SwannView Link

This app has been horrible from day one, and it's never improved one bit. I've used it on several different internet connections over the years, so the app is the only thing to blame. The playback is the real issue, but several features don't work in the remote settings of the DVR through the app, either. When trying to watch the playback, it frequently fails to open the video. By frequently, I mean almost every time. You watch one video, then try to play another, and you have to close the app before it will open another video. It's getting worse, too, which is why I'm finally writing a review.

UPDATE- We have finally gotten rid of this Swann system that didn't work more often than it did work. We bought the Night Owl camera set up. Not only is the resolution impeccable, the app is easy to use, the system is easy to set up, and the cameras reach 300 ft. With swann It's the same issue we had for about 6 months you turn the screen horizontally and the screen goes to 25% of the screen within the app. This system is a waste of time and energy! Get the Night owl one! No subscription needed!

Hopelessly unreliable. Usually fails to open the video, even when I am in the house. Connecting with IP over a VPN rarely works. This should be simple but it looks like they are trying to use the hardware developer to write the software, which never works out well. They don't publish the protocols used either so we cannot write an alternative. No updates for nearly 2 years. Could be a problem with the firmware in the DVR because the StreamView app exhibits the same behavior.

App hasn't been updated for 2 years and no longer works correctly with the latest Android update. Very disappointed as I've only had my system for 2 1/2 years and can no longer view them remotely. Update: 3/28/19. I contacted Swann, and emailed the app developer. Swann claims they have reached out to the app developer as well. Nobody has received any answers, including me. I was directed to use the Always Safe app which also does not operate properly trying to view recorded footage.

Absolutely useless, hardly ever logs into my cameras. Can work one minute, then nothing the next. Constantly having to try and log back in which usually fails. You'd expect something better for the price you pay for the system. My cheap Chinese cameras I had before had an app that never failed to work!. The fact the app hasn't had an update for 2 years is a very poor show for such a big company!

Was ok, now just won't work Have has this app installed on my android tablet and phone for approx 6 months (and for longer on previous phones) where it has always functioned as it should. Partner has it in his iPad and iPhone. The app had stopped working on all devices. We've uninstalled and reinstalled, but to no avail. Waste of time. App hasn't been updated since 2017. Shame.

Wouldn't recommend swann cctv systems to anybody. Had my system 4+ years and no updates have come to improve the system. Cannot view recorded video on our phones and a serious lack of functional options available to you compared to other systems. Examples of this is text alerts or zone mapping. Cannot wait to upgrade and get rid of this system.

ive been using this system for a few years now and invested in 4k camera when they came out. ive found the app to be poor. Issues I have encountered are remote play ack tempermental more often than not I find it difficult to get playback to work, as soon as I start playing various videos after a few clicks it decides I cant look furthur. I have to close the app and start again. currently using Android Pie but found this issue happened on various other versions. Software needs to be addressed.

It used to be slow and often failed to login. Now it simply doesn't work at all. Since our DVR doesn't allow any other kind of network access this is quite an issue. Do Swann expect people do buy new DVR's to deal with Android updates? Well, if we do it certainly won't be a Swann. I guess the multitude of Swann DVR apps in the store shows how much they know/care about this.

Absolutely rubbish now Inherited this system from the previous home owner and seemed ok at first. In the last 2 months the app has not worked. I've uninstalled it and reinstalled it., switched the box off and on again. No phone updates. No way now to access remotely. Looking for a new system and definitely not swan again.

This app was great and worked amazing until you have to update your phone and then app doesn't allow you to sign on. Told me this app was for older version of android. Now I am stuck with no viewing on my phone when that is where I need to most. Will find another brand and go wireless next time with an updated system. Plus customer support doesn't reply to any messages after the first one they send asking for details.

Don't waste your money! This app used to work relatively well, I used to be able to check the cameras surrounding my house quickly if needed or just for reassurance. Now, it never connects. Not with WiFi, not with 4G! It just doesn't work. I spend a lot of money on my cameras!!! I would expect a much better app.

I can record videos and take pictures of suspicious activities and save them on my phone. Review update 10/11/2019 System stops communication with app saying Login Error. I have to go to dvr settings to change password then reboot system to be able to use app to view videos again. I have to repeat process regularly every one or two months. I am tired of Swann, I'm shopping for a new system.

Do not waste your time unless this app is updated!, I have played with this system for too long. Almost never finds the cameras first time when trying to view live or playback from your phone, movement trigger I thought was way too sensitive as it picks up leaves blowing past, or a bird landing in the tree, but there are times I know I have walked past them and it does not record?

Dreadful app. On the rare occasions it works, the functionality is very poor. No option to fast forward or rewind footage! On a CCTV app! I mean that is utterly incredible. Swann cameras stopped working within 18 months, so avoid at all costs!

App has completely stopped working. Had to download reolink to view my cameras. Reolink actually works better than SwannView Link, since they havent updated the app since 2017. On my note 8 landscape view makes the app useless, have to close the app and reopen for it to work again. Dont think I'll be getting a camera system that has no support next time.

i dont normally leave reviews for apps, but this app has been nothing but trouble since day dot, constantly dropping out bad connects and the playback wont even let me load specific times, i brought some kogan cameras for another property and i must say the app for them works 100% better than this one, the whole system needs revamping because there are heaps of problems with it. ive been using swan for about 2 years now but im definitely changing unless the equality gets better..

I previously gave this a really bad review as it refused to login mo matter how much I tried. However, after trying almost everything to connect and always getting a login failed error, I managed to fix this by going into the menu for the nvr box, navigating to Network and changing the DNS from Static to Auto. The app now connects.

I have been trying to contact SwannView about my black screens and they haven't gotten back to me. My screens have been black for approx 6 months. I believe it may be due to the app not being updated on their end but I wouldn't know as they haven't responded. if someone could get back to me that would be greatly appreciated

Unreliable, buggy and most times unusable. The playback on this app and desktop software is nigh-on unusable. Playback defaults to on the hour no matter which part of the hour I want e.g 20 minutes into an hour. App freezes when trying to refine the time. I will be replacing the whole unit with another brand as Swann software cannot be relied upon which means I have zero peace of mind.

Works great through internet provider connection anywhere. When you try to log in and view over 4g very slow and 95% of the time wont connect same with other android phones we have two system work and home both the same very hard to connect over 4g and yes in a good signal area. Other apps open and run fine just the swann link laggy and poor on 4g.

Their service doesn't allow a login half the time. When the login does work, the video doesn't stream well... Frames are jumpy and stop streaming after a few seconds. The playback feature is useless on a mobile device. The app features are lacking. App preferences never save. Months later... Still can't connect.

If zero stars were possible. Obviously Swann has given up on supporting this app. When it works it's mediocre at best, unless you just want to watch live view. Playback is ridiculous because you can only view it in real time in 1 hour blocks. And that's only possible when you're actually able to log in successfully. If you're considering Swann equipment and want remote access, don't buy Swann. Find another brand. Update 5/23/21: Done with Swann. Still no support. Got Samsung system instead. 🖕🖕

Performed system update on my android phone and now the app has stopped working. It appears that I am not the only person who is unhappy with this app being out of date. Happy days! I read a comment on a SwannView customer forum and one user suggested downloading the AlwaysSafe App version 4.14.2.0 Since downloading it's worked perfectly. I think it's better than the original app.