# Rain Bird 2.0 — user reviews > 447 indexed App Store user reviews of Rain Bird 2.0 by Rain Bird Corporation, rated 1.90/5 from 609 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rain-bird-20/id6472510505/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rain-bird-20/id6472510505.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 84 · 4★ 32 · 3★ 25 · 2★ 62 · 1★ 406 ## What do users think of Rain Bird 2.0? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 🚀 Fast and reliable connection - 🌟 Improved user interface - 📊 Weather forecasting and adjustment features - 🔒 Secure cloud-based control **Cons** - 🐛 Connectivity issues and disconnections - 🤔 Confusing setup and registration process - 🤷‍♀️ Lack of feature parity with previous app version - 🕰️ Excessive weather adjustments **Commonly reported bugs** - Inability to log in or reset credentials - Zones renamed or disappearing - Unexpected program start times - Firmware update issues **Most requested features** - History of system and station runtimes - Ability to independently control/schedule programs - Integration with smart home platforms - Improved weather data accuracy and customization ## Newest reviews (19 of 447) ### 2/5 — Keep it simple *2026-09-03, version 1.5.6* To many disconnections from the cloud!! When needed during storms or away always a disconnect at the worst time. I miss being able to see the start times for each zone on the calendar for a program. Made it easier to know when the program will end. Please bring that feature back. The first iteration was much reliable. Get rid of the unnecessary features ; ie the weather portion. I just want to be able to program the controller and turn it on and off from my device. Keep it simple ### 2/5 — Frequent connectivity issues *2026-09-02, version 1.5.4* The app itself is user friendly, but the frequent connection issues are a real pain. I have zero confidence in being able to remote start my sprinkler system because even when I have a strong WiFi signal and am standing in front of of the control box, it often won’t connect and I have to physically run the sprinkler using the manual button on the controller. ### 1/5 — Connecting Issues *2026-08-25, version 1.5.4* Like other reviews I am having the same issue with connecting to the controller via the app. It keeps telling me there is a WiFi connection issue when the controller shows a strong signal. It says to restart the app which I have done several times to no avail. I thought I was getting a reasonable replacement for my 25 year controller but it just hasn’t happened. Very frustrating. ### 1/5 — Nothing works *2026-08-24, version 1.5.4* Literally, nothing works ### 1/5 — Horrible app. Don’t update *2026-08-22, version 1.5.4* Version 1 was so much better. Why do you need my phone location. This app is trying to steal location data. Do not update if you have not updated. Once updated I could not go back to old app. It reset everything. So it had to redo all the set up. Why do you need precise location? ### 2/5 — Regret “upgrading” to 2.0 *2026-08-21, version 1.5.4* I’m regretting upgrading to version 2.0. The user interface is an improvement over the previous version, but if the cloud connection is often offline, what’s the point? When it’s offline, I can’t run Manual Water from the app, which is my most-used feature. It was actually my sprinkler service provider that suggested I “upgrade.” He’s usually reliable, but this app, not so much. ### 1/5 — Disappointing *2026-08-21, version 1.5.4* 1.0 app worked fine. Constant connectivity issues with 2.0 plus now COSTS (subscription needed). ### 2/5 — Works, but… *2026-08-19, version 1.5.4* I spent 2 hours to set up this device. Many steps to set this properly. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t connect most of the time. Terrible controller. *2026-08-19, version 1.5.4* This controller doesn’t connect or respond as it should. Very frustrating. I’ll be replacing it shortly. To buyers looking for an upgrade, please look elsewhere and save yourself the headache and disappointment. ### 1/5 — Garbage app *2026-08-18, version 1.5.4* Can’t login. Constantly says session expired. Bad developer. ### 1/5 — Frustrating *2026-08-18, version 1.5.4* Like the above comment, I want to like it. But it is just so annoying that it won’t connect and my router is nearby. It is not a very intuitive app either. ### 1/5 — Unreliable *2026-08-15, version 1.5.4* Ruined my life ### 1/5 — ??? *2026-08-15, version 1.5.4* Drops out of WiFi too much. Old system was better. