# Hydrawise Irrigation — user reviews > 60 indexed App Store user reviews of Hydrawise Irrigation by Caterra Pty Ltd, rated 2.50/5 from 431 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hydrawise-irrigation/id490594689/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hydrawise-irrigation/id490594689.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 95 · 4★ 39 · 3★ 43 · 2★ 73 · 1★ 181 ## What do users think of Hydrawise Irrigation? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 🚀 Remote control of sprinkler system from phone - ⚡ Easy setup and installation process - 📊 Weather integration for smart watering - 🔄 Reliable scheduled watering when working - 👍 Intuitive for some users with technical background - 💾 Good data logging capabilities - 🌐 Multi-controller management support **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent disconnection issues with controller - 😤 Non-intuitive and confusing user interface - ⚠️ Poor customer support responsiveness - 🔐 Login issues and session management problems - 📱 App feels like web wrapper, not native mobile app - 📊 Useless and poorly designed charts/graphs - 🎯 Small touch targets and difficult controls - ⏱️ Cumbersome dial interface for setting times - 🔄 Inconsistent app performance and crashes - 📡 WiFi connectivity and syncing problems - ❌ Missing critical features for basic operations - 🖥️ Outdated Windows 98-style interface design - 🌧️ Inaccurate weather data and forecasting - 🔧 Accessibility issues for visually impaired users **Commonly reported bugs** - App fails to recognize Apple security keys during login - Controller serial number already set error preventing reconnection - Zone suspension end date defaults back to current date - Weather station data not auto-updating - Manual watering interferes with program start times - Overlapping program schedules not prevented - App locks on certain screens requiring force quit - Download to Excel feature doesn't work - False solenoid alarm readings with multiple relays - Rain sensor false triggers based on forecast - App freezes when editing zones - Login requires re-entry every session - Inconsistent WiFi connection status reporting - App crashes and requires reinstall to function - Zone watering times not matching programmed settings - Multiple solenoid activation when only one should run - App won't load after iOS library migration - Delayed or missing error notifications - Controller shows strong WiFi but app says disconnected **Most requested features** - Simple toggle to turn system on/off for season - Ability to pause system without restart date requirement - Program-wide watering percentage adjustment slider - Interval-based scheduling (skip 2, 3, 5 days, etc.) - End date option for seasonal programs - Stop entire program feature (not just individual zones) - Basic mode vs advanced mode toggle - Numeric time input instead of dial interface - Ability to suspend upcoming waterings from schedule view - Multiple run lengths per zone per program - Zone icons visible in remote control tab - Better weather station accuracy and local forecasting - Download data to Excel functionality - Push notifications and badge alerts for errors - Remember user preferences between sessions - Improved accessibility for screen readers - Copy zones and schedules feature - Clearer indication of zone/program status - Better error messaging and troubleshooting guidance ## Newest reviews (14 of 60) ### 4/5 — Works well for me *2023-09-17* Overall the app works well and is reliable for my 6-zone system. I do agree that the design could be simpler. Only complaint is that if you have multiple programs (ie seasonal adjustments), it only allows for a start date (month and day); not an end date. So programs end up overlapping. The only viable option is to use the “grow in” option which gives you the ability to set a start and end date, but because it requires a year, you have to reprogram it every year. ### 4/5 — Much better than Manual Controllers but needs some additional options for optimal control *2023-06-08* Works well as long as your controller has stable wifi. It saves so much time adjusting schedules, testing zones and heads, and you can do it from palm of your hand. I would like to see 1 thing in particular added to the app that already exists in standard irrigation controllers: The ability to adjust an entire program to run each zone by a % more or less. I adjust run times and check my irrigation system almost daily. Some nights if I feel I need to run irrigation but not the full time on each zone. It would be so nice to just move a slider to, for example, 50% so all my zones run but just for half of the time that night. Or mid summer, when a heat wave is coming through, instead of changing each of my 29 zones run time, just move the slider over to 120%. I know there already is a similar option to adjust the % run time by month but I want the option to be able to adjust it for the whole program on a daily basis if needed ### 2/5 — Still awful *2023-05-20* I’ve been using this app for a second season now and I’m appalled by the lack of any significant improvement to this barely functional software. Hunter is a very successful company! Why can’t you hire an IT team that can write an app that doesn’t look like Windows ‘98? Seriously, the graphs are a joke, the download functions don’t work, and the user interface is bush league. Hunter should fire the developers of this app and start fresh. I know a guy, msg me if you need a professional. I’m sad that I’m married to thousands of dollars worth of equipment and this is the software I have to control it. Please do something better, please! The data is all there, you just need to present it in a clean, concise, and functional UI. ### 2/5 — Disappointing No Periodic Days *2022-10-18, version 10.0.66* I’m quite disappointing that the Hydrawise controllers don’t have a way to set to skip how many days for example we should be able to skip two days skip three days skip five days etc. it’s very difficult to skip three days on a one week schedule and still be able to run multiple times during that day for example may want to water pots multiple times in one day and then skip to three or four days before they water again I cannot do it with this app I hope this can be changed seems like an easy fix to make it closer to the ICC controllers that have this functionality ### 4/5 — Good, but could be better *2022-08-23, version 10.0.66* It works well for me, but a couple improvements would be nice. 1. Pausing the system requires putting in a restart date. Why can't I just pause it without a restart date (maybe I don't know when I want it to start up again)? Just let me pause it and restart it when I'm ready. 2. I can increase or decrease each program's watering percentage by month, but I'd like to be able to increase or decrease the percentage for the whole system with a single setting. ### 2/5 — User interface is old school *2022-08-19, version 10.0.66* First, the app does everything it promises. I’ve used it for three years without fail but I’m always having to re-learn how to use it every time I want to change something. If you’re a windows user from the 1990’s you’ll be right at home. For the rest of us, not so much. I’m always hoping for an update which fixes the antiquated interface. So far, not yet. Maybe next year. ### 2/5 — App needs work *2022-08-06, version 10.0.60* Overall the Hydrawise system has been working great. The app controls everything for me just fine, and logs good data. The graphs are unfortunately mediocre with a clumsy user interface. The worst part is that the download function does not work AT ALL. I’ve tried it from multiple devices, and the “download to excel” feature is just a dead link. This is a problem because you lose your data after 30 days and there is no way to save it. Please fix the excel download so I can log my water use for the entire season ### 2/5 — Weather Station selected does not automatically update rainfall info anymore *2022-08-03, version 10.0.60* I just noticed that even though I have a Weather Station selected, the information from it doesn’t automatically update rainfall, temperature, rain chance, etc. anymore. I have to disconnect and reconnect the weather station once or twice a day so my system knows when to water based on the criteria we have set for our schedule. It’s frustrating because the weather forecast changed overnight (heavy rain for late morning) but our system still did a full water at 4 am because it “didn’t get the memo”. ### 2/5 — App needs work on notifications *2022-08-01, version 10.0.60* My yard hadn’t been watered for two weeks when I noticed after much searching through the app screens that there had been an error message for possible faulty wiring or bad solonoid and for some reason it never watered after this (Was this why?). My yard was newly sodded so this is NOT good. It was set to run at night while I sleep so I trusted it to do that. Big mistake. All it would take it a little tweaking so users could get notifications like badges, banners, etc. and that would have fixed my issue. A badge notification for a problem would have been an instant flag for me to check on my Hydrawise system immediately instead of me “accidentally” noticing it after two weeks of very little rain and high temperatures when my lawn was beginning to show signs of stress. I am almost positive it will run with the Background App Refresh turned on, but this drains the phone battery down so quickly; notifications like badges and banners will run WITHOUT Background Refresh on. Please try to make this change. ### 2/5 — Consistently Doesn’t Work *2022-07-25, version 10.0.60* This is the third year and we’re now looking for a new controller. When Hydrawise works, it is fine. However it frequently does not work. When we travel and want to water our flower beds, most of the time the we cannot manually do so. It is extremely frustrating when there is a heatwave (such as right now) and we can’t save our plants. It is costing