# Hippo Magic

> Augmented reality app that animates physical children's books with interactive features. (iPhone/iPad app by Tigra Live Animations LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hippo-magic/id1329362710 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Tigra Live Animations LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1202397112)
- Category: Books, Education
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.05/5 from 1,268 App Store ratings · 103 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 236 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2017-12-29
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hippo-magic/id1329362710/reviews.md

## What is Hippo Magic?

Little Hippo’s AR books exist at the intersection of gaming and reading, technology and literacy, imagination and education. Using innovative augmented reality technology, Little Hippo books engage and excite the most reluctant readers with intuitive, interactive technology.

Augmented reality features on the Hippo Magic app include:

* Play with your favorite characters.
* Color.
* Find the hidden objects.
* Play music.
* Take photos and videos.

Just point your device at the pages marked with the Little Hippo logo at the bottom and see the 4D Magic come to life.
If something is not clear, please read the tips in the app or follow the instructions on the back of the book. Just e-mail us if something does not work, we will do our best to help.

For additional information, please contact us at info@littlehippoar.com

## Key features

- Augmented reality book animation
- Interactive character play
- Coloring activities
- Hidden object games
- In-app music
- Photo and video capture

## What do users think of Hippo Magic?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- 🚀 Interesting app
- 💡 Great interactive concept
- 👍 Cute and fun for kids
- 🚀 Works well when it does

**Cons**

- 🐛 Buggy and unreliable
- 🐛 Camera not working
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezes
- 🐛 Inconsistent performance
- 🐛 Lack of sound/audio issues
- 🐛 Incomplete/partial functionality

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Camera not working, shows black screen
- App freezing or getting stuck at 69% download
- Inconsistent page recognition and AR functionality
- Sound not working despite volume being on

**Most requested features**

- Animate full book, not just select pages
- Improve instructions and onboarding
- Add more interactive elements across all pages
- Enhance responsiveness and stability

## Recent user reviews (10 of 103)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hippo-magic/id1329362710/reviews.md

### 3/5 — The Three Little Pigs

*2025-05-10, version 4.0.1*

The app is interesting.

### 2/5 — Used to work great

*2025-02-04, version 4.0.1*

Over the past two years this app has been a real disappointment. It stopped working all together awhile back, but now it only half works. Don’t waste your money on the books.

### 1/5 — Has potential but not executed

*2025-01-11, version 4.0.1*

Cool concept but not user friendly what so ever. As an adult it’s frustrating to navigate the layout. Simplicity needs to be a priority with this.

### 3/5 — Wonderful App Concept but poor functionality

*2024-12-15*

The interactive App concept is amazing and my kid loves it! But need to enhance the responsiveness of the QR codes as it is taking too long to load and my kid looses interest while waiting. Also, the sound not coming up! I tried checking the speakers and everything is correctly tuned but the sound not coming up! I would suggest enhancing it and adding more activities so we keep purchasing this type of books because we love the idea.

### 4/5 — ABC Fun with Mickey

*2024-11-15*

Pretty cool. I wish it did different things each page. It did the same thing just different letters. Except the last page did a magical alphabet show. I also wish I could hear what Mickey was saying. I mean his mouth was moving, clearly saying something. Maybe no moving mouth with no sound or sound with the moving mouth. That would be my advice.

### 1/5 — Seems buggy.

*2024-11-10, version 4.0.1*

Can’t seem to get this to work. Checked my iPad has the right specs. The program downloaded but won’t open.

### 2/5 — Could be cool

*2024-06-23, version 4.0.1*

The app could be cool, but it only works about 30% of the time. My daughter still loves it though.

### 1/5 — Won’t let you use without microphone permissions

*2024-06-15, version 4.0.1*

Doesn’t work well, asks for too many unnecessary permissions, adds nothing to the experience

### 3/5 — Bad

*2024-02-09, version 4.0.1*

This app. After I downloaded it it asked me to buy some books and when I scan a book it just takes a picture. 

Only good if you are ok to buy stuff on it.

### 3/5 — Work on the sound

*2024-02-08, version 4.0.1*

After using it for over 2 year sound just came on, I was surprised, I didn’t realize that was even a feature. It hasn’t worked again since then.

## Frequently asked questions about Hippo Magic

### What does the Hippo Magic app do?

The Hippo Magic app uses augmented reality to bring physical children's books to life. When you point your device at specific pages marked with the Little Hippo logo, characters and scenes will animate, offering interactive experiences.

### What are the key features of the Hippo Magic app?

Key features include playing with favorite characters, coloring activities, finding hidden objects, playing music, and taking photos and videos. These interactive elements are designed to make reading more engaging and educational.

### How do I use the app with my books?

Simply open the app and point your device's camera at the pages in your Little Hippo books that have the logo at the bottom. The augmented reality magic will then come to life on your screen.

### What if I have trouble using the app?

If you encounter any issues, you can read the tips provided within the app or follow the instructions on the back of the book. For further assistance, you can email info@littlehippoar.com, and they will do their best to help.

### Is the Hippo Magic app free to use?

Based on the provided information, the app is free to use. There are no mentions of in-app purchases or subscription models.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 4.0.1 — 2022-12-18

Updated scanning process!

### 4.0.0 — 2022-04-17

Updated scanning process!

### 3.7.2 — 2021-05-12

Improved loading experience

### 3.7.1 — 2021-03-30

Improved loading experience

### 3.7.0 — 2021-01-29

Added more Magic!

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## More apps by Tigra Live Animations LLC

- [Tigra Live](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tigra-live/id1202397113)
- [Stew Leonard's Magic Barn Door](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stew-leonards-magic-barn-door/id1475775509)
- [Word World AR](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/word-world-ar/id1492249075)

All apps by Tigra Live Animations LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/1202397112

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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 2026-06-10.*