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t respond to commands *2026-08-14, version 1.5.4* You can tell it to stop in the middle of a watering, but it will never actually stop. You can tell it to skip the current station and move onto another station, but that doesn’t work either. Once it starts it won’t stop ### 1/5 — Ruined a perfectly fine app *2026-08-13, version 1.5.4* The old Rainbird app was solid, simple and worked. This new setup is a nightmare. It has to connect to the cloud you have to wait for it to login just to do anything. Now you also get logged out from time to time and have to remember your credentials to get back in. what a great way to ruin your brand. ### 1/5 — Connection issues like always *2026-08-13, version 1.5.4* Poor connection issues even with the new wifi adapter. Pretty poor from a major manufacturer. ### 1/5 — The original was good *2026-08-13, version 1.5.4* Unfortunately this system will not follow the programmed schedule. It continuously will not water for the programmed time, but at least you can see in the calendar what it actually did. For some reason, it’s choosing not to water every day even though it’s scheduled to water every day. I turned off the weather forecast, thinking it was misjudging rain days, but it’s just random on what days it chooses to water and how long it uses to water for.. The mandatory cloud connect is also unreliable as mentioned in several other reviews. Connecting to the controller should be a smooth process but rainbird figured out how to mess that up. ### 3/5 — Loading *2026-08-12, version 1.5.4* The app will get to the point of running a zone, but will just say “loading” as the zones actually run…most of the time. The connectivity issues persist. ### 2/5 — Keep it simple *2026-08-12, version 1.5.4* To many disconnections from the cloud!! When needed during storms or away always a disconnect at the worst time. I miss being able to see the start times for each zone on the calendar for a program. Made it easier to know when the program will end. Please bring that feature back. The first iteration was much reliable. Get rid of the unnecessary features ; ie the weather portion. I just want to be able to program the controller and turn it on and off from my device. Keep it simple ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Terrible *2026-09-04, version 1.5.6* Useless app. Constantly tells me it’s expecting rain and literally never waters on schedule. There’s zero reason to even have a a schedule because it refuses to water. Not sure where it gets its info but it is almost never correct. Half the time when I start the manual water it times out and it usually takes 2-3 attempts for it to finally water. ### 1/5 — Horrible app. Don’t update *2026-09-01, version 1.5.4* Version 1 was so much better. Why do you need my phone location. This app is trying to steal location data. Do not update if you have not updated. Once updated I could not go back to old app. It reset everything. So it had to redo all the set up. Why do you need precise location every single time I open the app. I understand may be when try to set it up. But after set up is complete you don’t need my precise location. Horrible app practices. ### 1/5 — Poorly written App *2026-09-01, version 1.5.4* I have had Rain Bird for a very long time and just stuck with it because I didn’t want to swap it out. I have to say that I am underwhelmed by the number of responses from Rain Bird that says tell us more about it. A lot of information is already given in there, it seems like nobody really cares except they do respond with the same message over and over. My connectivity gets lost a lot and it’s very close to my Wi-Fi. Very strong Wi-Fi as well. It seems not just the app, but the actual hardware is not very good. ### 1/5 — Very bad in WiFi connection *2026-08-30, version 1.5.4* I believe there is a critical software issue in the app. I can only connect 1 of 10. ### 1/5 — I tried it and reverted back *2026-08-30, version 1.5.4* This is as bad as it gets for a IoT app. Message to Rainbird, fix this 2.0 app or remove it from App Store or you will confuse and lose customers. Your developers need to understand the importance of a positive user experience. The 1.0 app is should be the main app again it was more reliable feature by feature. ### 1/5 — Horrible *2026-08-28, version 1.5.4* App sucks. Always logs you out. Randomly will lose your programming. Manual watering works on the 3rd and 4th attempts ### 1/5 — Terrible Connection to Controller *2026-08-28, version 1.5.4* This app has so many more options that make my irrigation schedule customizable, however, when I’m trying to manually water or adjust zones or pretty much anything, the app never connects to the controller. It’s not an internet problem or my brand new controller itself, it is 1000% the app. I