# SWR SpellWriteRead Phonograms — user reviews > 24 indexed App Store user reviews of SWR SpellWriteRead Phonograms by Carl Gloria, rated 2.70/5 from 23 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swr-spellwriteread-phonograms/id680076169/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swr-spellwriteread-phonograms/id680076169.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 7 · 4★ 2 · 3★ 2 · 2★ 1 · 1★ 11 ## Newest reviews (6 of 24) ### 1/5 — UPDATE NEEDED!!!! *2016-11-03, version 1.3* Compatibility errors! Hasn't been updated since 2014 ### 1/5 — Waste of money *2014-08-19* This app doesn't work. It used to be simpler and actually useful, though not worth the price by a long shot. Now it's more complicated and useless because there's no sound! Apparently a bug they haven't fixed... And to top it off, the link to their support is broken. It's a sham and a disgrace to SWR in my opinion. ### 1/5 — poor quality *2014-01-17* I was looking forward to this app, however it is very poor quality. I made some suggestions and never heard from anyone. Another app that is similar is Logic of English, the sound is better, it looks more up to date and it has a game. It is not perfect but is much better than SWR. I wish they would listen to suggestions and upgrade this app. We really love the SWR program but the app falls short ### 1/5 — Dissapointed *2014-01-10* This app is NOT worth $4.99. I am very disappointed with this overly simplistic app. I purchased this app because it is the "official" SWR phonogram app and this is the program I use. The sound quality is poor. There is an annoying tone that cannot be turned off. There is too little functionality for this price. I'd like a refund. Improvements that would help -ability to turn off or change tones. -cursive font option -new quality voice recording -spelling rule cards -Wise guide and Alpha list word lists -Search feature for words and phonograms -ability to make custom phonogram lists and word list. -ability to randomize -games and quiz features such as *hear phonogram and type sound heard or hear phonogram and write (using touch screen) sound/phonogram heard *hear spelling word dictated and write/type word *games to find program heard (random examples on screen - touch correct sound) or several random phonograms displayed and each makes its sound when touched. - many of the games suggested in the SWR text could be adapted for digital options. -there should also be record keeping options for the parent/teacher. Perhaps a home screen where each student can touch their name and then a record page for teacher/parent that displays number of minutes or phonograms reviewed, scores for games, phonograms/words mastered, etc. The possibilities are endless for improvement. For this price, much more information or functionality should be present. ### 1/5 — Not worth $5 *2013-12-30, version 1.02* It only reads the phonograms to you. There is no spelling of words or interaction. Boring. Wish I could get my money back. Also, some of the multi-letter phonograms are mispronounced. ### 1/5 — Basic phonograms only *2013-11-30, version 1.02* For $4.99, I thought this app would entail more than just the introduction of the phonograms. I wish I can get my money back. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Not as great as the price *2025-06-26* Hi ### 1/5 — Family Sharing doesn’t work *2025-02-07* After purchasing, racking my brain, and spending over half an hour with Apple Support, it would appear that even though this app lists family sharing as being available, it’s not actually set up that way ### 1/5 — Game option *2024-05-09* The game option is no longer working. ### 1/5 — Lacking a lot *2024-02-02* This app really lacks a lot of functionality for the price. $15 is STEEP for an app and it’s difficult to figure out. It needs more games and more engaging ways to practice the phonograms. Sometimes you can’t even read the entire multi-letter phonogram which you are practicing because the boxes are too small. Wish I could get my money back! ### 1/5 — Caution before buying *2023-12-06* This is a very expensive app so be cautious before buying. I don’t think there is enough information in the description to accurately understand what you’re getting before buying. If I could return it I would because unfortunately there is only one “game,” if you can even call it that, and there are no instruction for how best to use the app. Essentially it is just buttons that tell you the sound a letter or multi letter phoneme make and the rule that goes with it. And unfortunately you cannot have it only say the short sound or the long sound of single letters. It always tells you all the sounds it makes which in my case is unhelpful because my son knows that “i” is i when it says it’s name but struggles with the short sound “i” as in “itch” when reading. So he can “play” the game and get the answer correct because he can identify visually the letter i because it also says its name. As well, there is nothing visually interesting or stimulating or challenging about the one “game.” At the bottom it simple counts how many questions you’ve answered and it is discouraging for a child because if you get an answer wrong it goes back to 0. We haven’t figured out yet if there is an end to the game or any kind of incentive to finish it. Every time it goes back to 0 my son just wants to give up. This is basically just an electronic drilling tool. Not fun or helpful in my opinion. Feels like a waste of $17 after tax. ### 1/5 — Does not work *2023-08-29* The app used to work just fine but since it has been re-developed it no longer has any sound. I tried it on August 21 and could not hear anything. On August 22 it worked. However, today on August 28 it no longer has sound. I uninstalled it and reinstalled it and it still no longer has sound. This is very frustrating. **Developer response:** I apologize for the issue. Root cause was Apple changed how the silent mode button works on devices. I assume will work with headphones, just not through device speaker. You have two options to resolve. 