# SWRLY — user reviews

> 31 indexed App Store user reviews of SWRLY by James Grote, rated 4.50/5 from 88 ratings.

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swrly/id1217621885/reviews
- App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swrly/id1217621885.md
- Rating breakdown: 5★ 70 · 4★ 8 · 3★ 3 · 2★ 2 · 1★ 5

## Newest reviews (11 of 31)

### 2/5 — Neat idea but needs work

*2022-09-23, version 2.7*

I like the idea of this app but for me it doesn’t cut it. A file size of 768 x 1024 pixels isn’t acceptable in this day and age.  It also doesn’t seem to work correctly with an iPhone 14 Pro.  The image quality looks a little soft and the masking seems funky in spots. For now I’ll stick with my actual large format cameras and vintage lenses, or just using photoshop to achieve the look.

### 3/5 — 好用但是闪退

*2020-01-05*

好用但是闪退

### 4/5 — Great.

*2019-10-04, version 2.5*

Despite of such high price for one single effect, I ‘m really enjoying this app. I hope saved photos are high resolution ..

### 4/5 — Does a beautiful job

*2018-02-04, version 2.3*

Update:  the app will save at about 10mp if yo use the Save icon in the upper right corner, and select save. If you chose More and use the save image icon in Share menu, you get the 2.8 mp save.  Not sure why.  Love this app, it mimics the Helios 44-2 and the Petzval style of swirling bokeh. Very realistic. 

Original Review:  I really like the effect created by the app. It does a terrific job of mimicking my old Russian lenses that produce that same swirling bokeh.  With plenty of on-board editing controls, it makes for a pleasant editing experience.  The only serious (fatal) flaw for me is the terrible output resolution.  I get only about 2.8mp after starting with a 20mp image.  This is just unacceptable with today's hi-res images, even iDevice cameras are capturing images in the 8-12mp range.  This needs to be fixed for this app to compete.

### 2/5 — 頻繁に落ちる

*2017-08-21*

それ以外は、まあまあ良い。
頻繁に落ちるのを直して！

### 4/5 — 功能不错

*2017-08-21*

但是需要进一步完善，希望能对大尺寸图片有所支持。

### 2/5 — I love this app BUT....

*2017-08-20, version 1.0*

I really love this app, it's a great photo ap and it makes photos look great however there is a problem

I use a iPhone 5S and my phone runs all apps well except this one, since updating the app crashes on loading (when I open the app it flickers then crashes) I've tried to reinstall, restarted etc as I love the app but now it's busted :( please fix my face app

### 4/5 — 很棒的App

*2017-08-13*

写评论时才发现很多恶意评价，这是很不公正的；很久以来就想有一个专门模拟Swrily的软件，想起之前为了Oggl一个差不多的滤镜而特意买了会员，所以这次很高兴；

虽然是走的操作简单路线，建议开发者：
可否加入一些锐化功能？
可否再加入胶片颗粒功能？

### 4/5 — Interesting..

*2017-08-08, version 1.0*

Works as it says, still finding the right kind of photo to use so as to maximise the impact. But as for crashing, no way, it's works well.

### 5/5 — YOU NEED THIS!!!

*2017-08-06, version 1.0*

Seriously loving this great app. Easy to use platform and love the filters. If you're afirst timer or a veteran professional, you need SWRLY♥️

### 5/5 — Fantastic

*2017-08-03, version 1.0*

I bought this immediately—the bokeh effect is complely genuine. The Petzval was an amazing lens and now I can carry one around in my pocket. 

One small issue: The center of focus occasionally resets.

## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated)

### 1/5 — 软件模拟效果不错

*2022-09-20*

如题。功能比较单一，效果不错。如果能加入蒙版控制就完美了。现在怎么不能用了？闪退！

### 1/5 — Stopped working

*2021-09-23, version 2.5*

iOS 14.8 or whatever the final 14.xx is for iPhone 12 max pro. The app doesn’t function properly. Turn off depth and it freezes for 15-20 seconds before going back to the main title/option screen. When it does tak a photo there isn’t a visible effect bokeh or otherwise. My normal camera can do all of that without crashing. Portrait mode does bokeh as well if you go in and adjust the f-stop down to 4 or below. There isn’t a need for this app that doesn’t work on the newer phones. If you still have a 6S that works, that was the phone I got this app for.

