# ZOLEO — user reviews > 71 indexed App Store user reviews of ZOLEO by ZOLEO Inc., rated 3.70/5 from 104 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zoleo/id1490177472/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zoleo/id1490177472.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 57 · 4★ 10 · 3★ 9 · 2★ 3 · 1★ 25 ## Newest reviews (10 of 71) ### 4/5 — Works as intended but *2024-08-23* Works fine, not sure why others have issues but the app and the device have to be kept up to date or there will be issues. One improvement would be to have Apple Watch support. ### 3/5 — Clunky app, poor service *2024-07-29* I’ve had the device for 3 years and I still find the app hard to use and non intuitive. It took an inordinate amount of time to set up additional check in and location sharing users. Account changes are allowed on web page only and synchronization to app takes a long time. While the rating is not for the device I also have to say service is less than stellar. Messages are often delayed even with good satellite coverage, and most frustrating is when auto location sharing stops for hours only to update in a batch. Does zoleo understand this is a critical service? The app and device firmware need a thorough revamping. Nothing has changed in a while and it smells like abandonware. ### 3/5 — Rating *2024-02-13, version 6.1.8* It’s a solid three. Can be very slow but I can keep in touch with fam while we go fishing on the ocean . Should have call tho. I think that is stupid. That’s why I have deducted two points from my rating ### 3/5 — Good device, too many annoying emails *2023-11-19, version 6.1.8* The app works fine, the constant emails are annoying. I don't want to unsubscribe just in case there’s some type of urgent operational alert issued. I’ve only had the device one month but if the annoying emails continue, I’ll unsubscribe. ### 4/5 — Zoleo review- Southland New Zealand *2023-10-11* I had been looking at a personal locator device for some time but l put off by the purchase price and/or the monthly fee for something I’d need in an emergency but that provided little value for money the rest of the time I am outside of mobile contact. With Zoleo I have a PLB, and effective coms outside of cellular coverage at an affordable price. As much as I love being in the wilderness to get away from life, I need my family to know I’m safe and/or contact when needed ### 4/5 — Peace of mind. Improvement needed. *2023-08-06* Love the peace of mind going off on adventures with my Zoleo. Its lightweight and easy to change emergency contacts. Feedback - I can send my contacts (or emergency personell) my exact location, but I can’t pull my own location up on the app! That would have been really helpful when I lost the trail and needed to know where I was so I could figure out which direction to go. Zoleo - Simple update for this please! ### 2/5 — Disappointed *2023-08-03, version 6.1.4* Wife purchased this since I am a long distance cyclist and often in areas of no cell/wifi. She would like to be able to track me, and feel secure that we could message in/out if need be. The “Follow Me” seems very inconsistent. Have set to ping hourly; sometimes works, sometimes pings are not received until several hours later. Or, sent with note that “location cannot be determined.” That’s not good. Or, even though she is the contact, my emails are filled with the notifications, and she gets nothing. Nice when all goes well, but just never know how this system is going to behave. A couple hundred $$ to buy, then the monthly fee, well, sunk cost. Bought based on good reviews, but not meeting expectations. ### 1/5 — Not worth it *2023-07-06, version 6.0.4* For the price of 70$ you can have unlimited messages. Wow and they can take up to an hour to send one! I have been using this for a month now and hate everything about it. Only one person can be connected at a time. You must have the app and so must the recipient to respond to you (if you ever receive their message!!!)Ahhhhhhhhhhh! ### 4/5 — Decent app *2023-05-02, version 5.2.5* UI is pretty outdated but the does it’s job which is functioning with the Zoleo device. That’s really all that matters. ### 1/5 — Not a real backup *2023-03-26, version 5.2.4* Leans too heavily on your phone to function. Almost useless without paying for extra location+ feature. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — You will die if you depend on this app *2026-04-26, version 6.8.3* Just try setting it up. You’ll know no one is going to come for you if god forbid you need it. ### 1/5 — Pointless and unreliable *2025-10-21, version 6.8.3* Just spent hours trying to send a test message. It plain doesn’t work, and I’ve been subscribed to this thing for years. What a massive waste. ### 1/5 — ZOLEO *2025-10-07, version 6.8.3* No customer support NO activation yet they took my money I highly do not recommend ZOLEO You get what you pay for and this is the cheapest communicator out there Go get a garmin instead ### 1/5 — Keep on crashing *2025-08-09, version 6.7.3* This app keep on crashing one I try to open it ### 1/5 — Avoid this... *2024-01-20* The requirement to have this poorly coded software in between you and the Zoleo device renders this a poor choice. After the first setup, it just wiped all data, disconnected from my device, and now I am unable to even use this as anything besides a paperweight. Go elsewhere if you're looking for reliable emergency rescue equipment because you'll be really upset, or worse, when the required software fails to work as advertised. ### 1/5 — App Crashes on Startup *2023-12-15, version 6.1.8* Zoleo app does not work anymore. I have an iPhone 14 Pro Max ### 1/5 — A warning: *2023-10-17, version 6.1.4* The latest update on the app has badly implemented jail-break detection. If your iPhone isn’t jail-broken anymore, but you’re using the same backup file from when you USED to jail-break, the app will crash on immediately on startup. I had to completely restore and start my iPhone from scratch, with no backup restored on it, because the app was still able to tell that I used to jail-break my phone over four years ago because of my backup file. So, if your Zoleo