SwannView Plus Reviews

by 574M839

There is no reason SwannViewPlus should be this bad when SwannViewPlus is being paired with some of the best cameras available in the market. SwannViewPlus has not been updated in almost 3 years (2013), and a lot has changed capability-wise in terms of app development. SwannViewPlus is very slow to load, and the performance is always inconsistent. Both of these problems will deter most from purchasing as these items tend to be purchased for peace of mind and ease of use, both of which SwannViewPlus negates.

I would love to see the functionality to adjust camera settings from SwannViewPlus be made available. The format should be redesigned to complement the many new available features of iOS 10. Also, once this has been updated, it would be nice to see a steady string of updates being made to address bugs and enhance performance based on feedback, which SwannViewPlus has not yet done. Maybe it would be best to consolidate the 10+ apps you have available on SwannViewPlus Store into one or two REALLY good apps.

Please update or risk losing market share as users toss this product in favor of something that actually caters to the overall user-experience.

by Marksman1122

The previous iteration of SwannViewPlus was slow, a bit clunky, and haven’t been updated since 2013, but at least it worked. I’d give the previous iteration 3 stars. I’m not sure if I’d even give this current one a single star, but alas I have to give it something. Remote playback doesn’t work, they left the same exact interface but changed the color on the camera list to a white background, then left the text white! You can see the camera names to determine which camera you’re selecting. Once you finally guess the correct camera, I can only get a dozen or so frames of the video to load, no matter what I do. Please fix SwannViewPlus!

by Dlecompte21

This is a sad update to SwannViewPlus. Finally works in iOS 11 is the only good part of the update. While viewing in landscape mode you can’t swipe left to see more cameras or click cameras on the right side of the screen to go to full screen, nothing lines up when using AirPlay, get memory errors often. Swann has know since 2015 that Apple no longer used 32bit apps and still missed a 2.5 year deadline by a week to update their app. Now that we have the update, it’s the same 3 year old app with a new icon in iOS. My guess is that since the old app was never updated everyone will just have to deal with this buggy unfinished app or go spend money on a system form another company. Swann please do a real update and add support for Apple TV to show your customers that you are at least attempting to support your products and not just letting them die after you sell them.

by JMBBBBBBO

I bought a pair of these cameras to use at my home. They were a decent price compared to the competitors. They were HD and could be viewed on mobile devices which is really what sold me. I installed them myself. Was not happy with the video software on tv. Very outdated and low quality menu screens.

After downloading SwannViewPlus I was completely dumbfounded. Every issue with the tv was the same with SwannViewPlus . Maybe worse. The videos take forever to load on your mobile device...sometimes they don't ever load. The quality is terrible and lots of lagging. You cannot playback from phone. At least it doesn't work on mine. The last time anything was updated was when it came out in 2013. It's not even 2013 quality. It's like 90s computer software. I checked out some other SwannView apps and they were all several years old also. Everything needs to be updated and modernized.

by Cammin46

How can SwannViewPlus be this bad?! I can’t even view my cameras remotely anymore. I have them hooked to my tv so I know they are working but SwannViewPlus is just terrible. Whoever is in charge of updating/running SwannViewPlus software needs to be let go. I’ve used other cameras in the past on previous homes (Revo) and I yes I had minor issues but they were easily corrected and SwannViewPlus actually worked all of the time. It can’t be that Swann doesn’t know their app is crap, the reviews all say the same thing. The setup was easy and the camera quality is great but it doesn’t do much good if you can’t watch them.

by Sfuller31

SwannViewPlus is fine if you just want to live view your system. Before the update today, it would only play back the first 5 seconds of a recording. Now, it absolutely does not play back recordings at all. My system is on a 10 Mbit connection and I am on a 20 Mbit connection at a remote location, so bandwidth is not an issue when I am trying to view a 480p camera. We have multiple Swann systems but have decided to start replacing them with UniFi cameras in the near future. The main thing we want to do is playback remotely, and Swann can't figure out how to do that apparently. Also, SwannViewPlus is never updated. It has been updated literally twice in over a year. The playback issue that they cite as fixed in the new update was a problem since the last update in SUMMER 2016.

by Triedit000001

Finally compatible with iOS 11. Only took 2 years for Swann to repackage a 3 year old app (since 32bit apps have been fazed out). There have been so many new key app features that have rolled out in that time, and Swann has not implemented any of them.

