Customer Reviews (500)

I love my bunny nibbler 🐇🐰😘 • 2025-03-14T17:10:52-07:00

Itsss ssoooo funnn!!!!!! I literally am 8 and I love it! He calls u and it’s so cute and it’s super fun! 🤩 I actually feel like u should buy this rn insted of scrolling tryna find reviews to help u. Critical reviews r fake. I have never ever had a glitch and the game is great! 👍 he can call u and everything. I only wish he would be like he can call u and when u open the device it says “missed call form Elmo” or something or it says “incoming call from Elmo!” Bc that would make it awesome! I definitely am playing this after the review. But sure, mayb no in app purchases? Bc u dont have to pay to watch Elmo ? Tyyy for ur time!!!

GandXMama • 2023-09-18T16:43:34-07:00

i call elmo but he show me his wiener 😊😊😊😊🤣🤣🤣

SwimmerZ6 • 2022-09-15T16:05:36-07:00

I like it just one thing I like to FaceTime calls better than the audio calls

Summary of Key Insights

The Elmo Calls app is generally well-received, particularly by parents of toddlers and young children. Its core strength lies in its ability to entertain and engage young children through simulated video and audio calls with the beloved Elmo character. The app's design, mimicking a FaceTime interface, is a significant draw. However, several recurring issues and feature requests emerge from the reviews. A significant portion of negative reviews revolve around technical glitches, particularly app crashes after iOS updates, and problems with in-app purchases (specifically, the "All Calls" pack failing to download). Many users also express frustration with the limited amount of content included in the initial purchase, pushing them towards further in-app purchases. The overall sentiment is positive, but these issues detract from the user experience.

Quantitative metrics:

  • Overall Rating (estimated): Approximately 4.2 stars (based on the score distribution).
  • Score Distribution:
    • 5-star: 53.4%
    • 4-star: 14.6%
    • 3-star: 8.8%
    • 2-star: 7%
    • 1-star: 16.2%

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: The reviews span a considerable period, from the app's initial release to more recent comments. This provides insight into the app's evolution and the impact of updates.
  • Analysis Methods:
    • Sentiment Analysis: Categorizing reviews as positive, negative, or neutral to gauge overall user satisfaction.
    • Keyword Extraction: Identifying frequently used words and phrases related to features, bugs, and user experience to pinpoint key areas of concern and interest.
    • Issue Categorization: Grouping similar complaints (e.g., app crashes, purchase problems) to prioritize fixes.

Key User Pain Points

  • App Crashing/Technical Issues: A significant number of users report app crashes, particularly after iOS updates. This is a major source of frustration, rendering the app unusable.
  • In-App Purchase Problems: Many users report issues with the "All Calls" pack failing to download after purchase, leading to financial dissatisfaction. Some users also report purchased content not transferring between devices.
  • Limited Free Content: Users often feel that the initial purchase provides insufficient content, pushing them to spend more on in-app purchases.
  • Repetitive Content: Even with additional call packs, some users find the content repetitive, leading to decreased engagement over time.
  • Scheduled Call Issues: Scheduled calls sometimes fail to trigger correctly or behave like notifications rather than actual calls.
  • Lack of Interactivity: Some users note that Elmo doesn't give children enough time to respond during calls, diminishing the interactive experience.
  • Sound issues: some users have reported having sound issues, particularly with video calls.

Frequently Requested Features

  • More Diverse Content: Users consistently request more calls, videos, and interactions to keep the app fresh and engaging. Adding more Sesame Street characters (e.g., Big Bird, Cookie Monster) is a popular suggestion.
  • Recurring Scheduled Calls: Users want the ability to schedule recurring calls (e.g., multiple times a day for potty training).
  • Birthday Call Feature: A personalized birthday call from Elmo is a frequently requested feature.
  • Ability to Record Interactions: Parents want to record their children's reactions to the Elmo calls.
  • Improved Security for Parent Section: Some users, especially those with older children, express concerns about the ease of accessing the parent section and making unauthorized purchases.
  • Landscape Mode for iPad: Users with iPads would like the app to support landscape mode.
  • Option to Call Elmo and Leave a Voicemail: This feature was suggested as a way to wind down playtime.
  • Option to Turn Off Home Screen Music: The music on the home screen can spoil the surprise of an incoming call.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Engaging for Young Children: The app is highly effective at capturing and maintaining the attention of toddlers and young children.
  • "FaceTime" Format: The simulated video call interface is a significant draw, as it mimics a familiar communication method.
  • Educational Value: The app can be used to reinforce positive habits and teach basic concepts like letters and numbers.
  • Calming Effect: The app can be helpful in calming upset or anxious children.
  • Easy to Use: The app is generally simple enough for young children to navigate with minimal assistance.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Fix App Crashing Issues: Address the root causes of app crashes, especially after iOS updates. Thorough testing should be conducted after each iOS release.
  • Resolve In-App Purchase Problems: Ensure that all purchased content downloads correctly and transfers seamlessly between devices. Implement a robust purchase restoration mechanism.
  • Address Sound Issues: Resolve the sound issues that some users are facing, particularly with video calls.

Medium Priority:

  • Increase Free Content: Offer a more substantial selection of free calls and videos to provide a better initial user experience.
  • Improve Content Variety: Regularly update the app with new calls, videos, and interactions to prevent content from becoming stale.
  • Enhance Scheduled Call Functionality: Fix the issues with scheduled calls and allow for recurring schedules.
  • Improve Parent Section Security: Implement stronger security measures to prevent unauthorized access to the parent section.

Low Priority:

  • Add Landscape Mode: Implement landscape mode for iPad users.
  • Implement Voicemail Feature: Add an option to call Elmo and leave a voicemail.
  • Option to Turn off Homescreen Music: Allow users to turn off the music on the home screen.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Interactive Children's App Platform: A platform offering customizable video call experiences with various characters and educational content.
  • AI-Powered Children's Entertainment: An app that uses AI to personalize interactions with virtual characters based on the child's age, interests, and responses.
  • Subscription-Based Children's Content Service: A service offering a curated selection of ad-free, educational apps and videos for children, with new content added regularly.

Trends and Observations

  • Impact of iOS Updates: App stability is significantly affected by iOS updates, indicating a need for proactive testing and updates.
  • Value for Money Concerns: Users are sensitive to the cost of in-app purchases, suggesting a need for transparent pricing and a compelling value proposition.
  • Positive Sentiment Despite Issues: Despite technical problems, users generally express positive sentiment towards the app's core concept and its ability to engage children.

Conclusion

The Elmo Calls app has a strong foundation and a dedicated user base. By addressing the identified technical issues, increasing content variety, and enhancing key features, the app can further improve user satisfaction and engagement. Prioritizing bug fixes and addressing in-app purchase problems is crucial for maintaining a positive reputation and encouraging continued use. Overall, the app is valuable for young children and parents, and with some key improvements, it can become even more successful.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/elmo-calls/id467703220?uo=2