# Wake

> Remote PC, Mac, and server startup utility with status monitoring. (iPhone/iPad app by Dave Thompson.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wake/id396566137 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Dave Thompson](https://appshunter.io/developer/396566140)
- Category: Utilities, Productivity
- Price: $0.99 with in-app purchases (on sale, was $1.99)
- Rating: 3.30/5 from 4 App Store ratings · 107 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 1 MB
- Languages: British English
- Released: 2010-10-17
- Data updated: 2026-09-07
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wake/id396566137/reviews.md

## What is Wake?

Wake is a professional networking tool that lets you start up PCs, Macs and Servers remotely.  Compatible with all 'Wake On Lan' capable devices, Wake even gives you a status indicator to tell you whether each machine is on or off.

Features:
* Wake button sends 'Wake On Lan' magic packet to start up a machine.
* Works over wifi or cellular data network.
* Status indicator glows to tell you whether each machine is on or off.
* Automatically detects your computers for easy setup.
* Shake'n'wake - shake the device to wake all computers! 

Typical Uses:
* Start up a machine remotely, then use VNC or other remote access service to view files.
* Monitor a list of business critical servers.
* Start up a classroom full of PCs from your desk.

For troubleshooting, go to davet.org/wake/support.html

## Key features

- Remote PC, Mac, and server startup
- Wake On Lan support
- Machine status indicator
- Automatic computer detection
- Shake to wake functionality

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: $0.99.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Medium/large network AddOn | $0.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of Wake?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- ✅ Simple and intuitive interface
- 🎯 Reliable wake-on-LAN functionality when properly configured
- 🔧 Auto-detection feature for discovering devices on network
- 💰 Free or affordable pricing
- ⚡ Fast and effective once set up
- 🤝 Responsive developer support
- 📱 Works well with remote access tools like TeamViewer and iSSH

**Cons**

- 🐛 Crashes when selecting IP address
- ❌ Doesn't work over cellular/3G networks reliably
- ⚠️ Limited to wired Ethernet connections, not WiFi
- 📚 Poor documentation and unclear setup requirements
- 🔌 Requires complex network configuration (port forwarding, static IPs)
- ⏱️ Outdated - last update February 2011
- 🚫 Doesn't work on iPad 2 or newer iOS versions
- 🔍 Auto-detection inconsistent and unreliable
- 💬 Unresponsive support channels
- 🎭 Misleading app description vs actual functionality
- 📍 Only works on local network, not remote
- 🔐 Requires Bonjour and specific network setup

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App freezes when pressing '+' button
- Crashes when selecting IP address
- Auto-detection not finding devices consistently
- Doesn't work on iPad 2
- Buttons ('+' and edit) do nothing in some cases
- Persistent rating prompt notification
- Device list appears empty despite devices on network
- Incompatibility with newer iOS versions
- Help website unavailable

**Most requested features**

- Support for WiFi-connected devices
- Remote wake-on-LAN over cellular networks
- Configurable port settings for multiple devices
- Support for domain names instead of IP addresses
- NetBIOS name display in device list
- Automatic setup wizard
- Better support for modern network configurations
- Wake-on-demand functionality like Snow Leopard
- Support for Apple TV integration
- Shake and wake function with device selection
- Power status monitoring over remote connections

## Recent user reviews (10 of 107)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wake/id396566137/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Does the job well

*2019-06-01*

Been using this app for years and it has always done the trick. Thanks!

### 1/5 — It shut down app when i choose ip

*2018-06-11, version 1.6.1*

Do something plz?

### 5/5 — It works!

*2017-07-24*

I tried several services, including iShutdown and the other services that pop up. None of them worked, then I found this. It immediately detected my PC (running Bonjour) and brought up all the info for it immediately, without me having to input it. I then turned off my machine, and turned it back on immediately with this. Amazing software.

### 2/5 — Poorly Designed and Buggy

*2017-07-23*

Don't bother with this one, total amateur hour stuff here. Clearly not written by an experienced programmer.

