# HOME THEATER CONTROLLER - US — user reviews > 84 indexed App Store user reviews of HOME THEATER CONTROLLER by Yamaha Corporation of America, rated 2.20/5 from 356 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/home-theater-controller-us/id669726246/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/home-theater-controller-us/id669726246.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 72 · 4★ 22 · 3★ 21 · 2★ 36 · 1★ 205 ## What do users think of HOME THEATER CONTROLLER? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 👍 Easy setup and connection via Bluetooth - 🎛️ Intuitive interface for controlling sound settings - 📱 Convenient remote replacement when physical remote is lost - ⚙️ More control options than physical remote - ✨ Works well when properly connected - 🔊 Effective volume and input control **Cons** - 🐛 Frequently stuck in demo mode - 🔌 Requires manual Bluetooth reconnection every time - ⚠️ Crashes on app launch or during use - 🔄 Constant reconnection prompts and cycling - 📉 No longer works after iOS updates - ⏱️ Slow to connect and respond - 🚫 Stops working after system updates - 🔗 Connection drops frequently - ❌ Doesn't remember previous connections - 🎯 Limited functionality compared to physical remote **Commonly reported bugs** - App stuck in demo mode indefinitely - Crashes on iOS updates (iOS 11, 13, 26) - Fails to exit demo mode after initialization - Bluetooth connection not maintained between app sessions - App closes immediately after opening - Settings revert when switching between apps - Demo mode appears every time app launches - Cannot enable 3D surround sound feature - App doesn't recognize sound bar model - Lag between volume input and response - Connection shows as active but app doesn't control device **Most requested features** - Dark mode theme - Automatic Bluetooth reconnection without manual steps - Firmware update capability via app - Power on/off functionality - Smart sound mode switching based on source - Volume control from connected devices (e.g., Yamaha receiver) - Dual Bluetooth device support - Better UI/UX design following iOS guidelines - Clear on-screen instructions for troubleshooting - WiFi connectivity option instead of Bluetooth-only ## Newest reviews (14 of 84) ### 2/5 — Not working *2025-09-26, version 3.07* Stopped working on ios26 update :( ### 3/5 — Volume control via connected device *2024-12-28, version 3.07* The App works great as far as using the soundbar (ATS-1080) with my tv. It would be nicer if it was a little smarter; you have to go into the app and change the sound mode (movie, music, etc) manually if that matters to you. I can control the volume with my tv remote when the source is TV. However when the source is Bluetooth I can only control the volume with this app or the soundbar remote. I’d like to be able to control the volume with the connected device/app so I don’t need to bounce between different apps and controls; in my case a Yamaha receiver (using the MusicCast app). ### 3/5 — 3d surround sound cannot be enabled *2024-11-28, version 3.07* This app should not have this many bugs. I cannot enable the 3d surround sound in the app, and I guess I will never be able to since I lost the manual remote… ### 2/5 — Is there such a thing as updates anymore? *2024-02-22* For starters, a dark theme would be nice. Secondly, after already connecting, going to another app and then back to this one it goes through a series of prompts each and every time which is the biggest chip on my shoulder. It’s already connected. Please don’t prompt me again that it is through a series of not one, but multiple pr omits that I have to tap my way out of. So obnoxious. Clearly there is no interest in such a thing as updates and true customer satisfaction though right? As of my review will even change anything. Pfff pathetic. ### 2/5 — App crashes most of the time as soon as its open *2023-08-08, version 3.07* App crashes ### 4/5 — It works *2022-11-16, version 3.07* Have used the app for more than 3 years now and never had a problem with it. I use it to occasionally change settings but I use the Apple TV remote to adjust volume. I would give it 5 stars but the fact it has to cycle thru the demo mode every time gets annoying. If I used this to regularly change volume it would bad. Otherwise don’t understand the problem that people are having. ### 3/5 — Lag between volume changing *2022-07-22, version 3.07* 0-100 and there isn’t stopping volume going up because of input lag? ### 3/5 — Had been working fine… *2021-09-19, version 3.07* Nothing spectacular but it would turn the volume up and down and change the sounds. Now it opens, connects and just closes the app. I removed and Re downloaded same thing. iPhone ### 2/5 — Buggy-needs an Update! *2021-09-15* We loved this app for iOS when we first got our ATS 1080 around a year ago. Love all the additional features that the remote doesn’t have. Within the last few months it stays on demo mode with Bluetooth on. I have to close and restart the app 3-4 times before the app finally recognizes it to connect. I wish Yamaha would make an update since it looks like the last time they fixed bugs was 2 years ago. ### 1/5 — Update *2021-07-16, version 3.07* App needs to be updated. It crashes everytime you try to open the app. ### 1/5 — Stuck on demo mode *2021-07-04, version 3.07* I don’t get all the options because the app is stuck on “demo mode.” I don’t know how to go about turning this off. ### 1/5 — No longer works *2021-04-07, version 3.07* No longer works after update. Btw., the five star review saying it is “simple” and then lays out a dozen steps to make it work must be some kind of a joke ### 4/5 — Bluetooth Limitaions *2021-03-27, version 3.07* So you cannot link two Bluetooth devices to the speaker at one time. I have the YAS-107. So this means I cannot hook up a music source via Bluetooth and then control the speaker using the App, which uses Bluetooth to connect to the speaker, at the same time. Great solution if you use one of the other speaker inputs. ### 1/5 — Ugly and non-intuitive *2021-03-04, version 3.07* I’m his app flaunts any UI guidelines. It requires constant reconnection with Bluetooth or switched back to demo mode. It doesn’t provide any help. It’s truly pathetic. