# Pioneer ARC

> iPhone remote control for compatible Pioneer car stereos. (iPhone/iPad app by Pioneer Corporation.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pioneer-arc/id1020616923 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Pioneer Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/326612330)
- Category: Utilities
- Price: Free
- Rating: 3.00/5 from 164 App Store ratings · 125 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 11.0 · 60 MB
- Languages: American English, Arabic, Dutch, French (France), German (Germany), Hebrew, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Persian and 7 more
- Released: 2015-08-31
- Data updated: 2026-08-15
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pioneer-arc/id1020616923/reviews.md

## What is Pioneer ARC?

Pioneer’s Advanced Remote Control (Pioneer ARC) app converts your iPhone* into a powerful touchscreen remote control, which allows you to control and customize your compatible Pioneer car stereo.
Pioneer ARC lets you browse your favorite music, switch sources (FM tuner,  Bluetooth Audio, etc), launch 3rd party apps, customize the illumination colors and audio settings of your Pioneer system.

Compatible features vary by model.

*The Pioneer ARC app is compatible with iPhone 5/5c/5s/6/6 Plus/6s/6s Plus/SE/7/7 Plus/8/8 Plus/X, running iOS 8.0 and above.


Compatible Pioneer products:
-Source Control / Audio Settings / Illumination settings / Bluetooth management
DEH-S60*0BS
DEH-S50*0BT/DEH-X50BT/DEH-X50BR
MVH-S501BS
MVH-X30BT/MVH-X30BR
MVH-S600BS/MVH-S605BT /MVH-S61*BT
FH-S70*BS/FH-S70*BT

-Source Control / Audio Settings / Bluetooth management
DEH-S40*0BT/DEH-S040BT
MVH-S30*BT/MVH-S030BT
MVH-S40*BT
FH-S500BT/FH-S501BT/FH-S509BT
FH-S505BT(Mexico)/FH-S51BT

-Source Control / Audio Settings  
MVH-S220DAB
MVH-S12UI / MVH-S120UI / MVH-S125UI
DEH-S400DAB / DEH-S410DAB
DEH-S20*0UI / DEH-S21*0UI/DEH-S210UI
DEH-X10/DEH-X10BR
MVH-S200DAB / MVH-S210DAB
MVH-S10*UI / MVH-S11*UI/G, /MVH-S11UI
DEH-X49**BT/DEH-4900DAB
DEH-X39**BT/DEH-3900BT
DEH-X29**UI
MVH-X39*BT/MVH-390BT
MVH-290DAB
MVH-X19*UI/MVH-190UI

-Source Control / Audio Settings / Illumination settings
DEH-S220UI / MVH-S2250UI
FH-X830BHS / FH-X840DAB
FH-X73* BT/FH-X730BS
FH-X78*BT
DEH-X8800BHS
DEH-X7800BHS/DEH-X7800DAB/DEH-X7850BT
DEH-X6800BS, DEH-X6850BT /DEH-X6900BT/DEH-X5900BT
MVH-X690BS
MVH-X580BS/MVH-X58*BT/MVH-X580DAB

-Source Control
DEH-X68**BT/DEH-X6800DAB
DEH-X5800BT/DEH-X5800HD
DEH-X48**BT/DEH-4800BT/DEH-4800DAB
DEH-X38**UI
DEH-X28**UI/DEH-2800UI/DEH-2800DAB
MVH-X38*BT
MVH-280DAB
MVH-X18*UI/MVH-180UI

## Key features

- Touchscreen remote control
- Music browsing
- Source switching
- 3rd party app launching
- Illumination customization
- Audio settings adjustment

## What do users think of Pioneer ARC?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- 🎚️ Excellent equalizer and audio control settings
- 🎵 Detailed sound customization options
- 🎨 Adjustable display colors and lighting
- 📱 Works well on newer compatible head units
- ⚡ Intuitive controls once understood
- 🔊 Graphical EQ configuration interface

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent Bluetooth connection failures
- 🐛 App shows 'Not Connected' despite active connection
- ❌ Unreliable USB connectivity
- 📱 Poor iOS compatibility across versions
- 🔄 Breaks after iOS/firmware updates
- ⏱️ Inconsistent performance across devices
- 🎨 Outdated UI design from 2012
- 📦 Incomplete feature implementation
- 🚫 iPad optimization lacking
- ⚠️ Frequent crashes on newer iOS versions
- 🔌 Limited backward compatibility with older head units
- 😤 Minimal developer support and updates

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App fails to connect via Bluetooth despite phone pairing
- Connection status shows 'Not Connected' while music plays
- Crashes on iOS 13 and newer versions
- USB connection not recognized by head unit
- App crashes immediately upon opening
- Bluetooth connection drops after firmware updates
- Audio settings display incorrect values vs actual head unit settings
- Music playback pauses after a few seconds
- App crashes on iPhone X with iOS 12
- Portrait mode dialog cannot be dismissed on iPad
- App becomes unresponsive after iOS updates
- EQ and audio settings become inaccessible
- Incompatibility with specific head unit models after updates

**Most requested features**

- iPad app optimization and full support
- Wireless/Bluetooth-only control without USB
- Volume level display in app
- On-screen clock display
- Call pickup and dial pad controls
- Amazon Music and Google Play Music support
- Support for TuneIn Radio, Stingray, YouTube
- Pandora station switching capability
- Modern UI/UX redesign
- Mixtrax compatibility with Apple Music
- iPad Pro screen fill optimization
- Third-party music app support expansion
- Physical remote control alternative

## Recent user reviews (10 of 125)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pioneer-arc/id1020616923/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Useless & outdated.

