# Sleepmaker Waves — user reviews > 118 indexed App Store user reviews of Sleepmaker Waves by James Sugrue, rated 4.20/5 from 21 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sleepmaker-waves/id319381389/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sleepmaker-waves/id319381389.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 13 · 4★ 4 · 3★ 1 · 2★ 1 · 1★ 2 ## What do users think of Sleepmaker Waves? Overall sentiment: mixed **Pros** - 😴 Highly effective for sleep and relaxation - 👍 Easy to use and intuitive interface - 🎵 High-quality, realistic wave sounds - 💰 Free app with no ads (historically) - ⏱️ Customizable timer options - 🔄 Seamless looping without noticeable breaks - 🎧 Works well with earbuds for immersive experience - 📱 Lightweight and doesn't require cellular connection - 🌊 Multiple wave sound variations to choose from - 🎁 Option to upgrade to Pro version **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezing issues - 📺 Poor UI design in recent updates - 🔤 Hard-to-read light fonts on blue backgrounds - 🔊 Sound cuts off when phone enters sleep mode - 📵 App stops working when other apps are running - 🔋 Bright screen drains battery overnight - 📢 Google ads introduced in recent updates - 🎵 Some sounds described as too technical or like static - ❌ Loss of favorite tracks after updates - ⏰ Timer functionality unclear or difficult to access - 🔄 Lost quick-play feature for last used sound **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes when selecting certain sound options - Sound stops playing after 1-2 seconds on some devices - Crashes in landscape mode on iPad - Incompatibility with iOS 8 and iPhone 6 - App closes when changing sounds - Crashes when app runs alongside other applications - Screen does not dim or turn off during playback - Sound stops when phone locks or goes to sleep - Clicking new sounds causes immediate crashes - Crashes after a couple of minutes of playback - Repeating 'tick' sound in Heavy Surf track **Most requested features** - Stop/start button for easier control - Repeat or loop mode option - Screen dimming while app is running - Ability to run app while using other apps - More background visual options - Consolidate multiple apps into single app - Ability to play while viewing other apps - Better menu accessibility and visibility ## Newest reviews (13 of 118) ### 4/5 — Stop/start button *2022-10-29, version 5.5.1* Is there a stop/start button or how do you turn it off when you leave the app? I can’t find the Pro version! Is there one? I may delete this app! ### 2/5 — Bad UI change *2020-12-20, version 5.5* The light fonts on blue backgrounds are too hard to read in dim light. There was nothing wrong with the old interface; what’s the point of making it harder to read? ### 4/5 — Old UI is better *2020-12-18, version 5.5* I’ve been using this app for years. Basically since I got my first iPhone. I loved the old UI so much more because all I had to do was press play and it would play the last used sound. It may look better bit you sacrificed convenience because of it. Solely for that reason it bumps it from a 5 to a 4. (By the way heavy slow rolling surf is the best one imo) ### 4/5 — Cool!!! 😎 *2018-07-24, version 5.4.1* Awesome app I enjoy listening all night I give this 👍🏼👍🏼 must try! ### 5/5 — Great app *2014-09-27, version 5.1.1* Have always loved this app and use it everyday. ### 5/5 — Just like home... *2014-09-25, version 5.1.1* Grew up near the ocean and currently live no where near one. This helps me on stressful days. For 5 minutes with my eyes closed I can pick my sea sound of choice-just what the doc ordered! Thanks guys!!! ### 5/5 — Lovely and easy to use *2014-09-20, version 5.1* I wanted this app for my mother, who is disturbed by noises in her head at night. Very simple to use and lots of choice. I will upgrade to the paid version if she likes it ### 2/5 — Not an improvement. *2014-09-04, version 5.1* Had no problems with the old interface, the new one is awkward - have to scroll down to the white noise I want. Timer access is awkward. Old adage: If it ain't broke don't fix it. ### 5/5 — Chilled to the max *2014-07-19, version 5.0.1* Great app for chillin out, relaxing and getting to sleep. ### 2/5 — Worse with the update *2014-05-29, version 5.0.1* I made the mistake of upgrading to the most current version and now the sound turns off every time my phone goes into sleep mode The thing won't even work now It's a shame ### 5/5 — Relaxing *2014-02-22, version 5.0.1* This app is really relaxing and has many different water noises that play for 45 minutes each, long enough to fall asleep to. Really simple to use I would recommend this app to anyone! ### 5/5 — So relaxing *2014-02-19, version 5.0.1* I love the options. Best wave app out there! ### 5/5 — Excelente *2013-12-09, version 5.0* Una maravilla . Recomendable cien por cien ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Google ads *2025-02-18, version 5.5.1* This app has the greatest wave sounds but after the second day it started having google ads. I don’t have an android device because I don’t want google following me around so why would I install an app with google ads on my iPad? ### 1/5 — New update broke it *2021-04-26, version 5.5.1* Always loved this app for years but noq after the recent update/overhaul it doesn’t work. I click a sound option and it plays 1-2 seconds before it goes mute. Tried deleting and re-downloading and still broken. Now it’s useless. ### 1/5 — More adware! *2015-12-29, version 5.4* Get rid of the Google app it is ruining my sleep with its adware! ### 1/5 — This WAS the best app! *2014-09-21, version 5.1* This was the best app until I got my iPhone 6. The update to iOS 8 won't open my app. Keeps crashing. I need this to sleep!! Fix ASAP!! ### 1/5 — Used to be good, now it's worthless *2014-09-21, version 5.1* This updated without my approval. Lost my favorite tracks. Only plays for an hour?! What a piece of crap! ### 1/5 — New update looks pretty but buggy! *2014-09-02, version 5.1* I sadly have to modify my recent review of praise. I love this app for sleeping. Problem is? The latest update is full of bugs. I cannot find anywhere to change the length of time the app plays the ocean waves. It shuts off after 1 hr. It screen does not shutoff after 30 seconds. My iphone stays bright the entire time the app is running draining the battery. The screen needs to dim and then shut off while running, a bright screen keeps my up like a night light. The app details in the App Store shows a rectangle icon in the upper left corner but my app doesn't have that. Is that where the menu is supposed to be perhaps? Finally when opening the app you used to be able o hit the play button and it would remember and play the distant waves that I always listen to. Not any more you have to double click and then reselect the sound you want to hear each and every time. Which app companies would test software updates with a real user before launching updates to catch these bugs. ### 1/5 — Crashes *2013-12-04, version 3.1.2* Will not stop crashing long enough to try it ### 1/5 — Only crashes *2013-09-16, version 3.1.2* I just re-downloaded this app after restoring my phone and all it does is crash. I can't even get 3 seconds into playing and it will crash. Have deleted the app. ### 1/5 — Um *2013-07-31, version 3.1.2* Crashes too much. I've only had it for three minutes. ### 1/5 — It crashes!! *2013-06-22, version 3.1.2* I can only listen to two of the sound effects offered because the app immediately crashes if you try to listen to any of the others. Very disappointing :( ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Wow *2022-11-26, version 5.5.1* I’ve been using this app for years. It’s great because it never has ads and it’s free. It’s nice to turn these on even when I don’t have cellular. I’m shocked this app has yet to become popular! ### 5/5 — Enjoying the app for years *2021-02-04, version 5.5.1* Simple, easy to use and relaxing. I like the gentle rolling waves. Updates have made it even better. I am recommending it for my clients. ### 5/5 — Anxiety person *2020-09-03, version 5.4.1* I need this app for relaxation and to help sleep. Thank you! ### 5/5 — I love this app *2019-01-10, version 5.4.1* It’s easy to use, and there are a lot of options to chose from to suit your mood. I live close to the ocean, but after having to travel for 3 months to inland location I had trouble sleeping at night and got really homesick. No joke, once I started using this app I would easily fall asleep and stay asleep. Thank you to the developers! ### 5/5 — Smashing *2017-07-17, version 5.4.1* Wonderful wee app, lets your imagination flow like the waves. Thank you developer. ### 5/5 — Madgnat *2015-09-24, version 5.3* No sound at first. Tried again several hours later and it is now working really well. Sounds are realistic and peaceful. Thanks. ### 5/5 — Great. Straightforward *2015-07-21, version 5.3* Love this. Easy to use. Straightforward directions make it stress free. I like it that I can program the app to last for several hours. Wonderful ### 5/5 — Good *2015-03-16, version 5.2.2* Nice app ### 5/5 — Crashes with iPad2 - workaround *2014-12-21, version 5.2* App had a bug for iPad in landscape mode, but developers were very responsive and are hard at work to correct it in the next release. Until then, starting app in portrait mode will do the trick and you can sleep soundly again! :-) ### 5/5 — Use this app every night *2014-10-05, version 5.1.1* This is one of only a few apps, I keep permanently based on my iPhone. Nice job fellas. --- *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 2026-07-12.*