Review Insights · App Store
Jump Desktop (RDP, VNC, Fluid)
Phase Five Systems · 1,646 ratings · ★ 4.5
4.5
★★★★★
1,646 ratings
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Top complaints - extracted from 43 negative reviews
Recurring phrases mined from 1-2★ reviews. The bigger the percentage, the more users have the same problem. Fix the top 2-3 in your version and you have product-market fit on day one.
1
"work"
13 negative reviews mention this · 30% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Latest update for Mac screws over loyal users. I went to launch Jump Desktop on my Intel Mac only to be greeted by a popup that they have switched over to Metal which requires me to now go in and manually download an older version of Jump Desktop from their website. Upon doing this, it …" - Kawinc
2
"works"
12 negative reviews mention this · 28% of all complaints
★★★★★ "No Linux support. The only reason I purchased this app was because they claim it works with Ubuntu. It does not. The app doesn’t not connect to Ubuntu 24.04 LST using remote desktop settings and when you try to download the Linux version of Jump desktop for …" - jsquare
3
"jump"
11 negative reviews mention this · 26% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Missing Modern Linux Support. Jump used to be my go-to Remote Desktop app, however development seems to be stalled and the app is lacking support for modern key types and Gnome Remote Desktop." - Zeta-Zeta
4
"connect"
11 negative reviews mention this · 26% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Way more complicated that it seems to be worth. I was trying to connect my ipad and Mac Neo to my Mac Mini 4 but i kept going in circles. If i cant figure this in another day I will just ask for a refund. Also not a lot of instruction on YT either. Ugh!" - Dad in LA
5
"ipad"
10 negative reviews mention this · 23% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Way more complicated that it seems to be worth. I was trying to connect my ipad and Mac Neo to my Mac Mini 4 but i kept going in circles. If i cant figure this in another day I will just ask for a refund. Also not a lot of instruction on YT either. Ugh!" - Dad in LA
6
"does"
10 negative reviews mention this · 23% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Needs update. Icon doesn’t match on iOS or macOS dev needs to update them" - LSDMTHC734
7
"doesn"
9 negative reviews mention this · 21% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Needs update. Icon doesn’t match on iOS or macOS dev needs to update them" - LSDMTHC734
8
"windows"
9 negative reviews mention this · 21% of all complaints
★★★★★ "No Linux support. The only reason I purchased this app was because they claim it works with Ubuntu. It does not. The app doesn’t not connect to Ubuntu 24.04 LST using remote desktop settings and when you try to download the Linux version of Jump desktop for …" - jsquare
9
"remote"
8 negative reviews mention this · 19% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Missing Modern Linux Support. Jump used to be my go-to Remote Desktop app, however development seems to be stalled and the app is lacking support for modern key types and Gnome Remote Desktop." - Zeta-Zeta
10
"desktop"
8 negative reviews mention this · 19% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Missing Modern Linux Support. Jump used to be my go-to Remote Desktop app, however development seems to be stalled and the app is lacking support for modern key types and Gnome Remote Desktop." - Zeta-Zeta
11
"computer"
8 negative reviews mention this · 19% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Latest update for Mac screws over loyal users. I went to launch Jump Desktop on my Intel Mac only to be greeted by a popup that they have switched over to Metal which requires me to now go in and manually download an older version of Jump Desktop from their website. Upon doing this, it …" - Kawinc
12
"been"
7 negative reviews mention this · 16% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Latest update for Mac screws over loyal users. I went to launch Jump Desktop on my Intel Mac only to be greeted by a popup that they have switched over to Metal which requires me to now go in and manually download an older version of Jump Desktop from their website. Upon doing this, it …" - Kawinc
📋 All 43 negative reviews
Every 1-2★ review we fetched. Use the copy button to grab them all for your own analysis (paste into ChatGPT/Claude with a prompt like "summarize core user problems, group by theme, ignore bugs, focus on missing features").
