# CloudSpotter – See the Sky with New Eyes and Discover the Fantastic World of Clouds — user reviews > 111 indexed App Store user reviews of CloudSpotter by Cloud Appreciation Ltd, rated 3.19/5 from 31 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cloudspotter-see-the-sky-with-new-eyes-and-discover-the-fantastic-world-of-clouds/id642898668/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cloudspotter-see-the-sky-with-new-eyes-and-discover-the-fantastic-world-of-clouds/id642898668.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 11 · 4★ 4 · 3★ 5 · 2★ 2 · 1★ 9 ## 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- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues across iOS versions - 🔐 Mandatory account creation and login requirements - 📱 Outdated app design and aging interface - ⚠️ Lack of customer support and unresponsive developers - 🌍 Location detection broken - shows wrong geographic areas - ⏱️ Slow expert verification process for submissions - 📊 Static 'Recently Spotted' feed that never updates - ❌ Outdated cloud information (e.g., asperitas recognition) - 🚫 Cannot upload photos from camera roll - 📷 Poor in-app camera quality and limited controls **Commonly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 ## Newest reviews (11 of 111) ### 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? ### 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. ### 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 ### 3/5 — Fun app *2021-05-18* Wish I could upload photos instead of having to take them within the app though! ### 3/5 — Pros and Cons *2020-03-29* Pros: •Cool cloud library with descriptions in layman’s terms. •Will definitely help you learn to ID clouds. Cons: •The in app camera access is terrible. •Cannot submit pictures from outside the app. •Moderators do not tell you correct type clouds you have misidentified. •The ‘Recently Spotted Near Me’ section never changes. I’m in Canada and it only even shows me the same 8 pictures from Africa. •No ability to connect with other users. •Many of the badges are out of reach for people without the means to travel. ### 3/5 — 3 is average *2020-02-13* Clouds spotted nearby has not been updated since I started this app - Ghana is not nearby either! 😂Update please. We do not all live in Europe so when I do travel and spot something flying over another continent I expect some recognition, but the app shows a ? for location. The reference library is set in stone so adding to it is not a badge anyone could aspire to. Daily photo’s are chosen by someone very biased to a particular cloud type at sunset. It’s fun, but frustrating. ### 3/5 — Really nice *2019-12-15, version 1.2.1* Great app. I wish it allowed uploads from my photo library, don’t always have time to take multiple pictures. Great info. ### 3/5 — Disappointed no uploads from archives *2019-12-15, version 1.2.1* I’ve been photographing clouds for years and was looking forward to getting started with some of them. I often make images with dslr cameras. How can I share those? ### 2/5 — Good app, but a year without fixing bug ! *2018-05-27* Easy to use, very nice library. It's a fun way to learn more about clouds and be able to identify them by submitting pics for confirmation. It would be nice for arbitrators to be able to give identification corrections/feedback, instead of simple rejection. IT’S BEEN A YEAR... Can't wait for the bug with the "clouds recently spotted near me" to be fixed (shows me pics from Africa - I'm in Canada). ** Wish the app included a way to reach the developer when we have an issue or suggestion. ### 2/5 — Not working correctly *2018-05-13* The app says my internet isn’t working when it is, there’s no way to see your settings or give feedback, and the developer links are all broken even on the store. Wondering as it hasn't been updated for a year if this app has fallen by the wayside? Looks pretty, and a shame if it is indeed ready for a silent burial, hence 2 stars for potential. ### 4/5 — Nice little app *2018-04-19* Love this app but I’ve been developing my own personal collection of cloud photos over the last few years so it’s a shame I’m starting all over again in the app but never mind!! One frustration is the app thinks I’m in Ghana and I can’t seem to set my location, I’d much rather be seeing clouds in my local area!! ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 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 ### 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. ### 1/5 — Poorly documented *2022-09-11* Lacks adequate help text. Irritatingly childish video keeps popping up. Support address don’t respond ### 1/5 — iOS update so it doesn’t work! *2020-11-30* This app is brilliant and would get 5 stars usually. However, since the latest iPhone update it doesn’t even open ... please fix it! ### 1/5 — Antiquated and it requires an account *2020-08-23* This is an antiquated app that requires you to sign up for an account, it is not compatible with Apple sign in, then the content is mediocre and outdated. Waste of money. ### 1/5 — Can’t use without an account. *2020-07-15, version 1.2.1* I had to pay to download, but it won’t let you use it without an account. I don’t need experts to review my pictures, or to get points. I just want to cloud spot. Useless. ### 1/5 — The cloud police *2020-01-26, version 1.2.1* I was very excited when I first learned about this app, checked it out and downloaded it to find out that you have to take photos in the spot and can’t upload from your library, which I find ridiculous. But what I found more disappointing is their assumption that people would cheat should they allow uploads, ridiculous. This is for fun, people, come on! ### 1/5 — Poor Customer Service *2019-12-21, version 1.2.1* I joined The Cloud Appreciation Society. I was given a user name that does not work. For three days I've waited for customer service to help me access the app I paid for. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 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. ### 5/5 — Love! Would like improvements, but great as is *2021-07-20, version 1.2.1* Several years ago, when I first found this app, I assumed there would be many such apps (ones to identify features and things out in nature), but alas, there really aren’t! I so appreciate this app for existing! It’s been a lot of fun—for me and my family and friends who have known I’m using it—to find these wonderful features in the sky; watching the sky, just enjoying it, has been a love of mine since I was a child. It’s neat that I now have my mother and child finding, say, sun dogs with me! It’s also so great to learn about the cloud and optical rarity types. What I wish: the in-app camera to have more features (apparently zoom has been added—yay!—I haven’t tried it yet) including things like upping contrast, etc, as sometimes it’s hard to show what I’m seeing! I also question some of the stars, like only 4 for spotting a tornado! LOL… okay, maybe it’s not as rare, actually, as ones I’ve gotten five stars for (I guess!), but I think if we manage to catch it, we’d deserve 5 ✨!! Also, if I see a really cool formation which I’ve already gotten points for, I know I can still capture it again, but I’d like to be able to make it my primary picture in my collection if it’s better than the first. I also wonder if the pic is eligible for “cloud of the day” when we submit clouds we’ve already gotten credit for 🤔 Finally, I understand why we need to use the in-app camera, to avoid people cheating (which seems absurd—ppl probably wouldn’t, but it would ruin the app if they did!); HOWEVER, maybe there’s a better solution, with all the metadata that pictures contain, is it not possible for the app to be able to read the metadata and “see” that we didn’t cheat if we did take the pic with a different camera (like if the app was offloaded, or something else occurs, and I need to do so—use my phones camera—I just wish it could tell that this was legit! I have had these things happen—cloud and special optical happenings are so fleeting! I had to use my moms phone to get, for instance, the wonderful sun dogs we saw; I wish very much I could upload these to the app!) I would pay for such features were they possible. ANYWAY, it’s a really cool app, and I just hope they keep working to make the app even better because, well, of course I do! But I’ll continue to enjoy it as much as I can :) ### 5/5 — Excellent for those who really love clouds *2020-11-26* Since my childhood, I am a person who is interested in atmosphere phenomenons. This application was found after reading Gavin’s cloud collector’s handbook, and I really appreciate the truth that there would exist a place for those love clouds. Although such persons might be few, they mostly understand nature’s beauty and have the relevant knowledge of atmospheric effects. The overall user experience is fine, but some improvements could make it better. At first, it worth a major update. The interface is aged and falling behind current smartphone capabilities. Next, the photo shoot function should be changed. It only has binary zoom options and does not support the full size of photos. [square images are fine, just want it to handle more pixels] The functions and information provided in this application is good, though some space of polish exists. Anyway, thanks Gavin who founded the cloud appreciation society at Oxford University. It is interesting to know this society made some significant contributions to cloud types. [asperitas actually, which leads to the update of international cloud atlas in 2017, and I have read it thoroughly online] Looking at sky and clouds often is one of the best ways to let the pressure go and relax. It is also good for your mental health. ### 5/5 — A frustration with a great app *2019-08-19* Sometimes the previous spot/photograph won’t go away when you are trying to photograph the next cloud. This can be very annoying when the phenomena is transient. I missed a beautiful iridescence this way. ### 5/5 — Look up! *2018-12-16* Excellent app!! ### 5/5 — Great but more please *2018-11-16, version 1.2.1* I love using this. But I would like more cloud types and features, like all the different types of cirrus and individual features in a larger formation like fractus. As well as other stuff I don't know about. I'd also like expanded sections on what you can predict about weather and airflow from the clouds and changing formations. I'd be prepared to pay for a higher detail add on to what is already a great app. Thanks for making my days more fun. ### 5/5 — Please fix “Recently Spotted Near Me” *2018-04-07, version 1.2.1* I love using the app...and enjoy seeing what Cloudspotters around the world have captured!! The “Recently Spotted Near Me” section has displayed the same photos for months. Also, the contributions in this section are nowhere near me. I hope this can be corrected. CAS Supporting member 39,727 (AKA Motherhen in the Cloudspotter App) ### 5/5 — It's great! *2017-12-10* I cannot describe how happy this app makes me! I've had this app for some years now and I still look at it several times a day and I'm now an avid cloud hunter. I have always loved the great outdoors, and cannot understand how I was so "cloud blind" before... Cloudspotter has opened up the sky for me. Thank you! The recent update has removed some glitches now, thanks. ### 5/5 — Love the app! *2017-10-13, version 1.2.1* This app is very helpful and useful. Fun to use. --- *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.*