# IoT Assistant — user reviews > 46 indexed App Store user reviews of IoT Assistant by Carnegie Mellon University, rated 3.60/5 from 15 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iot-assistant/id1491361441/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iot-assistant/id1491361441.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 9 · 4★ 0 · 3★ 1 · 2★ 1 · 1★ 4 ## Newest reviews (12 of 46) ### 2/5 — Interesting idea, poor data *2021-09-27, version 1.2.8* This is a very interesting idea and I had high hopes for it. However its data is extremely limited. Many times I have walked around Washington DC metro area and found surveillance cameras which this app has no idea about. The information seems quite dated and very limited. ### 2/5 — Really interesting app but.... *2020-03-02, version 1.0.1* This is a very interesting App. Noting all the locations where various data about you is being collected (eg cameras for visual ID) is terrifying. The reason why it’s only 2 stars is because the App is SLOW! It’s so incredibly slow. Feels like the transition from speeding on an empty motorway to suddenly crawling on your belly on broken glass! The slowness makes this virtually unusable. If this is fixed then it would be viable. ### 2/5 — ???? *2020-03-01, version 1.0.1* Is this app actually live? ### 3/5 — Attention:ladies & gentlemen:) *2020-02-27, version 1.0.1* Well......I understand the concept ,the app is fairly new ,and under continual development ,I foresee the app getting better,good luck guys...I really want this one to work,but right now it’s wasted space on my phone. ### 3/5 — No Option for Opting Out *2020-02-25, version 1.0.1* Most of the time the screen showing the map is displayed. However, there will be times when a different screen pops up, but that screen will disappear right when I start reading it. ### 2/5 — Great Concept. Needs Work *2020-02-21, version 1.0.1* Pros: Easily the best way to make people more aware of how IoT devices impact their privacy. Brilliant idea. Cons: Almost everything else. The signup process is inefficient. The interface is intuitive enough, but scrolling/opening menus/general interaction is noticeably choppy. The experience reminded me of a 8yo BlackBerry Z10 I got last year for free. Whines: Sparse data so far. Expecting that to improve as adoption goes up. System: 64GB iPhone SE. Fully updated, good WiFi connection. ### 2/5 — Problem logging on *2020-02-21, version 1.0.1* I’ve just downloaded the app and registered and verified my email, but, on returning to the app to log in, I get a message saying that I need to verify my address! This despite a message telling me my address is verified and that I can return to the app! ### 1/5 — A long ways to go *2020-02-21, version 1.0.1* Despite the bright shining new announcement - has a ways to go So far - Impossible to do the required email verification. These guys should really try out their app before sending it to the store! Wait a few weeks and see. ### 1/5 — Disappointed *2020-02-21, version 1.0.1* After the long and intense sign up process, I was very curious to see results. All I get is my location on a map. The previous reviewer said that everyone has to enter the information of devices...what is the point of this app then? There should be a user manual as well. When I first loaded the app, the map showed Nigeria...I grabbed a screenshot of this, now I am really shaking my head... ### 1/5 — App is useless *2020-02-21, version 1.0.1* Does not detect any devices near me! ### 1/5 — Don’t use *2020-02-21, version 1.0.1* Showed nothing. Wonder if the data collected was only mine. ### 1/5 — Really CMU? Crappy experience-expected better *2020-02-21, version 1.0.1* If this is what the best and brightest at CMU can produce then heaven help us! After the third go-around trying to sign up for an account I gave up. It throws you into an endless loop of signing up, verifying your email, then resetting your password. Not worth it, deleted the app and won’t ever check back. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Help *2020-07-27, version 1.1.5* I just down loaded the app. I created an account, answered all the questions and read all the policies. When it goes to the web page i get—ERROR . I go back a page and asked to go through the same process kust to go to the web sit and get —ERROR again. Can you help me ? ### 1/5 — Fail *2020-03-07, version 1.0.1* a: After setting up account and verifying email app would not progress past set up screen and demanded that I pause goto :a ### 1/5 — Map loads, then crashes *2020-03-04, version 1.0.1* App doesn’t work. Won’t load. Crashes. ### 1/5 — Funded by DARPA ?! *2020-03-02, version 1.0.1* Ummm.... oh the irony. The app is **literally funded by DARPA.** ### 1/5 — Total garbage *2020-02-24, version 1.0.1* A total waste of a download. Does absolutely nothing but show a blank Google map no matter where I’m at in North America. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work *2020-02-24, version 1.0.1* I took this app into known surveillance areas and it doesn’t pick up anything. The concept is. This actual working app doesn’t. ### 1/5 — Misleading app description *2020-02-24, version 1.0.1* Awesome concept but description and article I found app in fail to mention this is built on others putting in information of iot devices they may see or know for sure, so far the app does not simply scan or find iot devices on its own. App has a lot of potential. I’d remove the association between the major university and professor that “made” this app at least for now, reflects poorly on them. ### 1/5 — I Don’t Get It *2020-02-23, version 1.0.1* On one hand, after creating an account, it pinpointing my location on the map, making sure all the filters are active, then scrolling around my area, state, the country, then world; I can report there appears to be no tracking of any kind on the planet. I feel so much better. Hello? Is this thing on? ### 1/5 — "Privacy" *2020-02-23, version 1.0.1* Great in theory but an absolute bust in practice. Any legitimate privacy app/service shouldn't require identifiable user or location data and, if not, shouldn't be touted as such. The sharing of "research data" should be "opt-in" at a minimum; if its functionality depends on this data then the entire project needs to go back to the drawing board. The fact that it is funded by the Department of Defense is already dubious enough on its own. ### 1/5 — Misleading *2020-02-21, version 1.0.1* This app says it can discover IOT when in actuality it can only search manually registered IOT devices. It has not discovery capability whatsoever. Furthermore, what is to stop someone maliciously registering a camera IOT device and then registering it as a benign temperature sensor and placing it in a bathroom. Now people think it’s a benign sensor because of this app when it is actually recording them. False sense of security. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Love the new design! *2021-11-22, version 1.2.13* Seems like the devs worked out the bugs from previous versions of the app. Seems extremely buttery now. ### 5/5 — Interesting idea *2020-04-01, version 1.0.5* The idea of the app is interesting, but it’s weird that I can’t add my device through the app…but the app is good though ### 5/5 — Beautiful app! *2020-04-01, version 1.0.5* The interface is cute and clear ### 5/5 — Awesome *2020-03-31, version 1.0.5* Very useful! Surprised to learn that So many cameras are around me. ### 5/5 — Great concept! *2020-03-31, version 1.0.5* Great app! I was surprise to see how many IoT devices are around me… ### 5/5 — Useful app *2020-03-16, version 1.0.1* It can help me peotect my privacy efficiently. ### 5/5 — Amazing! *2020-03-06, version 1.0.1* Such an interesting concept, but even further, impeccable design! Love the chamelèon! ### 5/5 — Nice app and concept! *2020-02-20, version 1.0.1* I couldn't see anything near me but after I zoomed out, I found a few things in Pittsburgh, including a ShotSpotter! I REALLY like the idea of having some control of my privacy and I hope there can be more locations available. BTW I was able to get the verification email in my gmail without an issue ### 4/5 — Requires Input by all to work *2020-02-20, version 1.0.0* The app seems to work well, but will only work if individuals input IoT devices into the system. To enter devices you must go to their website and provide information about the device to be saved in their database that is then displayed on the app. For their experiment to work people and organizations need to devote time to enter IoT device(s) information. ### 3/5 — The web app + buttons do nothing *2020-12-15, version 1.2.3* There’s no way to leave feedback in the app or report problems with it. --- *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.*