp on Twitter to stay up to date with the latest news, and read the FAQ on our website for answers to your most frequent questions and suggestions. Happy cloudspotting!

### 1.2.0 — 2016-08-29

New features:
• Spotting a small cloud or feature? Zoom in with the tap of a button!
• Tapped away the help screens a little too quickly? You can now view them again to your heart's content.
• App sounds are now silenced by default. If you miss them, just re-enable sounds in Settings.

Fixes:
• Never miss a verification or a new badge: Push notfications work again.
• No more blackouts during update notifications.
• Better compatibility with iOS 9 and iPads.
• Various bugfixes and stability improvements.
• Note: If your spotting locations have been blank since the last app update, simply reinstall CloudSpotter. It's a permissions issue that can't be fixed any other way.

We won't bug you in the app to leave a review, but if you enjoy CloudSpotter, it would mean so much if you would share this by rating & reviewing the app on the App Store. Thank you!

Like fb.com/CloudSpotterApp or follow @CloudSpotterApp on Twitter to stay up to date with the latest news, and read the FAQ on our website for answers to your most frequent questions and suggestions. Happy cloudspotting!

### 1.1.0 — 2015-09-23

New features:
• Time to clean up the Library! You can now delete spottings, so go on and get rid of any duplicates or embarrassing mistakes (we won't tell anyone that you once submitted a photo of your shoes as a Cumulus cloud).
• Night vision activated! We've enabled camera low light mode for iPhones that support it, and disabled the flash (chances are it wouldn't reach clouds 10,000 feet away). There has never been a better time to spot those Noctilucent clouds!
• Silence speaks louder than beeps: App sounds can now be disabled in Settings. 

Fixes:
• The dreaded 111 Error is squashed. Huzzah!
• Much improved compatibility with iOS 8 and iOS 9.
• We've updated all references to the new cloud type, identified with the help of this app. The World Meteorological Organisation are accepting it as a new classification and have slightly changed our 'Asperatus' name to the new official one: 'Asperitas'. History in the making!
• Various text corrections and some clarifications to the cloud identification details.

We won't bug you in the app to leave a review, but if you enjoy CloudSpotter, it would mean so much if you would share this by rating & reviewing the app on the App Store. Thank you!

Like fb.com/CloudSpotterApp or follow @CloudSpotterApp on Twitter to stay up to date with the latest news, and read the FAQ on our website for answers to your most frequent questions and suggestions. Happy cloudspotting!

### 1.0.4 — 2014-02-05

• Performance and stability improvements

Coming soon: We're working to bring you new features in the next major update such as an option to delete spottings from your collection and camera zoom to enlarge parts of the sky in your photos.

Like fb.com/CloudSpotterApp or follow @CloudSpotterApp on Twitter to stay up to date with the latest news, and read the FAQ on our website for answers to your most frequent questions and suggestions. Happy cloudspotting!

### 1.0.3 — 2013-10-16

• iOS 7 compatibility
• Tweaked app icon design
• Performance and stability improvements

Coming soon: We're working to bring you new features in the next major update such as an option to delete spottings from your collection and camera zoom to enlarge parts of the sky in your photos.

Like fb.com/CloudSpotterApp or follow @CloudSpotterApp on Twitter to stay up to date with the latest news, and read the FAQ on our website for answers to your most frequent questions and suggestions. Happy cloudspotting!

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## More apps by Cloud Appreciation Ltd

- [CloudSpotter](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cloudspotter/id1314437708)

All apps by Cloud Appreciation Ltd: https://appshunter.io/developer/1039373550

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*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 2026-06-10.*