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — No updates anymore? *2024-09-20, version 3.07* Yamaha is still a reputable company is it not? I’m going to report this to the FCC. This is ridiculous. ### 1/5 — No longer works after update *2023-12-21, version 3.07* Do you even care developer? ### 1/5 — No longer works after update. *2023-11-24, version 3.07* No longer works after update. Very disappointing. ### 1/5 — App now crashes because Yamaha won’t support it *2023-09-23, version 3.07* Sneaky ploy by Yamaha I suspect, app now crashed every time I launch it. They won’t support the product any longer, they want you to upgrade. Expected better from a Japanese company, they have no honor. ### 1/5 — Used to be good *2022-11-09, version 3.07* Used to work flawlessly with my YAS-207 sound bar. No longer works :( have tried uninstalling reinstalling. Unpairing and repairing. Nothing seems to get the app to connect to the sound bar. I don’t want to upgrade the bar because it works great but with the app not working anymore, it’s cumbersome to have to carry the remote around while playing music if I want to adjust something on the sound bar…. ### 1/5 — It won’t connect to my speaker anymore *2022-08-01, version 3.07* I used this only when i first got it and it worked decently. I have connected my phone to the speaker and no matter what it only shows display mode. ### 1/5 — Has to be a better way *2022-07-03, version 3.07* Please tell me there is another app that works for my sound bar? This one is awful. Constantly disconnects, constantly refreshes and then sometimes will not even recognize my sound bar for days. Very antiquated. Is there another app that would work?? ### 1/5 — The worst *2021-12-22, version 3.07* This app DOES. NOT. WORK. Had my Yamaha sound bar since 2018 and have been trying to get the app to work correctly ever since. It’s buggy, doesn’t remember connections or settings and besides the sound, mute and input options, nothing else in the app works. Zero stars. ### 1/5 — Peace of crap *2021-11-28, version 3.07* Doesn’t work most of a time. No connection. Btw ats 1080 sound bar is total mess. Sound quality like from your’s grandma dumbphone No waste your time and money ### 1/5 — Horrible app *2021-11-28, version 3.07* ATS 1070 is a hunk of crap Wasted my money, should have went Sono or Bose ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — It works *2022-12-10, version 3.07* I have been using it for past 3 years. It works perfectly. ### 5/5 — Awesome app! *2022-10-20, version 3.07* It is exactly why I needed. Setting up couldn’t be easier. The app allows me to easily control and adjust my sound bar with ease. Thank you! ### 5/5 — Simple order of operations *2022-04-12, version 3.07* If you’re not a dullard, this is a brutally easy app to use. Switch your Bluetooth on, select your sound bar, then open the app. If you do it in a different order, you did it wrong. Good luck, I guess. ### 5/5 — Wish I knew about this sooner *2021-04-14, version 3.07* I love my YAS-108, but I found the on device and remote control kind of difficult to determine what feature is on and at which level. Ever since using this app I love my speaker even more. If you use this app with your Yamaha speaker you will have refined control over your speaker because you’ll have access to an interface. The only thing missing through this app is updating the firmware over Bluetooth. ### 5/5 — Holy Smokes It Works! *2020-12-05, version 3.07* I don't write many reviews, but this app has saved me $40 and works so easily that I couldn't NOT leave a review! I have a YAS-600 that I bought a few years ago and have no idea where the remote is - and a replacement is $36-40! Randomly typed in YAS-600 into the app store and this (sadly, poorly reviewed) app popped up! Let the app use bluetooth on my phone and it automatically connected to my sound bar and JUST WORKED! Mind blown. So happy and impressed! ### 5/5 — Works just fine *2020-12-02, version 3.07* Ignore issues that it won't connect. You need to know how to connect to it once and done. Never once had an issue once the phone is connected to my sound bar. ### 5/5 — It works fine for my ATS-1080 *2020-03-31, version 3.07* Does exactly what I want it to do... control/see the volume, switch setting/inputs. That’s all I need it to do and it does it. Just downloaded the app and connected to the soundbar via Bluetooth. ### 5/5 — Works fine *2020-02-15, version 3.07* I thought this app wasn’t going to work based on previous reviews. These people must not have gone to college. App works fine ### 5/5 — It works fine *2019-12-25, version 3.07* I usually never write reviews, but I felt the need to write a review for this app because it honestly works fine. Before you go complaining about an app I recommend figuring out how to properly use it. Just make sure your Bluetooth is on and the phone is synced to the device. App will work fine with phone connected to it via bluetooth. ### 5/5 — App Works Great - YAS-108 *2019-10-13, version 3.07* Change settings. Turn features on and off. The app is great since the light dots on the bar don’t show the exact level of subwoofer. Only moves with multiple presses. --- *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.*