# Directed SmartStart

> Remote car starter, locator, and control system for connected vehicles. (iPhone/iPad app by Directed.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/directed-smartstart/id393395612 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Directed](https://appshunter.io/developer/329155615)
- Category: Lifestyle, Utilities
- Price: Free
- Rating: 2.70/5 from 123 App Store ratings · 127 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 17+
- Requires: iOS 14.0 · 179 MB
- Languages: American English, Canadian French, Latin American Spanish
- Released: 2010-09-27
- Data updated: 2026-08-31
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/directed-smartstart/id393395612/reviews.md

## What is Directed SmartStart?

Start, locate and control your car from virtually anywhere with your iPhone or Apple watch!

"Making the cloud-connected car a reality"
- Edmunds.com

"Without a doubt, one of the coolest apps I've ever seen"
- GIZMODO

With the release of its all-new 5th generation Directed SmartStart app, connecting with and controlling your vehicle is easier than ever – including real time status via the updated dashboards, and control via your Apple watch!

- Add a Directed SmartStart GPS module to the Directed remote start or security system in your car so you can start, lock and unlock your car from virtually anywhere. You can also locate your car, share its location with your friends or family, and get safety notifications if your Directed SmartStart-protected car is speeding or goes where it's not supposed to go.

- For the ultimate connected car experience, install a complete Directed SmartStart Digital System and you’ll also get engine runtime and real time status on your choice of app dashboard. Get notified if your vehicle sets a diagnostic code, or check your fuel, battery, or odometer right in the app! 

- All 4G LTE GPS modules come with a free 30-day GPS trial so you can check out the cool features right away, and there’s even an option for a year of free Basic service. Step up to Secure service to get 2-way control confirmations or add GPS or Small Fleet & Family for the ultimate in car control and monitoring along with extended warranty and theft protection.  

The sleek, modern dashboards of Directed SmartStart 5.3 mobile app give you fingertip control over the following features of your installed Viper remote start or security/remote start system:
- Lock/arm
- Unlock/disarm
- Remote car starter
- Trunk release
- Panic
- Aux channels

Follow these three simple steps to get Directed SmartStart:
1) Download the free Directed SmartStart app
2) Get a SmartStart system installed in your vehicle
3) Set up your account, and start using your SmartStart system

Directed SmartStart also includes Directed Motor Club, providing convenient 24/7 access to our nationwide roadside assistance network. Just press a button in the app to get connected for towing due to breakdown or accidents, or assistance with a dead battery or flat tire. Member roadside assistance is free with Secure or higher level service plans and pre-registration.  Even if you don’t sign up, you can use the guest program for the same great service at a fixed cost. 

Latest features:

- Real time status on your favorite dashboard! Check the remote start runtime or whether your doors are locked and more instantly just by opening the app! (digital systems only)

- Monitor the battery, odometer, and fuel level in the extended Status page (requires a digital system, some features may not be supported on all vehicles)

- Convenient widget for one-touch command execution without needing to open the app first

- Start, lock, unlock or locate your car using your Apple watch, or send other commands

- Receive alert notifications on your phone and Apple watch

- Four user-selectable dashboards and launch page settings – now you can customize the app for the way you use it

- Modern dashboard "swipe up to start" feature eliminates accidental remote start commands
 
- Map page integrates GPS and SmartPark features seamlessly – locate your vehicle, or track down where you parked

- Manage notifications: Each user can select how they want to receive alerts or other notifications. Choose from push alerts with custom sound effects, email, or SMS (SMS alerts may not be available outside North America)

## Key features

- Remote start, lock, unlock
- Vehicle location tracking
- Real-time vehicle status
- Safety notifications (speeding, geofencing)
- Trunk release and panic button
- Roadside assistance access
- Apple Watch control

## What do users think of Directed SmartStart?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- 🚀 Works great
- 🔒 Robust security features
- 💡 Convenient remote start
- 🗺️ Useful GPS tracking

**Cons**

- 🐛 Unreliable connectivity
- 🔋 Battery drain issues
- ⚠️ Inconsistent performance
- 🕰️ Slow response times

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes on launch
- Geofencing not working
- Remote start failures
- Incorrect vehicle status

**Most requested features**

- Siri/Shortcuts integration
- Improved status indicators
- Scheduled remote start
- Multilingual support

## Recent user reviews (10 of 127)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/directed-smartstart/id393395612/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Has to be the best

*2026-08-07, version 5.4.5*

This is one of the best car alarms I’ve had with remote start. I was overseas in England with my cell phone, and my niece left her jacket in my car. She sent me a text I was in was able to unlock my car to allow her in and then re-lock it plus it helps out in the winter time too with the remote start.

### 4/5 — Scheduled alarm

*2026-05-11, version 5.4.5*

You guys should update the app with a timer… im using the alarm on a construction trailer… also trucks… im tired to set off false alarm each wk end to forgot the night come to set it back.
Ya got distance zone monitoring
A timer should be easy.
We ship spaceship to mars… you could be in 2026 !!!

