Remote Control for Smart WiFi Reviews

by Blumarble

Let me start by saying, don’t bother with the Bluetooth Instant Pot. The BT function is useless. It requires RemoteControl which has never worked for me. I’ve had the BT IP for years. Sometimes RemoteControl connects but there was never a functioning alarm where it would send you a notification when the IP was done. And the Bluetooth range is literally 10 whole feet, unless there’s a wall. Why bother?

And now RemoteControl is even more useless if you can believe it because it won’t even load My Devices. So I can’t even connect to the IP. I’ve tried deleting RemoteControl and reinstalling. Why charge extra for a feature you never intended to let people use, Instant Pot?!

They have a WiFi IP now but why would I ever spend the extra $$ for it when this hasn’t worked since Day One... like 6 or 7 years ago? Come on, figure it out!

by Stephenparris

Why doesn’t RemoteControl notify me at different stages? The whole point of spending $150 on this thing was so I could be notified when cooking starts, ends, and when it’s time to manually release, etc. but it appears all RemoteControl is good for is starting cooking from my phone instead of pushing buttons on the pot itself. I totally don’t get it. Mind-boggling as to what the point of this is if RemoteControl can’t “ding” me so I don’t have to stay close enough to the kitchen to hear the pot itself beep. 🤨

by Air Video Is My Hero

How is taking all of our data, storing it on your cloud server and selling our profile to your marketers working out for you instapot? That’s the deal right? You give me the functionality of accessing my instapot over the internet and in return I let you profit off my identity even after I paid for your device? Well you aren’t even holding up your end of the bargain since RemoteControl no longer works and can’t pair. Can I have my profile data back? Great business model, I hope you burn!!

by Awsnyde

Besides the fact that this should be integrated into the main Instant Pot app, it just does not work. Wi-fi connection does not work, making RemoteControl absolutely worthless.

Between this and the main app, I’m guessing that none of the designers or programmers ever had a UI/UX design course, and it shows. It’s as bad as iTunes, but at least that will actually work after a lengthy time figuring out how to accomplish anything; RemoteControl doesn’t work at all.

Easily the worst app I have ever downloaded.

by MKArizona

When I purchased 2 weeks ago it connected fine. After auto updating firmware inside RemoteControl First it lost Time Zone. Then when I tried to reinstall RemoteControl ,thinking it may be the reason for the time zone problem, it no longer connects. I reset my router, reset Wifi settings and reset full settings to factory settings in Instant Pot, it still cannot connect . I started thinking somehow new firmware messed up things and no way to change firmware now because i can no longer connect to the device via app. Is Instant Pot Wifi a defective device? There was recent 33% discount in all the stores...Pleas fix

by Bus Trav 17

Extremely confusing setup -
I am not a network or systems specialist. Doubt many out there are. I did succeed finally with one initial setup. However, once done, after a couple of weeks lost connection from iOS device and Insta Pot. And you get to start all over again. Still have not yet been able to connect - EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING. Support is as good as the WIFI connection - null.
I would recommend anyone considering this model of Insta Pot - do not spend the extra for the WIFI model. The company seems unprepared for the required technology (device and/or app) and unprepared to support either. I regret my purchase.

by Elizv18

I can no longer log into my account. I submitted a request for assistance a month ago and never got a response. I submitted another request for assistance about 2 weeks ago and was told there is a server problem they’re working to correct. Still no resolution. Therefore I’m unable to utilize the smart features on my Instant Pot! I paid more for the WiFi enabled model and actually own 2 of them. But since I cannot log into RemoteControl , the products I have now are no better than the standard model Instant Pots I gave away when I purchased the “smart” version.

by Nmj231

I bought this pot strictly for the ability to start and use my pot from work. I cannot log into RemoteControl so therefore I can’t use the Wi-Fi feature. I contacted support and have gotten two generic emails that say the same thing. “Thank you for your patience we are working on it”. This error shouldn’t take long to correct since reviewers over a period of years have the same complaint. They should be proficient in fixing this problem. I think it is time to stop supporting instant products since they don’t want to support the customer. So disappointed.

by Mojo_Belmar

I bought last year and after many tries finally got it linked to my network. It stopped a few months ago and I got it working again (forgot how I did it) 😞. A few days ago, it lost its way.... again.

Cannot get it linked again, despite searching the Internet, for solutions, etc. Seems I am not alone after reading the comments. The “help” from Instapot is to keep trying the same steps suggested thru a clugy unintuitive link, over and over....

What’s that definition of insanity? Do your self a favor, save a few bucks. This tech is rot.

by Yuuannw

I was using RemoteControl to remote control the device for about a month but it suddenly shows the sign in error during these recent days. The problem here is that if I can't sign in to my account, I can't remote my smart wifi Intant pot! Besides, I even tried to change the passwords, delete RemoteControl and then reinstall it. But, it still presents the same "server error" unfortunately! (the message is "Server error. Please try again.) Could you please help me to fix the problem so I can happily use the function properly once again? Thank you!

by Evarrich

Should be zero stars. There has been no effort to improve as they have implied in other reviews. The worst product I have ever tried with a WiFi control option. Why release something and destroy your reputation if you have not perfected it? Everyone I know loved these things before the WiFi model. I actually never wanted one until my Sister talked me into it. Of course I had to get the best one and wow what a waste of time and money. I would rather buy an expensive model that has had its trial and error done by the manufacturer not the public.

by Dboyes99

Useless. RemoteControl can find the WiFi module in the pot, but cannot add it to my account BECAUSE YOU DISCONNECTED THE APPS INTERNET ACCESS BY SELECTING A NETWORK THAT ISN'T CONNECTED TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD IN THE PREVIOUS STEP and didn’t restore the settings for the previous connection correctly. (seriously, why does it require an account on a outside server when RemoteControl doesn’t support remote access over the Internet?) Hate to break it to ya, guys, but that’s never gonna work...