**Developer response:** Hi Tom, thanks for the feedback, sorry you were disappointed.  It would be great to know specifics of what bugs you've seen or the changes you'd like.  I'll try to accommodate them in the next version. Thanks!

### 1/5 — Don't do it.

*2013-10-18, version 1.4.0*

I thought I would go against the bad reviews. That was a mistake! This does not work I tried it on two different computers and I know what I am doing. Waste of money.

### 5/5 — Works a treat

*2013-10-05*

Works as it should, if your having problems look at your PC first as this app has worked every time for me.

### 5/5 — Tech guy

*2013-09-02*

Rock solid.  It just works.  No hangs, no glitches, no errors!

### 1/5 — Not for most users

*2013-08-06*

This application is far to minimal to function in the kind of network iOs users operate in.

It really only works with static, numerical IP addresses or local DNS severs.

It DOES work well for those, but few Apple devices and networks are configurable that way. It's completely useless for most unsuspecting buyers!

The developer needs to move into the 21st century and learn about Bonjour and Apple's sleep proxies and then rewrite the application from the ground up.

I regret buying it and feel mislead by the product description, especially because I have other App Store products that do implement this function and it works properly.

DO NOT BUY THIS!

### 1/5 — Last update Feb 2011?

*2013-04-13, version 1.4.0*

Hard to believe a developer can't update their software.

### 1/5 — Garbage

*2013-03-08, version 1.4.0*

This is the most useless app I have ever seen. It's basically a picture of an empty list with a plus and edit button that do nothing.

## Frequently asked questions about Wake

### What does the Wake app do?

The Wake app is a professional networking tool designed to remotely start up PCs, Macs, and servers. It utilizes the 'Wake On Lan' protocol to power on compatible devices and provides a status indicator to show if each machine is currently on or off.

### What are the key features of Wake?

Key features include a 'Wake button' to send magic packets for startup, compatibility with Wi-Fi and cellular data, a status indicator for machine power state, automatic computer detection for easy setup, and a 'Shake'n'wake' feature to power on all computers by shaking your device.

### How much does Wake cost?

The application is free to download and use, but it does offer in-app purchases. Specific details on what these in-app purchases entail are not provided in the description, but they are available for users who wish to enhance their experience.

### What are typical use cases for Wake?

Typical uses include starting up a machine remotely to then access files via VNC or other remote services, monitoring a list of business-critical servers, or powering on an entire classroom of PCs from a single desk.

### What devices is Wake compatible with?

The app is compatible with all devices that support the 'Wake On Lan' protocol. This includes PCs, Macs, and servers. It can be used over both Wi-Fi and cellular data networks.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.6.3 — 2023-10-24

Updated large version of logo
Updated minimum iOS version to 12.0
[internal] removed some deprecated functions
[internal] switched revision control repository

### 1.6.2 — 2020-07-01

Updated SDK to newest version. 
Dark mode to be supported in next version.

### 1.6.1 — 2017-04-17

- Updated graphical layout of wake button to fix problem on iPhone SE where 'i' symbol overlapped.
- Made user interaction on wake button more obvious.

### 1.6.0 — 2017-04-04

Update to iOS version & increased resolution.
Fixed problem where mac addresses would not be detected in newer iOS versions.

### 1.4.0 — 2011-02-02

* Landscape mode!
* Unlimited computers now allowed in base version without add-on.
* Shake'n'wake - shake the device to wake all computers!
* Fixed problem where review prompt would keep showing.
* Other minor improvements.

## Apps similar to Wake

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [A-note](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/a-note/id1454807560) | — | Free | Utilities |
| [龙嘉SCM供应商](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scm/id1459545200) | — | Free | Utilities |
| [Pusher for Firebase](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pusher-for-firebase/id1450720020) | 5.0 (1) | $0.99 | Utilities |
| [Livly Hub](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/livly-hub/id1464225200) | 4.7 (13) | Free | Utilities |
| [TCI Bitacora](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tci-bitacora/id1464209780) | — | Free | Utilities |
| [Miitems](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/miitems/id1464179200) | — | Free | Utilities |

---

*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 2026-09-07.*