# Pioneer ARC — user reviews > 125 indexed App Store user reviews of Pioneer ARC by Pioneer Corporation, rated 3.00/5 from 164 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pioneer-arc/id1020616923/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pioneer-arc/id1020616923.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 50 · 4★ 24 · 3★ 26 · 2★ 12 · 1★ 52 ## 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compatibility across versions - 🔄 Breaks after iOS/firmware updates - ⏱️ Inconsistent performance across devices - 🎨 Outdated UI design from 2012 - 📦 Incomplete feature implementation - 🚫 iPad optimization lacking - ⚠️ Frequent crashes on newer iOS versions - 🔌 Limited backward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 ## Newest reviews (18 of 125) ### 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. ### 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 🙏🏻 ### 2/5 — iOS15で接続表示に不具合 *2021-10-02* iOS15にアップデート後、接続されているのに未接続の赤文字表示のまま。 ### 1/5 — アップデート *2021-04-06* 早く、アップデートしてください。 カーステを、リセットしたいのに、困ってます。 ### 2/5 — Serious problem with connecting to radio *2021-03-15* I was able to connect the app to my 8800bhs radio for a short time to control the equalizer and crossover, which was great, but the app will no longer connect with the deck. The app will play downloaded music through usb like an old ipod, but fails to recognize the deck and enable processor control. This was the whole point of the app for me, so now it’s useless. I think an ios update caused a failure to recognize connection bug and an update is needed (or God help us a firmware update for the deck). Other reviews make clear that this is a known problem with the app and Pioneer is ignoring it. Get it together, Pioneer - phone control is the whole future of car audio. ### 1/5 — Not working after iOS update *2021-01-19, version 2.4.2* When I 1st used this app it worked fine. I could control the sound and change the colour of my stereo. It now just says it’s not connected even though my phone is connected to the stereo as I’m playing my music! ### 1/5 — アップデートお願いします！ *2020-12-03* FH4200で使えましたがiOSのバージョンアップしてから使えなくなった。 ### 1/5 — Just not fit for purpose *2020-11-21, version 2.4.2* It should be so simple to control the radio from the app. Should be. This app is just not fir for purpose. I have started to look at other manufacturers now for a car radio with an app that works. ### 1/5 — Astonishingly poor *2020-10-03, version 2.4.2* This app has always been a little shonky. Now it just does not work at all! ### 1/5 — CANT GET TO EQ *2020-10-02, version 2.4.2* please fix the app and update it EQ will not work and the photos of the app before downloading it aren’t the same thing as the app PLEASE FIX THE APP ### 2/5 — What’s happened? *2020-08-26, version 2.4.2* It used to work fine via Bluetooth but has stopped working. Any ideas?? ### 1/5 — Don’t really get the point? *2020-08-11, version 2.4.2* Downloaded the app for the iPhone 11. Pioneer head-unit already sync’d via Bluetooth to the phone and works fine playing music, etc. The ARC software seems to only function when connected via wire - which entirely defeats the object of having the phone in a cradle and not trailing wires across your dash. You have the message ‘Not connected’ displayed at the top of the app, despite your stereo actually playing music fine from your phone. As the app believes you are not connected, you have hardly any options to control the head-unit - which I thought was the whole point of the app itself? It probably works great if you’re happy to be wired in - but with a weird yes/no/possibly working philosophy over Bluetooth, I’ve uninstalled it. ### 1/5 — Disappointed *2020-07-30, version 2.4.2* First time downloading the app it all worked great but since then it will not reconnect with the unit rendering it totally useless ### 4/5 — Good app *2020-07-22, version 2.4.2* Works great with iPhone 8 iOS 13.5.1 Easy to connect and if you read the app tutorial then simple to use ### 1/5 — Does not work!!! *2020-07-03, version 2.4.2* Come on Pioneer I expect better from your company... this app does not work ### 1/5 — Useless *2020-05-09, version 2.4.2* Says it’s connected by Bluetooth but will not connect to app on iPhone 8... Waste off time don’t bother.... ### 1/5 — Disappointed *2020-04-30, version 2.4.2* I can’t seem to access the EQ which is the whole purpose of me downloading the app. Please help! ### 2/5 — Connection problems *2020-04-18, version 2.4.2* Can’t connect my iPhone 11 to my pioneer head unit with usb ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 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. ;-) ### 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. ### 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? ### 1/5 — No Volume Display *2021-08-15, version 2.4.2* A multi-millionaire company that couldn't careless about their customer opinion/feelings when it comes down to this app. Last updated more then one year ago yet shows no interest in any of our complains! Where is the point on having a volume control which doesn't show the volume number on it?? are we supposed to just guess it by the sound?! Come on Pioneer show some respect towards your customers and work on this app or bring back a physical remote control. You are taking our options away with no intend to help whatsoever!!! What happened to you guys?? ### 1/5 — Don’t need it. *2021-08-04, version 2.4.2* You really don’t need it to play music on the Pioneer stereo it plays automatically when you plug your phone in, as long as it’s not an Apple product…then it won’t work at all! Completely pointless app. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — It’s work great on iOS! *2020-10-09* I can use iPad as CarRadio well! If the app can full screen on iPad, will be fantastic! ### 5/5 — 安価な1DINデッキでも操作性を満足 *2020-04-26* 高価な2DINデッキでないと対応できない日本語表記+CDジャケット表示をスマートフォンアプリだけで可能としとくれるので満足度が高い ### 5/5 — The App *2019-11-06, version 2.4.2* Good enough not perfect but good enough! ### 5/5 — Easiest way to set Band EQ 👍🏼🔊🎵 *2019-01-07* Multifunctional Great App almost you can control everything of your stereo player from your phone 📲 no need to struggle with tiny buttons to change sources/song or set equalizer. This App (ARC) = 👏👌👍🏼 ### 5/5 — Great app *2019-01-03* Running it on my iPhone X and it works great I have my phone mounted nearby using the arc app as a second screen and have the connection set up to wired on the iPhone connectivity option so if I don’t wanna use arc I just unplug and it switches to a normal Bluetooth connection automatically. ### 5/5 — オーディオ機器側の設定のせいでは？ *2018-10-06* オーディオレス仕様に見せるためMVH-5300をダッシュボード内に見えないように取り付けて、純正ステアリングスイッチと接続し本アプリで操作してます。 機器側の意味不明な？非常に分かりにくい設定さえできれば大変快適な操作ができるます。※ステアリングスイッチは必須です。 低評価の方は機器側の設定が出来てないのでは？ ### 5/5 — Love this app *2018-02-21, version 2.3.3* It’s so detail app and easy to set sound setting! Love this app and love pioneer! ### 5/5 — iPad version of the app should be next but good job *2017-10-06* Thank you pioneer your going to have some good reviews in the App Store. We just need iPad version to fill the screen Im running my iPad as head unit it’s molded into the dash with the pioneer unit behind it. I also have a IR repeater kit so I can still use the remote for the head unit. ### 5/5 — Works Great! *2017-09-02* I don't know what people are complaining about this apps lets me control every single setting from my phone. ### 5/5 — Very handy *2017-02-14, version 2.2.0* I really like that I can set up my header unit using this app instead of having to rtfm with a torch out in the car on a dark winter's night. It connects faultlessly with the stereo every time which is good. All I would ask is that there was some guidance as to how to use this app - it's very much guesswork, once I find how to do something I can't remember how I got there the next time I try 😳. Overall though I think this is a great companion app for a car stereo. The stereo is very good too (MVH-X580DAB). --- *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.*