# Step's Aurora Guide — Aurora Forecast & Alerts

> Aurora forecast, alert, and photography guide for capturing northern lights. (iPhone/iPad app by Steps Aurora Guide.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/steps-aurora-guide/id1670143757 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Steps Aurora Guide](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896765831)
- Category: Weather, Photo & Video
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.60/5 from 103 App Store ratings · 7 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 16.0 · 31 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2023-02-28
- Data updated: 2026-09-02
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/steps-aurora-guide/id1670143757/reviews.md

## What is Step's Aurora Guide?

Created by an aurora photographer, the app is your perfect companion for aurora adventures. Make informed decisions, get timely alerts, and improve your chances of seeing and capturing the northern lights and aurora australis.

Discover the features that make this app indispensable:

Timely Alerts
Don't miss the aurora. Receive notifications about elevated Kp-index levels in the coming days and when your chances of witnessing the aurora within the next hour are becoming high. Get the notice you need to be ready.

Real-time Aurora Forecast
Witness the aurora probability in real-time with the SWPC Ovation aurora forecast. Instantly see current aurora probabilities, monitor unfolding trends, and pinpoint the anticipated peak times — all tailored for your location. These insights pair perfectly with aurora alerts. Additionally, solar wind parameters offer a deeper understanding of current aurora activity.

Precise Decision-making
Make informed choices for tonight and beyond. Access hour-by-hour updates on geomagnetic activity, cloud coverage, temperature, and wind forecast. Compare conditions for your current location and up to 5 custom spots.

Advanced Planning
Stay one step ahead with our 27-day geomagnetic activity forecast. Seamlessly align your photography sessions with the optimal moon phase and ensure darkness prevails in your selected locations. Track the aurora season from the start.

Expert Text Guide
Receive tailored advice based on aurora and weather forecasts, moon positioning, and your location. Discover whether the aurora will grace the horizon or dance overhead. Optimise your shots with tips on capturing reflections and shooting under moonlight. Benefit from forecast-based recommendations and camera settings guidance.

Additional Features and Beyond
Experience a range of other useful features, with more updates on the horizon.

Global Applicability
The app is designed for global use in all regions where auroras can be visible, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, and more. Aurora looks the same — the landscape makes the difference.

Subscription Options
The app is available with a weekly, monthly, or yearly auto-renewable subscription, each with a 3-day free trial and full access to all app features, including High Kp-index and Aurora alerts.

Download the app and start your 3-day free trial today.


Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

## Key features

- 27-day geomagnetic activity forecast
- Moon phase and darkness alignment
- Real-time aurora probability
- Hour-by-hour weather updates
- Expert photography advice
- Custom location comparison

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| All Forecasts & Guide | $29.99 | per year |
| All Forecasts & Guide | $6.99 | per month |


## Chart rankings

- #149 in Top Free · Weather (US App Store)

## Recent user reviews (7 of 7)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/steps-aurora-guide/id1670143757/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Sub required

*2026-02-28*

Not useful without a subscription

**Developer response:** The app requires a subscription and does not have a limited free version, but it includes a 3-day free trial with full access to all features, so you can try it before deciding if it suits your needs. Kind regards, Step.

### 2/5 — No free option

*2024-05-14*

The app is subscription only. The data is all from open sources such as NOAA SWPC and can otherwise be accessed directly free of charge or offered in other apps FOC or with ads.

**Developer response:** Hi there! Thank you for your feedback. While the app includes NOAA SWPC data, it offers much more to enhance your aurora photography experience. Subscriber support allows for continuous development and new features. In the future, the 3-day and 27-day aurora forecasts will be available for free on my website. If you have any other suggestions or feedback, feel free to reach out. Wishing you clear skies and spectacular auroras! Kind regards, Step.

### 4/5 — I like it

*2024-05-13*

I find it helpful, it shows you the Aurora map and all the details to the locations you set up like Kp, cloud coverage by hr and more

**Developer response:** Hi Magh, Thank you so much for your high rating! It's great to hear that you like the app. Your feedback motivates me to work hard on new features to enhance your aurora photography experience. Wish you clear skies and amazing auroras ahead. Kind regards, Step.

### 1/5 — Completely paid app

*2023-12-01*

Don’t bother with this unless your paying, it’s locked out unless you subscribe

**Developer response:** Dear Stephen, I appreciate your perspective and regret that the lack of a free version doesn't meet your expectations. The subscription model is in place to ensure ongoing app development and improvement. I hope you might reconsider and explore the app with the free trial. Kind regards, Stepan.

### 2/5 — Have to pay for everything

*2023-09-20*

In app purchases is misleading. 3 day trial then you pay $40/yr.