### 1/5 — Western Canada ***buyer beware***

*2026-02-28, version 5.4.5*

If you’re planning on buying this product, do not buy it if you live in Western Canada 98% of the time the device will not connect to cell phone towers and the only thing they can say is they are working with the tower providers to resolve an issue that will never be resolved. With NO ETA.

### 2/5 — Remote start app rarely works

*2026-01-27, version 5.4.5*

This app used to be great and could start my car from anywhere but that latest update really messed up something and now I’m lucky it it works 1 out of every 10 times.

### 2/5 — Works but NOT

*2026-01-21, version 5.4.5*

I say it worked great first couple yrs. But now it says fails almost every time so you keep living it well after watching through the window it says failed but actually it was started. So I was just essentially just turning it on and off. Highly considering getting rid of it for something more reliable. It appears there’s not a fix to it. Tried updating and everything else.

### 2/5 — Doesn’t work most times

*2025-12-24, version 5.4.5*

Paying $200 a year really sucks when I can rarely start my car or lock my car from the app. I have perfectly good coverage anywhere I am, but this app is not consistent. I gave it at least two stars because I love it when it does actually work.

### 2/5 — Runtime status erratic at best

*2025-12-18, version 5.4.5*

Very unhappy with this app since the last update. Runtime not available most of the time, only occasionally will it show my runtime. And when it does show runtime it sometimes gives me a warning the runtime is unavailable. Unreliable, most of the time I only know if commands have executed if I can visually seem my truck.

### 1/5 — App crashes

*2025-03-13, version 5.4.3*

App crashes every time I try to add my vehicle. App support seems to be nonexistent.

### 2/5 — Trash

*2025-03-11, version 5.4.3*

This is an awesome app if you like walking across the parking lot in January to find your car not running. It works less effectively the colder it gets. 

Good luck with support. You better take the day off of work to wait on hold.

### 3/5 — Issues

*2025-02-16, version 5.4.3*

App is still glitchy in that sometimes it shows the vehicle temperature and sometimes it does not. 
It would be nice to get a notice when directed is going to work on their service. Yesterday morning at minus 25c I was convinced the car was dead; turns out directed was working on the system, so no winter car start.

## Frequently asked questions about Directed SmartStart

### What does the Directed SmartStart app do?

This app allows you to remotely start, lock, unlock, and locate your car from your smartphone or Apple Watch. It provides real-time vehicle status updates, safety notifications, and access to roadside assistance.

### What are the key features of Directed SmartStart?

Key features include remote car starting, locking/unlocking doors, trunk release, vehicle location tracking, and safety notifications for speeding or unauthorized movement. It also offers real-time status updates on engine runtime, fuel, battery, and odometer for digital systems.

### How much does Directed SmartStart cost?

The Directed SmartStart app itself is free to download. However, it requires a SmartStart system to be installed in your vehicle. Service plans are available with varying features, including free trials and options for basic, secure, and GPS services.

### What devices is Directed SmartStart compatible with?

The app is designed for use with iPhones and Apple Watches. It requires a compatible Directed remote start or security system installed in your vehicle, along with a SmartStart GPS module or Digital System.

### What are common use cases for Directed SmartStart?

Common use cases include starting your car on a cold morning, ensuring your car is locked from a distance, locating your vehicle in a large parking lot, and receiving alerts if your car is driven by an unauthorized person or exceeds a set speed limit.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 5.4.5 — 2025-09-25

bug fixes and enhancements

### 5.4.4 — 2025-05-01

bug fixes and enhancements

### 5.4.3 — 2024-12-13

- Bug fixes

### 5.4.2 — 2024-12-05

Please note we've restored widget functionality, it will now open the app and execute the command from the app. 
This is temporary while we work with Apple to restore independent widget functionality,

### 5.4.1 — 2022-12-20

Minor enhancements and bugs fixes

## Apps similar to Directed SmartStart

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [DroneMobile](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dronemobile/id380549030) | 4.8 (27,325) | Free | Lifestyle |
| [MyStart Plus](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mystart-plus/id1150626377) | 1.0 (1) | Free | Lifestyle |
| [DIRECTED SMARTSTART PRO](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/directed-smartstart-pro/id6740499759) | — | Free | Lifestyle |
| [CL6](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cl6/id1221007547) | 3.0 (273) | Free | Lifestyle |
| [CL7](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cl7/id6476150590) | 2.3 (71) | Free | Lifestyle |
| [MyCar Controls](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mycar-controls/id1126511815) | 2.8 (117) | Free | Lifestyle |

## More apps by Directed

- [Viper SmartStart](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/viper-smartstart/id333400981)
- [Directechs Mobile](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/directechs-mobile/id914047548)
- [Directlink](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/directlink/id1171929346)

All apps by Directed: https://appshunter.io/developer/329155615

## Related topics

[clifford](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/clifford) · [smart start](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/smart-start) · [viper smartstart](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/viper-smartstart) · [smart start pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/smart-start-pro)

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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 2026-08-31.*