# RYSE — user reviews

> 107 indexed App Store user reviews of RYSE by RYSE INC., rated 3.03/5 from 33 ratings.

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ryse/id1216335329/reviews
- App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ryse/id1216335329.md
- Rating breakdown: 5★ 7 · 4★ 0 · 3★ 1 · 2★ 2 · 1★ 10

## What do users think of RYSE?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- 👍 Easy installation and setup process
- 🎨 Sleek and modern hardware design
- ⚙️ Works well with HomeKit integration
- 🔧 Responsive customer support (when available)
- 💡 Innovative concept for retrofitting existing blinds
- ⏰ Scheduling functionality works reliably when stable
- 🏠 Good integration with smart home ecosystems

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and freezes
- 📡 Unreliable Bluetooth connectivity issues
- ⚠️ Requires separate Smart Bridge for full functionality
- 🔄 Constant need to recalibrate devices
- ❌ Missing native Alexa/Google Home compatibility
- ⏱️ Slow app load times (10-30+ seconds)
- 🔗 Device disconnection problems requiring reconnection
- 📉 Inconsistent automation and schedule execution
- 🔊 Loud and noisy motor operation
- ⚡ Hardware reliability issues and failures
- 🎯 Poor app responsiveness and UI performance
- 💸 Expensive for limited functionality without hub
- 🚫 Scheduling removed in recent updates (forced hub purchase)

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes on launch and during pairing
- Bluetooth fails to connect on first attempt
- Devices disconnect and require constant reconnection
- Firmware update failures stuck at 0%
- App freezes during setup and configuration
- Shade status not reflecting actual position
- Schedules randomly stop working or drift in time
- Devices disappear from app randomly
- Routines fail to execute properly
- Groups functionality broken or unavailable
- Object detection false positives causing shades to stop
- Calibration loops that never complete
- App becomes unresponsive after closing and reopening
- Multiple devices not responding in automation routines
- Chain connector disconnection issues
- Motor skipping and getting out of sync

**Most requested features**

- Native Alexa and Google Home voice control without Smart Bridge
- Built-in scheduling without requiring additional hardware
- Instant routine testing and triggering
- Sunrise/sunset-based automation options
- Fine-grained manual shade position control
- iPad and landscape mode support
- Widget for home screen control
- Automatic status refresh on app open
- Firmware update enforcement and visibility
- Group control functionality
- Weather-based automation triggers
- Faster Bluetooth connection times

## Newest reviews (14 of 107)

### 4/5 — No Alexa compatibility without extra Device

*2026-03-31, version 2.3.5*

It’s absolutely insane that in 2026 you can sell a smart device and not natively include Alexa compatibility or even scheduling. Besides that the app works great and the product works great as well.

### 4/5 — Works fine

*2026-02-07, version 2.3.5*

Works great they could give a better description of the electric set up but the fiscal installation worked fine

### 4/5 — Finally got some TLC

*2025-04-28, version 2.2.7*

After almost no new features and improvements in years, mostly just bug fixes this app has finally received some badly needed TLC, and most of my complaints have been addressed.
Routines still cannot be kicked off / tested instantly (strange oversight as that should be pretty easy to implement), but by and large this app looks finally good enough to swing the automation of our shades without Apple Home crutches.

### 3/5 — Recent fixes work

*2024-11-19*

Almost no new features and improvements in years, mostly just bug fixes (they do come, but it took a long time to fix the worst issues).
Routines still cannot be kicked off / tested instantly, and there is still no option to choose essential smart time settings such as e.g. sunrise and sunset. Apple Home automation fixes those feature gaps for me, and finally works again as expected.

### 1/5 — Total train wreck

*2024-11-16*

I don’t even know where to begin. No improvements in two years, and some aspects are even worse than before (Apple Home routines now need to be kicked off once for every shade involved!)
App is still not refreshing the shade status automatically upon opening the app (seriously..??), and it keeps forgetting random shade units (I have six, connected via their bridge) on a regular basis, so I have to re-add the affected ones and restore the automation again and again. I can see driver details, but no way to tell if they're the latest or enforce checking for updates. My window shade automation works properly less than half the time. Groups don’t work at all, are also not available to the routines, and randomly disappear and reappear. Routines cannot be tested instantly, and there is still no option to choose essential smart time settings such sunrise and sunset.
I‘m absolutely disappointed by this app and am now removing the last star of hope.