*2026-06-20, version 2.4.3*

Very very poor from Pioneer. Sad that cheaper brands have better functionality & comparability. Doesn’t always link, have to be wired in, not the point really. 
Android software is too new now and IOS doesn’t link. 
0/5 stars if it was an option.

### 1/5 — プレイリストが表示されなくなった

*2024-09-16*

不具合を治す気が無いのなら後発のアプリの対応機種を増やすなりの対応をして欲しい。

### 1/5 — It doesn’t work

*2023-10-25*

This app worked for me during this summer an I used it to boost bass in my jeep and now I can’t even get it to connect I’ve deleted it multiple times an nothing works this is the only app I’ve found that works for me I hope they can fix this

### 1/5 — うん動かない

*2023-07-07*

操作通りにしても何も動きません

### 1/5 — Poor backward compatibilty

*2023-04-11, version 2.4.2*

DEH-X7800DAB

Come on Pioneer, bad vibes. Liked your products for 40 years.

Please don't let me down now. ;-)

### 2/5 — Pioneer ARC

*2023-01-16, version 2.4.2*

Often fails to connect through Bluetooth even if the iPhone connects in the normal way. This factor interferes with its usability. Needs a more stable Bluetooth connection.

### 1/5 — Does not connect

*2022-12-03, version 2.4.2*

I have the deh-s5000bt head unit and apple i14 pro max and no joy. Arc app will not connect and run although the head unit will pair and work perfectly with phone.

### 3/5 — Connection Problem

*2022-03-10*

I have iPhone 12 & car audio Deh-s4050bt and after firmware update from 8.12 to 8.15 that not working together . App is hidden from sources . I have problem with pionner Arc app . Please help me 🙏🏻

### 1/5 — UPDATE

*2022-01-23, version 2.4.2*

Please update app to work with latest firmware and mixtrax to work with Apple Music please!

### 1/5 — help about DEH-S1010UB

*2022-01-19, version 2.4.2*

Why is not compatible the deh-s1010ub in ios and in android (only using usb type micro b) it is compatible?

## Frequently asked questions about Pioneer ARC

### What does the Pioneer ARC app do?

The Pioneer ARC app turns your iPhone into a comprehensive touchscreen remote control for compatible Pioneer car stereos. It allows you to manage music playback, switch between audio sources like FM radio and Bluetooth audio, and even launch third-party applications directly from your phone.

### What are the key features of Pioneer ARC?

Key features include browsing your music library, switching between various audio sources, launching compatible third-party apps, customizing the illumination colors of your car stereo, and adjusting audio settings for a personalized listening experience.

### Is the Pioneer ARC app free to use?

Yes, the Pioneer ARC app is available for free. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned in the description, indicating a completely free experience for users.

### What devices is Pioneer ARC compatible with?

The Pioneer ARC app is compatible with iPhones running iOS 8.0 and above, specifically models from iPhone 5 through iPhone X and their Plus variants. It also requires a compatible Pioneer car stereo model to function.

### What are some common use cases for Pioneer ARC?

Common use cases include easily controlling your car stereo's music playback without reaching for the head unit, quickly switching to your favorite radio station or Bluetooth audio source, and fine-tuning audio settings for optimal sound quality while driving.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.4.3 — 2023-10-30

Minor bug fixes

### 2.4.2 — 2019-10-23

Compatible models are added.

### 2.4.1 — 2018-10-02

Compatible models are added.

### 2.4.0 — 2018-07-30

Compatible models are added.
An indicator is added to show that the app is not currently engaged

### 2.3.3 — 2018-02-20

- Bug fixes and performance improvements.
(For a specific model in Japan)

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## More apps by Pioneer Corporation

- [Global Sounds](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/global-sounds/id405005874)
- [AppRadio](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/appradio/id434811742)
- [MIXTRAX App](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mixtrax-app/id455935465)
- [MIXTRAX Lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mixtrax-lite/id455945535)
- [CarMediaPlayer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/carmediaplayer/id511262089)
- [LinkwithAutomaker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/linkwithautomaker/id638199817)

All apps by Pioneer Corporation: https://appshunter.io/developer/326612330

## Related topics

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*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 2026-08-15.*