app is crashing on startup, and your iPhone isn’t jail-broken, it’s because the app is still able to tell that you used to jail-break from your backup file. In which case, you’re gonna have to restore and start from scratch. DO NOT backup with iCloud either, the Zoleo app was still detect the traces. You’re gonna have to use iCloud Photos and turn on iCloud sync for all the apps you use to save your important files. Shame on Zoleo for having such badly implemented jail-break detection. It is literally the only satellite messaging app with this issue. Garmin, bivy stick, and even the latest moto app doesn’t do this. ### 1/5 — Crashes on 14 Max Pro *2023-09-15, version 6.1.4* The app used to work well, however, sometime in the last couple months it stopped working on my 14 Pro Max. It works on my work X. It crashes immediately upon opening. ZOLEO tech support has not been able to diagnose or solve. ### 1/5 — Location share is not functional *2023-08-02* DO NOT PURCHASE, YOU ARE WASTING YOUR MONEY. Adding a contact to your Check-In contacts doesn’t work. You have to call them and make them add the contact manually (and you wouldn’t know it’s not working unless you check with the person you want to check in with). The location share functionality (the main selling point of this app) is not a part of the app in its current version. Screenshots from this page are not what you get when you download. The entire SOS page is missing. ### 1/5 — Unusable *2023-07-22, version 6.0.4* App won’t send out verification text to log in and use the app ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Very easy setup and great UI *2026-03-02* Took me seconds to set up the device and connect to service. Easy app to use! 5/5 ### 5/5 — Works perfectly *2025-12-15, version 6.8.3* Have been using this app for over a year , in the Arctic and scotish mountains and it has never let me down, would recommend ### 5/5 — All you need *2025-01-25* This app and the device are perfectly simple and reliable. I've used it for 3 years on backcountry trips and never had an issue with app bugs or connectivity. Highly recommend. ### 5/5 — Saved my life twice !! Urban and Rural settings 🙏 *2024-09-28* Thank you for creating and monitoring this wonderful device 🙇 Although we are avid amateur hikers (17 month Shiba Inu) Koko and I were struck by a car during broad daylight in a designate cross walk. TBI and 6 days in intensive care on feeding tubes we survived. The second occurred when we encountered 2 coyotes. We survived 🙇 All I can say is thank- you and thank-you !! ### 5/5 — Zoleo vs Garmin *2024-09-24* I’ve used Zoleo for 3 years now on backcountry trips. It’s easy to use and keep in contact with loved ones. My brother has a Garmin Mini and Zoleo out preforms the Garmin on every trip both in speed of messages coming in and out and overall service. The 1000 characters is also a big deal when sending detailed messages to others with the Zoleo app. If you are choosing between the two devices go with Zoleo….You won’t be disappointed. ### 5/5 — Reliable and simple *2024-02-15* Love the zoleo app! Easy to use, well laid out. My mobile companion when off cellular coverage. Only complain is sometimes when the app is used in cellular coverage and then out, the app still stuck in using mobile network to send message instead of the satellite unit. Nothing that a restart can’t fix but a bit annoying. ### 5/5 — Practical Tool *2024-01-30* Our lifestyle is one that takes us off-grid often. More than once an incident has happened without any way of notifying family, leaving them worried when there wasn’t a need for it. With Zoleo, a change of plans can now be communicated. This is a game changer when hunting and I’m not sure exactly where the hunt will take me. The GPS mapping and current, local weather information, is also invaluable as an expedition kayaker/canoeist. I have used it several times in my first month and, every time, it worked flawlessly and messages were received quickly. This will be a tool that goes with me every time I go out, and I’m very happy I purchased it. ### 5/5 — Worked great *2023-10-02* This app and device worked as advertised. I was able to run my business from the Colorado wilderness while on a hunting trip. We lost cell service as soon as we hiked into the wilderness, but I was still able to get texts in and out through the ZOLEO device. The battery lasted a long time, and I re-charged it with a battery backup that I brought since we were out for 5 days and I was using the device a lot. I would definitely use this device again. My girlfriend was able to track me with the location share in case something happened in the wilderness. ### 5/5 — Excellent *2023-06-12* I’ve used my Zoleo on a bunch of remote trips over the last 2 years. Each night at camp I send out ‘I’m OK’ messages to my contacts. I’m impressed by the Zoleo’s ability to communicate while I’m in deep canyons on whitewater rafting trips. Zoleo’s and other InReach capable devices are becoming the standard for satellite communicators for rafters. They are much cheaper than satellite phones and are very effective. I also check the weather each night. The forecasts have allowed us to alter our trips and improve them. I solo day hike, backpack, and go off-roading. I take the Zoleo with me and I’m confident that I can get help if need. I send out occasional ‘I’m OK’ messages at interesting spots like mountain peaks or in canyons to test the Zoleo’s ability to communicate. Fortunately I have not used the inReach emergency services. I like being able to switch between plans during the year. I switch to the least expensive plan in the winter when I’m not exploring much. I use the mid-plan in the summer when I’m out in remote areas a lot. ### 5/5 — Excellent Peace of Mind *2023-02-14* My Zoleo device provides seamless peace of mind & security while in the wilds British Columbia’s back country. Perfect in every way. When coupled with current smart phone technology the Zoleo’s robust location satellite connectivity provides additional assurance help or communications is only a text, email, or a button press away. --- *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 2026-08-27.*