# Rinnai Control-r 2.0™ — user reviews > 164 indexed App Store user reviews of Rinnai Control by Rinnai America Corp, rated 1.40/5 from 898 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rinnai-control-r-20/id1180734911/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rinnai-control-r-20/id1180734911.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 38 · 4★ 34 · 3★ 39 · 2★ 43 · 1★ 744 ## What do users think of Rinnai Control? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 💻 Works as intended - ⚙️ Basics work well - 🔍 Slowly improving **Cons** - 🐛 Crashes frequently - 🔌 Disconnects often - 🤯 Buggy and unreliable - 🤖 Poor user experience - 🔍 Outdated and unsupported - 🤔 Lacks key features **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes during setup - Schedules and timers not working - Temperature controls not functioning properly - Connectivity issues with WiFi module **Most requested features** - Improve app stability and reliability - Add support for modern home automation - Enhance user interface and usability - Provide better customer support ## Newest reviews (18 of 164) ### 2/5 — You idiots you broke it again 02/28/26 (back working now) *2026-03-04, version 2.5.7* App broke and it does not recognize anything. It is asking me to repair again Fixed on Monday 3-2-2026 ### 1/5 — Switch to Rinnai Central *2026-02-22, version 2.5.7* Don’t use this app anymore. Please switch to Rinnai Central. ### 1/5 — Check other Rinnai App!! *2026-01-24, version 2.5.7* tl:dr: Try the Rinnai Central app I hate this app as much as the other reviewers. Wasted two hours on a Saturday trying to connect to my wifi. Tried absolutely everything including manually splitting my wifi into 5g and 2.4g components (didn’t end up working). The app would crash on the final step EVERY SINGLE TIME. I was browsing the App Store and saw that there’s another Rinnai Central app and on the first try I connect my Control-r. Hopefully this review helps someone else. Needless to say I will never buy another Rinnai product ### 1/5 — Useless *2026-01-05, version 2.5.7* Set the temperature to a new value = get a pop up saying the new value was set! And absolutely nothing changes. Next time you open the app the temp stays the same. About the only thing this app does correctly is show you whether or not the heater is currently working. None of the other controls actually work properly ### 1/5 — CIO should be terminated *2025-11-23, version 2.5.7* Control R is worthless, Rinnai support is worthless, and the CIO should be walked out the front door for being so incompetent. We will not buy another Rinnai. This app crashes during enrollment, and it’s a known issue on forums that supposedly the call center (not open weekends) can fix, but it’s been known for YEARS and their developers have done nothing to fix the issue. Version 1 was bad enough, version 2 is somehow worse. Our next water heater - and we are due in a year or so - will not be a Rinnai. ### 1/5 — Use the other Rinnai app *2025-10-07, version 2.5.7* They have two apps. Use the other one. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work *2025-07-18, version 2.5.7* Never works. Complete waste of money ### 1/5 — App crashes *2025-06-10, version 2.5.7* App crashes after successful wi-fi setup. Frustrating ### 1/5 — Working well until it wasn’t *2025-05-26, version 2.5.7* Lived here for 2 years before we could get the app connected because the app kept crashing when trying to set up wifi, then when we did finally it was great! Until it wasn’t. Used to be able to change the temp easily, feature suddenly went away. Now it’s stuck on 140 and I have young kids in the house that keep scalding themselves because I can’t change the temp down. “App support” page goes to a broken link. Needs to be updated ASAP!! ### 1/5 — App Fails to Even Configure Device *2025-05-18, version 2.5.7* My IPS set up a new WiFi router with a new network name. The app crashes once you have paired to the device and set up the WiFi and fails to adopt the device! ### 1/5 — App crashes *2025-05-15, version 2.5.7* The app keeps crashing during set up of the Wi-Fi ### 1/5 — Wow :( *2025-03-23, version 2.5.7* If they think this app is production ready, should I be worried having installed their 199kBTU water heater in my home. ### 1/5 — Can’t login to app anymore *2025-03-09, version 2.5.7* A few weeks ago, the app logged me out like it always did. Now after trying to re login, it does nothing. I checked to see if the app was outdated, but that’s not it. ### 1/5 — Don’t waste your time - app is years out of date. *2025-03-02, version 2.5.7* App had not been updated in 2 years and crashes after every install post every device setup. Making it totally useless. Cannot spend any more