### 3/5 — Imperfect

*2024-10-16, version 2.1.6*

For the price of the product, this app needs some serious work. It takes far too long to connect (about 10-15 seconds due to Bluetooth), and occasionally times out. When it works it’s great, but it would be nice if it was more responsive.

### 1/5 — Bluetooth Connectivity

*2024-10-06, version 2.1.6*

New app does not connect on first attempt through iPhone Bluetooth but always connects in second attempt.  Support group no help, simply told me to delete and reinstall app and pair again to device, but problem still exists.  Very frustrating to have to try to connect multiple times every time you want to open or close your shade!!!!

### 3/5 — Solid hardware, flaky software

*2024-09-11, version 2.1.6*

The hardware is easy to install and of great quality. Alas the weakness of Ryse is its software. Oftentimes one or two of my three SmartShade blinds don’t react when an Home Automation event occurs. I have to reselect the same scene several times to have all the blinds cooperate. And as I’m writing this, one of the SmartShades has just disappeared from the Ryse app, while the other ones still work fine via SmartBridge. Pretty disappointing.

### 2/5 — Still very buggy

*2024-07-02*

Almost no improvements in two years! App is still not refreshing the shade status automatically upon opening the app (seriously..??), and it keeps forgetting random shade units (I have six, connected via their bridge) on a regular basis, so I have to re-add the affected ones and restore the automation again and again. I can see driver details, but no way to tell if they're the latest or enforce checking for updates. My window shade automation works about 90% of the time, why is it so hard to get it to be stable and reliable??

### 2/5 — app has an issue connecting

*2024-06-17, version 2.1.3*

specifically when the app is completely closed and is opened after awhile. you can fix it by just swiping up on the app from the multitasking app switcher, but the app should just be doing a better at verifying it has a good connection and reconnecting if not

### 1/5 — Completely broken

*2024-06-08, version 2.1.2*

I have 4 3rd gen smart shades that ever since the new app update a couple months back half the time I have at lease 1 shade not open or object detect and stop with no object. Even when object detection is disabled. Right now I’m setting in my room clicking open all for the past 10 minutes only for every shade to still be closed as it’s completely unresponsive.

### 1/5 — Update broke the app

*2024-05-07, version 2.1.2*

I have 6 axis gears, and some the last update the app just crashes every time I try to access them

### 2/5 — New version needs a tuneup

*2024-04-21, version 2.1.0*

I own many Axis Gear units. 
With the updated app, anytime a blind is down either partially or fully, when I use the app to raise the blind, the app always indicates that the blind is fully open. The app does not remember or know the actual setting of the blinds. Can this be fixed please? Thanks

### 2/5 — Glitchy does not work, multiple button failures

*2024-03-08, version 2.0.27*

App is not working - buttons are stuck, cannot go back in the setup guide. Multiple buttons not clickable.

## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated)

### 1/5 — Terrible

*2026-06-16, version 2.3.6*

Not user friendly, buggy, and frustrating.

### 1/5 — Buyer Beware: App needs a lot of work

*2026-05-04, version 2.3.6*

The hardware looks great, the workflow to setup the hardware for the most part works well. Once you start using the app it’s very inconsistent. The WiFi enabled bridge disconnects from the devices very frequently. Routines are basically broken. Works when it wants to.  For how expensive the product is this is a 1 star experience

### 1/5 — Garbage DO NOT BUY

*2025-08-01, version 2.3.1*

Absolute garbage. The app, the devices, the UI, everything about this company and the app is garbage. The developers need to go back to university and study something else. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS GARBAGE

### 1/5 — Ruined a previously useful product

*2025-07-28, version 2.3.1*

Used to be able to schedule curtains to open and close, but they got rid of that to force you to buy a completely unnecessary ancillary device. Disgusting levels of greed when it was already working that way and we paid for a product you could control on a schedule. 

Also the app is constantly crashing and thinks it needs a firmware update every time you open it then sticks on 0%.

### 1/5 — Firmware issues

*2025-07-17, version 2.3.1*

This product has serious firmware issues. I tried for hours to Bluetooth 4 different shades at least 6 times each and was unsuccessful on all devices.  They all needed updates and all were failures at that every time. It says if you get continued failures then there’s a firmware issue. Not worth it. I sent them back and that process was ridiculous.