It comes to no surprise Swann likes to repackage. As the product sold is made by Hikvision. With a downgraded user app, in order to not compete. I’ve personally had to use Hikvision osX software to fix problems the Swann software could not.

And if you are looking for Apple TV support. Swann, has not yet provide it. When I have found third party software that does. But it doesn’t stop there, they made friendly one time setup and all devices (including Apple TV) sync and work. I have been able to make it work with Swann through manual setup, as they don’t support Swann for automatic setup.

Swann needs to take some time to analyze the potential the apps can have. And make them the best. Or they will have the reputation of being the slowest runner in the race. Because it doesn’t matter how new or high tech the hardware is, if the software/user controls are old and dusty.

by DucksoupSD

Down to one star (only because I can’t give a zero star review). An Apple iOS update causes this to give a -90 error and no cameras can be viewed. This has been going on for months and Swann doesn’t care. If you want 21st century security cameras that are viewable anywhere in the world over the internet, forget Swann!

Just updated to the new version and there are no names for the cameras, not even camera numbers. Just a column of check boxes for what you want to live stream. Good luck if you only remember the names. Two stars because the other stuff seems to work and I don't get the Apple nag that SwannViewPlus needs updating. Hey, Swann - part of software QA is actually trying it out before you release it. ☹️

by C2k4

I have had the Swann 1080p system for 6 months now. Their app is horrible, live view is just a still shot updated every 2 seconds, looked like everyone are robots and it always freezes, can't play back or record video either. They have not updated SwannViewPlus in 3 years, I downloaded the iVMS-4500 app which works way better. I called Swann and told them about it and that they should match that app, they said sorry there is nothing they will do about it. I am now switching to Lorax cameras, Swann you lost a customer who owned 3 of your systems and used to recommend you, but not any more, you ignore your customers and don't care to make an easy update to SwannViewPlus in which everyone is complaining about. Bye bye.

by JenniferKY

The camera system is great and we have no complaints there. However, SwannViewPlus has much room for improvement. We purchased the camera system because of SwannViewPlus and the ability to see live views and playbacks when not at home. It often takes a long time to load the live views. Sometimes all of the camera don't load and sometimes the playback feature gets stuck and doesn't work at all. We've only had the system for a week and I've had to delete and reinstall SwannViewPlus multiple times to fix the crashes and frozen/blank imagine issues. Please make SwannViewPlus more functional. It really would make the entire camera system amazing.

by Mmomega2

Just a dissapointment.
The camera system is so so, an 8 camera 1080 system, but only that - so so. The only way I interact with this system is by SwannViewPlus on my phone and SwannViewPlus on my computer, which is even worse than the phone app if you can imagine that.
I don't have a dedicated viewing monitor for the cameras, nor do I want one.
I just need/want an app for both of my uses .... they have them, they just need to actually care about making it good. Not even the best, just make it good. It isn't even close to good at the moment.
Anyone that asks I just recommend a different brand that I use at work now. Just frustrated that this is as bad as it is for the $$$ that you pay for it. Do more.

by Skymuscle83

SwannViewPlus finally works but it is very slow loading and it leaves a ton to be desired!! SwannViewPlus needs a complete overhaul to make it more user friendly!! We have 8 cameras in use but will be switching probably to nest or my security company will be installing all new stuff! I’m not happy with Swann. Even if I have to pay more, I rather get better service and a more user friendly app. SwannViewPlus will crash or sometimes the cameras just won’t work. You make enough money to completely overhaul all this! Yet you don’t? Why? To keep an edge over the competition you have to stay above the game. You aren’t at all!! I hope you guys wake up and start bringing people a better product!

by Lalalaurissa

We’ve had SwannViewPlus and camera system for close to 6 years and SwannViewPlus has only been updated once during that time. While the camera quality is great SwannViewPlus is absolutely terrible. Slow to load. Won’t show the camera names to know what you’re clicking on. My husband just got a new phone and the colors are distorted when using SwannViewPlus on his phone. If he changes camera settings to see the picture I can’t use SwannViewPlus on my phone. Currently our cameras won’t connect to SwannViewPlus and we have reset the system 4 times in 2 days. Save yourself a headache and look somewhere else for a better product.

by Coqui728

This seems to be a common issue with this company. It does not make sense to have many applications for security cameras. Other companies have one app for every product they sell. Regardless of the products’ functionality.