us money not to switch to another system when we have to replace plants. Manual watering is barely available. About the only thing that works most of the time is the scheduled watering. But I did say most of the time not all of the time. It seems to have problems synching on a regular basis. I don’t understand since when we get home the controller states it has a strong Wi-Fi signal. My mistake was allowing the contractor to choose the solution rather than researching a solution that actually works. ### 2/5 — Difficult to use and understand *2022-06-27, version 10.0.52* While I am grateful that I can operate it the app/system at the basic level, This system just does some unusual things. I currently have my system set to water every three days, which in and of itself was not obvious and didn't even realize I had that option. For some reason it is splitting the watering cycle over two days. So it’s going to be watering two days off a day and then watering two days again and so on. I cannot figure this out. ### 4/5 — Works Well👍🏼 *2022-06-04, version 10.0.50* Wow, I’m surprised to see so many one star reviews. As someone who develops apps, I find the app pretty solid. Wi-Fi set up was easy and fast, programming zones was intuitive and familiar to other Hunter controller products. I have not had any issues with logouts or crashes. It just works. The reason for 4 and not 5 stars is simple, the user interface. Some of the features are a little hidden or hard to get to and the design seems minimalistic. If Hunter would update the UI and make some of the controls a little more intuitive , it would be a five star app. ### 3/5 — App is clunky *2022-05-16, version 10.0.44* Can we try to make app a little more user friendly? Maybe add a toggle switch to turn off the sprinkler system for the season? Only way to shutoff system is to schedule watering several months in the future. Another feature would be to suspend upcoming water schedule. This could be simplified by going to the schedule and just pushing the day and hit cancel. The whole app feels very cumbersome and I think it needs a redesign ### 1/5 — Does not prevent multiple stations to water at once *2022-04-28, version 10.0.38* While Hydrawise for the HCC controller advertised that you can run two stations in parallel if you can afford the water flow budget, it does not say that it will always do that if schedules overlap. Let’s say you have highly variable schedules due to weather, runtimes for eg MP rotators can vary from a few minutes to dozens of minutes per station. If you group them into a schedule and create another one for all the planters with micro drips, if the two schedules happen to overlap on very hot days, the HCC controller will run them in parallel. Every other system would stack them and run them one after the other. There is no setting available to prevent multiple valves to become active at the same time. Makes the software and controller combo unusable for any setup that cannot run multiple valves in parallel. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Could not log in and poor customer support *2023-11-05* I changed cell phones and when I tried to log in again it wouldn’t allow me because I had added a physical security key to my Apple account, and their implementation of Sign in with Apple is not using native iOS APIs for it so doesn’t detect my key. When I contacted customer support asking for them to improve this and/or provide a workaround like migrating off an Apple account, they told me to call instead of providing a solution or telling me there is none. I don’t want to call them. I don’t want them to have my phone number. I replied kindly asking for online support only to be ghosted. In the end, I had to take matters into my own hands and remove momentarily my security keys to allow the app to log me in. ### 1/5 — Website crammed into an app *2023-11-03* You can tell they did not invest at all in any mobile app developers. The app is just a website squashed into an app shell. The controls are absolutely terrible. Touch targets too small. Byzantine workflows. Nothing works like a mobile app should. Charts are useless garbage, not a single one presents any useful data. The bar charts all have overlapping bars that obscure what little data is present. And plenty of features lead into dead ends that require force-quitting the app because it's a website designed for you to use the browser's back button to get out of it... but instead it just locks you into that screen and you can't get out. Hunter's penny-pinching CxO office should be ashamed. Would they put out a new controller without hiring an EE, ME, etc to work on it? Absolutely not. Yet they believe they can push out a shovelware app to save money on app developers? Avoid this product if possible. Ask your sprinkler installer if they offer a non-Hydrawise controller. Whatever it takes to avoid this pile of absolute garbage. ### 1/5 — Million miles away from being a mature app. *2023-09-18* There are ton of issues with app and the remote access of hunter irrigation in general. 