# General DB — user reviews

> 43 indexed App Store user reviews of General DB by Portable Databases, rated 4.60/5 from 21 ratings.

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/general-db/id333398125/reviews
- App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/general-db/id333398125.md
- Rating breakdown: 5★ 15 · 4★ 4 · 3★ 1 · 2★ 1 · 1★ 0

## Newest reviews (15 of 43)

### 4/5 — Capable Database Viewer and Editor

*2024-03-01*

My original mistaken review is below; as can perhaps be seen, the developers wrote back, letting me know I overlooked the option to get the database back out. 
__________

In limited testing with a small database. . .

If you have an older iPad/iOS, this is a good app to view and edit your SQLite database files. 

Definitely try the free Private DB first to get a feel for how it works. 

It’s not quite as intuitive as I’d like, none of the icons are labeled, so one must experiment by tapping on them to find out what they do, which is potentially dangerous with databases. Figuring out how to adjust the column widths took longer than I wanted. 

Updating a record is troublesome when the field is low on the screen, the keyboard entirely covers it, so you can’t see what you’re typing. 

Moving through the columns isn’t a matter of swiping, as with rows. 

But the app hasn’t crashed yet.

__________ 
Original Mistaken Subject: Exports/Shares as a text file only, not a .db

I mistakenly thought I could get my database back out as a SQLite .db, which is how it got in. 

But the Share button only allows for sharing selected rows, or exporting the whole db as a .txt file which then can only be imported, apparently through iTunes.

**Developer response:** You can share your database as well without exporting to text files. Just tap on the Files tab then tap the Database tab then tap the row of the database file you want to share, such as general.db which is the name of the default database file. Then tap the share icon button in the toolbar. Please contact us on our website if you have any issues with that. 

Thank you for updating your review and rating. We will get to work on those other issues you mentioned.

### 4/5 — thanks for an SQLite DB mgr; on iOS 13 howto ...

*2019-09-29*

How do I turn on ‘dark mode’ for General DB to take advantage of this new iOS feature?

**Developer response:** Working on it. Thank you for the review!

### 5/5 — Great UI and a Great Import Capability

*2013-09-24, version 2.9*

Works with CSV files using either single quote marks or double quotes.  Imports xlsx.  Very powerful SQL implementation.  I am very happy with this app so far!

### 5/5 — PERFECT!! NOTHING BETTER THAN THIS

*2012-11-02*

got everything I need!! clear, the way it is is JUST RIGHT!!! Thanks a bunch!!

### 5/5 — Super program - superb service

*2012-04-03*

An excellent app.  Set up is extremely straightforward, just a few simple clicks and you have a table with fields dedicated to your desired data type.  This reduces the keystrokes required for data entry to a minimum.  Flexible data sorting allows any hierarchy of fields to be selected.  You can review data either by using a simple search query or, for a more complex enquiry, the basic and to some extent pre-programmed SQL input scheme provided.  But best of all, the support is absolutely superb.  This reviewer required some help in recalling the correct syntax for SQL.  At least 6 e-mails were answered over the course of no more than a few hours (some of which seemed to be around 4 am at their end!).  Thanks to their patience and persistence I now have full use of this little gem of a program.  Two minor niggles.  One is that only two fields of the database are shown on the summary screen - the other fields can be accessed via a tap on the entry.  The font of the second field displayed is a little small.  I thoroughly recommend this app and cannot praise too highly the support team.

### 5/5 — May be basic, but it's great!

*2012-02-15*

I wanted a simple database that kept track of the books I've read - the titles, the authors, the dates, and a synopsis. The fact that it is searchable, and modifiable, is a real bonus. Of course, I could've  added many more fields if I needed. This is definitely worth the $2.99 upgrade. Thanks for developing this.

### 5/5 — Exactly what I was looking for

*2011-12-18*

I hand you a tab delimited text file, you parse it into a database with good interface and searchability. Tried the free version, bought the upgrade instantly. Robust, well thought out, instantly understandable.

### 5/5 — Very cool and useful too!

*2011-10-14*

I needed a way to track simple bits of data that would later help me make assumptions.  This little app did the trick. Just what I wanted. I see I can export to cab which means I can share the data. Very cool and useful tool for my iPod Touch.