time on an app that cost about $1 to develop. ### 1/5 — Poorly made *2025-02-01, version 2.5.7* This app plain doesn’t work! Wish the company would update or fix the problems! ### 1/5 — No longer links to Alexa *2025-01-19, version 2.5.7* Up until a few days ago, I was able to use Alexa to control the water heater. But now it keeps saying I need to authenticate in order to get Alexa to issue commands. I follow the instructions to authenticate, but it still keeps coming back with the same error message. Not sure why after years of problems. This app still hasn’t been improved. With all the negative reviews, I would think and effort would be made to improve the app. ### 1/5 — So bad *2024-12-28, version 2.5.7* This app is horrible. Exits out in the middle of setting up, can’t access anything. They need an update desperately ### 1/5 — App continues to crash *2024-12-15, version 2.5.7* Right after I select the light is flashing blue and green to complete set up, the app crashes. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Are there any new updates?? *2026-08-15, version 2.5.7* My app keeps closing mid-connection, before I can reconnect my tankless hot water to the app for on demand hot water. This app has been a PIA from the beginning, but this is now ridiculous! ### 1/5 — Does not work *2026-06-21, version 2.5.7* When I try to register, the app would not let me select the state (option disabled) ### 1/5 — Not reliable *2026-04-24, version 2.5.7* I’ve had this module for about five years now and no matter what the upgrade is, it still does not adjust the temperature of my hot water. The display says my water temperature changes, but as soon as I go back into the app, it is back to its original setting and won’t save. Also, it seems to disconnect randomly from my Wi-Fi and when I go to reconnect, it takes forever to get it to work. I’ve reset my Wi-Fi and reset the module, but still doesn’t work consistently. ### 1/5 — Works for needs but have request *2026-03-02, version 2.5.7* Able to run recirculating pump as needed at home or remotely before getting home. Wish I did not have to re-enter username and password each time application revised. Other apps do not require. Latest version makes it impossible to login to the heater with my phone. Instructions coming from app do not work. Please fix. ### 1/5 — Unable to access app *2026-03-01, version 2.5.7* Unable to access app after providing user information. Trying to install RWM200 but cannot access app to connect wireless module. I’ve tried both Rinnai Central and Rinnai Control-r 2.0 and neither work. ### 1/5 — Run far away *2026-03-01, version 2.5.7* App updates come on the weekend that knock out your system. Customer service is closed until Monday so no hot water until customer service comes back. This happened more than once. Their software is absolutely useless. If I could go back to a tank, I would do it in a heartbeat. ### 1/5 — Overnight lost my device setting *2026-03-01, version 2.5.7* I had a working setup that I rely on and now the only heater device I have seems to have disappeared, trying to setup the device again just spins, so I’m at a loss now for what to do or how to get my device set up again. I connect to the Rinnai WiFi network to try and re pair but the app cannot find the device. Great going from a working system to now completely broken ### 1/5 — App is broken *2026-03-01, version 2.5.7* App is completely broken ### 1/5 — You idiots you broke it again 02/28/26 *2026-03-01, version 2.5.7* App broke and it does not recognize anything. It is asking me to repair again ### 1/5 — Very poor design -m *2026-02-28, version 2.5.7* App crashes and doesn’t even connect to rennai-wifi - maybe it was meant for 2006 year and worthless for 2020 onwards ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Works as designed. *2024-03-18, version 2.5.7* So glad I upgraded to the Control-R. I had a RUR199e previously connected with the MC-195T-US and that setup worked well just as long as the power didn’t go out. Having to reprogram it after each power outage was annoying so I looked into the control-r. The bad reviews are exaggerated and mostly unfounded. The only negative thing is a missed pairing step to call technical support to complete the network pairing. The company should amend the setup instructions to add that step when appropriate. Otherwise this device/application is great. More control and more reliability for your tankless water heater. ### 5/5 — Working great *2023-12-04, version 2.5.7* Lately. The app seems to work flawlessly. In the past the app kept being disconnected from the water heater. Hopefully it will stay good from now on. ### 5/5 — I must have won the Rinnai lottery *2021-12-10, version 2.5.6* Just