# ZY Play — user reviews > 269 indexed App Store user reviews of ZY Play by 桂林智神信息技术有限公司, rated 2.40/5 from 658 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zy-play/id1068407353/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zy-play/id1068407353.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 108 · 4★ 89 · 3★ 71 · 2★ 95 · 1★ 295 ## What do users think of ZY Play? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 👍 Works great with Smooth 4 - 🚀 Lots of useful features - 💡 Good motion time-lapse capabilities **Cons** - 🐛 Buggy and unreliable - 🔋 Drains battery quickly - 🔒 Requires excessive permissions - 👎 Poor user experience and UI **Commonly reported bugs** - Frequent connection issues - App crashes and freezes - Tracking and stabilization not reliable - Resolution and frame rate issues - Saved footage not accessible **Most requested features** - Add support for more gimbal models - Improve motion time-lapse functionality - Allow background operation for time-lapses - Provide more camera control options - Optimize battery usage ## Newest reviews (19 of 269) ### 4/5 — Please add de-squeeze! *2025-10-18, version 3.0.2* I love this app - enabling face tracking with my Weebil is crazy! But could you please, please add anamorphic desqueeze? As ana lenses become more popular this is really needed. Zhiyun is an amazing company. ### 4/5 — A lil finicky *2025-04-18, version 3.0.1* Good app. Doesn’t connect all the time and isn’t the easiest. But it’s came a long way from all those bad reviews. I found an M2 gimbal and didn’t find out til later it had an app. So I was actually pretty happy to even find out it had tracking features and whatnot. Once you do get it connected it’s pretty great. But you’re limited to the camera app they use. I didn’t see any use of RAW footage options which would be nice. Aside from that they claim to not track any information from your personal device. So whoever said that is dumb and thinks Apple is lying I guess. It it’s been seven years so who knows. ### 2/5 — Love for M2? *2024-07-17, version 2.9.5* I bought an M2 and this app doesn't have M2 connect option.. looks cool though.. ### 1/5 — That’s weird *2024-06-28, version 2.9.5* So I just got something for my birthday. I have the smooth Q and when I go on the app, I don’t know how to pair it and the stabilizer thing is not there so I don’t know ### 2/5 — Object tracking is bad *2024-06-13, version 2.9.5* The object tracking in this application is worse than the Zhiyun Assistant, which is an older and now outdated application. If this issue can be fixed, it would improve the productivity videos I create. However, as it stands, the performance is quite poor, and I will continue to rely on a different device if the object tracking isn’t improved. ### 1/5 — Question *2024-05-31, version 2.9.4* I have smooth 4 but it can’t be connected with this app and can’t find other app My iPhone is 14 ### 1/5 — Worthless app *2024-05-25, version 2.9.4* Won’t pair with the Crane MS2 gimbal that it is supposed to be used for. ### 1/5 — Crane 3s gone *2024-05-17, version 2.9.4* I can not connect to Crane 3s. Because the gimbal does not show in the app anymore. Please give me the solution to this problem ### 1/5 — Why? I know you can Do It. *2024-03-18, version 2.9.2* This app is pretty much useless. The most important thing’s are not in there. Parameter control over the phone because that tiny screen is a big headache when need to change settings. The saved scenes - you can’t delete it or edit it …. Why??? And in general I need all these options to be available only because Crane 4 is not so good and it performs not in the best way from my experience. Trying at least to adjust somehow I realised that the app is super limited in options and there is no way I can use it to improve my work flow with this gimbal. Actually quite disappointed about this product in general. Why not to give us full control so we can get things done in the way we need it? I need full control of gimbal settings and parameters over the phone at least as the touch screen is horrible and it doesn’t improve my workflow. ### 1/5 — App needs a revamp *2024-01-21, version 2.9.2* Trying to use luts, after finally getting them on the video transmitter, the luts show up you can select them but they show all incorrect colour ### 1/5 — The app doesn’t work…at all *2024-01-04, version 2.9.2* This app has never worked for me. Neither the Transmitter nor weebill S device itself ever connected