Customer Reviews (100)

BethAnn “Kipluck” Mayberry • 2025-03-08T19:36:59.130Z

I've tried, now, 4 or 5 apps in the search for the best widget. This one is the most disappointing, though, because I paid for the pro version and it doesn't work! The widget will not show on my phone. I've uninstalled, reinstalled, nothing. I also don't like the persistent notification at all. I wish I could turn that off. Regardless, with the widget not functioning, even after paying, it's not worth the storage space, so I'll be deleting it.

Nicole Blackford • 2025-02-26T10:54:52.815Z

Never had this app in my life and all of a sudden it's taking money from my bank account and I don't know how because it's set for a password to make purchases

Matthew Squires • 2025-02-24T19:49:11.113Z

Very good! My only suggestion for improvement would be a setting to track when it gets dark at night, so users can say "It'll be dark around 7, the moon will be out by 9". It would be helpful.

Summary of Key Insights

  • Overall, "Phases of the Moon Pro" is well-received, with many users appreciating its informative nature, aesthetically pleasing design, and useful features like the live wallpaper and widgets. However, there are significant issues, particularly regarding the reliability of the widget, live wallpaper functionality, location access requests, and customer support. Some users have also reported unexpected billing issues and desired feature enhancements. The app boasts a high percentage of 5-star reviews, but the 1-star reviews highlight critical functional problems that need addressing.
  • Strengths: Informative, visually appealing, useful widgets and live wallpaper (when functional).
  • Weaknesses: Widget and live wallpaper functionality issues, location access requirements, lack of customer support, occasional billing problems, inaccurate information, and outdated in-app information.
  • Overall Sentiment: Positive, but with significant pockets of frustration stemming from technical issues.
  • Quantitative Metrics:
    • Overall Rating: Based on the provided score distribution, the average rating is approximately 4.2 stars.
    • Score Distribution: 65% 5-star, 14% 4-star, 4% 3-star, 1% 2-star, 16% 1-star.

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 100 reviews.
  • Time Frame: Reviews span from 2014 to March 2024.
  • Analysis Methods: Sentiment analysis was conducted based on the star ratings and review text. Keyword extraction was used to identify common themes and issues raised by users.

Key User Pain Points

  • Widget Functionality: The widget not updating automatically or not appearing at all is a recurring issue, particularly among users who paid for the Pro version. This significantly impacts the app's utility.
  • Live Wallpaper Issues: Many users report that the live wallpaper feature no longer works, especially on newer phones or after updates. This is a major disappointment for those who specifically purchased the app for this functionality.
  • Location Access: Users express concerns about the app requiring location access, particularly when they only want to view moon data for a specific location and not have their location constantly tracked. The inability to manually set a location is a significant drawback.
  • Billing Issues: A concerning number of users report unexpected charges or unauthorized transactions related to the app, raising serious security and trust concerns.
  • Lack of Customer Support: Several reviews mention a lack of response from the developer when users encounter problems or have questions.
  • Inaccurate Information: Some users report inaccurate moon phase data or other information displayed by the app.
  • Outdated Information: The "What's New" section being outdated and the alerts window showing old events (2019) suggests a lack of maintenance.
  • Ads in Paid Version: Some users are experiencing ads in the paid version.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Manual Location Setting: Allowing users to manually enter a location (e.g., zip code) instead of relying solely on GPS.
  • Miles Option: Providing an option to display distances in miles instead of kilometers.
  • Moon Overhead/Underfoot Calculation: Displaying the time when the moon is at its highest and lowest points.
  • Countdown to Full/New Moon: Adding a countdown timer to upcoming lunar events.
  • Monday Start Calendar: Option to start the calendar view on Monday.
  • Transparent Widget: An option for a widget with a transparent dark side.
  • Eclipse Notifications: More accurate eclipse notifications.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Informative and Detailed: Users appreciate the wealth of information provided about the moon's phases, rise/set times, distance, and other data.
  • Visually Appealing: The 3D simulation and graphics are generally praised for their aesthetic quality.
  • Easy to Use: Many users find the app intuitive and easy to navigate.
  • Widget and Live Wallpaper (When Functional): The widget and live wallpaper are popular features that users find convenient and visually appealing.
  • Long-Term Use: Several users have been using the app for many years, indicating a degree of loyalty and satisfaction (when it works).
  • No Ads (For Paid Users): Some users appreciate the ad-free experience in the Pro version (when the paid version is functioning correctly).

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Fix Widget and Live Wallpaper Functionality (Critical): Investigate and resolve the issues causing the widget and live wallpaper to malfunction, especially on newer devices and after updates. This is a core feature for many users.
  • Address Billing Issues (Critical): Investigate and resolve the reports of unauthorized charges. This is a major trust issue that needs immediate attention.
  • Improve Customer Support (Critical): Respond to user inquiries and provide timely assistance with technical issues.
  • Implement Manual Location Setting (High): Allow users to manually enter their location to avoid the need for constant GPS tracking.

Medium Priority:

  • Update "What's New" and Alerts (Medium): Keep the app's information current and remove outdated data.
  • Add Miles Option (Medium): Provide an option to display distances in miles.
  • Moon Overhead/Underfoot Calculation (Medium): Include a calculation for when the moon is at its highest and lowest points.
  • Monday Start Calendar (Medium): Provide an option to start the calendar view on Monday.
  • Fix Ads in Paid Version: Ensure there are no ads in the paid version of the app.

Low Priority:

  • Transparent Widget: Consider adding an option for a widget with a transparent dark side.
  • Countdown to Full/New Moon: Adding a countdown timer to upcoming lunar events.
  • Eclipse Notifications: Improve eclipse notifications.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Hyper-Local Lunar Data App: An app that provides highly accurate and localized lunar data, specifically tailored to activities like fishing, gardening, or astronomy, with advanced features like overhead/underfoot calculations and personalized notifications.
  • Privacy-Focused Astronomy App: An astronomy app that prioritizes user privacy by allowing manual location input and minimizing data collection.
  • Subscription-Based Astronomy Education App: A subscription app that provides in-depth information about celestial events, constellations, and astronomical phenomena, with interactive simulations and educational content.
  • Widget Customization Platform: A platform that allows users to create highly customizable widgets for various astronomy-related data, including moon phases, sunrise/sunset times, and weather conditions.

Trends and Observations

  • Recurring Technical Issues: The same technical issues (widget, wallpaper) are reported across multiple reviews spanning several years, indicating a persistent problem that hasn't been adequately addressed.
  • Frustration with Location Access: Users are increasingly concerned about privacy and data collection, highlighting the need for alternative solutions to location-based features.
  • Demand for Specific Features: There's a consistent demand for features tailored to specific activities, such as fishing and gardening.
  • Negative Impact of Bugs on Paid Users: Paid users are particularly vocal about their dissatisfaction when they encounter bugs or missing features, emphasizing the importance of quality assurance for paid apps.

Conclusion

"Phases of the Moon Pro" has the potential to be a top-tier app in its category, but it's currently being held back by persistent technical issues and a lack of responsiveness to user feedback. Addressing the high-priority issues related to widget functionality, billing, customer support, and location access is crucial for retaining existing users and attracting new ones. By focusing on reliability, privacy, and user experience, the developers can solidify the app's position as a leading moon phase tracker. The high percentage of 5-star reviews indicates a strong foundation, but the 1-star reviews serve as a critical reminder of the areas that need immediate improvement.

Original App Link

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.universetoday.moon.phases