### 5/5 — AWESOME DATABASE!!!!!!

*2011-09-21*

I am a truck driver in the oilfield. I travel to alot of leases that are very rual with no specific address to identify their location. This database is exactly perfect for my needs. It lets me label the oil company that owns the lease and then allows me to input multiple sub-data bases under it. Example: oil company- lease name plus fields for lease number, tank size, destination, and also has an awesome GPS feature to pinpoint exactly where the lease is located with a stickpin on the map. On top of all this it sorts by several fields of user choice and has a search feature to find a sub-database in a single tap. I personally think this database app is worth way more than a mere $2.99. Thank you, an extremely satisfied customer, Peggy

### 4/5 — Retired analyst

*2011-08-04, version 1.11*

What I was looking for. States up front it's not relational, but has strong SQL abilities on a stand alone table. If you're not acquainted with SQL, get a book. For small table manipulation & query it's great.

### 5/5 — Excellent

*2011-06-28*

Just downloaded the free version and effectively created my own mini app (to track all the conference calls i do in a day) in less than 10 mins. Absolutely brill, exactly what I was looking for.

### 3/5 — Works But Forced Upgrade

*2011-05-13*

I use it for recording my exercise sessions and step counts. It does what I want it too.  But I added a 5th line to have more typing room, not really necessary.  I didn't realize you couldn't have 5 lines unless you upgrade.  When it gave me the warning about needing to upgrade, it didn't give me a choice to back out and delete the line.  I couldn't even get out of the app unless I upgraded.  So I was forced to pay for the upgrade in order to get out if the app to use my iZphone!

### 5/5 — Excellent & Flexible

*2011-03-07*

I use this data base every day for my courier business. Its ideal for keeping track of jobs, mileages, rates, quotes etc and for checking against receipts and invoices later. Features like hitting the "now" button automatically enters the current time & date making it fast enough to use in the field. I can easily email myself a .csv copy to keep a backup from within the app. I'm looking forward to promised improvements on next update (thanks Tom, great service)

### 4/5 — Recommended

*2011-01-12*

I really like your General DB application. It solves a particular need that I've had in organizing some locations I'm looking at, with photos and Google maps. Very awesome. There are some improvements that could be made, but the developer was swift about responding and open to suggestions for improvement when I contacted him.

### 5/5 — Love seeing field names while editing

*2010-11-25*

Much easier to edit my data now.

## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated)

### 1/5 — Exports/Shares as a text file only, not a .db

*2024-02-27*

I mistakenly thought I could get my database back out as a SQLite .db, which is how it got in. 

But the Share button only allows for sharing selected rows, or exporting the whole db as a .txt file which then can only be imported, apparently through iTunes.

**Developer response:** You can share your database as well without exporting to text files. Just tap on the Files tab then tap the Database tab then tap the row of the database file you want to share, such as general.db which is the name of the default database file. Then tap the share icon button in the toolbar. Please contact us on our website if you have any issues with that.

### 1/5 — Non-relational

*2012-07-08*

If you're looking for a relational database, look elsewhere. This isn't it. Just a set of flat tables. May as well use Numbers.

### 1/5 — Плохо

*2010-11-03, version 0*

Всего 5 строк поддерживается в бесплатной версии

### 1/5 — Magic

*2010-10-06, version 0*

Took a simple to use app and made a total mess in the latest upgrade,
Of course after I bought the up grade!

### 1/5 — nothing but a spreadsheet with an extra location aware field

*2010-08-05*

i tried out this app on the developer's advice before downloading the paid version, major general db. what caught my attention was the ability to use some sql statements. so naturally I thought that it had some real database capabilities.

turns out that it's just a glorified spreadsheet with the location data type glorifying the spreadsheet. if this version is like the paid version, then neither are worth your time, paid or free.

the very least i expected from an app called a database (especially when sql statements are supported on the paid version) is the ability to link tables. and linking tables is not a feature on this version, so I assume that it is not available on the paid version either.

this is just a list, spreadsheet, or if you prefer, a flat database. if that's all you need, then the paid version is for you.

if you need to link tables, and do other things that relational databases can do, then this is definitely NOT for you.

### 1/5 — Not for advanced users

*2010-03-25*

Another description that lies. I have tried a lot of the database apps some good and some bad but this one is one of the most useless featureless apps i have downloaded despite the fact that the description boasts that it is so advanced for advanced users. Stop lying and change your description.