Needs update
Icon doesn’t match on iOS or macOS dev needs to update them
Missing Modern Linux Support
Jump used to be my go-to Remote Desktop app, however development seems to be stalled and the app is lacking support for modern key types and Gnome Remote Desktop.
Way more complicated that it seems to be worth
I was trying to connect my ipad and Mac Neo to my Mac Mini 4 but i kept going in circles. If i cant figure this in another day I will just ask for a refund. Also not a lot of instruction on YT either. Ugh!
Latest update for Mac screws over loyal users
I went to launch Jump Desktop on my Intel Mac only to be greeted by a popup that they have switched over to Metal which requires me to now go in and manually download an older version of Jump Desktop from their website. Upon doing this, it asks you for your password 20x over and over and over and over again and when it finally loads it tells you that you need a Teams account or to purchase a new license? What? I’ve used Jump since it was first created and now you want me to purchase another license? And why was this change made when you KNEW what kind of experience it would provide for users on older hardware? This is where you start to see red flags with companies - when you can make changes like this and say screw our loyal customers that have been with us from the beginning they’ll figure it out or get over it - that’s a dangerous mindset. When trying to go around this and use Jump desktop on my iPad, it shows the computer online, but then when you try to connect to it you’re shown a popup saying its offline. Even after I’ve changed the settings to wake on network connection, etc. Jump still fails to connect. I miss the good ole’ days when Jump was useful and did what it advertised. Someone needs to have an Jobs/MobileMe conversation with the software team.
No Linux support
The only reason I purchased this app was because they claim it works with Ubuntu. It does not. The app doesn’t not connect to Ubuntu 24.04 LST using remote desktop settings and when you try to download the Linux version of Jump desktop for web from their site, it just take you in a loop. If it works on mac or windows use one of the better and free apps out there. this is garbage and I want a refund.
не работает мышь на iphone
Мышь блютуз на iphone 13 не работает(
толку от покупки, если windows app такие же функции имеет и бесрлатно
толку от покупки, если windows app такие же функции имеет и бесрлатно
Battery Drain
App Hasn’t been updated in years. the battery drain is abysmal and not sustainable for good performance.
Useless! Won’t connect to desktop
I can connect to my desktop using a browser, but the Jump app will not connect. I wrote to the developer and never got a reply. Don’t waste your money on this!
Useful. But a battery killer
Very useful app. Works well enough. But absolutely demolishes my phone battery. Log in to a computer for a quick check, close app and it continues to eat my battery. Any day I use it (regardless how long) it is always the highest battery consumption app - and it’s not even close. Need to remember to force quit always.
Cannot get it to connect to my MacBook
Doesn’t seem to be able to connect to my MacBook. This app hasn’t been updated in over 2 years. Definitely a questionable purchase at this point.
Does not work on Linux
Cannot connect from iPhone to Linux with this app
no longer works properly
doesn’t show the saved connections
Does not play well with Windows 11
It worked fine with my Windows 10 machine but not with Windows 11. My Dell Laptop Windows 11 machine requires a 6 digit numeric PIN. JUMP only works with an alphanumeric password.
Windows 11 doesn’t work
This app is great, but I recently updated my computer to windows 11 and this app no longer works. It looks like it has been a few years since it was last updated and I don’t think it is compatible with Windows 11.
Doesn’t work when you need it
This app is totally useless. I check it’s working when I am home but when I am away from home, I always get the the message “Computer is off line”
Severe battery drain
App is drastically reducing iPhone battery life while running in background.
Don’t Trust This
Less than 12 hours after I installed jump, someone broke into my bank account. I wouldn’t trust this app. You’ve been warned.
Don’t buy
So laggy it was un-usable even on a local network between a brand new MBP and iPad Pro.
Use at your own risk!
I recently discovered that Jump Desktop had been running on my system without any clear indication or alerts during active remote sessions. Someone was able to remotely access my computer without my consent or knowledge, and there were no visible notifications, no connection prompts, and no logs easily accessible for auditing. This level of stealth is unacceptable for software that has the potential to fully control a device.