to the app. WiFi connection works. Special WiFi network connection can be established but the app never connects with the device. Had to spend extra to make the rig work for me. Feels like I got scammed out of my money. Might sell everything and start over. Feels like a waste ### 4/5 — Pregunta *2023-11-07, version 2.9.1* Necesito hacer actualización no me permite conectar mi teléfono iPhone 14 Pro Max el aparato zhiyun crane 3 lab Qué tengo que hacer ### 3/5 — Not bad, not great. *2023-11-03, version 2.9.1* Please allow us to turn off the waveform in clean feed mode ### 1/5 — Selfie Tracking in-app BROKEN for years! *2023-10-29, version 2.9.1* ZY Play app’s tracking in selfie mode (not gimbal hardware selfie) has been broken for years! When are you guys going to fix this? Don’t you have at least one person who does QA or QC testing on this app? I’ll never buy any Zhiyun gimbal again if your app can be so unreliable. The gimbal’s app is half of your success! Realize that you have gimbal competitors with better and more reliable working apps. Steps to reproduce this Issue: 1) Mount and balance iPhone on Zhiyun Crane or later model such that the iPhone’s screen is facing forward, meaning the screen is away from the gimbal controls (Yes, there are feasible methods to balance an iPhone on camera gimbals) 2) Start ZY Play and gimbal then connect the iPhone and gimbal via bluetooth. 3) Triple-press the “Mode” button to initiate the gimbal’s selfie mode (may be different for later models) Now, the iPhone’s screen is facing you. 4) Select the “Gimbal” icon -> “Application Mode” -> “Phone Camera” (NOT Phone Control) 5) Select the front (selfie) camera in ZY play (if not already in selfie mode) 6) Enable tracking by pressing the round icon on the lower left (turns red when tracking is active) 7) Use the touch screen to draw a square around your face. RESULT: ZY Play app fails to track. The gimbal just randomly tilts up or down with no effort to track anything. This is an issue when using the front (selfie) camera within ZY Play (tracking with rear camera is fine). Come on devs! If tracking works using the iPhone’s rear camera then it’s surely a quick fix to get it working with the front camera! ### 1/5 — Does not work with crane m2 *2023-10-13, version 2.9.1* I just purchased my gimbal and installed this app and it does not connect, it does not even have an option for my gimbal. ### 2/5 — Audio is distorted when live streaming *2023-08-17, version 2.9.1* The audio is distorted when live streaming. I tried streaming to YouTube with a custom rtmp connection. The stream sends ok. The video looks fine. But the audio has cracks and is distorted. ### 1/5 — SCAM!!-PRIVACY AGREEMENT = INVASION OF PRIVACY *2023-08-16, version 2.9.1* NEVER BEFORE USED BECAUSE THIS DEVICE WILL NOT CONNECT TO ANY DEVICE I TRY TO PAIR IT WITH! THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS! IVE DONE EVERYTHING THE ZYPLAY APP SUGGEST, NOTHING WORKS! SCAMMERS! REFUND! ### 1/5 — Нельзя посмотреть остаток заряда на стабе. *2023-07-16* Нельзя посмотреть остаток заряда на стабе. ### 1/5 — Awful *2023-07-09, version 2.9.1* 1. Reconnect each time you turn it on 2. Settings can’t be saved, you have to set everything up each time you turn the app on 3. Smooth 4 is absolutely useless ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work *2026-08-08, version 3.0.4* I have a crane 3S and it isn’t available only phone options ### 1/5 — Disconnected during video *2026-04-03, version 3.0.2* I’m on vacation as I type this and frustrated. Here I am taking a really cool video in the Caribbean but all the sudden the app disconnects from my phone making my video useless. Then before I can troubleshoot the issue, it suddenly reconnects again. Please fix this. ### 1/5 — Really? *2025-12-11, version 3.0.2* My gimbal model isn’t even in the options. ### 1/5 — Shmood 4 😭😭😭 *2025-11-09, version 3.0.2* As a hog, I have owned the smooth 4 for quite a while, I originally purchased it for around 25k-30k usd which was a great deal. I can get smooth shots on my phone, while still having enough time to hog. This is all fun and games but when it came time to link my precious smooth 4 to the app, it all went south. By this time, I had gotten into some trouble with the old smooth 4 and was a bit hesitant to hog it over to the app but… I did anyway. The app is very poorly designed and is mostly in dulanese so being a slightly overweight white American male, this was a foreign tongue. I proceeded