# Pocket Universe — user reviews > 489 indexed App Store user reviews of Pocket Universe by John Kennedy, rated 4.50/5 from 254 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocket-universe/id306916838/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocket-universe/id306916838.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 201 · 4★ 20 · 3★ 6 · 2★ 6 · 1★ 21 ## What do users think of Pocket Universe? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 🚀 Great app - 👍 Useful for astronomy - 👍 Excellent educational tool - 👍 Easy to use - 👍 Accurate - 👍 Customizable - 👍 Impressive features - 👍 Helpful for identifying objects in the sky - 👍 Comprehensive - 👍 Regularly updated **Cons** - 🐛 Crashes - 🐛 Inaccurate compass/tracking - 🐛 Buggy after updates - 🐛 Doesn't work on older devices - 🐛 Location issues - 🐛 Text too small - 🐛 Lack of updates for new astronomical events - 🔋 High battery consumption **Commonly reported bugs** - Crashes on launch - Compass issues - Inaccurate sky positioning - Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions **Most requested features** - Ability to set time and date - Improved motion tracking and compass calibration - Larger text size options - More detailed information on stars, galaxies, etc. - Comet and asteroid tracking - Satellite tracking - Southern hemisphere sky view - Wikipedia integration for more objects ## Newest reviews (10 of 489) ### 2/5 — Bad to worse! *2026-07-30, version 20.8* I’m pretty damn sure that I already paid for this app, about 5 years ago. But it was almost useless, due to tiny text on-screen. Now you’ve fixed the text, and supposedly improved the app.. Now I’m supposed to pay again thru IAP?? No thanks. I don’t recall having MUG tattooed on my forehead, so you can take a running jump. ### 3/5 — How did it go so wrong *2026-04-09, version 20.2* The original pocket universe took the world by storm. I had it and we used it every time we went camping. So while away this Easter holiday I went looking for the original app and it’s gone. So downloaded this version and it’s lost its way. All I wanted to do was aim my camera at the night sky and find out what the kids and I could see, it’s the one premise of the app, and somehow the one thing it no longer does intuitively. Spent 20 mins trying to figure it out before deleting it. ### 2/5 — Poor visual experience *2026-03-10, version 20.1* I was shocked to see this new version and the drastic change when the previous versions were perfect. Some of the earlier versions could have used minor settings changes but not the main visual effects. Please go back to the earlier design. ### 3/5 — Disappointing *2026-03-07, version 20.1* I’ve been using the original Pocket Universe for years, but I’m disappointed with the new version. How can a night sky guide omit reference and searchability for our closest neighbour - the Alpha Centauri group now called Rigil Kentaurus. The group (appearing as a single point of light) are clearly visible in Australian skies, but it doesn’t even show up in any mode. Seriously? Does the southern hemisphere even exist for this app?? My other complaint is that in motion mode at near vertical azimuth the sky jumps around as the phone is moved. ### 1/5 — Latest update destroyed app! *2026-03-02, version 20.1* Latest update destroyed app! ### 2/5 — I'm sad *2025-01-29, version 6.17* This used to be my favorite app, but I finally have to give up the ghost. I've been frustrated by this app for several years now. When I point my phone towards an object, for instance Venus tonite, I have to turn the face of the phone about 45° to the right of the planet in order to have it come into view on the screen. It's been like this for years. I don't understand. I used to be able to just point my phone at anything and find out what it was. I used to look forward to reading the news every month but now there's nothing there but a little square listing the super moons for 2024 and that's it! I finally had to download a different star app which I don't like as much but at least if I point my phone at a star it'll tell me what it is instead of me having to point my phone away from the object to try to find out what it is, I guess this has largely gone into the orphan app bin. :-( It was a great app! But it's just not usable and hasn't been for a long time. ### 1/5 — Was great *2025-01-19, version 6.17* Up until the last two updates this was great I hsed the motion feature a lot and it was reasonably accurate. Now this feature is completely inaccurate way out in it’s identification of compass points - at least bere in Australia Checked settings etc but no help Disappointed Am looking for a replacement app ### 3/5 — Infrequent updates *2024-10-12, version 6.17* I wanted to see the comet c20203 A3 Atlas that’s coming by however it’s not in the database. I think the app has few updates hence certain comets etc that are newly spotted don’t appear in it. The last update was 6mos ago in April. ### 1/5 — Not aligned in Sky mode *2024-09-23, version 6.17* When I point my phone at the sky it is not aligned with the stars or planets making it useless. I would contact support but they don't provide a way to do this., ### 5/5 — Excellent App - can I suggest a few things? *2024-08-09, version 6.17* I could go on about the excellent features in this app. I like the different symbols for the galaxies, nebulas etc. Grid is helpful for determining altitude of objects. Apologies for putting feature requests in a review, but the App support link doesn’t work. I really like the “Visible from Location” option and the ability to select the directions of interest. Suggested improvement would be to allow me to set the time. If I use it during the day, I get a “Sun is still up” message. I would like to use this to plan my objects of interest for 1 AM. One other item I would like to see improved is the “Draw Sights” option. When turned on, the coordinates are displayed on my iPhone in the sights but the font is extremely small. Can it be increased and perhaps a brighter color. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Not very user friendly *2026-05-10, version 20.5* I prefer the older version, this version is not easy to configure, it is not intuitive. ### 1/5 — Ruined *2026-04-29, version 20.3* You have ruined a good app. Will delete. ### 1/5 — New UI is rubbish *2026-04-05, version 20.2* I really hate this re Ui. I deleted the app and got Stellarium instead. ### 1/5 — Why did you change everything? *2026-03-28, version 20.1* I used to love this app and used it forever! But they completely changed everything and it’s awful! ### 1/5 — Dead menus *2026-03-19, version 20.1* Search menus are dead ### 1/5 — Pocket Universe review *2026-03-13, version 20.1* I’m sorry I really don’t like the new one. It’s way too sophisticated. The old Pocket Universe was like a plug in play point. Everything was there. I guess it’s just me. It looks cool. Looks great but it’s not working for me. I’m sorry. ### 1/5 — Completely ruined *2026-03-10, version 20.1* An utter disgrace. Completely destroyed what was a perfect app it is now unusable ### 1/5 — Update terrible *2026-03-03, version 20.1* What was once a very good tool is now worthless. You used to be able to adjust the amount of visible stars based on their magnitude. That is gone. I have deleted app. ### 1/5 — Recent updates confusing *2026-03-03, version 20.1* Recent updates confusing - can’t see star strength, can’t go back to original views. ### 1/5 — Update is delete worthy *2026-03-03, version 20.1* Terrible. The original app was always a 10. Had so many great features that everybody else screwed up. This app with the update is now just like every other terrible astronomy app out there. Doesn’t immediately show you what’s up. Doesn’t have an easy to find night mode. Doesn’t show objects based on brightness or identify brightness when putting the cursor over it so as to know if you can see it with the naked eye or a telescope! Time to delete and fine a new one that doesn’t suck. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — New version works decently once you get used to the new layout. *2026-05-12, version 20.5* I had a good email exchange with the developer and am convinced he is making every effort to improve Pocket Universe and make it more enjoyable to use. Much to his credit, John responded very quickly to my initial review. ### 5/5 — Still great *2026-04-22, version 20.3* I’ve had this app since the iPhone 3GS. It has been updated many times over the past decade and still is great. My “go to” astronomy app. The only request: it should play nicer with accessibility display settings, including the “zoomed” view. ### 5/5 — Best sky app *2026-04-13, version 20.2* Has an answer for all kinds of vewing and fun to use. Wish it could sync with the Apple Watch ### 5/5 — Very neat! *2026-03-12, version 20.1* Just found this app and I am really enjoying it so far! A lot of features but it's not overwhelming to get started. But I love it so far. ### 5/5 — An indispensable app *2026-03-07, version 20.1* A stunning tour of the wonders of the universe, few apps are this good. Great for helping to explain astronomy, and get children interested! ### 5/5 — So useful! *2026-03-07, version 20.1* I bought this app almost 17 years ago, probably the best long term app value for a paid app I’ve bought in the 18 years since I got my first iPhone at Australian launch. It’s phenomenal not only when I’m in a dark skies area at night to use Motion to see “what’s up there”, but I also find the ability to track the sun’s path useful on hot sunny days! I bought v1.7.1 – John has recently released 20.1: there are few indie developers with such dedication to their customers. ### 5/5 — Exceptional Astronomy App *2026-03-06, version 20.1* I am no expert but I am a huge space and astronomy enthusiast. One of my really good friends is an Astro physicist and professor and he has taught me a fair bit over the years. I love being able to take this app out and share with friends or family various things I have learned from him. This app is incredibly easy to use and very helpful in finding whatever information you are looking for as it relates to the sky. The interactive map that let you point the camera at the sky to find planets and stars is very cool. Great app I would recommend to anyone interested in space whether a beginner or expert. I would buy this app again. ### 5/5 — Does the job (and then some) while respecting privacy *2026-03-01, version 20.1* It’s rare these days to meet an app that does exactly what it promises to do without coming between the user and their goals, but Pocket Universe certainly stands up to the challenge (and then some). Perhaps more importantly, it does so while totally respecting its users privacy. That’s almost unheard of in this era that we live in! ### 5/5 — Terrific app *2026-02-27, version 20.0* What a great app and developer. ### 5/5 — Great app *2024-11-23, version 6.17* This app is awesome, the only people that leave negative reviews are the same people that don’t know how to turn on a computer and have to have their grandchildren fix their technical issues. Don’t be fooled by the people giving negative reviews, this app is great, been using it for years. --- *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 2026-08-14.*