### 1/5 — 充了值 丫根本不能用 现在骗子都能公然做广告了？

*2019-02-03*

充了值 丫根本不能用 现在骗子都能公然做广告了？

### 1/5 — 效果差强人意

*2018-11-09*

最好别买，实在不行打折或者等限免，体验下就好……还有怎么申请退款

### 1/5 — Crashes

*2017-09-28, version 2.1*

Won't open.

CAN'T EVEN GET PAST SWRLY NOW...JUST CRASHES AND WON'T OPEN

### 1/5 — It isn't work.

*2017-08-27*

起動すらしません。

**Developer response:** We are looking into this issue and hope to have a fix soon.

### 1/5 — 英文版的

*2017-08-19*

什么破玩意

### 1/5 — 垃圾啊

*2017-08-11*

正在申请退款

### 1/5 — Unusable

*2017-08-05, version 1.0*

Just crashes.... Have not been able to use it.

### 1/5 — Crashes

*2017-08-02, version 1.0*

I Haven't used it once when I try to load an image it crashes instantly 👎🏼👎🏼 iPad 4

## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated)

### 5/5 — Cat Scan

*2023-06-16, version 2.9*

Mr Grote has the capabilities to create a brand new type of camera app. The shutter button (volume button?) would trigger a sound that captures the attention of cats and dogs.
An instant AFTER grabbing the pet’s attention, the shutter snaps. The pet is therefore looking right into the camera when the portrait photo is taken.
The next sound the pet hears from iPhone camera would be different from the first, as pets get bored easily. Literally, the same sound twice no longer captures their interest.
A cutesy UI might appeal to general end users, but pro photographers need to take photos of pets too. Hence, RAW support and manual exposure and vignette and square aspect ratio are good ideas.
Please make this dream a reality.

### 5/5 — Really enjoying this app

*2019-09-11, version 2.5*

Super effects in an interesting variety of colours

### 5/5 — Great app

*2019-05-05, version 2.5*

This app is so awesome and I can take old time pictures without having to buy the real thing and I love how I can take old time pictures and share them with friends and family and I would strongly recommend this app to anyone who loves to take old time pictures.

### 5/5 — とても使いやすい。

*2018-04-26*

iPhoneの標準のカメラではある程度近くに被写体が無いとDepth情報を保存しているのにぼかしてくれないことがあるが、このアプリを使えば深度を自由に調整できるのでとてもよい。また、ボケ味も昔のフィルムカメラのようでチルトボケもあってよい。

要望として、背景のぼかしのみならず前景ぼかしも追加してもしい

### 5/5 — Great app

*2018-03-09, version 2.3*

Works very well,

### 5/5 — More than one thing.

*2017-12-23, version 2.3*

The actual swirly bokeh is not the only significant feature of this app. It also has 'negative' which partially reverses the image giving an effect much like that of solarizing a negative-think of Man Ray's portraits. It has a slider which increases the range of tones that are reversed, proceeding from the darkest tones to the mid tones.

### 5/5 — 気にいってます

*2017-10-20*

とても雰囲気のある写真が撮れます。動作も安定しています。(iOS 10)

### 5/5 — Wow!!

*2017-10-09, version 2.1*

Sometimes there is an app that really hits the mark of simulation!! This one does that!! Great job developer!! Makes me want to pull out the old 8x10 and my Ross of London lens from 1800’s and shoot with it again:)

### 5/5 — Exactly what I was looking for!

*2017-09-26, version 2.0*

This app is EXACTLY what I was looking for. I wanted that swirly bokeh effect and I finally got it! I was searching for it for a long time. Thank you for creating this. 

I will be recommending this app to my friends!!

### 5/5 — 很喜欢

*2017-08-16*

很喜欢

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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 2026-08-15.*