# Satellite Watcher

> App for tracking visible satellites, stars, and constellations with sighting logs. (iPhone/iPad app by Marwan Shaban.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/satellite-watcher/id367262608 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Marwan Shaban](https://appshunter.io/developer/367262611)
- Category: Education, Entertainment
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.00/5 from 59 App Store ratings · 126 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 9.0 · 9 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2010-04-22
- Data updated: 2026-07-29
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/satellite-watcher/id367262608/reviews.md

## What is Satellite Watcher?

This app tracks the 150 brightest man-made objects in space, which can be seen by the human eye. Use it to see the time and location such objects can be seen. It also lets you record when you saw each satellite.

You can also use this app to explore all 9000 stars visible to the human eye, as well as major constellations. Educational notes are displayed for satellites, constellations and well-known stars.

Some of the app's features:

* Preview mode lets you browse through future satellite passes, displaying the magnitude, path and time the satellite will appear

* Real-Time mode shows you what is in the sky now, with the current location, magnitude and path for each satellite. If multiple satellites are in the sky, it shows them all simultaneously

* Tap on a satellite's name to view detailed information including country of origin, launch date, magnitude (brightness), and more

* Tap on a constellation's name to view its educational notes

* The app lets you keep track of which satellites you've seen and when. You can tell it you see a satellite now, or enter a past sighting

* The device detects your location automatically, but you can also enter the latitude and longitude yourself, or your U.S. zip code

* Choose which satellite you want to scan for, or all satellites

* Choose how many days into the future to scan for satellites, up to 30 days

* Choose the minimum elevation for a satellites to be shown

* Choose the minimum magnitude (brightness) for a satellites to be shown

* Works offline (you should go online to download satellite data once every couple of days)

* Displays weather warnings if clouds will be present (in the U.S. only)

* Works on iPhone and iPad


If you like science and astronomy, you will have great fun spotting satellites! All you need is a clear night with no moon. For best results, choose a location away from city lights. In the beginning, focus on the brighter satellites passing directly overhead.  Satellites are visible after sunset (for about an hour) and before sunrise (also for about an hour) when the sky is dark and satellites reflect the sun's light.

This is a great educational activity for kids.

## Key features

- Track 150 brightest satellites
- View satellite times and locations
- Record satellite sightings
- Explore 9000 visible stars
- Identify major constellations
- Detailed object information
- Offline functionality

## What do users think of Satellite Watcher?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 🎯 Accurate satellite tracking and pass predictions
- 👍 Easy to use interface once understood
- 🆓 Free application
- 📍 Location-based positioning for precise predictions
- 🌌 Helpful constellation map overlay
- ⚙️ Customizable filters (magnitude, elevation, days ahead)
- 📊 Real-time satellite position tracking
- 🚀 Reliable and consistent performance (historically)
- 🎨 Clean design without intrusive ads
- 📱 Lightweight and responsive app

**Cons**

- 🐛 Crashes or displays black screen after recent updates
- ❌ Incompatible with iOS 11 and later versions
- 😕 Non-intuitive interface for casual users
- 📉 Neglected development and lack of updates
- 🔧 Limited satellite database
- 📱 Poor iPad optimization
- 🎮 Small buttons difficult to press
- 🗺️ Star chart doesn't align with actual sky
- 📚 Minimal documentation and user guidance
- ⏰ Missing 'tonight' option in day selection

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes or shows black screen after updates
- Incompatibility with iOS 11 and newer iOS versions
- Ground plot graph stopped working
- Star chart misalignment with actual sky
- Incomplete satellite database compared to visible satellites
- Difficulty changing time to predict future passes
- Only displays portion of sky in some cases
- Text size doesn't remain larger when zooming

**Most requested features**

- Update for iOS 11+ compatibility
- Apple Watch support
- iPad native version
- Alarm/notification for upcoming satellite passes
- Ability to select multiple satellites to track
- Daylight pass visibility for bright satellites
- Visible magnitude threshold settings
- Database or link to special satellites (ISS, HST)
- Larger buttons for easier interaction
- Better user tutorial or manual
- Reminder feature for upcoming passes
- Include 'tonight' in days to scan option

## Recent user reviews (10 of 126)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/satellite-watcher/id367262608/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Does not work

*2020-04-09, version 1.8*

I was glad to see an update as this app was neglected for a long time, but...  Today’s update damaged the app. It either crashes or gives a black screen :(

### 1/5 — No longer works

*2019-01-09, version 1.6*

I loved this app for years but it has not been updated to work with the latest iOS version so it no longer functions. Unfortunate.

