# Santa Spy Cam — user reviews > 134 indexed App Store user reviews of Santa Spy Cam by Craig Research LLC. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/santa-spy-cam/id708883529/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/santa-spy-cam/id708883529.md ## What do users think of Santa Spy Cam? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 💖 Fun and engaging app - 🎄 Helps keep the Christmas spirit alive - 👍 Easy to use - 😊 Kids love it **Cons** - 🐛 Crashes frequently - 💰 Expensive in-app purchases - 🔄 Doesn't restore previous purchases - 🤔 Loses magic with only 1 free scene **Commonly reported bugs** - Crashes when trying to download/use scenes - Doesn't work on iPhone 6/6s - Stuck on startup screen - Camera/photo issues **Most requested features** - Restore previous purchases - More free scenes - Dark mode option - Compatibility with newer devices ## Newest reviews (18 of 134) ### 2/5 — Could be better *2024-12-19, version 3.2.0* I had this App for Android and it was perfect. No video mode, poor zoom. The “Magic animation” is good. ### 3/5 — Crashes!! *2020-12-23, version 3.1.4* This app is okay and in all honesty is would be amazing if it stopped crashing!! I’ve just paid out a bit of money to have different scenes to surprise my daughter but I can’t save anything!! So now I’ve wasted money!! If this was fixed then I would of gave you more stars !! I’m gutted I can’t surprise my daughter with a clip of Santa and the elves delivering ### 4/5 — Brilliant App *2018-12-26, version 3.0.4* This has been a saviour in keeping my kids believing in the magic for that little bit longer! Will there be an update for next year though?? 👏🏻 ### 1/5 — Not working at all ... *2018-12-20, version 3.0.4* I down loaded ... all setting are as requested and will not move past the opening screen ### 1/5 — Can’t download purchases! *2018-12-16, version 3.0.4* Why??? ### 1/5 — Lost Purchases *2018-12-10, version 3.0.4* Does not restore purchases from previous years. ### 2/5 — Dont like Landscape Video *2018-12-03, version 3.0.4* I use it before and I have portrait video. Why I download yesterday and now the video is in landscape and about the result is a disturtion of the image in the video. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work! *2018-11-30, version 3.0.4* Allowed access to camera and photos but says I haven’t and won’t let me proceed any further ### 1/5 — Won’t restore or allow to buy scenes *2018-11-20, version 3.0.4* I bought this app and all the extra features last year. I redownloaded the app and hit “restore purchases”, and the app won’t allow it. I tried to rebuy some of the scenes and I am unable to do that either. Disappointed in this app, and the money I have spent on it.. and now can’t use it. ### 1/5 — Stay Away *2018-11-20, version 3.0.4* Great app but this year taking what you purchased away was a bad move ### 1/5 — Won’t restore purchases *2018-11-17, version 3.0.4* Had this app for a while... it’s ok, when it works. Be warned.. I bought the full package. Deleted app and then reinstalled it but it won’t restore my purchases. Now asking me to buy again!! Tut tut... very naughty. You’ve been warned people!! ### 1/5 — Sadly it won’t work *2017-12-23, version 3.0.4* I allowed it all access but is says I haven’t. No elf appearing in this house this year. 😢 ### 1/5 — Won’t load up *2017-12-21, version 3.0.4* Used last year and was great. This year downloaded again and won’t allow me up. Very disappointed ### 1/5 — I can’t restore my purchases! *2017-12-15, version 3.0.4* This app isn’t letting me restore all the scenes I bought last year and the year before. Ugh! I’m not going to pay for them a second time. ### 1/5 — Same as all other people *2017-12-01, version 3.0.4* Downloaded was then prompted to gave access to camera and photo library and keeps coming up with I need to allow access and only gives a dismiss symbol sort this as it is an excellent app that I’ve previously had ### 1/5 — Disappointed this year *2017-11-28, version 3.0.4* Have used this since it first came out. Downloaded it on my new phone for this year. Clicked allow for it to access my camera and photos but then when I try to use it I get a pop up saying I need to let it allow access. It doesn’t give me anyplace to click allow again. I’ve tried on two different devices with no luck. Was looking forward to using again this year ### 3/5 — Okay *2017-11-08, version 3.0.4* The magic seems extremely real, exactly as shown in the videos. There were no bugs either. But you only get 2 scenes for free, which are in my opinion the worst ones, and the other ones cost $1 each and that is EXTREMELY expensive just for 1 scene. The second thing I found bad was that it has a logo and on every video and I couldn't get rid of it. My daughter realized it's fake right away. Get this app if you are willing to pay a $1 every scene and have a logo printed on your videos to make it (unreal). ### 3/5 — What can be added or improved. *2016-12-25, version 3.0.4* I like the app, but I think for Santa's landing and takeoff, Rudolph should be added to the scene. I also think that should be a scene where should dash through the camera as a combination of red and snow and his human form. After he dashes through the camera, Christmas presents are left behind under the tree. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Crashes *2024-12-25, version 3.2.0* Every single time I try to upload a photo the app crashes. I purchased the whole package. A complete waste of money. ### 1/5 — Complete Scam *2023-11-18, version 3.2.0* Found this app hoping to get some footage of Santa for the kids. Turns out you have to buy a few things. Classic scenes 4.99. 