### 2/5 — cannot use UTF8 code

*2012-02-11, version 1.12*

日本語でimportができないのが残念。

### 2/5 — Primitive

*2010-07-12, version 0*

The warning about not downloading unless you are experienced with serious databases is a joke.  This is nothing but a simple flatfile database.

To use it at all, you must upgrade it, done within the free download. Upgrade costs $2.99.

It could be handy as a data logger-type application if it had the capability for dropdown lists to be attached to the various fields.

Needs true csv formatted export function.

For a far more capable "logger" type ap, go to iLogget.

### 3/5 — Штрихкод

*2015-04-10, version 3.1*

Не распознает

### 3/5 — Help?

*2012-10-15, version 2.2*

Seems to work well but can someone tell me how to change the field names?  When I try to do it, there is no save button, and it disappears...

## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated)

### 5/5 — Just awesome!

*2022-04-01*

I find this app to be perfect.  Very easy to use, handy, helpful, powerful and long overdue.  Wish I had found this years ago.  Love it!

### 5/5 — Support

*2021-06-16*

I added GeneralDB to my iPadPro and could not make it operate even though I’ve been using this app on my iPhone for years.

Once I contacted Tom for a little support, I got a bunch of support; almost instantly. The problem was solved by that afternoon, and a reset of my iPad got me back into the app. +1 for support of this useful tool.

**Developer response:** Thanks for the kind words Paul!

### 5/5 — PalmOS で JFile を使ってた人は最適？

*2020-07-15, version 5.8.1*

表題の通りです．
Private バージョンでは，他のツールで作ったテクストファイルもこれに関連付けされてしまって，テクストファイルをクリックするとPrivate バージョンが立ち上がってしまい困ってましたが，General バージョンでは改善されてて快適です．

### 5/5 — Using this to collect field data on an ipad

*2020-01-25*

success!

### 5/5 — データがサクサク作れる

*2018-11-18, version 5.1.2*

操作性にちょっとクセありますが、慣れるとサクサクデータ作れて快適です。
これで作成したデータをcsv形式ファイルで書き出してExcelに取り込むなどして活用しています。

### 5/5 — Awesome App

*2016-07-18*

This app is awesome. The current version resolved a memory leak issue causing import problems with very large files. Customer service has been fantastic! Quick responses and follow ups. Also willing to spend the time in helping me with the import issue.

This app allows me to carry large amounts of data that I can easily access. In app searches are very quick.

### 5/5 — Great for keeping track

*2015-12-01*

I have used this app for a while now, to track all of my 35mm film. It allows me to see at a glance how much is in the freezer, how much is in the fridge and how much is out. I don’t have to keep searching around and I can see when I need to re-stock. It’s simple and it works.

The most recent update caused the row definitions to display nonsense (not the actual figures, thankfully - just the definitions) which gave me a good reason to trim down and improve my tables by re-defining. Yes, I could have marked down for this but I don’t agree with marking down for technical reasons in reviews, particularly as I didn’t even need to invoke support. It’s still great and it does what I need it to do.

### 5/5 — Great App

*2015-03-27*

I have a pretty large database with 8 tables and 10k+ rows - this runs great on  my iPad and iPhone 6 sharing with Dropbox.
The only thing missing for me is the ability to have the 'picker types' dynamic, For example being able to define a field as a lookup in a related table rather than a static list of picker values.  - UPDATE:  I found out that the picker values ARE actually stored as hidden tables (view in settings).  Now I can use triggers to update these picker values dynamically based on other tables.  Very cool - can almost build a complete application now.  Simple Form capability would make this app complete for me.
Keep up the good work

### 5/5 — As Advertised

*2014-12-24*

Solid app that does what it’s advertised to do. Here are the features I like about General DB:
- Despite being a mobile app, it is powerful with a query interface and a SQLite console.
- The database easily handles large data tables with many records.  In contrast, another popular database app I have groans with large data tables.
- The corresponding OS-X app makes it handy to share data files with my iMac.  This can be done through iTunes or through Dropbox. To share With Dropbox, you must have the free Dropbox app on your mobile device — I learned the hard way.
- Tech support through email is responsive and friendly.
I hope General DB’s developers continue to refine the app.  I would like to see more varieties of field types such as integer, decimal, and boolean.

### 5/5 — I love it!!

*2014-05-27, version 3.0.1*

Good app! But I need "Open in" Please!!

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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 2026-08-21.*