### 1/5 — Not good

*2025-06-05, version 2.3.0*

Does not stay connected to motor/device. Have to reconnect EVERY time you switch away from the app. A real pain.

### 1/5 — So useless

*2025-05-13, version 2.2.8*

Probably the most frustrating app I had to deal with. It will disconnect a dozen of times while you’re setting it up, and ones you’re “set up” it won’t do anything. Will keep telling you to calibrate your device, which you will do, a dozen times as well, and still nothing. Have been manually opening my shades for a month now, defeats the purpose.

### 1/5 — It’s an app?

*2025-03-14, version 2.2.4*

This might be one of the most worthless apps I have ever used. Every new feature added is something that should have been included from the word go for how new this product is. Almost any new features that get added generally break the app to the point you can’t use them until they are fixed. 

It’s a good thing I can integrate things into HomeKit or it would have been an instant return.

### 1/5 — So slow

*2025-03-13, version 2.2.4*

Takes too long to load - at least 30 seconds before I can press the button to move the blinds. Also there is no homepage gadget so I can just control the blinds without opening the app.

Also why are we forced to buy new hardware in order to schedule the closing or opening of blinds when it can be done via software?

### 1/5 — It never connects to the Smart Shades in the first try

*2024-12-29, version 2.2.3*

It never connects to the Smart Shades in the first try. Have to keep retrying every time. The motor itself works okay but for the price you pay, not worth it at all.

## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated)

### 5/5 — RYSE

*2026-03-11, version 2.3.5*

Lots of calibrating! The link between two ends of chain can’t be problematic, but I have a tool that actually allows one to make a continuous chain, which eliminate that problem. The total effect is sleek and modern as well as quite convenient!

### 5/5 — Great app!

*2025-02-02, version 2.2.3*

I didn’t really have any issues with installing the app and installing my curtain. I have integrated it with my Alexa and been loving it since. There are a few glitches in the instructions which made it slightly hard to follow but I didn’t really have to touch it when I had it set up.

### 5/5 — Useful

*2024-10-03, version 2.1.6*

Good for setting routines. Easy to follow

### 5/5 — You need a smart bridge

*2024-07-28, version 2.1.5*

The recent my blinds would not connect to Alexa or Google or Siri was because you need to purchase a $50additional device from their website. Call the Smart bridge and that’ll get you to use voice commands as well as open and close them from anywhere in the world not just be a Bluetooth but through the Internet, you can be across the world and open and closer blinds yourself.

Very happy very satisfied this more system technically would cost you a lot more money if you bought it from anywhere else or people that install blinds with sell it for quadruple the price so you get a good deal

### 5/5 — Great App

*2024-04-19, version 2.1.0*

This app works perfectly as do the opening devices and SmartBridge.  It is easy to set up and once done you can just forget about it.  Perfect!

### 5/5 — Awesome

*2024-04-04, version 2.0.27*

Very easy to use and setup was a breeze.

### 5/5 — Solid app and product

*2022-10-23, version 2.0.12*

Super easy to install. Simple app works like a dimable light app.

### 5/5 — Great support and equipment

*2022-07-14, version 2.0.11*

I’m surprised to see ratings so low for Axis.  I’ve had 2 gears for over a year now and they’ve been great. Yes once or twice the cord has popped off the cog wheel but it’s not because of the Gear itself. When I first received my Gears they wouldn’t power up. I emailed them and help desk Pranav responded within 1 hour. He told me what I needed to do and it worked. Fast forward a year and one of the beads on my chain snapped. I repaired the chain and the Gear wouldn’t power up after I put everything back together so I emailed them. Once again help desk Sappho responded within 30 min and she informed me what I had to do. It worked and now I’m back online again. In conclusion I’ve had very pleasant interactions with support and the Gear works great. The routines I scheduled work perfectly. 

Perhaps Axis worked out some growing pains they had at the beginning but I feel confident that is all in the past. 

Give them a try. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised as I have been.

### 5/5 — Amazing service

*2022-07-03, version 2.0.11*

Great app great product. Installed it in my kitchen and bedroom. Took 20 min total.

### 5/5 — They fixed routines, thanks!

*2022-05-15, version 2.0.10*

I promised I would give 5 stars if they fixed the routines… Here it goes! Great product and great all, thanks!

---

*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 2026-08-13.*