# NOVID — user reviews > 40 indexed App Store user reviews of NOVID by Expii, Inc., rated 4.65/5 from 239 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/novid/id1508029182/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/novid/id1508029182.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 209 · 4★ 7 · 3★ 6 · 2★ 3 · 1★ 14 ## Newest reviews (10 of 40) ### 4/5 — Brilliant application but it’s a little weird that you ask for microphone access *2021-05-16, version 3.0.2* It would be good to know more clearly why you need microphone access. ### 3/5 — Does it really work? *2020-11-26, version 2.4.7* It’s a good app design and some people seem to be having success with it. I know that before the app had to be open to work on iOS, and now the new wifi background mode seemed promising. However, my roommates and I all have this app. We tested it both ways, with the app open and in background mode, none of us got a new connection. I have had this app for around 4-5 months, and live in a decent sized college town. I have never got even 1 connection. I even have kept it open in public, like it recommends. I keep it, because I think it’s important. However, I am not sure it actually works.. ### 4/5 — Standby mode. *2020-06-27, version 2.1.1* I wasn’t aware and it wasn’t clear that iOS users need to use standby mode instead of locking iPhone. So... yeah. Make it easy. I don’t read directions. I appreciate this app and think it is a great idea and has great initiative to be more open to working together for common objectives. ### 3/5 — I wish it was standardized. It only interacts with Novid users. *2020-05-28, version 1.1.0* Apple and Google cooperated (!) to create the capability to do what this does, maybe not as well but as people get apps that use that capability They will All interact. This doesn’t use that capability, it creates a similar (possibly better) method. Unless this app dominates the market it likely won’t protect us as well as those do because so many more of them will be in use. I don’t know whether one could use both kinds at once. ### 3/5 — How many actually using the app? *2020-05-21, version 1.1.0* I like the interface, it’s very simple and effective. Would like to know useful it is though as can see only 100+ downloads so not really going to get information unless widely adopted? ### 4/5 — Great app, but significantly eats the battery! *2020-05-19, version 1.0.1* I love the app! However I wish it had less impact on the battery though. I have 7plus, 13.3.1 and it goes from 100 to 30 in half a day with moderate use during the day. As I was writing the review got down from 27 to 19. I will continue using the app because contact tracing is more important then how many time I need to change my phone but it’s very annoying. ### 5/5 — great *2020-05-13, version 1.0* great interface and secure ### 5/5 — Accurate, Anonymous, & Altruistic: Most promising COVID-19 contact tracing app available *2020-05-12, version 1.0* Having seen a lot of other contact tracing apps with gaping issues in data privacy, user experience, business model/incentives, and overall viability, I find NOVID to be the most promising option available, for several reasons: 1. Brilliant use of network theory mathematics allows NOVID to work with true user anonymity. As you’ll see in the app, no data inputs or invasive permissions are required. 2. Use of bluetooth in conjunction with ultrasound (via non-recorded high-freq mic audio) makes for much better accuracy, without requiring GPS (which effectively de-anonymizes users). 3. The founder, Po-Shen Loh, has the smarts, skills, and values to build this in the right way. Just look at his online videos, and you’ll find him to be consummately trustworthy, if not deeply inspiring. 4. This is a not-for-profit effort funded in part by Dr. Loh’s social enterprise education startup, Expii, with additional philanthropic support. Their cause is altruistic, and they don’t have any pressure to build a business model that profits off user data. 5. The app is polished, well-designed and very usable. They’ve clearly invested a lot in ensuring that the user experience is simple and intuitive for people of all ages and levels of technical fluency. It took me less than 30 seconds to get set up. 6. NOVID will perform better with scale, and its methods can be generalized to other use cases. There’s a ton of potential for added functionality, while preserving user anonymity and privacy. I am writing this as an independent reviewer with no direct affiliation with NOVID - I’ve just been incredibly impressed and inspired by this unique and impactful solution, and I want to encourage others to try it out and spread the word too. - K.C. ### 5/5 — The Best Contact Tracing Solution Out There *2020-05-12, version 1.0* Beautiful interface, great functionality. Incredible team of geniuses behind this app and they’ve figured out a way to use cutting edge ultrasound technology to do contact tracing — so now we get awesome contact tracing without any location data privacy concerns! ### 5/5 — Great app *2020-05-12, version 1.0* Love the interface and functionality. Feel safer already. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Keeps crashing *2020-08-24, version 2.3.0* I cant even open it ### 1/5 — Set up fail *2020-07-31, version 2.3.0* Even though I have repeatedly given it the permissions it asks for, it won’t move beyond the give permissions screen. ### 1/5 — Scanning forever *2020-06-19, version 2.0.2* The app keeps saying scanning and shows nothing but scanning scanning and again scanning ### 1/5 — Fairly useless *2020-05-27, version 1.1.0* Have been around lots of people the entire Memorial Day weekend and it did not register a single contact. The only way this app works is if everyone uses it and that’s just not going to happen. Also most of the usefulness is only realized if you leave the app open in the foreground all the time and that just isn’t practical. It’s a nice idea and I wish it would work. Unfortunately it won’t. ### 1/5 — Currently does not seem to run in the background *2020-05-25, version 1.1.0* I think the concept and design of the app are great. Right now, my testing shows it’s unreliable at best. I can only get contacts if both phones are running the app in the foreground all the time. My family has tested extensively over the last week and even if the phones are next to each other for an hour, there’s no contact unless the app is running. The developers don’t seem willing / able to integrate the new contact tracing API. I’d love to see the app succeed, since I think the sound beacons are a good idea. But right now, it doesn’t work as most people would expect. No background processing, and no use of the new tracing APIs ### 1/5 — 0 interactions after a week *2020-05-18, version 1.0.1* I’m not seeing it work. I have had it for a week now and I only have 0 interaction recorded. I will keep it on but you guys need to promote it more or/and fix it. My partner downloaded it too and it is still showing 0 interactions. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work *2020-05-17, version 1.0.1* I tested it with my moms phone both of us had the app right next to each other, not on low power mode or anything. It didn’t detect each other. It also didn’t work when I went outside in the supermarket, have had it almost a week and 0 interactions detected total ### 2/5 — Too much effort *2020-09-12, version 2.3.1* Requires too much conscious effort on the user’s part. You have to remember to open it and keep it running. To lock the screen securely you have to go through the accessibility features and then triple click whenever you want to lock your phone. It would be a great app if I didn’t want to use my phone for anything else. I wish the developers would just collaborate with Apple and Google if their approach is better than the ones that have already been adopted in the development of the exposure notification API. ### 2/5 — Has issues *2020-05-14, version 1.0* Despite holding the app next to another phone with the app for several minutes, my app and the other user’s app failed to recognize our interaction at all. Both of our settings were correct for the app and neither phone was in battery saver mode. I really like the concept and I want to see the app succeed, but how can it accurately stop the spread if it can’t track basic interactions? ### 3/5 — Maybe I’m reading the contact reports wrong. *2021-03-10, version 2.5.7* NOVID tells me I’ve had prolonged contacts when I’ve been home alone for two days. Any idea why that would be? ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Amazing tech *2022-01-09* Love this app - recommend A++ ### 5/5 — Amazing idea, but needs more downloads *2021-01-05, version 2.5.2* This is a revolutionary app because it’s the only preexposure notification app. The app itself is well laid out and easy to use and understand. The only problem is that not enough people know about this app or have downloaded it. It is an amazing idea but needs more downloads to be effective. PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE APP AND TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW TO DO THE SAME!! (There is an easy way to share the app in the settings) ### 5/5 — Ingenious *2020-10-03, version 2.4.2* Ingenious and fantastic way of utilizing technology. Got around a thousand connections in my college town. Will be recommending to all my friends ### 5/5 — Very impressive approach *2020-09-11, version 2.3.1* Extremely well done app, concept is brilliant, just install, give app access and forget! When out and about, open app and enter Standby Mode! ### 5/5 — Why isn’t this mandatory? *2020-08-28, version 2.3.0* It doesn’t do any good unless everyone uses it, right? ### 5/5 — Effective and well designed *2020-08-15, version 2.3.0* This app has impeccable accuracy and continues to successfully pick up exposures when I am out and about. It has a great design that is very intuitive and easy to navigate! ### 5/5 — Best contact-tracing app *2020-07-20, version 2.2.2* NOVID is the safest way we can return to “normalcy.” I like that it’s completely anonymous while being the most precise app on the market. ### 5/5 — Spread NOVID not COVID *2020-07-12, version 2.2.0* Good UI! ### 5/5 — Works! (Updated May 21 2020) *2020-05-21* New update has fixed my previous issue (notes below) Old review (May 17, 2020): Doesn’t work Doesn’t detect my wife’s phone. I spend all day with her ### 5/5 — Great Design! *2020-05-21, version 1.1.0* Great design and user experience! I tested this app with another person's in my household and it immediately registered an encounter. I've yet to venture outside wl this, but will definitely keep it open when I do so. Btw, if you're interested in learning about the background work, listen to Prof. Loh's helpful info. sessions on Facebook. Update: Standby Mode + Guided Access makes my iphone behave almost exactly the same as when it's normally shut off. Great design once again! --- *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.*