**Developer response:** Hi there, thank you for your feedback. I'm sorry for any confusion. The app offers full access to all its features with a single subscription, ensuring you don't have to pay multiple times. The details of this subscription, including the free trial period and price, are clearly provided both on the subscription page within the app and on the App Store. If you feel there was an error in your purchase, you can request a refund from Apple. Simply visit Apple's website and search for "Report a Problem" to find the appropriate page, then follow the instruction. I hope this helps, and I appreciate your understanding. Kind regards, Stepan.

### 1/5 — Requires a subscription

*2023-09-19*

It looks useful on first launch. Once an alert triggers for aurora nearby it requires a subscription to get back into the app. Uninstalled the app immediately after having this experience. 

Cost of subscription is prohibitively expensive for the features in the app compared to other apps with similar purpose.

Good luck with this business model.

**Developer response:** Hi Guru of Shadow, big thanks for your valuable feedback. I apologise for any confusion regarding the free trial prompt after the quick tour. It seems that offering a quick tour before a real free trial was not a good idea. I hope you might consider giving the app another chance in the future as it continues to evolve and improve. Warm regards, Stepan

### 1/5 — They hide how to cancel it

*2023-03-29*

While the app works fine, the cowards hide how to cancel the subscription.

**Developer response:** Dear Gregll, thank you for your feedback. I'm sorry you couldn't cancel your subscription and were disappointed. There was no intention to hide the subscription cancelation from you as it can be done the standard way: Settings > Apple ID > Subscriptions > Step's Aurora Guide > Cancel Subscription. It's nice to hear that the app worked fine. I hope you will use it again. With the release of version 1.3, it is now possible to cancel your subscription from within the app. Kind regards, Stepan.

## Frequently asked questions about Step's Aurora Guide

### What is the aurora forecast accuracy for Step's Aurora Guide?

Step's Aurora Guide provides a 27-day geomagnetic activity forecast and real-time aurora probability using the SWPS Ovation forecast. It also offers hour-by-hour updates on geomagnetic activity, cloud coverage, temperature, and wind.

### How does Step's Aurora Guide help with aurora photography?

The app offers expert text guides tailored to aurora and weather forecasts, moon positioning, and your location. It provides recommendations on camera settings and advice for capturing reflections and moonlit landscapes.

### What subscription options are available for Step's Aurora Guide?

Step's Aurora Guide offers monthly and yearly auto-renewable subscriptions. Both plans include a 3-day free trial with full access to all features, including high Kp-index and aurora alerts.

### Can I compare aurora conditions for different locations with Step's Aurora Guide?

Yes, you can compare conditions for your current location and up to 5 custom spots. This allows for precise decision-making for aurora viewing and photography.

### What kind of alerts does Step's Aurora Guide provide?

The app sends notifications about elevated Kp-index levels in the coming days and when your chances of witnessing the aurora within the next hour are high. This ensures you don't miss out on aurora events.

### Is Step's Aurora Guide suitable for users worldwide?

Yes, the app is designed for global use in all regions where auroras can be visible, including North America, Europe, and Oceania.

### What is the age rating for Step's Aurora Guide?

Step's Aurora Guide has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users interested in aurora phenomena.

### How often is Step's Aurora Guide updated?

The app was last updated on August 22, 2025, with version 2.15. The description also mentions that more exciting updates are on the horizon.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.17 — 2026-08-20

Quickly set up your app — aurora alerts, location, preferences, and features. Get ready for the northern lights season ahead with faster data loading and more reliable notifications.

### 2.16 — 2026-07-14

Aurora alerts and High Kp index alerts were enhanced for long-term reliability. We also corrected the minimum Kp required to see the aurora overhead and on the horizon for the UK and France, optimised scrolling and gesture behaviour, improved the reliability of Kp index forecast and solar wind data updates, and made general appearance refinements.

### 2.15.1 — 2026-04-01

Urgent update: supports the new 3-day Kp index data format. Update now to ensure reliable aurora forecast data.

### 2.15 — 2025-08-22

Aurora probability and solar wind data uploading optimised for better performance. This version also includes maintenance updates and interface refinements for a smoother experience.

### 2.14.3 — 2024-09-15

Improved Aurora Alerts accuracy for Western and Southern Australia, as well as Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

## Apps similar to Step's Aurora Guide

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Aurora Forecast 3D](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aurora-forecast-3d/id1266448783) | 3.7 (3) | Free | Weather |
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## Related topics

[orora](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/orora) · [aurora nowcast](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/aurora-nowcast)

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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 2026-09-02.*