1. Wand constantly disconnects and the button on wand does not work until I restart the system. It is definitely not a weak network because I have a repeater in my garage and very close to the console. What’s the point of spending 100 bucks and still you cannot control irrigation remotely? 2. They just complicated very basic things. When you turn on a zone, it should either turn on or not. It is as simple as that. Instead if controller is not working, it throws a prompt and yet still shows that zone is running and your reports are all messed up. If the app already knows that controller is not responding, why even show animation that zone is running and record false metrics? I would recommend investing in Rachio system available in costco instead of investing in this Hunter wand with Hydrawise app. I haven’t used Rachio but user reviews are very good ### 1/5 — Not intuitive *2023-08-05* This app should be simple. Like setting up a thermostat. You should be able to turn each zone up manually and set the duration. And you should be able to schedule the zones to come on at a certain day and time each week for a specified duration. Instead it is very difficult to perform these easy tasks. Both the app and the documentation are geared toward contractors. There are highlighted icons for multi-site use while there is no icon to schedule the sprinkler to go on and off at your house. Also both the controller and app indicate that the internet connection is good when in fact it isn’t. The opposite is also true. Then when you try to contact customer service they complain that too many people need help. Well duh - create an app that makes sense. ### 1/5 — Keeps getting worse! *2023-06-26* And the app developers do not listen. Are you deaf? Can you read? Each “upgrade” to the app is meant to make it look fancier and more advanced, but you’re crippling its efficiency. The idiotic dial you have to “turn” to set your minutes is stupid and you can never just land on the time you want without tinkering with it. This is especially fun when you have 12 zones. And now, the newest feature— a pop-up that must be cleared when you’re stacking custom watering zones. That’s super helpful! I mean, is the goal to have it take 95 steps to turn the water on? What are you thinking?!?! Why don’t you go look at some other apps that people actually like and implement some of their basic ideas. It’s now easier to use the Hunter control head than the app. And that’s just sad and unnecessary. ### 1/5 — Continuously needs a factory reset *2023-04-17* The app is poorly designed. Every few weeks I loose connection to the controller and cannot reset it due to a software error stating that the controller serial number is already set up. The option to email the owner (me) to add a new user doesn’t work. To fix it I have to create a new fake controller so I can delete the old controller then delete and reinstall the app in order to get it to launch the startup wizard. In the process I loose all of my data. Hydrawise tells me I need to contact the irrigation company that installed it. The irrigation company tells me it’s not their problem and that I should call Hydrawise. ### 1/5 — Worst app/technology ever *2022-11-19, version 10.0.66* I have never had a piece of smart home technology not work. I have spent 3+ hrs and cannot get it to connect to my internet (which I know works and I know the signal is good). I have split my dual band wifi, I’ve restarted everything, I’ve uninstalled apps. Nada. I should not have let the landscaping company talk me into this and just kept the Racchio that I had bought. Now I’m out $165 and don’t have a remote sprinkler system. Please save yourself the money and headache. Yes, I’ve emailed support and am waiting on a response. ### 1/5 — Not ready for prime time *2022-08-11, version 10.0.66* Who creates these apps? Can’t identify my internet I have to spell it out. How does it not know it’s own serial #? Lost internet to controller the 3rd day & it would not let me connect again. After many attempts to set up I had to delete this app & reinstall & it let me install pair again without remembering anything. (3hours). Then the rain sensor said it had stopped future watering. It doesn’t tell you why so you try & make sure it’s paired again. Turned out to be the future forecast. That would have saved me 30 minutes. No customer service at all. They want to use snail mail where they send you troubleshooting videos. Not one of the videos told me to delete app. & start over. ### 1/5 — Pure frustration *2022-07-22, version 10.0.60* Not only this app is not user friendly and glitchy, there’s virtually no customer support - instead, they inundate you with their “helpful tips” articles that aren’t helpful. We are in a midst of a heatwave, and the app won’t let me adjust watering times; the times that I set up translate in some weird times I didn’t choose. I am afraid my garden is in serious danger of drying out thanks to