to add my account. This process took a matter of weeks for a Luddite like myself. After all was good and done, the app wouldn’t connect to the smooth 4. How utterly disappointing. I told Sue at once and deleted the app. ### 1/5 — No m3 model *2025-11-04, version 3.0.2* No m3 model listed ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work *2025-10-26, version 3.0.2* Hi this app doesn’t work. I’ve got the iPhone 13 it loads in like as if it’s going to all work but when you go to actually record it gives you the features and everything all around the side of your phone but your camera is black. It doesn’t allow it to work with the app. ### 1/5 — Can’t believe this still happens… *2025-07-21, version 3.0.1* Can’t connect to my gimble at all. ### 1/5 — Control with Xbox controller is a must! *2025-07-05, version 3.0.1* This can even be done with cheap djis. It make a simple connection to the app through an Xbox remote and controls the gimbal! The is a must for gimbals like this!! Very disappointed in the gimbal and app ### 1/5 — Do not download. Not worth it *2025-05-02, version 3.0.1* Got this to update the firmware on a used Q-Smooth Zhiyun gimbal I was given. Never even got so far as checking what version was installed. Yes, they absolutely REQUIRE you to allow them access to: • Bluetooth devices • Camera • Microphone • ENTIRE photo & video library • Location Of these, Bluetooth is the only request that makes sense. Gotta connect to the gimbal, right? But even if you allow that, they REQUIRE you to allow them access to EVERYTHING else, in order to connect to your gimbal. Zero options, all or nothing. Refuse even one, and you’re flatly denied connection to your gimbal. A different review claims approving these is optional, and the App Store page says it doesn’t collect any data, so it must not. First, yeah, approving them is optional. Your options are, approve ALL of them, or get NOTHING from this app. Second, the App Store saying the app doesn’t collect data is an honor-based self-disclosure system. Apple does not guarantee it to be true. And frankly, I’d bet my savings that this app collects every shred of info it can. Either accept your gimbal as-is out of the box, or return it, because this app is not aboveboard. ### 1/5 — Not user friendly *2024-07-20, version 2.9.5* Their are very few tutorials to help you troubleshoot. The gimbal is connected but doesn’t do anything and I have to download an update but the update is null. Unimpressed ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — EVO SS REMOTE *2026-06-07, version 3.0.2* I just downloaded this from the App Store today as a way to control my EVO SS gimbal remotely. Works fine as basic Bluetooth remote for pan and tilt, so far. I’m using this b/c EVO (of course) took their remote app off of the App Store. This app has a lot of other features that will take some time to figure out but, so far, so good. ### 5/5 — Yes it is working good *2023-03-20, version 2.8.29* Good thanks for all it is updated it works perfect ### 5/5 — Iphone 12 pro max все работает *2022-07-01* Скачал приложение, выбрал свой Crane 2s, подключился, обновил прошивку. Детальную настройку по осям производил на самом стабе. Так что все окай 👌🏻 ### 5/5 — Hello there thanks *2022-03-04* Any help with how to connect the Crane m2 with. Canon m6 mk2 use Wi-Fi? Thanks ### 5/5 — Perfect *2022-01-29, version 2.8.25* The app works and controls everything flawlessly on an iPhone 13 mini. ### 5/5 — Works like a dream with smooth 4 and iPhone 6 *2021-12-26, version 2.8.25* Great app but compatibility issues with newer phones ### 5/5 — Приложение НЕ висит *2021-11-27* Друзья, оказывается приложение не висит! Просто свайп влево и оно работает! 🤦🏻‍♂️ Случайно это обнаружил! ### 5/5 — Decent app *2020-08-08, version 2.8.9* With so many useful apps like Filmic Pro, this one is solid. However, it shouldn’t be your “go to” source for capturing video. The reason I say that is the only feature you’ll really use with this is the object tracker, which you can’t do with most after market apps. Zy puts produces great gimbals at great prices, and this app is meant to enhance the experience. It can do that. ### 5/5 — Works well *2020-03-04, version 2.8.6* Works well with Smooth four. Additional functions on recording are really useful. ### 5/5 — 2.8.1 *2019-11-13, version 2.8.1* Love this app - fiddly as anything but with practice comes perfection! ☺️ --- *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 2026-08-23.*