Change of Direction For The Better
Software Version 10 has a number of nice improvements and it was great being able to go back and update my custom workflows that I created prior to software version 8.
Unfortunately, there is still the issue of having to have a dedicated iPhone or iPad plugged in and online all the time running the Controller Hub App that runs the Workflows. Should be able to run the workflows on the Internet and not have to tie up another physical device for the workflow executions.
Notifications used to work great when called from Apple HomeKit Shortcuts but have stopped working in Software Version 10.
Update:
Looks like Apple IOS was the Culprit for HomeKit Controller “Notifications” (URL’s) Not Working in Real Time in Home app automation that have been converted into shortcuts.
Apple:
Since iOS 27, Home app automations that you've converted into shortcuts have opened URLs only when tested manually, not when running on their own. iOS 27.2 fixes this problem. Workflows running on a Controller Hub aren't affected.
The software is really cool and helpful for Home Automation and has the potential for being a great companion app to Apple HomeKit.
Enable Controller Workflows to run on the Internet and not a dedicated local device and you will have a Customer For Lifetime which BTW is what I paid for in the “Lifetime” Subscription.
Response from developer
You were right to push back. With version 10, lifetime licenses now include all Plus features, with nothing more to subscribe to. Update the app and it's unlocked. Jan
Excellente application
Response from developer
Merci pour ce retour ! Avec la version 10, vous pouvez créer vos propres Dashboards et partager votre configuration avec toute la maison. Jan
Made Things Right
I bought a lifetime license for this app less than a year ago after they announced their new Hub Mode because I had a specific use case for it. It was expensive, but I felt okay about it because it was a one-time cost. But now they are putting that very feature behind a paywall, and I feel very much ripped off. It is a good app and unlocks a lot of hidden capabilities of HomeKit, but the Hub Mode was the selling point, and they totally pulled the rug out from under it. I get that they don’t sell hardware and need to make their money somehow, but if you think the feature is worth more, raise the price of the lifetime license moving forward, don’t go back and gouge the people who already paid for it.
Response from developer
Since version 10, every lifetime license includes all Plus features, Hub included, with no subscription. Moving the Hub into Plus without a transition was a mistake, and we're sorry it took this long. Jan
Abus
Response from developer
Que la notification de fin d’essai ne soit jamais arrivée, c’est exactement ce qui ne devait pas se produire, et nous le regrettons. Un remboursement n’est malheureusement plus possible aujourd’hui, ni chez Apple vu le délai, ni chez nous, car les paiements passent uniquement par Apple. En revanche, nous vous proposons volontiers un an de Controller Plus offert. Si cela vous tente, écrivez-nous à feedback@controller-for-homekit.com, nous nous occupons du reste. Jan
Automations are not deleted when deleting from HomeKit
Response from developer
Thanks for reporting this, and sorry for the trouble. A lot has changed since then, and Controller is now on version 10. If you still run into it, write to me at support@controller-for-homekit.com. Jan
La mise à jour 8.0 retirait des fonctions de la licence à vie, mais cela a été corrigé dans la 10.0
Les tableaux de bord de cette version sont une excellente nouveauté (y compris sur d’anciens appareils sans compatibilité d’OS 27). Ils sont une excellente alternative pour les Européens ne pouvant acquérir d’Apple HomeView.
Ce qui peut-être amélioré :
-l’empilement des tuiles plus petites à côté de grandes tuiles sur les tableaux de bord ne fonctionne parfois pas correctement;
-le partage de la licence LifeTime avec des proches implique un partage familial et un partage des achats, ce qui implique hélas de partager son moyen de paiement;
-ajouter des tableaux de bord pour l’Apple Watch et l’Apple TV.
Response from developer
Merci de nous avoir dit si clairement ce qui n'allait pas. Avec la version 10, la licence à vie inclut désormais tout ce que contient Plus, Hub, graphiques et workflows, sans frais supplémentaires. Il suffit de mettre l'app à jour. Jan
When it works- its the gold standard
The main reason for wanting this app personally is to press a single button to open a live view of a camera from the iPhone Home Screen. It just shows a black screen if accessed more than once. However, by creating an Apple shortcut to open a view of that camera- it works, which is what I’ve done
It’s very difficult to write this review. Every other update, I seem to have an issue with the camera widgets which are SO important to me, that I can’t deny it’s frustrating. When the update is good however, the app is a dream and really is the gold standard of HomeKit setup apps.
Response from developer
Update: Thank you for describing your issue. We will look into camera widgets again to make it more reliable! Thank you for the fair review, even when it's frustrating. Widgets have seen a lot of fixes since, now with version 10, and you can also put cameras on your own Dashboard. If new widgets still fail, write to me at support@controller-for-homekit.com. Jan
I went all in on workflows and wish I had never heard of Controller
Until iOS26 came out and even with the 7.7 update to support iOS 26 the app stopped working for me. It would crash within seconds of opening. Problems on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. None of the hubs would stay up for more than a few seconds.
This brought my smart home down.
They did not respond to any of my many support requests. Nothing. So painful.
I’d built all my automations out with workflows in this app and nothing was working.
Today I finished recreating my last controller specific workflow in a new Home Assistant set up I’ve moved to.
Home Assistant is HARD and annoying to set up and configure so I’m so mad I had to do this.
