# HM \| DCC — user reviews > 32 indexed App Store user reviews of HM | DCC by Hornby Hobbies Ltd, rated 2.25/5 from 4 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hm-dcc/id1660757271/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hm-dcc/id1660757271.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 1 · 4★ 0 · 3★ 0 · 2★ 1 · 1★ 2 ## Newest reviews (10 of 32) ### 4/5 — Sometimes a bit finicky, but overall useful. *2025-10-01, version 1.6.0* Had some difficulty getting it to work the first time, but with updates and more experience, I’ve found it overall useful and good for what it does. Any screwups are moderately easy to fix by just resetting the effected decoder, and picking sound for locos is far easier than other systems. There are parts for improvement when it comes to function programming and arrangement, but for HM7000s relative low price I’m more than happy. ### 3/5 — Over complicated *2025-09-28, version 1.6.0* Very difficult app to figure out constant error messages, frequently can’t see the device drops connection for no reason and is probably not for new starters to the hobby. I recommend stick with DC basic until it bores you and you want the huge challenges DCC presents. ### 2/5 — Will it, Won’t it *2025-09-04, version 1.6.0* In the beginning it worked fine, then started losing loco’s, finding them again and then ultimately asking for codes and re setting required. Gave up, gone for another control system. Product support, questionable. ### 4/5 — This Is Awesome *2025-03-20, version 1.6.0* I use HMlDCC with an iPad Pro Gen 1 and it is my favorite app on there. Works a dream and new sound profiles and functions are being added all the time. 10/10 ### 4/5 — Good features *2025-03-19, version 1.5.0* Lots of good features that take a bit of time to learn and understand. The track builder element needs updating to include the new TT120 scale and part numbers. ### 4/5 — So far so good *2023-12-13* Free from my DCC tether, the mobile app is definitely easier to use then my clunky DCC cab. I can walk around the layout and out the door and still be in full control. I'm very impressed. ### 3/5 — Very good but needs more sound profiles for diesel's *2023-09-04* Its a good system but Hornby seems to be lost in the steam era very limited diesel sound profiles at present surprisingly no class 47 class 37 or class 20 which mist be the most popular models hopefully they will sort this soon as it could put new users off seeing the chip are £65 each so come on Hornby let see some positive action for the diesel fans ### 5/5 — Now let the big boys and their toys have fun. *2023-03-27, version 1.0* Sort of new to this and model railways but comparing this to my old set track train set I had many moons ago….it’s like Iv stepped into a different dimension. My new pass time is the great and exciting Hornby TT:120 scale and this app makes my learning curve much easier and more appealing to me. Absolutely fantastic Hornby. ### 4/5 — iPhone v iPad control *2023-03-26, version 1.0* Seems to work very well, only installed in one loco. Added sound an I’m impressed. However, I might have missed something but I have setup the loco on my iPhone but cannot see anything on my iPad. Both running updated iOS. Have looked out and back in on both but no transfer between the two. Since I have to have a Hornby account surely the data should follow the devices! ### 5/5 — Early days *2023-03-25, version 1.0* Works great on my iPhone SE second edition. I’m expecting a few gremlins with it being a completely new system. Not found anything significant so far though. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Always giving problems *2025-10-13, version 1.6.0* It’s always losing my loco’s that I have installed in it and then I have to reinstall them all again. Also it’s always having problems with most decoders initially when I install them for the first time, with a sound profile. ### 1/5 — Works when it wants *2025-03-27, version 1.6.0* Since fitting the sound chip the loco runs badly stopping all the time even with the stay alive addition the loco runs fine with a standard Dcc decoder. ### 1/5 — Hm7000 *2025-01-12, version 1.5.0* Don’t work ### 1/5 — Absolute junk *2024-10-20, version 1.4.0* Works then doesn’t work , links trains ok then doesn’t even see them . Reset this and reset that etc etc . Now saying a device (train) can be reset with a passcode ?? Whatever that is . Press this to get help and nothing happens . Had it all set up ok . Went back the next day and it didn’t have a clue . No trains no nothing . Sorry but anything that works intermittently isn’t worth bothering with especially as there is so much really good stuff out there . So disappointing . ### 1/5 — App keeps resetting *2024-10-17, version 1.4.0* All of a sudden the app keeps logging out and resetting loosing all the engine details. This means you have to reset all chips and start again very frustrating ### 1/5 — PLEASE READ 🙏 *2024-10-15, version 1.4.0* Hornby Hobbies needs to fix their app. I am a big model train fan and was excited when I found this. I discovered upon downloading the app that you needed a Hornby Hobbies account to use it, so I signed up. Only for them to say they need to “verify my account” so I waited for them to send me a verification email, the email of course NEVER came. Then I realized that I wasn’t even signed in the website, which didn’t make sense because I had just signed in. So I tried signing in again, still, it wouldn’t let me. So I tried creating my account again, but it said I already had a account. Nothing made sense, nothing worked. HUGE disappointment. FIX THIS STUFF PLEASE. ### 1/5 — Unreliable! Unsupported! *2023-05-19, version 1.0* I bought into the Hornby HMDCC dream and bought a iPad Air as it said supported BUT to my disappointment after downloading and installing realised it was not supposed!!! What a pile of rubbish. Hornby just rushing product out as usual and customers doing the testing