will be reverting to the first version of this app even if the pop up saying “rainbird 2.0 is now available” is annoying as all hell. Please fix this problems, I’ve had them for almost 2.5 years now. ### 1/5 — Trash *2026-08-27, version 1.5.4* Forced to upgrade from the other app which worked very well. Connectivity is beyond terrible. Done with Rain Bird. ### 1/5 — DO NOT USE THIS VERSION *2026-08-26, version 1.5.4* This new app is much worse than the old version. And if you use this it will upgrade your firmware and you can’t go back to the previous app. I wish I knew this before. Lots of communication issues and you need to have internet (cloud) access to work. Terrible user experience. Stay away from 2.0 ### 1/5 — Horrible. Do not waste your time. *2026-08-26, version 1.5.4* This app, and the device, are absolutely horrible. I spent hours troubleshooting shooting through every FAQ and AI article I could find. Nothing worked. The conclusion AI came to was a faulty app. All that money and time wasted on an absolute garbage product. If I could give it zero stars, I would. We will never use Rainbird, or recommend them, again. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Works great *2026-08-19, version 1.5.4* Switched from the original app, this one works great! ### 5/5 — Great products *2026-07-28, version 1.5.3* I installed an ESP ME Modular display and use it with the app very easily! John at Tech Support was extremely helpful, courteous and knowledgeable! He explained what to do to re-establish connectivity using 2.4 GHz WiFi. I am very pleased with the app as well. Thank you RainBird and John for excellent Tech Support! ### 5/5 — Big Difference *2026-07-10, version 1.5.3* Just upgraded from v1, a world of difference!! Thank you!! ### 5/5 — Rain crash *2026-07-06, version 1.5.2* Okay fixed , spoke with support via email the issue was fixed . Back to 5 stars . Rain bird 2.0 is team crash team not connected team do nothing , click buttons does nothing , add and readd gets stuck doing nothing then times out then said id o error. The fix for slow connection is connecting the unit closer to the router / ap , then moving it to the right place . After a good connection is established it works way better . ### 5/5 — Decent app *2026-07-06, version 1.5.2* Just purchased a wifi enabled controller and set it up, swapping out my 24 year old original. The app is pretty well designed and I may have had to pause a couple times to think things out, but it honestly wasn’t too difficult. Thanks Rain Bird 2! ### 5/5 — 06/01/2026 Flawless install on an ME3 W/ LNK2 *2026-06-01, version 1.5.1* I just finished an install and set up of the Wi-Fi controller. It went exactly as the quick start paper said. The app is easy and intuitive. I do have Wi-Fi6 at 2.4 as recommended. It went flawlessly and truly was easy. ### 5/5 — Just works *2026-05-24, version 1.5.1* I fail to see why there are so many negative reviews. The app connected to my ESP-TM2 without issue and has remained connected ever since. ### 5/5 — Best App on the Market *2026-05-20* I’m generally pretty bewildered by some of the ratings here. For context, I’m a contractor in the irrigation industry and regularly use almost every major irrigation app on the market across different brands and controller types. From my perspective, what Rain Bird is doing with the 2.0 app is genuinely ahead of most of the competition right now. Personally, I haven’t experienced the connectivity issues others are reporting (and if those issues are happening, I completely understand why that would be frustrating), but my experience has been very different. The jump from the previous experience to 2.0 feels night and day. The interface is cleaner, workflows make more sense, remote management is more intuitive, and it’s obvious Rain Bird is investing heavily in software, user experience, and building something that feels more modern rather than just maintaining legacy tools. No app is perfect, but this feels like a major step forward not backward. **Developer response:** Thanks so much for the review -- your experience is what we are aiming for, and we have lots of exciting enhancements coming! ### 5/5 — Great App *2026-05-04, version 1.4.6* Works well, I love being able to handle my sprinklers from my phone. One bug, during daylight savings time changes, the app changes time but the controller did not update. So I was wondering why my sprinklers were not coming on - they turned out to be just an hour late. ### 5/5 — Apple Home Kit *2026-04-25, version 1.4.5* Any chance of implementing the use of Apple Home for voice assistance like Alexa? --- *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 2026-09-08.*