Even after uninstalling, I had to manually verify that all services and residual files were gone because these instances continued to happen. If you’re looking for secure remote access, I strongly advise something like Chrome Remote Desktop as it is much faster and it's free. Software like this needs far stronger transparency and user-side visibility when sessions are active.
Even after uninstalling, I had to manually verify that all services and residual files were gone because these instances continued to happen. If you’re looking for secure remote access, I strongly advise something like Chrome Remote Desktop as it is much faster and it's free. Software like this needs far stronger transparency and user-side visibility when sessions are active.
Extremely outdated
Tried it for 30 seconds, looks like it was made for the OG iPad, and can’t get a refund.
Great software if you only want half of the screen
While the software connects and works great, for some reason it likes to only give you half the screen. It is like watching a widescreen movie on a full screen tv, 1/4 of the screen at top and bottom are black, so you get half the screen to work with. It is supposed to change the resolution to match the iPad, and sometimes it does, most of the time it does not. So if wanting to connect to work on something quickly, I have to close the software, reopen and reconnect, sometimes, 2-10 times before it will finally switch the resolution so I can have a full screen.
Not working for RDP when Windows app is working fine
Title says it all windows app is working fine but jump desk is not same configuration. I tripled checked
Don’t Buy Just for RDP
I bought this app because I needed a Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) client app which allows me to set the RDP network quality setting, which is important to get proper performance when connecting to xrdp-based RDP hosts.
This relatively expensive app, which advertises RDP as its first protocol (in its name) does not offer this setting.
As the app didn’t meet my needs, I requested a refund from Apple, which was denied, and the subsequent appeal was denied too for whatever reason.
Since I’m now stuck with this app which does not provide the RDP feature I need, I’m leaving this review so that others who are in the same boat may find this before buying and maybe getting stuck with it.
This relatively expensive app, which advertises RDP as its first protocol (in its name) does not offer this setting.
As the app didn’t meet my needs, I requested a refund from Apple, which was denied, and the subsequent appeal was denied too for whatever reason.
Since I’m now stuck with this app which does not provide the RDP feature I need, I’m leaving this review so that others who are in the same boat may find this before buying and maybe getting stuck with it.
Horrible.
I was able to connect to my MacBook Pro M1 Max for about five seconds…then I went back to the login screen on the laptop. Then I was able to log in for about five seconds…then it kicked me back to the login screen on the MacBook. It does not work. Period. A total waste of my $15.
No updates for 7 months. go figure
works but still laggy often. No updates. Wish it is as good as parsec on a desktop pc.
Simply doesn’t work
Paid for this app and it never works. Don’t waste your money. There are alternatives that are better
No streaming audio
App works well for Remote Desktop but steaming audio does not work.
3 dots in the middle of the screen remain
Developer refuses to update the look or functionality of the software. Screens is a much better experience but 1. It is difficult to get it to connect and 2. When it does, there is no sound. I always try Screens first though.
Won’t connect
Bought new laptop and cannot get This app to connect with my iPad. The previous laptop worked fine with iPad. Followed the instructions and nothing.
Had issues with in the past with this, now coming back hoping it improved and still disappointed
Windows login issues, VNC issues in VM’s, quality of life clipboard inconsistencies, Please fix the app!
Worthless
Remotix is a way better app. This was slow and unusable. I attempted to get a refund but was denied. Not sure how this App Store works if I have to buy an app to try it and then can’t get refunded. This app did not work well at all. Download Remotix instead.
Not good for Apple Pencil
Legitimately always thinks you’re trying to drag. Unless you’re so good at tapping with the Apple Pencil without moving it 4 pixels, don’t bother
And don’t even get me started on how it requires a windows “password” with instructions that don’t work on windows 11 so you have to use ask every time.
And don’t even get me started on how it requires a windows “password” with instructions that don’t work on windows 11 so you have to use ask every time.
Beware of huge battery drain running in background!
