Openclaw's rocky AI debut: Praise for iOS, frustration on Android

Openclaw, an AI assistant, launched in November 2025. Its early reception was mixed, with users reporting significant problems. The app quickly gained attention for both its features and its flaws. The initial release of Openclaw included apps for iOS and Android. The iOS version was praised for its polished and organised design. In contrast, the Android app faced criticism from 9to5Google for its poorly designed interface and missing features.

The app struggled at first, earning a 2.2-star rating shortly after launch. Users described it as 'unusable' and called it 'the worst app I’ve ever tried.' Common complaints included connection issues and instability.

Openclaw allows users to chat, hold voice conversations, and delegate tasks. With permission, it can access the camera, screen, photo gallery, contacts, calendar, and reminders. Peter Steinberger, the creator, has since joined OpenAI.

A major update later introduced dedicated apps for both platforms. However, the Android version continued to lag behind its iOS counterpart in functionality and user experience. Openclaw has evolved since its troubled launch. The major update addressed some concerns, but the Android app still falls short of the iOS version. Users now have more ways to interact with the assistant, though early reviews highlighted persistent issues.