had my RUR199E installed and went to download this app. Saw the horrid 1.4 star reviews and was prepared for the worst. But lo and behold, this was as easy to setup as any other device. Just connect to the Rinnai, connect it to the Wi-Fi , done. Sitting pretty and have great hot water. Just been playing around with the recirculating feature and so far works great. App updated the firmware the first time. Only one complaint is that I tried to register the serial number but the app could not recognize it. Oh well, I’ll send in the postcard. ### 5/5 — Latest Firmware *2021-10-30, version 2.5.6* Remember to make sure your wi-fi has 2.4 Ghz band transmitting. Also make sure you have the latest version of the Control-r 2.0 app and also make sure you select the app Control-r Info screen and check to see - “Latest Build” is listed. If not, tap on the build number to update. Naturally there is no prompt to say it is updating, but it will eventually update. ### 5/5 — So far ok *2021-09-25, version 2.5.4* V1 of this app worked ok but would always drop out of WiFi. And I had to reset snd reconnect the module. When v2 came out I read very poor reviews and did not upgrade. Recently v1 stopped working. So I installed v2. Checked the module via FAQ procedure and it was already on v2 firmware. I think Rinnai pushed it. Logged into new app, it checked the firmware, no updates. Connected to WiFi in about 1 min. Then another minute and it was online in the app. Tested remote recirculating feature and it works. Let's see how it's long term. Functionality seems to be the same. Just different UI. ### 4/5 — App needs to be updated *2025-06-29, version 2.5.7* It would be nice to have iOS shortcuts where I could start the heater recirculating water without going into the app each time and I could use Siri ### 4/5 — Frustrating Wi-Fi Limitations, But There’s a Hack *2025-04-19, version 2.5.7* The app itself is fine once you’re connected, but getting to that point is way more painful than it should be. The biggest issue? The Rinnai system only supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. In today’s world of dual- and tri-band routers, mesh systems, and automatic band steering, forcing 2.4 GHz connectivity is outdated and problematic. Many modern networks don’t even expose separate 2.4 GHz SSIDs anymore, and Rinnai offers no alternative path—no Ethernet, no 5 GHz, no dual-band support. After struggling for hours trying to get it to connect, I found a workaround that actually works: get some 20-gauge bell wire and physically extend the control wire to the Wi-Fi module. This lets you reposition the receiver closer to your access point for a stronger, more reliable signal. It’s a bit DIY, but it’s the only thing that solved the range issue for me. Bottom line: the app works, but the Wi-Fi module is extremely limiting and poorly designed for real-world environments. If Rinnai wants to stay competitive, they need to modernize their connectivity options. ### 4/5 — Works as intended could be better if it was HomeKit compatible… *2024-09-05, version 2.5.7* Works as advertised but for some reason it logs me out of the app every 30 days and password is not saved. Could be better if they fixed this issue. Also it is not HomeKit compatible limiting its scheduling to time of day only. ### 4/5 — Simple and to the point app *2023-08-24, version 2.5.7* This app is the most simple and to the point you’re going to get out of Rinnai. When you log in it takes you directly to the Water Recirculation start screen. The new app is bloated with advertising and value added services that don’t matter to 90% of owners. Keep in mind that if you’re having issues with the app functioning, logging in, pairing with your unit, you’ll HAVE to call RINNAI. Everytime I’ve had an issue it was because their system requires a person to unblock a setting via their internal system settings. It’s not you or the app not working properly, it’s the limitations of their system. Great app! ### 4/5 — Function and stability have improved *2021-05-16, version 2.5* I applaud Rinnai for investing a little time and effort to improve the app and firmware. Overall it’s much more reliable than in the past several years. A few more features need to be addressed. The status screen no longer works, when you are trying to check the heater real-time temperature and firing cycles. This worked for a while with recent firmware updates, but totally disappeared with this one. It’s not a huge deal because the stability of the current firmware and app are very good overall. And the accessory function is much more stable than ever before. The remote demand button works nicely now, unlike the last several 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 2026-08-24.*