The app itself works very well to connect to my remote devices. Sadly however I just discovered what appears to be a major bug / issue with this app and wanted to potentially warn others. Used it Wednesday night to remote into my computer and then didn’t open it again. Thursday and Friday my phone’s battery was getting zapped (with little use). Finally checked my battery page Friday at 1PM, and discovered “Jump” had used up 31% of my battery since the morning! Also on Thursday it used 55% of my battery. All of this drain was with 0 on screen time and only from “running” in the background. I checked settings and there’s no option to disable background app refresh, so it appears the only current “fix” is to force close the app immediately when you’re finished using it. Quite disappointing to have to overthink using this app that it’ll zap your battery if you’re not aware of this issue.
Better than the rest but still not good for iPad
This has some good functionality for iPad, but it needs a mode that truly captures how the native iPad gestures work. You can pick between a touchscreen interface, or an interface that allows pinch to zoom gestures, but not both. Extremely mediocre but better than Windows RDP. Not worth $15, but now I know why they don’t offer a free trial, probably no one would buy it if they saw this limitation up front
Great idea but……
This is a great idea. But if it doesn’t work right off the bat (and it did not for me) you are up the proverbial creek without a paddle. Customer service is by email only and, if you have ever tried to solve a problem when each question and answer sequence takes many hours to complete, you know that solving a problem like that very unlikely. IYKYK.
Crash on VPN drag-and-drop
BUYER BEWARE, LAST UPDATE 2 YEARS AGO. Bought this to VPN into my local Mac from my iPad. Every time I drag-and-drop the connection crashes. Found one or two posts out there acknowledging the problem but the developer does not seem to prioritize this in any way (again, last update 2+ years ago). Clearly does not do one of the things it says in the description. Will be requesting a refund.
Would Love to See AVP Fixes
I have been trying to find an ideal way to remote into my Windows PC. This has more flexibility that the Windows (rpd) app, but is also not optimized for the AVP unfortunately. The multi-screen option is DOA because it letterboxes all screens to the aspect ratio of an “iPad”, making them hard to see. I hoped I could launch multiple connections to the same computer, but it seems not, a second connection disconnects the first. My magictrackpad works nominally, but still can only do cursor + two finger scroll. Pinching zooms on the rdp client, not the host regardless of input mode. I cannot get any other multi-touch input gestures working. They work with the trackpad connected directly to the PC and I hoped this would pass that through better than alternatives. I will definitely re-visit this app if improvements are made for the AVP. Very close to what I need.
Can’t sign in
I used google to create my account and the app won’t let me sign in through google. It defaults back to the log in page without signing me in
Unable to use effectively on AVP
Can't use Jump on Apple Vision Pro due to a constant "Jump Pasted from" message covering the screen every time I look away then back. I have submitted a support request for their product team to fix ASAP, and I will update this review if this show-stopper problem is fixed.
Themed icon support
Needs Themed icon support for tinted and dark mode icons.
No wol.
Doesn’t have the capability to wake your computer from sleep. what did I pay $15 for? It’s great that you can access your PC from your tablet, and it doesn’t look horrible when you do, but in order for you to enjoy the functionality, you have to keep your computer on 24/7 even if you’re unsure whether or not, you will use the PC that day remotely. It blows my mind that they haven’t set up some rudimentary wake on LAN capabilities.
Two finger scroll is unrealistically slow
VNC to MacOS. Drag the finger from top of the screen to bottom, the window only scrolls 1 cm.
How come this buggy software is on shelf for years without anyone fixing the obvious bug?
How come this buggy software is on shelf for years without anyone fixing the obvious bug?
Lacks VisionOS native app
I have not seen recent plans for the VisionOS app. I am a frequent user of Jump and have ipad-enabled app installed on my Vision but it acts more like a band-aid. Cursor does not reach totality of both sides preventing me to use the side tab bars/stage manager of the remote device.Also trackpad gestures with the Magic Trackpad do not seem to work in any mode. Only slide down or up and click, no multi-finger gestures as accostumed with a regular ipad or iOS device. Would love to hear an update on progress so I can increase my rating.
Sentiment summary
87%
Positive (4-5★)
3%
Neutral (3★)
9%
Negative (1-2★)