# Datacolor ColorReader — user reviews > 74 indexed App Store user reviews of Datacolor ColorReader by Datacolor Inc., rated 4.70/5 from 692 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/datacolor-colorreader/id1217566816/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/datacolor-colorreader/id1217566816.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 595 · 4★ 51 · 3★ 9 · 2★ 5 · 1★ 32 ## What do users think of Datacolor ColorReader? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 🎨 Accurate color matching on ceiling colors - 📚 Comprehensive paint brand library - ⚡ Quick and efficient scanning process - 🎯 Useful complementary color schemes - 👍 Minimal app permissions required - 💼 Professional-grade tool for contractors **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent connection failures between device and app - ❌ Poor color accuracy on walls and samples - 📵 App requires device connection to view saved colors - 🔄 Outdated and missing paint colors in library - 🎨 Inconsistent results across different lighting conditions - 📱 Clunky and unintuitive user interface - 🚫 Registration and calibration failures - ⚠️ Blank page and white screen errors - 🔌 Requires additional hardware purchase - 📉 Updates reduce functionality over time **Commonly reported bugs** - Blank page on device registration - White screen during app startup - Calibration failed error messages - Device won't connect to smartphone - Bluetooth connectivity issues requiring multiple attempts - Fan deck update stuck indefinitely - Missing read button on iPhone XS Max - iOS 12 compatibility broken after update - Inaccessible color history after fan deck removal - Support ticket system non-functional **Most requested features** - Store scanned colors on phone without device connection - Cloud sync for color history across devices - Tutorial or guided walkthrough for app navigation - Ability to delete individual colors from history - Reorder colors within custom palettes - Search by paint swatch number - Support for more eco-conscious paint brands - Expanded UK/European paint brand options - Separate color selection for trim and cabinets in photo mode - Display custom color names in detail view ## Newest reviews (15 of 74) ### 3/5 — Works ok…but *2026-07-10, version 3.24.8* One of the biggest drawbacks I see is the fact that you can’t delete sampled colors in your history so you end up getting a huge list up to 10,000 samples in there which gets very confusing. Also I found if you take multiple samples without moving the sensor, it will give you different readings, which doesn’t really make any sense. ### 1/5 — Kann nicht mal Farben einer RAL Farbkarte bestimmen *2025-04-06* Kalibrierten ColorReader liefert auf einer Farbfläche immer andere Werte / Farbvorschläge. Kontrollversuche mit einem RAL Farbfächer leider auch ohne genaue Treffer. Damit nutzlos und teuer **Developer response:** Hi, bitte kontaktieren Sie unseren Support: https://goto.datacolor.com/colorreadersupportform der schnellste Weg, Ihnen zu helfen. Bitte beachten Sie die Informationen auf dieser Seite: https://goto.datacolor.com/ColorReader-troubleshooting und unsere FAQ-Seite: https://goto.datacolor.com/ColorReader-FAQ Ihr Datacolor Team ### 1/5 — Sad *2025-02-27, version 3.24.5* Unable to use it, the device is beside the phone and it is not near to connect. Fun times ### 1/5 — I press calibration and it showing calibration failed *2024-11-21, version 3.24.5* ??? ### 1/5 — Bleibt bei der Zwangsregistrierung hängen *2024-09-04* Uund gleich zurück zu Big A. Bleibt bei der Einrichtung im Schritt der Zwangsregistrierung mit einem weißen Bildschirm hängen. Wer programmiert denn so einen Mi#*?? **Developer response:** Hi, bitte kontaktieren Sie unseren Support: https://goto.datacolor.com/colorreadersupportform der schnellste Weg, Ihnen zu helfen. Bitte beachten Sie die Informationen auf dieser Seite: https://goto.datacolor.com/ColorReader-troubleshooting und unsere FAQ-Seite: https://goto.datacolor.com/ColorReader-FAQ Ihr Datacolor Team ### 1/5 — Absolut falsche Werte *2024-08-27* Ich habe versucht Echtfarben von Farbkarten diverser Farbherstellern zu digitalisieren. Das Ergebnis war durchweg falsch. Schade. ### 1/5 — Broken *2024-07-28, version 3.24.5* App completely broken, will not allow even to register, screen just goes white regardless of what is being entered. Tried a support ticket, guess what, it was unable to receive tickets at this time. Unable to use this product due to the app. Utterly ridiculous. ### 2/5 — Needs updated color selections *2024-07-18, version 3.24.5* I’ve had this device for a few years and it seems to have fewer current paint colors in its match library than it used to. I recently researched 7 suggested matches for Sherwin-Williams colors, and only 4 of them are still available. ### 4/5 — Bug Fixe *2024-05-13* Merci de bien vouloir résoudre le problème bug fixe ,suite à la nouvelle mise à jour de l’application sur iPhone 6 ### 1/5 — Won’t connect *2024-05-03, version 3.24.5* This reader won’t even connect to my phone and currently on a job where I need it to connect right now. Your product is losing us money no good 👎🏻 ### 1/5 — Impossible de s’enregistrer pour commencer à utiliser le produit *2024-02-09* Cela va faire 3 jours que j’essaie de m’enregistrer pour commencer à utiliser le produit depuis l’apps. Impossible.. ### 1/5 — Worthless *2023-12-05* I have tried this thing 20 different times and it cannot detect the accurate color even from the sample lol I’ve tried every color in the PPG color scheme and every time this thing is 100% wrong! **Developer response:** Hi, the ColorReader does work great, it emit standardized light and measures the reflection. Therefore, please place the ColorReader directly onto the color you want to measure. As a result you will get 4 color patches in the ColorReader app. On the left side you will see the measured color - tab the Info icon to see the color values in Lab, RGB, ... On the right side you will see the 3 closest matches from the currently active fan decks. You can tab the Collections icon (lower left) to select what fan decks are active. Please also have a look at this website to learn more on how to get the best results from your measurements: https://goto.datacolor.com/ColorReader-troubleshooting or please find our FAQ page for more information: https://goto.datacolor.com/ColorReader-FAQ If you have additional questions, the quickest way we can address your concern is by reaching out to our support team directly: https://goto.datacolor.com/colorreadersupportform Your Datacolor Team ### 3/5 — Fonctionne très bien mais… *2023-07-06* Acheté chez Seigneurie et pas de nuancier Seigneurie. Très dommage ### 2/5 — Needs updated color selections *2023-06-15* I’ve had this device for a few years and it seems to have fewer current paint colors in its match library than it used to. I recently researched 7 suggested matches for Sherwin-Williams colors, and only 4 of them are still available. **Developer response:** Hi, please contact our support team at: https://goto.datacolor.com/colorreadersupportform This is the fastest way to answer your questions. Additionally, you can also reference our Getting Started with ColorReader/Trouble Shooting page for helpful tips: https://goto.datacolor.com/ColorReader-troubleshooting and advice or our FAQ page for more information: https://goto.datacolor.com/ColorReader-FAQ Your Datacolor Team ### 1/5 — Brands don’t match the colors *2023-04-06, version 3.23* Every “Sherwin Williams” reading is actually a Benjamin Moore color. I know the brand is Sherwin Williams! But I need the actual name. Ugh so frustrating. Don’t recommend. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Only fancy brands *2026-05-13, version 3.24.8* It only gives you fancy paint brands, some I never heard of, and never Sherwin williams. I know the oroginal was a SW color, only 1 year ago. I guess they get a kick back. Shame. And so far it has not been remotely accurate. ### 1/5 — Galère *2026-03-15* Il ne se connecte pas sur iOS. Alors que sur Android c’est immédiat. Quelle galère! Encore 130€ à la poubelle. Je suis iOS et je n’aime pas android. Je ne vais pas acheter un tel android juste pour un nuancier. ### 1/5 — Blank page *2026-02-22, version 3.24.8* I’m trying to register my device but all I get is a blank page. I uninstalled, reinstalled, but doesn’t work. ### 1/5 — Schöner Wohnen??? *2025-12-19* In wie fern ist die Schöner Wohnen Farbpalette aktuell??? Keine Farbe matcht! Und ich habe den Farbfächer vor mir… Die aktuellen Farben existieren einfach nicht! ### 1/5 — Unbrauchbar *2025-12-19* Komme nicht über die Registrierung hinaus. Kan den coloreader somit nicht verwenden. Generell schon ein Witz wie das Gerät verarbeitet ist und der Micro usb Anschluss gibt mir richtige Retro Vibea. Für 300€ ne super Sache. Habe das neueste iPhone btw ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work *2025-11-11, version 3.24.8* I can’t even get past the registration screen . Will be sending this piece of rubbish back to Amazon. Save yourself the headache and buy a decent brand ### 1/5 — Dumb app *2025-10-16, version 3.24.8* I can’t get the app to work to calibrate my new device….so frustrating! ### 1/5 — Not close enough *2025-06-05, version 3.24.8* Im scanning colors i know and colors out of the fan deck. It gets it in the ballpark. But the point of the device is to get it way closer than the ballpark. Have yet to have a correct reading. And no it isnt because "paint fades over time" blah blah blah ### 1/5 — Additional Hardware Required *2025-05-22, version 3.24.8* Useless app. My phone has a camera. I shouldn’t have to buy other hardware. ### 1/5 — gerät lässt sich nicht registrieren und damit nicht nutzen *2025-05-07* sehr ärgerlich ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Pretty good so far *2026-07-19, version 3.24.8* Just started using it so I can’t give an accurate answer. So I’ll leave it as a 3 star review for now and edit this later for when I know about this app better ### 5/5 — Datacolor ColorReaderPro *2024-08-07* Hochwertig. Einfache Bedienung, gute Farbübereinstimmung, top Service. ### 5/5 — Color match *2024-02-14, version 3.24.4* This little piece of technology is making my life easier , !!!! ### 5/5 — Good *2023-09-21, version 3.24.0* Good ### 5/5 — Works really well on ceiling colours *2023-07-16* I do lots of minor wall damage and ceiling repairs, and it’s not always practical to take a sample to get it matched. The Color Reader I have is loaded with Haymes colours only do it’s a bit limited, but it’s usually spot on with ceiling colours, gets it right about 75% of the time with wall colours (do NOT attempt dark feature walls if you know what’s good for you), and it’s good enough at matching trims to avoid having to tear off bits of architrave or skirting. If you accept the limitations of a portable device it’s a very good tool and worth getting. ### 5/5 — Raven Painting *2022-11-13, version 3.21* I’m actually quite happy with the device and the app. The accuracy of the ColorReader and the many fan decks to choose from make it easy for me to color match. ### 5/5 — Preis Leistung Top *2022-08-22* Ich kann die schlechten Bewertungen leider nicht nachvollziehen… das Gerät ist top und die App funktioniert auch super! Empfehlenswert ### 5/5 — Bin sehr zufrieden *2021-09-20* Spielerei ja das was Männer mögen und Mann Hat die Möglichkeit wen man ein Farbton schön findet ihn auch holen kann würde es wider kaufen!!! ### 5/5 — For the trade *2019-12-23, version 3.6* Used by ‘The Decorators Mate’ in streatham hill. This small, yet incredible bit of tech seems to seamlessly match any colour. The small yet slender design fits into even the smallest pockets. The device itself is simply incredible. The application is also very simple to read and navigate, all instructions are listed on the app as notifications that’ll pop up to help you. ### 5/5 — Great matches! *2018-10-10, version 3.0* Great matching capabilities. It saves a ton of time instead of getting the fan decks out and hoping you get the right light and shade of color to work. --- *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 2026-08-25.*