RemoteControl is full of logic mistakes like the one above. It needs to be reengineered to think the entire process through and use Bluetooth to do initial setup for the WiFi, then WiFi for the rest.

Fortunately, the pot still works on it’s own and the time can be manually set from the panel, so RemoteControl can be ignored. Unnecessarily complex and inflexible.

Suggestions to developers: needs fixed IP address capability for IPv4 and IPv6 and NTP support as well as proper multi-band WiFi support. Prompt for initial time zone in the PROM setup, and then derive exact location. Have an option to display MAC address for WiFi interface.

If you guys need help with this, I’m reasonably priced and available. 🙂

by THE REAL LION

The WiFi connected well the first time I tried. It worked well the first week, then it stopped. I’ve been trying for several months to reconnect it to WiFi with no result. I have two other instant pots, so I only bought this because of the WiFi.
I’m very tech savvy, so I know it isn’t user’s error.
This WiFi version cost me more than the others because of the “smart” features. Without those features, it’s just like any ordinary instant pot.
So, I paid extra for a paper weight. I feel like a sucker. 🤦‍♂️

by Mrs Berdugo

Return that instant pot and save your money buying the cheap one like the first review said didn’t work since day one ! It’s so disappointing paying extra money for a device doesn’t work properly RemoteControl never found any device, I have Alexa too and donde work either didn’t returned because I already used it and with everything it’s happening right now with the covid 19 I preferred just accepted the fact they stoled my money!!! But when I saw someone have my same problem I was like no no no I have to back her up and tell ppl .

by SuneeSequim

Most of the recipes are really good - you just need to pay attention to the quantities. I sincerely believe some of the people submitting receipts do not test them first.
I have made some of the best soups in my IP. I tried artichokes the other night and will now always use my IP to cook them. The more I experiment with it the more successes I have had. Yay 🥳
RemoteControl is glitchy though, sometimes I can post a review, most often I see “server error “ after I’ve taken the time to leave a review. This still is an issue after trying to get IP Customer Service to fix it

by Andrews15r

RemoteControl really needs worked on. I shouldn’t have to constantly mess with my cooker before it connects in RemoteControl . Even when it’s on and running RemoteControl will say it’s off line and that happens even after messing with it until it connects and setting up my delay start.

by Parisandaddy

I have been using RemoteControl for about two mouths an you my surprise there have been no attempt to show the southern real way of cooking like fried cabbage with country ham or pig tails an turnip greens or even how to make ox tails in sherry with mushrooms. I enjoy the pot I have three but recipes should have add on sections an a place for the cook to add there own recipes. Thanks again for the product instapot but not all people eat the same give us all variety’s an jerk chicken should be sautéed first then pressure cooked not pressured then sautéed the seasoning is in the broth

by Bullwinny

RemoteControl works well enough with improvements needed: setup remote control over WiFi was relatively easy; love the delay start with two timer options; improvements are needed: no delay timer on Warmer; can’t stay on login with saved profile; have to re-sign; lost the connections to the Pot and have to download and reinstall RemoteControl to get it work again
In short RemoteControl works but need improvements

by Saxoplayer214

Although there could be things that could make it better, the support team reached out to me after my issue and pushed an update that fixed my notifications. I’m not sure how many reached out but it’s great they help and support their clientele!

by 15johnmayer

RemoteControl works extraordinary better than expected with instant pot. I was really worried about the reviews after purchasing the insta pot with wifi from BestBuy but maybe I got lucky because everything works as I hoped. I am able to start stop device remotely or use pre programmed options on RemoteControl . The notification is actually very helpful. There are a lot of small things like this that makes all the difference.

by Ev1brmo

I’d go with negative stars if I could. I’ve wasted WAY TOO MUCH TIME trying to connect this thing. I had it connected for a short time, can’t get it back. I love the instant pot, but this software is going to be uninstalled and forgotten about. Wish I hadn’t wasted the money or time in this useless feature and software.

*Update*
Still a joke. Apparently no attempts to make this expensive, nonfunctional option to the Instant Pot work. Just a headache and waste of time

by Business Traveler2017

Extremely confusing setup -
I am not a network or systems specialist. Doubt many out there are. I did succeed finally with one initial setup. However, once done, after a couple of weeks lost connection from iOS device and Insta Pot. And you get to start all over again. Still have not yet been able to connect - EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING. Support is as good as the WIFI connection - null.
I would recommend anyone considering this model of Insta Pot - do not spend the extra for the WIFI model. The company seems unprepared for the required technology (device and/or app) and unprepared to support either. I regret my purchase.

by DimeD420

The constant “Server error. Could not load device list”. issue appears to be resolved (and resolved fairly quickly). This has been a good app other than that. We’ll definitely continue to use. The Wi-Fi feature is very convenient.