and R&D for free!!!!! ### 1/5 — Fails to recognize that the DCC sounds are loaded *2023-05-02* If you want to waste your evenings then this is the app for you. I have Five of the TXS chips so far and all have been a pain to load sounds. You spend between 10 to 20 minutes (depending on loco profile) to load the sounds, rebooting the chip (by lifting off the rails), update the CVS (another reboot) and importing the profile… only for the app to say that the sounds are not loaded when you switch back to the main screen. So try again… and again… and again… you normally succeed around the 10th attempt. What gets me is, why does it say successfully loaded in the loading screen (with the weird comment called « dismiss ») and then in other « sounds are not loaded »! It was either a success or not! Maybe the app needs to be reloaded, but will it keep the data? No idea… ### 1/5 — Decoders are good but the software is hot garbage! *2023-04-02, version 1.0* Why on earth do decoders require registering to your device? I’ve bricked two already due to a bug in the registration process. It’s a completely unnecessary requirement, ruining what could have been a great product. I will be discouraging this product until this is sorted! ### 1/5 — It might be great… *2023-03-23, version 1.0* …but I am never going to be using this system as long as Hornby requires you to log in to the app to use it. Completely unnecessary and infuriating. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Excellent well supported system *2025-10-30, version 1.6.0* This is an easy to use system and the app is first class easy to set up and operate - everything occasionally has glitches these are usually solved with a little bit of thought - the negative reviews, as usual,seem to be mainly from people who don’t seem to be able to have that ability or there are plenty of support resources available if it is too much to work out by self - including downloading and READING THE MANUAL from the Hornby site which is 160 odd pages its well indexed so is an invaluable help ### 5/5 — Brilliant app. *2025-02-17, version 1.5.0* I have been using this for a long while now. Have had no problems whatsoever. ### 5/5 — HM7000 *2025-02-17, version 1.5.0* Works perfectly for me. I have eighteen loco’s on the system- all running from my iPhone 15. Great piece of kit. ### 5/5 — Works well & has loads of potential *2024-05-01, version 1.3.0* Having started in TT120, this new system came along soon after and really suits my modelling needs. It’s really intuitive to operate from phone/tablet screen and removes the need to know lots of arcane information that standard DCC systems use. It was a steep learning curve in the early days but that is much less now that pre-fitted models are available and early issues with the sound profiles have been dealt with. I would implore anyone starting out to download and read the full manual before starting as it provides lots of information that helps prevent basic errors. With the delay to the smaller 6-pin decoders, I invested in the legacy dongle which allows standard DCC decoders to be used on the app. More improvements are apparently on the way, including accessory control. ### 5/5 — Compatibility *2023-06-19, version 1.1.0* Although the app states it will work with various iOS revisions some versions on some devices are still in work as prominently stated by Hornby on their web pages. All in all the app is intuitive and simple to use. For those who are unable to master on screen prompts there are a complete series of step by step how-to guides also on the Hornby web site. In the event even that help is insufficient the Hornby forum has a separate section for HM DCC. Much more stable at v1.1.0 after update. Sound profile loading is now almost idiot proof. ### 5/5 — Absolutely Delighted *2023-05-02, version 1.0* I have returned to model railways after a 30+ year break, and DCC was completely new to me. This App and the system underlying it has made my assimilation of this new tech very easy. The App’s interface is intuitive and very easy to use and the potential for the whole bluetooth control this App offers, is huge. I’m absolutely delighted with how straightforward everything is and have now installed eight decoders into my loco collection, all running beautifully. Very well done Hornby…….a superb effort ! I recommend this App, highly. ### 5/5 — Great support *2023-04-21, version 1.0* I mistaking used the HM DC rather than the HM DCC app and managed to corrupt the decoder. However I received fantastic support from George at Hornby who reset the decoder. It now works perfectly and the sound and loco control is excellent. ### 5/5 — iPad train control *2023-04-20, version 1.0* I’ve been running trains using wireless DCC control for years, but the introduction of Bluetooth has huge potential. The setup was very easy and the control screen works very well. Everything you need is easy to find on the App. I am delighted with the system in general. I now have a battery powered OO train which can run round the garden, in all weathers and with dirty track. ### 5/5 — Great start, huge potential… *2023-04-17, version 1.0* This is def v1 software, but that being said it’s actually very capable for v1. The sound effects are excellent, and assuming they have the sound profile you want this is the best sound-enabled system on the market. And frankly for most of us, even if it’s not the actually exact sound of Obscure Loco X, you can easily find something close enough for ordinary folk. Would love to see simple routines brought in, and waiting too for a TT track builder. But well done. So far, so good. ### 5/5 — First DCC set *2023-04-02, version 1.0* This is amazing, works perfectly and really easy to operate via my iPad. Saves all the wires. I also fitted the capacitor for extra stay alive power and purchased the 15v 4amp power pack for the track. No issues works perfect. --- *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.*