I’ve chatted with Swann’s Customer Service to report an issue with SwannViewPlus on iOS 14.2. When I open SwannViewPlus , it shows the logo then crashes. The support technician had me repeat my troubleshooting steps to no avail. The only solution given to me was to use my other iPhone that did not do the iOS update.

GREAT!!!!! Now they don’t want me to install the latest iOS updates. I am not sure how that is a solution to my issue. Knowing that Swann is a security company, they are recommending to NOT install the latest iOS update. Ummmmmm not installing updates is a security issue.

I’ve tried to contact the developers of SwannViewPlus and got nowhere.

*****I’ve went into SwannViewPlus Store and went into an area where it shows you the list of apps installed on your iPhone. There are two sections. 1. The list of apps waiting to be updated. 2. The list of apps that have their latest update. I DID NOT see SwannView Plus in the list of my apps. However, Swann still have it listed to download SwannViewPlus .

I will be more than happy to find another company for security cameras. Swann dropped the ball TOO many times with their customers.

by Tjboston5676

Has a good picture. Works well when on the same network. As soon as i leave home however and am on lte it is very slow almost 30 seconds delay and freezes a lot. Sometimes SwannViewPlus completely shuts down. Cannot zoom in on the image lije I could on my older swann system which worked fantastic nut wasn't hd. SwannViewPlus needs some serious work. It hasn't seen an update since 2013. I read about another app that I'm about to try though. Come on swann get with the times on SwannViewPlus.

by Chrisbarberous

I’ve been a swann user since 2014 after being robbed. Over the last 5 years there has been zero effort to make SwannViewPlus quicker or smoother. The video cuts in / out and does not stream smoothly for more than 15 seconds. Regardless of service strength. I have 90% positive things to say about you as a company. Product quality, customer service, but when it comes to remote access (THE FUTURE) y’all have clearly repeatedly encouraged your employees to ignore SwannViewPlus .

by Aaron_Runs

Bought 4 of their 1080p cameras over a year ago. I keep them displayed on a monitor 24/7, quality is amazing, software decent. But the phone app was absolutely atrocious, worse problem being roughly a 3 sec skip at a time on live view, which is pointless to watch. UI not great either. Finally an update today where the lag/skip on live view is fixed! Haven't really checked for other changes or improvements yet but clear live view is great!

by Dwlittle

So you say you can remotely view surveillance cameras on your app? This is a pathetic app and either needs to be updated or a "disclaimer" be included with these cameras Sams sells that says "don't expect to be able to remotely access your cameras from your apple device" (edit) thank you, thank you, thank you for updating SwannViewPlus ! My cameras now work remotely! I will now purchase these cameras for my house in addition to the cameras at my business.

by HeisenbergDxDp>H/2

I had no problems setting up SwannViewPlus and accessing my camera streams. Swann even lets one use their DDNS service for free for the most of us who don't have static IPs. For the person citing his 300mbps internet speed, perhaps your upload speed on the LAN with the cameras is your weak link? Setting up SwannViewPlus is about as easy as it can be, but nevertheless some basic networking knowledge is essential.

by KevinWebb22

My app worked fine for the last year. All of the sudden it no longer works. Tried everything. Reconfigured, reset, delete/reinstall, change settings, etc. I cannot get it to work anymore. I used SwannViewPlus daily so it is really bothering me that I don't have access like I used to.

UPDATE: SwannViewPlus is terrible. I have been getting notifications that SwannViewPlus would no longer work with newer versions of iOS. That day has now come and one of the primary reasons I purchased SwannViewPlus is no longer functioning. ZERO STARS.

UPDATE September 28, 2017:

App is working again! I have no complaints at this time as SwannViewPlus is functioning to my expectations. Hopefully Swan will pay closer attention to it this time and maintain and update it accordingly.

UPDATE October 1, 2017:

Can't slide through different camera frames. Double clicking on a camera does not make it full screen anymore. When changing phone position from portrait to landscape, the screen glitches and half the camera views get cut in half. Clearly SwannViewPlus developer is not a quality developer.