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Z21

Z21

by Modelleisenbahn GmbH

13 ratings
94 reviews
🌟 Lifestyle
🎬 Entertainment
Free
In-App Purchases

Details

Released
January 31, 2018
Updated
July 16, 2026

Features

Developer

Modelleisenbahn GmbH
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Z21 screenshot #1 for iPhone
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Z21 screenshot #4 for iPhone
Z21 screenshot #5 for iPhone
iphone
ipad
🧾$17.99
In-App Purchase↘︎
📌Ready
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❓5 answered
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📦~ in 3 weeks
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About

Control your model train layout and locomotives wirelessly from your iOS device. Manage your locomotive library, program digital components, and operate switches and signals with an intuitive touch interface. Enjoy a realistic train control experience with customizable driver cabs.

✓Wireless control of locomotives and layout
✓Manage locomotive library with images
✓Program digital components
✓Intuitive graphic interface for switches and signals
✓Downloadable driver cabs for realistic control
✓Demo mode available
Show original description

What users say about Z21

Reviews of Z21 are mixed: the Lifestyle app is rated 3.8/5 from 13 App Store ratings. What users like most: intuitive and user-friendly interface, fast and reliable locomotive control. Top complaints: frequent app crashes and freezes, connection drops to Z21 control station. Summarized from real user reviews.

Positive things

  • 👍Intuitive and user-friendly interface
  • 🚀Fast and reliable locomotive control
  • 💡Innovative layout design with schematic control station
  • 🎨Clean, modern orange and black design
  • 📱Works seamlessly across multiple iOS devices
  • 🔧Easy programming of decoders and functions
  • 🎯Excellent route and turnout management
  • 📊Comprehensive locomotive database with photos
  • 🌐Multi-user support for collaborative operation
  • ⚡Responsive control for sound and lighting functions

Negative things

  • 🐛Frequent app crashes and freezes
  • 🔌Connection drops to Z21 control station
  • ⚠️White screen startup issues in recent updates
  • 🎮Throttle display bugs showing incorrect speeds
  • 📉Slow performance on older devices
  • 🔋High battery consumption and device overheating
  • 🎨Limited customization options for layout backgrounds
  • 🔄Data synchronization issues across multiple pages
  • ❌Missing support for competitor decoders (Märklin, Fleischmann)
  • 📚Poor documentation and release notes
See all reviews

What's New in Z21

1.5.4

July 16, 2026

- New languages: Hungarian, Polish, Slovak - Bug fixes and stability improvements

1

Subscriptions & In-App Purchases

$17.99

Z21 Full Version

Activation of third-party control centers

User reviews

Most RecentHighest RatedLowest Rated

Old fashioned icons

Icons out of date needs a refresh
NNigelJM

Great App

Great App. Im happy user. 🙂
PPoPogx2

Lost my control station pages after update

I had just created a staging yard on a second page in control station and after this update it’s just gone. I spent days and of course I saved it along the way. What happened?
IImrapunzel1945

Good

Je to velice jednoduchá aplikace, stejně jako jiné nové věci, člověk si musí zvyknout, ale jakmile si osvojíte veškeré funkce, je to hodně jednoduché a důmyslné ovládání. Třeba nastavení cesty vlaku, pod jednou ikonou, po nastavení, ovládáte neomezené množství prvků. Za mě fakt dobré!!! Jakýkoliv dekodér který jsem doposud přidal ke kolejišti, tak okamžitě funguje jak má. Vyplatí se zaplatit licenci.
Show more
SStandago

Z21 Fremdzentrale

Erkennt meine Z21 als fremdzentrale sobald die App einmal zu war. Muss immer zuerst die App aufmachen und dann die Z21 anschalten. Ultra nervig. Sonst okay.
Sschroph
See 89 more reviews

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User experience

🐞

Reported Bugs

17 issues

App crashes on startup (white screen issue)

Bug

Connection drops to Z21 central station

Bug

Throttle display shows incorrect or blank speeds

Bug

Function buttons not responding properly in multitraction mode

Bug

Route synchronization failures across multiple control station pages

Bug

Weichen (turnout) display showing white/blank images

Bug

App freezes during speed adjustment

Bug

Export functionality crashes (PRO version)

Bug

Occupancy feedback not displaying (Roco 10808)

Bug

iOS 14+ compatibility issues

Bug

Slow response times and lag

Bug

Layout elements jumping off-screen when editing

Bug

Routes highlighting incorrectly or not at all

Bug

Password-protected bug report zip file inaccessible to users

Bug

Fleischmann turntable module not available

Bug

Bridge modules cannot be displayed diagonally

Bug

Data loss after app updates

Bug
✨

Requested Features

20 requests

Offline locomotive database access

Feature

Dark mode or customizable color schemes

Feature

Background image support for layout design

Feature

Turntable/rotary module support

Feature

Automatic event-based control (occupancy detection, crossing automation)

Feature

Pendulum train control functionality

Feature

Manual route deactivation capability

Feature

Larger emergency stop button

Feature

Locomotive database sharing between layouts

Feature

Multi-language support (Spanish, French, Italian, Russian, Japanese)

Feature

Diagonal bridge module display

Feature

Camera locomotive integration

Feature

Double slip switch operation

Feature

Text labeling in layout designer

Feature

Improved signal image selection interface

Feature

Vehicle filtering and categorization system

Feature

Windows/Mac desktop application

Feature

Start-destination buttons for easier route control

Feature

Occupancy feedback module support (Roco 10808)

Feature

Copy and paste functionality in layout mode

Feature

FAQ

What does the Z21 app do?

The Z21 app allows you to wirelessly control your model train layout and locomotives using your iOS device. It connects to a Z21 Digital Center via WLAN, enabling you to manage your locomotive library, program digital components, and operate switches and signals with an intuitive touch interface.

What are the key features of the Z21 app?

Key features include wireless control of locomotives and the entire layout, management of a locomotive library with custom images, programming of digital components, an intuitive graphic interface for controlling switches and signals, and the ability to download driver cabs for a realistic train driver's point of view.

Is the Z21 app free to use?

The app itself is free to download and use, and includes a demo mode for exploration. However, it is designed to work with a Z21 Digital Center, which is a hardware purchase. There may also be in-app purchases available for additional features or content.

What devices is the Z21 app compatible with?

The Z21 app is designed for iOS devices and connects to your model train setup via WLAN through a Z21 Digital Center. Specific iOS version compatibility would typically be detailed in the app store listing.

How does the Z21 app make controlling model trains easier?

The app simplifies model train control through its intuitive touch interface. You can easily scroll through your locomotive library, activate functions like lights and sounds with a single touch, and adjust speed by dragging your finger. Creating a blueprint of your railway system allows for single-click control of switches, signals, and modules.