# Directed SmartStart — user reviews > 132 indexed App Store user reviews of Directed SmartStart by Directed, rated 2.70/5 from 123 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/directed-smartstart/id393395612/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/directed-smartstart/id393395612.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 32 · 4★ 16 · 3★ 13 · 2★ 12 · 1★ 50 ## 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 ## Newest reviews (19 of 132) ### 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 !!! ### 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. ### 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. ### 2/5 — When it wants to *2025-01-15, version 5.4.3* Works great when it decides it has signal ### 4/5 — Please Add Apple Shortcuts Integration *2024-11-12, version 5.4.1* Smart Start is great but it would be nice to be able to use Siri to start my car when I don’t have my iPhone at hand. ### 3/5 — Update to IOS 18 *2024-09-23, version 5.4.1* Looks like the widget that I had for this app for iOS 17.7 disappeared when I updated to iOS 18. Please help on how to fix this issue. Thanks. ### 3/5 — No feedback *2024-02-29, version 5.4.1* I’m not getting feedback even when it starts ### 4/5 — Love the app *2023-01-12, version 5.4.1* I had the alarm installed with the key fob, however, it was difficult to start my car unless I’m in direct sight to the car. I then got the app and service for the year. The app is great and convenient especially for the winter. My only problem is, it’s draining the heck out of my battery. I had to replace the car battery already this past July and now, I’m getting low battery notification again. I’m not sure what’s wrong. Is anyone else having similar problems? Other than that, I love the convenience. With Kia’s theft on the rise, I have some peace of mind with the tracking system and the lockdown feature if necessary. I don’t want to get rid of it, so I need some solutions to my battery issue, please. ### 2/5 — Distance *2022-12-06, version 5.4.0* There’s not much distance to activate, almost need to be in view of the vehicle. ### 2/5 — NEEDS A LOCK SCREEN WIDGET FOR THE NEW IOS16 *2022-11-22, version 5.4.0* This would be so much easier if there was a Lock Screen widget for the new apple ios16 update ### 1/5 — DO NOT buy this product *2022-11-04, version 5.4.0* What a terrible product. The fail rate is very high. I even spent the money recently on the 4G/LTE upgrade in hopes that would solve the issues I was having. It seemed to work briefly and now it’s back to rarely working again. They don’t reply to emails either. Seems that since they already have my money they don’t need to help resolve the issues. We installed a system from another brand in my wife’s vehicle that works flawlessly. We park near each other. Hers works, mine doesn’t. I think I need to make a switch. Avoid this product and save yourself a lot of frustration. ### 3/5 — It’s good tech. *2022-05-23, version 5.4.0* I have had this system for over a year now. I honestly have had no major issues with the connection. I am writing this review because an update just came out and still wondering why this app still has NO TOUCH/FACE ID capabilities. It’s 2020 people. Let’s get to work. Update 5/2022: Still no Touch or Face ID login enabled option. Really?!? I still have to enter a number code to login?!? ### 3/5 — Apple Watch interface *2022-05-05, version 5.3.8* It would be better if user can change the vehicle (if you have more than one car) on Apple Watch interface. ### 2/5 — idioma *2022-02-23, version 5.3.8* al menos pongan el idioma del español 😡 ### 2/5 — Coin flip if it will work *2022-02-08, version 5.3.8* Coin flip of it will actually work. When it does it’s great. But cost way too much for the unreliability. Wouldn’t purchase again. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 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. ### 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. ### 1/5 — Worst *2025-01-24, version 5.4.3* My app won’t even stay connected. In the last week I have had to reconnect the app to the starter myself ### 1/5 — Go with a better product. *2024-12-13* I have been using this product for nearly 2 years. My thoughts? I suggest going with something different because what I have noticed it only works when it wants to. I specifically bought this for winter so I can start my vehicle in the cold and most of the time it can’t connect. ### 1/5 — Trash always the same *2024-10-11, version 5.4.1* Trash doesn’t work. I paid for a service that I don’t even have ### 1/5 — No more widgets in ios18 *2024-09-17, version 5.4.1* Who’s the genius that didn’t keep up with updates to allow the widget in lock / home / today swipe screen. Great work lol!! Fix it! ### 1/5 — Clifford Remote *2023-11-17, version 5.4.1* I bought a used car that has a Clifford remote starter. One of the remotes has no lights on it. I can’t lock or unlock the car. I can’t even start it. I don’t have any manuals for this remote. I would like to have a manual for it. Every time I look online it brings me to the Vipers Remotes. Hopefully someone can help me out. ### 1/5 — Don’t waste your time *2023-06-09, version 5.4.1* Doesn’t work tried both apps that Viper puts out and neither one works. Won’t connect to my phone, says Bluetooth isn’t on when it’s on and it won’t connect to my DS4. So no doesn’t work even a little. ### 1/5 — Absolutely useless *2023-03-06, version 5.4.1* Can be standing in front of the vehicle and it won’t start. It is a 1/10 chance the vehicle will start or not..usually on the cold days that I actually need it for it won’t..absolutely useless car starter and app ### 1/5 — Difficult to navigate through app *2022-12-20, version 5.4.0* I find it very difficult to set up the notifications. I would love this app to text me for all notifications. Unfortunately, I am only able to select a limited few. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 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. ### 5/5 — Works so good a 99% *2021-01-27, version 5.3.3* I have it since 2014 and most the time had worked very good I would say just a couple times had problems with it just a few minutes.I think because it had poor signal. I recommend it a 💯 % ### 5/5 — Nice app *2020-11-14, version 5.3.3* Viper model 2 way with this direct connect Works flawless with the GPS plan. Glad I bought it ### 5/5 — Need work. *2020-08-19, version 5.3.1* I really like this app I just think that its time for a major update in design and functionality. I have friends that have Drone mobile devices installed in their cars. I really like the way that the app has been made. Also, my parents have the My Chevrolet app installed as well. I like it as well. One big thing I wish I could do in the app is to have A way to manually update the app. To know whether the car is running doors are locked in real-time. I would also like to have A button added to turn off the ignition. One last thing I would like to have added is a way to extend and decrease the run time on my car. ### 5/5 — Such a great add on for my Astrostart *2019-10-05, version 5.2* Started using the app on Bluetooth with my remote start (it needs a DS4 starter from Directed). Then added a smart start pro and all the extra features are awesome. It’s fast, can start the car from anywhere. Don’t want a car without it now. ### 5/5 — I like it *2019-09-06, version 5.1* I think this works great, it just needs a few seconds to connect when you open the app and it works. I rarely have problems with this app, poor weather is usually to blame. ### 5/5 — Works good *2019-04-18, version 5.0* I got to admit, the app and service have worked well for us for the past two years. I do not think we ever had a problem accessing the app or remote features. I also think it’s priced competitively with other apps. ### 5/5 — Best Starter *2018-10-24, version 5.0* Absolutely love my starter!!!❤️❤️❤️ ### 5/5 — No issues *2018-01-09, version 4.3.4* Always works well for the most part. Glitches here and there, just have to close app and reopen, use it everyday! ### 5/5 — SmartStart *2017-11-30, version 4.3.4* I have this in both my vehicles truck and Jeep and it’s works great. We are inside a mill and has no trouble starting anywhere. --- *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 2026-09-06.*