2015 scenes 4.99. Remove watermark 4.99. I figured heck, it’s for the kids. So I purchased all 3 just to come and find out that once you buy the classic and 2015 packs you also have to buy the individual scenes in those packs. Complete rip off! DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY! ### 1/5 — Constantly crashes. Doesn’t work. *2022-12-23, version 3.2.0* I paid for one of the scenes and I haven’t been able to use it. Every time I try to, the app just crashes and closes. Waste of money. Very frustrating. ### 1/5 — Disappointed / waste of money *2020-12-27, version 3.1.4* You purchase Santa/ elf collections and then you can’t use them The one that it allowed me to use , when I used a photo it stretched the photo so it was not in proportions ... don’t waste your money... if I could give a negative star I would ### 1/5 — Absolute rubbish *2020-12-25, version 3.1.4* I’d give it 0 stars if I could! Multiple purchases and not one single thing worked! Could use it at all....spent ages creating the perfect video....it got stuck on the processing window and wouldn’t go any further! Absolute rip off....don’t bother! ### 1/5 — Good app but lost all my our purchases *2020-12-03, version 3.1.4* Kids love this app but for some reason all my purchases have vanished. I brought all the scenes and now they have all gone and asking me to pay again. ### 1/5 — Frustrating *2018-12-25, version 3.0.4* App is suppose to be fun. After you break in to your pockets. And start looking for which scene you want use. Then it charges you you to download the scene. Waste of time and money. ### 1/5 — Very Sad *2018-12-25, version 3.0.4* This is so sad because this has so much promise. This app appears to no longer have any support. I just downloaded it and I keep getting “access” errors. I double checked settings, everything is allowed and it’s no longer working. My daughter asked me before going to bed to try to capture him with a real camera this time, referring to the fake like images and video from last year. I’ve given up. ### 1/5 — Doesn't work *2018-12-25, version 3.0.4* Keeps asking to have access to my photos. It has access to my photos. Can't get past the start screen because of the error ### 1/5 — Piece of crap *2018-12-23, version 3.0.4* Only one elf option and it has a logo. I don’t remember this from when it first came out. Complete waste of space in play store. Don’t bother downloading. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — It’s not free but it’s amazing *2020-11-28, version 3.1.4* I bought all the packages and it’s super cute and easy to use and made a very cute video. ### 5/5 — Used every year *2017-12-18, version 3.0.4* We use the free elf vid every year for the last 3 years at Christmas. It’s fantastic and the kids love it. Brilliant ### 5/5 — Love it *2015-12-24, version 3.0.4* I don't understand all the bad reviews. This app has always, and still remains totally magical. I was able to reinstall my previous purchases when prompted, and it took me to the whimsical scenes of years past. For a few bucks, the joy in my kids eyes is priceless. Love it. ### 5/5 — A yearly tradition *2015-11-30, version 3.0.3* Have downloaded the app last year and again this year. My boys love it and always makes it magical to see the videos themselves instead of me just making stories up. Helps keep the magic alive for longer. Very quick replies from support when I realised I had not done the set up correctly (fully my fault not the app, make sure you allow microphone to be turned on in settings) support replied back within 10 mins!! ### 5/5 — Perfect *2015-11-29, version 3.0.3* Have had no problems, and my grandson LOVES this. ### 5/5 — Best app!!! *2015-11-23, version 3.0.3* After all the problems getting the app to work with my iPad, it now works perfectly. My sons are amazed at the elves, and keep running around the house looking for them! It's definitely one of the best apps out there! ### 5/5 — Awesome *2015-11-02, version 2.0.1* My kids absolutely love when "the elves" send mom a video of them checking out or house. My daughter would run up the hall asking "Did you hear magic, mom?" Greatest feeling to make Christmas that much better for my kids. I've never had an issue restoring my purchases or anything. Amazing app. ### 5/5 — Help *2015-10-15* My ssc isn't working this yr?? I have bought all the scenes last yr and the elves don't appear in the box when making a scene??? I have uninstalled the app and tried again but nothing worked :-/ ### 5/5 — More apps? *2014-12-28, version 2.0.1* Loved to app my kids loved having proof of Santa and enjoyed seeing the elf around the house. Now is there an app like this for Easter? My son told me I needed to try to take pics of the Easter bunny now. ### 5/5 — Arod *2014-12-27* Awesome App. My kids loved it.(so did my wife,mother,father,cousins.) As for the grinch saying that it took up "too much space" maybe it's time to give up your Nokia GoPhone. You also complained that since you HAD to delete it(nobody asked you to do that) that it didn't restore your purchases and you have to pay again next year. Let me tell you,if $3.99 for ALL of those wonderful scenes is too much to see your children happy then maybe you should rethink your priorities. Merry Christmas. --- *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 2026-06-09.*