OpenClaw launches iOS and Android apps — but early reviews are critical

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OpenClaw has launched iOS and Android companion apps

Users can remotely control their self-hosted AI agents

Initial reviews say the apps could do with a bit of refinement

OpenClaw has released its first official mobile apps, giving users an alternative to earlier reliance on messaging platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp.

Importantly, the iOS and Android apps act as companions to an existing OpenClaw installation rather than standalone assistants, much like the Codex controller OpenAI has embedded into the ChatGPT app.

The apps connect to a self-hosted OpenClaw Gateway running on their own hardware, rather than in OpenClaw's cloud, which has been key to the startup's success.

OpenClaw now available for mobile

OpenClaw described three core functionalities for the mobile apps: "native mobile apps, finally; agents in your pocket; and channels, tasks, replies on the go."

Users will be able to receive and approve actions requested by the AI remotely, and get status updates for ongoing workflows. Remote action triggering and managing are also available.

The AI agent gained popularity due to its local-first stance, allowing users to control their own Gateway and ultimately reduce their reliance on Big Tech and insecure cloud.

But while the tool itself proved a hit, selling out Mac minis across multiple regions after users scrambled to buy cost-effective hardware to run the agent, its mobile app has been a bit more of a flop, at least to begin with.

Its Android version in particular has attracted criticism over its poor interface and usability – cosmetic niggles that don't detract from its core functionality.

9to5Google reports many initial reviews are mostly negative, with the app currently on a 2.2 star rating, amid multiple reports of the app being buggy, with users calling it “unusable,” unable to pair, and “the worst app I’ve ever used in my entire life.”

The apps were notably published by the OpenClaw Foundation – an open-source project that OpenAI now supports following its hiring of OpenClaw founder Peter Steinberger, who stressed the project would remain "open and independent."