1. Disable the silent mode: it's the Bell icon in the mini swipe down menu from the upper right corner. 2. Update to the latest app version 2.1 ### 1/5 — Sounds does not work *2023-08-15* I just downloaded this and I get zero spins from the app. I have clicked on everything. My phone is turned up loud as possible. Please advise on fixing this, or send me a refund. Thank you! **Developer response:** I apologize for the issue. Root cause was Apple changed how the silent mode button works on devices. I assume will work with headphones, just not through device speaker. You have two options to resolve. 1. Disable the silent mode: it's the Bell icon in the mini swipe down menu from the upper right corner. 2. Update to the latest app version 2.1 ### 1/5 — Waste money *2021-02-23* This app doesn’t provide what I expected. The beeping sounds is absolutely annoying especially kids are trying to listen to learn sounds. That beeping is louder than phonogram. I really wish to get refund. **Developer response:** Sorry for the annoyance... beep sound is 100% gone in the latest 2.0 update.... plus much more features now. ### 1/5 — Great concept with awful execution *2019-09-10* PLEASE remove that annoying chime (that is somehow louder than the phonograms) for every single navigation tap. 🙈 please learn some basics of UI development. This app is painful to use. **Developer response:** so sorry, SFX(that annoying sound) was always an option to disable in settings... But, app has been updated... annoying sound 100% removed! ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work in iPhone *2019-05-08* This app is what I am looking for but it doesn’t work on my phone. The screen doesn’t fit all the letters and I am not able to adjust it in anyway. Super disappointed that I paid money for it and it doesn’t even work properly. **Developer response:** Ugh, I imagine that was annoying.... version 2.0, that you should be able to just update to, should fix all that, since now using newer tech... and will have extra features too! ## Most praised reviews (8 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Great start! *2013-11-23* I love that there is an app just for SWR! Would love to see the ability to write the phonograms as you say them. Perhaps a blank screen after the phonogram is shown. And I would love to see the ability to change to a 'cursive first' font. ### 4/5 — Advanced phonograms *2019-10-22* Are there any plans to update the app to include the advanced phonograms? And perhaps the spelling rules? Overall a helpful app to have to go along with the SWR program. Thank you. **Developer response:** Recently Updated... What are advanced phonograms? ### 4/5 — Great for beginners and reviews *2017-07-22* I am a new homeschool mom of a fifth grader that has had to do eye therapy to correct binocular vision and help with tracking. He has only been exposed to this program for his fourth grade year so I am hoping that this app will help me learn how to continue to help him grow and make reading and writing more fun and enjoyable. I do hope that the advanced phonograms will be added and maybe some activities, too. I would have rated 5 stars had the advanced ones been on here and/or their been examples with each sound. ### 4/5 — Awesome! *2014-11-13, version 1.3* I'm very happy with it! It's easy, on-the-go, and is exactly what I needed--a review without me having to sit there and do it myself! Thanks SWR! Hope you do more apps! ### 3/5 — No sound? *2023-08-29* Has anyone else had issues with the app audio not working on an iPhone? If so, have you figured out how to make it work? **Developer response:** I apologize for the issue. Root cause was Apple changed how the silent mode button works on devices. I assume will work with headphones, just not through device speaker. You have two options to resolve. 1. Disable the silent mode: it's the Bell icon in the mini swipe down menu from the upper right corner. 2. Update to the latest app version 2.1 ### 2/5 — Just goes over rules. *2022-08-26* I should have read the reviews before buying this. It only does the rules over and over, no games, etc. It would be nice to have games with levels, etc. I want a refund. **Developer response:** App has been updated.... two voices to chose from, and now with a game! ### 2/5 — A lot of potential, not quite *2017-02-26* The recording is just like the CDs that come with the SWR. And there are some great settings to change BUT can't get the settings to work with iPhone SE. So the only options available are the default options, which don't allow for changing up order or only working on single/multi letter. And iPhone gave me a warning that it needs to be updated by the developers so it doesn't slow the phone. ### 2/5 — Not iPhone 6 compatible *2017-01-12* I can get this to work on my old iPad, but not on my iPhone 6. It goes into a loop where playing isn't an option. Also, a review of he app itself: It is good for one side of learning, input, but my kid wants to be quizzed and see how much he knows. There needs to be a testing and progress component of this app. We use an app called "Logic of English", and he loves it. The problem with it is that a few of the phonograms are a bit different than SWR. --- *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 2026-08-26.*