Controller failed me in the worst way. I’ve give it minus stars if I could.
Avoid avoid avoid.
******
Apparently they have changed their ways and have asked for new reviews… I DON’T CARE. This company treated me terribly and I DON”T care what they do know. Don’t trust them. Do not buy this product or subscribe. No. No. No.
I have “lifetime” and I deleted the app from these LIARS.
There are better options. Do not give them a penny.
Response from developer
You were with Workflows from the very start, back when they were still a Labs feature, and losing your whole setup after iOS 26 is the worst way that could have ended. I'm sorry, and sorry that support never got back to you. A lot has changed since: Controller is on version 10, and your lifetime license now includes Plus with the Hub. If Home Assistant works well for you, that's completely fine. We're also building features for people who run Home Assistant alongside HomeKit, so maybe we'll cross paths again. Jan
The only HomeKit app you will ever need
Response from developer
Thank you for being so clear with us back then. Version 10 changes this: lifetime now includes everything in Plus, Hub, Charts and Workflows, with no extra fee. Just update the app. Jan
Fixed it by Reversing Course—-Bait and Switch
After many complaints from lifetime subscribers, the functionality of the app that had been paywalled, was just restored..
I understand the dilemma, developers need money to develop an app. And one way to get it is to offer lifetime subscriptions. But when developers do that, they have a duty to honor it.
I would have never signed up for an ongoing subscription. But the lifetime plan was worth taking a flyer on. Then, we got rug-pulled. I give credit to the developers for reversing course and honoring the lifetime subscription of those who actually helped fund the development of the app.
The product is a five star app, but I can only up my rating to three because the lifetime subscribers should not have had functionality ripped away and been offered a subscription to restore it.
——————————————————————
I paid for a lifetime subscription, then offered an early subscription “upgrade” for what you already paid for. Stay away.
Response from developer
Update: Thank you for your fair update! We are happy you like the app :) You won't see that offer again: with version 10, which just came out, your lifetime license includes all Plus features, no yearly add-on. Sorry for the frustration. Jan
Excellent App just got way better with Version 10
Response from developer
Thanks for sticking with it. We found the cause: right after launch, the app could send an empty set of screens to the watch before your homes had loaded. That's fixed in version 10.0.2, so please update. And sorry you didn't hear back from support, that shouldn't happen. If it still fails after the update, write to me at support@controller-for-homekit.com. Jan
AMAZING!!
OLD REVIEW
Paid more for this app that I have ever before but thought it was worth it as it had so many good reviews and I knew it was a long-term (lifetime) investment. Today I realise that was totally misguided. My lifetime pro option has been reduced to basic and they are now offering a monthly subscription service, admittedly it is for a home hub service that to be honest I don’t really want, but I now feel like a B class citizen and the early investment I made feels stupid & pointless. I have deleted the app from the Apple TV and I’m contemplating deleting it from my phone and iPad. It just feels annoying seeing the logo now. I purchased lifetime because I didn’t want a subscription Service I am moving over Home Assistant. Totally fed up.
Response from developer
Thank you for coming back and updating this :)
That sums it up
Thanks for admitting your mistake!
Couldn’t even try it…
Update: The developer says that the lifetime purchase might be for me…but how would I know since you cannot try the software without paying for it.
Restoring Lifetime Licenses!!!
Good
Response from developer
Thanks for the review, and for the YouTube tip, there really is a lot to show. Dashboards will keep evolving, so stay tuned. Jan
Crash when tapping dashboard
10.0 hears and honors lifetime license
They have restored lifetime licenses!!! They listened to the community. They have granted all the features and restored it all. This is a huge step in restoring credibility and confidence in Controller. Thanks so much for hearing and responding to the community.
UPDATE:
Adding insult to thievery, they force several pages to choke you with subscription payment shoved in your face. At least have the respect to let us hide you insult to lifetime licenses demotion. I don’t want to see your demands for a subscription when I am just trying to use the app.
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
Do not upgrade. Do not subscribe. Do not trust this company or its license purchases. They just screwed us all!!! They are fraudulent.
They stole a feature away that was included previously. They demoted lifetime licenses to “essential” lifetime licenses. They took our money, made a promise to include all features forever. Then they stabbed us in the back. Now all new features are locked behind a subscription rental service.
If they do not want to offer new people lifetime licenses any more, that would be an honest approach to limiting their financial commitments. But to demote a devoted base of lifetime license holders, who had a promise when they put the very expensive price, and strip away features is pure dishonesty and theft. It is fraud!
They should honor their existing lifetime license promises that all features were always included. Make it a historic offer no longer available to new buyers. But don’t stew us.
Refund our money if you are going to be lying about the lifetime promise.
Response from developer
Thank you for coming back to this. You were right to be angry, and the subscription screens on top of it didn't help. With 10, both are fixed: your lifetime license includes everything, and you won't see a paywall anymore. Jan
Controleur hub ?
Response from developer
Je comprends l'objection sur la consommation. La contrainte vient d'Apple : HomeKit ne fonctionne que sur ses propres appareils, donc pas de Docker possible. Beaucoup d'utilisateurs se servent d'une Apple TV qu'ils ont déjà, ou d'un vieil iPhone, et ça consomme très peu. Jan
