# R2-D2 droid control

> Interactive R2-D2 droid control via smartphone or tablet. (iPhone/iPad app by De Agostini Publishing S.p.A..)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/r2-d2-droid-control/id1403826626 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [De Agostini Publishing S.p.A.](https://appshunter.io/developer/446742474)
- Category: Games, Entertainment
- Price: Free
- Rating: 3.39/5 from 363 App Store ratings · 166 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 37 MB
- Languages: English, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish
- Released: 2018-12-22
- Data updated: 2026-08-24
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/r2-d2-droid-control/id1403826626/reviews.md

## What is R2?

Your R2-D2 is finally ready to interact with you! 

With the ‘Build R2-D2’ App you can control your interactive droid directly from your smartphone or tablet. Steer him at will, see what he sees, and activate all his special features!

Features include: 

DUAL MODE
You can switch R2-D2 to operate under command or in autonomous ‘AI’ mode, when he will behave like the wilful astromech in the movies and respond to voice commands.

VIDEO/STILL CAMERA
The video/still camera in R2-D2’s head allows him to take snapshots and short video clips, which can be stored on your mobile device. His programming also includes the ability to detect human faces.

PROJECTOR
Just like in the Star Wars movies, R2-D2 is able to display holographic messages using a projector which can beam images of Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker onto any nearby flat surface.

POP-UP LIGHTSABER
As in ‘Return of the Jedi’ R2-D2 has a ‘hidden extra’ – Luke Skywalker’s lighsaber, which will pop up on demand from the pneumatic ejection tube in his head.

EXTENDING ARMS
As in the movies, R2-D2 can extend his spacecraff linkage and control arms on comman.The flaps on his body conceal hidden droid manipulator arms and probes, which you can extend at will. 


-------------

Mail:  customercare@deagostini.co.uk

## Key features

- Dual mode control (command/AI)
- Video/still camera with face detection
- Holographic message projector
- Pop-up lightsaber
- Extending arms and manipulator probes
- Voice command response

## What do users think of R2?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- 👍 Works well when functioning properly
- 🎮 Endless features and functionality
- 🔧 Resolves issues with reinstallation
- 📱 Compatible with multiple Apple devices

**Cons**

- 🐛 App crashes on startup frequently
- 📵 Connection failures to R2-D2 unit
- ⚠️ Not updated for latest iOS versions
- 🔌 WiFi connectivity issues (local and direct modes)
- 💔 Product becomes unusable without working app
- 📖 Poor or missing instructions
- 🌐 WiFi disconnection on networks without internet
- 🎯 Confusing and unintuitive interface
- 🗣️ Voice control unreliable
- 🔊 Missing audio in video clips
- 🌍 Limited language support
- ⏱️ Slow app response and latency issues

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes immediately upon opening
- Unable to connect to R2-D2 via Bluetooth or WiFi
- Local WiFi connection mode not working
- Direct WiFi mode intermittently functional
- iOS 14, 16, 17, 18, 18.1 compatibility issues
- App force closes when accessing camera or photo library
- Settings menu appears empty or incomplete
- Language selection not persisting (defaults to English)
- Character encoding issues with accents and special characters
- Camera display lag and latency
- Head rotation juddering instead of smooth motion
- Voice control not responding
- Patrol mode not functioning properly
- Photo feature crashes app
- Configuration options cut off on screen
- 5GHz WiFi not supported
- App doesn't recognize R2-D2 on network despite connection

**Most requested features**

- Update app for iOS 16, 17, 18, and 18.1 compatibility
- Diagnostic feature to check R2-D2 problems
- Volume control option
- Programming/automation functionality
- Controller support (PS2/gamepad)
- Remote access outside local network
- Smoother head and body movement controls
- Recording and projection feature
- Desktop application for Mac and Windows
- Improved voice recognition
- Better patrol mode with obstacle detection
- Comprehensive user manual in app
- Support for Little Bits Droid Inventor Kit
- Additional language support (German, Spanish, Russian, Italian, Polish, French, Japanese)

## Recent user reviews (10 of 166)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/r2-d2-droid-control/id1403826626/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Still will not work

*2026-04-28*

App will not open still on IPhone 14 Pro Max running iOS 26. Crashing start, was hoping update would fix this.

### 1/5 — App needs updated

*2026-04-08*

The app hasn’t been updated so the local connect mode will not work. Only direct mode works some times. Since apple will automatically disconnect from any WiFi that is not connected to the internet. Very disappointing after a long difficult build to not be able to use it. Because of a poorly designed app.

### 1/5 — R2 D2

*2026-03-24, version 1.21*

Had the bought as a gift but can’t get it to connect to phone

### 1/5 — DOESN’T WORK

*2026-03-17, version 1.21*

This application is still supposed to operate sphero droids ie R2D2. It refuses to connect & have no idea why.

### 1/5 — Update the app and upgrade to the new version of iOS 26

*2026-01-28, version 1.21*

They should update this app for IOS 26 apple devices and upgrade it to iOS 26 and update the appreciate it feature and there should be a feature on there too check for problems on the R2-D2 diagnostic feature and you should have a thing on there on the app so found out the problem on there put your company does read this stuff

### 1/5 — Does not connect with Droid Inventor Kit

*2026-01-17*

This is the company that now one the Little Bits line and it does not support the Little Bits Droid Inventor Kit. So our son has a droid kit that is now useless as the company removed the app for the kit and provided no replacement (which could easily have been integrated into this app).

### 5/5 — Excited

*2026-01-08*

Hands down the best replica model. Endless features!

### 1/5 — POS

*2025-12-31, version 1.21*

Don’t waste your money or time. Product does not work.

### 1/5 — No good

*2025-12-07*

Doesn’t work and wasn’t able to connect to WIFi

### 2/5 — App needs updated

*2025-11-24*

The app hasn’t been updated so the local connect mode will not work. Only direct mode works some times. Since apple will automatically disconnect from any WiFi that is not connected to the internet. Bevy disappointing after a long difficult build to not baa able to use it very well.

## Frequently asked questions about R2

### What can I do with the R2-D2 droid control app?

This app allows you to directly control your interactive R2-D2 droid from your smartphone or tablet. You can steer the droid, view its camera feed, and activate its special features, including a projector, pop-up lightsaber, and extending arms.

### Does the R2-D2 droid have AI capabilities?

Yes, the R2-D2 droid can operate in an autonomous 'AI' mode. In this mode, it behaves like the astromech from the movies and can respond to voice commands, making it more interactive.

### Can the R2-D2 droid take photos or videos?

Yes, the R2-D2 droid is equipped with a video and still camera in its head. You can use the app to capture snapshots and short video clips, which can then be stored on your mobile device. The droid can also detect human faces.

### What kind of special features does R2-D2 have?

R2-D2 features a projector that can display holographic messages, a pop-up lightsaber, and extending arms and manipulator probes. These features are designed to mimic its capabilities as seen in the Star Wars movies.

### Is this app compatible with all R2-D2 droids?

The app is designed to control your 'Build R2-D2' interactive droid. Compatibility is specific to this particular interactive droid model, allowing for direct control and feature activation via your smartphone or tablet.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.02 — 2026-05-05

- Fixed Connection issue

### 1.21 — 2024-11-18

UI updates

### 1.20 — 2024-07-29

Fix local wifi connection issue

### 1.19 — 2023-11-20

Support Japanese

### 1.18 — 2022-10-10

support IOS 16

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## More apps by De Agostini Publishing S.p.A.

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- [Wizzyland](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wizzyland/id1163795501)

All apps by De Agostini Publishing S.p.A.: https://appshunter.io/developer/446742474

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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 2026-08-24.*