this nonsense. Very disappointed. ### 1/5 — Worst app in the App Store: Avoid! *2022-05-05, version 10.0.44* I have been a Hydrawise user (or should I say “victim”) for over five years. During that time, what started out as a very poor app has gotten worse and worse with each passing year. It is the polar opposite of Apple’s many user friendly apps: it is difficult to use, difficult to remember how to use, and now just logging in has become a TOTAL NIGHTMARE! In the early years, the user remained logged in all the time, even when not using the app for a few weeks or months. Now you must log in every time and it is a NIGHTMARISH EXPERIENCE. Today, despite my five-Plus years of experience using the app, I was completely unable to log in and will have to search the web for a support phone number. I tried my user name and password, which I know to be correct because they are stored in my browser and it in a spreadsheet. During this frustrating process, I would first input my user ID, then retrieve the password from my browser. As soon as it populated, it would knock out my user name and I would have to re-type it. Then the log in would fail. Next I tried using my Apple ID. Again it failed! If you have read this far, DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON ANY HYDRAWISE PRODUCT. Why can’t Hydrawise hire a competent app developer who can build a high-functioning, easy-to-use, fool-proof app, such as Lutron’s home lighting gating app? ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — This is a great app *2023-05-28* When I started using this app (May, 2023), it was rated 2 1/2 stars. I don’t understand why others have rated it so poorly. It is a great app. Very intuitive, easy interface, easy set up and it works great. I love this app and it has made managing my sprinkler system so much easier. I highly recommend it. As an aside, I upgraded my hunter controller from no Wi-Fi to Wi-Fi and it was incredibly easy, too. Total cost was around $150 for the new panel in it. Installed effortlessly in about 12 minutes. I got everything to run the first time with no hassles. ### 5/5 — Easy to set up *2022-12-14, version 10.0.66* Relatively easy to setup a 2 controller system with 10 stations. Much easier than my old setup with the previous generation 300 controller. Much easier to see what is going on. Setup snd monitoring through the iPhone app and setup wizard is intuitive, did not need instructions to do it. ### 5/5 — Works as described *2022-07-27, version 10.0.60* Although the app does not have as much functionality as the web interface I do believe that it successfully achieve the goal of allowing you to monitor the lawn watering and use the handy remote to quick start a sprinkler when necessary. ### 5/5 — Hydrawise Review *2022-06-21, version 10.0.52* Excellent app, far exceeded my expectations based up the reviews posted here when I purchased. I set up two controllers a month ago, and I haven’t encountered the first bug in the app. Very seamless and easy to use. ### 5/5 — Absolutely the Best!!! *2022-06-17, version 10.0.52* The only reason this doesn’t have a 5 star rating is because of haters. As a customer service representative I have used Hydrawise for years. It’s the only app that allows easy access to a customers controller. I have over 200 customers using this and not one complaint. ### 5/5 — Fantastic *2022-06-17, version 10.0.52* Fantastic application. Can control every feature of my lawn watering system using my iPhone while sitting in my home. Easy to use. Highly recommend. ### 5/5 — Yes! Finally an app that works! *2021-08-31, version 8.7.0* As far as controller apps go, this is perfect. I've only been using it for a week but I've been able to do everything I need to set my zones and schedules without ANY issues at all. I'm so use to apps that have bugs I decided to write a review. Who ever designed this app needs a raise! Thank you! ### 5/5 — Great App *2020-10-20, version 8.6.0* Hydrawise works great for my home irrigation even when traveling. Very easy to use and always working 5 years. I note some people gave poor rating, they probably don’t know how to use the app, computer illiterate it is so easy to use or could be those people who love to complain about anything. ### 5/5 — Nice Features *2020-06-27, version 8.2.1* I installed a new Hunter Pro HC12 controller (to replace a old manual controller) and set up the Hydrawise app in a couple of hours. Been playing around with the advanced programming options and ‘smart’ watering features. Found it all straightforward and reasonably intuitive. So far no issues and a nice upgrade to my system. ### 5/5 — Dial no more *2020-03-16, version 8.0.9* This technology is a contractors dream. No more gaining access to controllers and having to make trips when customers ask questions. Second to none, the Hydrawise controllers and associated software have been a revelation for us. I don’t even present the customer with another option. --- *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.*