### 5/5 — Was the best... Needs an update!

*2018-08-03, version 1.6*

This is hands down the best satellite tracker app out there. But ever since updating my iPhone maybe even two devices ago, it's been incompatible. And I'm heartbroken. I've tried other apps but they don't come near to the finesse of this one. I keep this app on my phone just in case it ever updates so it'll be at the ready. Please, PLEASE make an update! ❤️❤️❤️

### 5/5 — Update this! Best there is!

*2018-07-02, version 1.6*

Update this tracker! Nothing else like it! There is no other app that does what yours does! Did you give up on us or something? Willing to pay for it.... geese

### 3/5 — UPDATE!!

*2018-05-07, version 1.6*

Need to update for iOS 11!!!  Decent app otherwise.

### 1/5 — Please update

*2018-04-15, version 1.6*

This APP no longer runs on my iPhone, please update a once great APP!

### 1/5 — Doesn’t work with iOS 11.

*2018-01-26, version 1.6*

The app no longer works with iOS 11. The developer needs to update this program!

### 5/5 — Great app

*2017-10-29, version 1.6*

Works great at showing satellites flying overhead

### 3/5 — iOS 11 Compatibility

*2017-10-28, version 1.6*

Loved this app prior to my iOS upgrade to v11.... when do we think we’ll have a Dev-to-Prod update for iOS 11 comparability?
My daughter loves STEM (specifically space exploration) and is disappointed we can’t use this app anymore to locate satellites...
Please press your DevOps team to release an iOS 11 comparability update quickly...
Thanks and love(ed) the app...

### 5/5 — UPDATE

*2017-10-11, version 1.6*

For ios11.
Please and thank you!!

## Frequently asked questions about Satellite Watcher

### What does Satellite Watcher do?

Satellite Watcher helps you track and identify the brightest man-made objects in space that are visible to the naked eye. It provides the times and locations where these satellites can be seen, and allows you to log your sightings. The app also offers information on stars and constellations.

### What are the key features of Satellite Watcher?

Key features include real-time satellite tracking with magnitude and path display, a preview mode for future passes, detailed information on satellites and constellations, the ability to record sightings, and offline functionality. It also allows customization of displayed satellites and viewing parameters.

### Is Satellite Watcher free to use?

Yes, Satellite Watcher is a free application. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned in the description, indicating it is entirely free for users.

### What devices is Satellite Watcher compatible with?

The application is designed to work on both iPhone and iPad devices. It automatically detects your location but also allows manual input of coordinates or zip codes.

### Who would benefit from using Satellite Watcher?

This app is ideal for astronomy enthusiasts, amateur stargazers, and educators looking for a tool to identify and learn about satellites, stars, and constellations. It's also highlighted as a great educational activity for children.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.82 — 2020-04-27

This version includes stability improvements and an improved location settings screen

### 1.81 — 2020-04-10

This version fixes a startup issue on some iPhone devices

### 1.8 — 2020-04-08

iPad support

### 1.6 — 2013-04-01

Version 1.6 adds Heading (Compass) functionality

### 1.5 — 2011-05-18

- Fixed sunrise/sunset calculations to account for users in Spain and western France who are in the central-europe timezone but west of Greenwich.

- Placement of satellite name is better now.

- Got rid of upper status bar.

- Upper satellite description text now resizes with the rest of the text on the main page.

- Fixed iOS 4 multitasking support. Previously, resuming did not check whether the app needs to refresh sun/moon rise and set times, weather info, re-scan satellites, and so on.

- Pinch/move gestures work better now.

## Apps similar to Satellite Watcher

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [SpaceStationAR LITE](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spacestationar-lite/id1023377153) | 4.5 (139) | Free | Education |
| [SatelliteSkill5](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/satelliteskill5/id1562861273) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Education |
| [Satellite Chasers](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/satellite-chasers/id1505877457) | 4.5 (23) | Free | Education |
| [Satellite Tracker / Radar](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/satellite-tracker-radar/id6754342861) | 3.7 (3) | Free | Education |

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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 2026-07-29.*