Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
User consensusAlternativesIs it worth it?
The verdict on

Smart Traveler

20
User verdict / 100 High confidence In trouble

The Smart Traveler app is currently experiencing significant functionality issues, with many users unable to log in or access critical travel information, despite its potential as a valuable safety resource.

⚠ Not updated in 34 months, this app may be abandoned
4.6★ lifetime (13,077) Free to download since 2011 by United States Department of State recent negative 79% 120 reviews across 4 regions
Login & Access Issues Outdated/Incorrect Info Poor Usability STEP Program Value
5★35
4★3
3★14
2★43
1★154
recent reviews across 4 regions, vs the 4.6★ lifetime average

The Smart Traveler app, designed to provide travel advisories and facilitate enrollment in the STEP program, is largely non-functional for many recent users. Issues include login failures, blank screens, and outdated or incorrect country information, severely hindering its utility as a travel safety tool.

What users like

  • Provides useful travel information and safety alerts when functionalR30R38R54R58
  • Enrollment in the STEP program offers peace of mind for travelers abroadR38R54R86R136
  • Some users find the app easy to use and comprehensive when it worksR140R149R167R176

What users complain about

  • Users frequently encounter login issues, blank screens, and inability to access the STEP programR1R2R3R4
  • Travel advisories and country-specific information are often outdated or incorrectR5R6R7R10
  • The app is not user-friendly, with difficulties in data entry, navigation, and overall interface designR1R4R24R37

Latest update · v2.3

What the developer says changed (the verdict above weighs this against what reviewers report):

Updated Twitter link to X

Recurring themes

Login & Access Issues negative
A pervasive problem where users cannot log into their accounts, access the STEP program, or encounter blank screens after attempting to sign in. This renders the core functionality unusable for many.R1R2R3R4
Outdated/Incorrect Info negative
Many reviews highlight that travel advisories, country-specific information, and safety ratings are not current, or worse, are incorrect (e.g., linking Austria to Australia, Israel to Iceland, or Morocco to Macau). This directly contradicts the app's purpose of providing reliable information. The developer notes for v2.3 mention only an 'Updated Twitter link to X', which does not address these critical data accuracy issues.R5R6R7R10
Poor Usability negative
Users find the app cumbersome, not mobile-friendly, difficult to navigate, and lacking basic features like saving traveler information or hyperlinked contact details. This makes the process of entering travel data or finding emergency contacts frustrating.R1R4R24R37
STEP Program Value positive
Despite the app's issues, many users recognize the inherent value and peace of mind provided by the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for safety and emergency alerts while abroad, assuming they can successfully enroll.R38R54R86R104

Who it's for

This app is intended for U.S. citizens traveling internationally who want to receive travel advisories and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to help the U.S. Embassy or Consulate contact them in an emergency R38R54R86. However, based on recent reviews, it is currently not recommended due to severe functionality issues.

Evidence note: The recent reviews are overwhelmingly negative, focusing on critical functionality failures like login issues and outdated information. While there are some positive reviews, they often acknowledge the app's potential or refer to past experiences, or are short, generic positive statements without specific details. The high recent-negative signal (0.791) strongly supports the current poor state of the app. The app's last update was 33.5 months ago, which aligns with the complaints about outdated information and lack of maintenance.

Frequently asked

Does the Smart Traveler app allow me to enroll in the STEP program?
While the Smart Traveler app is designed to allow enrollment in the STEP program, many recent users report that the STEP function does not work, often leading to blank screens or login failures R3R11R13R17.
Is the travel advisory information in the app up to date?
No, many recent reviews indicate that the travel advisory information in the app is often outdated, with some users citing information that is months or even years old, or incorrect country-specific data R10R21R25R27.
Are there issues with logging into the Smart Traveler app?
Yes, a significant number of users report issues with logging into the Smart Traveler app, frequently encountering blank screens, endless loading, or being blocked after multiple attempts R1R2R3R4.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R30] 3/5 · US Proceed with caution: This app was always a great resource when traveling. Unfortunately it no longer appears to be updated in a timely manner. I was looking to see what travel advisories were in place for a planned trip to Mexico in light of Feb 2026 unrest on the Pacific coast. The information was not current as the last update was August 2025.
  2. [R38] 5/5 · US Traveler with ease: It gives you peace of mind when you enroll where you travel 👌
  3. [R54] 5/5 · US If / THEN: If we’ve traveling overseas or just out of the US. Then we USE Smart Traveler. I recommend it and encourage you to as well. Just in case you need it, help IS available.
  4. [R58] 5/5 · US Smart Traveler 5 Star: Very informative and always with good updates on weather conditions and safety.
  5. [R86] 5/5 · US I feel safer….: registering my trips with STEP. If something major happens, I know someone will come looking for me!
  6. [R136] 5/5 · US Great service!: Thank you for making travel less about worry and more about safety!
  7. [R140] 5/5 · US Wonderful: This app is comprehensive and informative. Very easy to use! Covers religious info, lgbtq info, etc.
  8. [R149] 5/5 · US User friendly: Quick and easy, even to edit change of plans for a new hotel.
  9. [R167] 5/5 · US Hollywood: Great APP. Getting travel information quickly
  10. [R176] 5/5 · US All the info you’ll need…: Superb app for traveling to all countries. Great update!
  11. [R1] 2/5 · US The app is not mobile device friendly: The app is not really mobile device friendly. When trying to sign in the app hangs up. You have to go to the website on a computer to enter your travel info correctly. They need to make this more user friendly
  12. [R2] 1/5 · US Issue: Unable to login
  13. [R3] 1/5 · US Doesn’t work: Nothing loads and when you sign in it don’t load any account. Since they updated it won’t work proper any more.fix step account login please you can’t login you can’t save login or stay signed in
  14. [R4] 1/5 · US Worst app ever: This has possibly got to be the dumbest and worst app invented by our incompetent government. So, to set up an account they send you an email to confirm. Once you click that link, you are taken back to the same page for account set up which then sends you another email and so on into perpetuity. So, much for MAGA and DOGE. Also, if you offend them with your password, they won’t all
  15. [R5] 1/5 · US Morocco is not in China: Trying to look up information for Morocco and it links to information for Macau China… good use of tax dollars.
  16. [R6] 2/5 · US Some countries don’t have info: A few countries/areas lacked info and gave error messages when trying to open them. Some areas also didnt have travel ratings that should. Not including ratings on areas at war is a bit counterintuitive
  17. [R7] 1/5 · US What happened?: Not all countries have information. Some countries have information about other countries. Please be professional and care about what used to be a great App. It is no longer Smart Traveler but more like Whatever, you will find out when you get there. We know nothing or we just won’t tell you.
  18. [R10] 2/5 · US Very old updates: I use STEP for international travel, but very odd & disappointing to see updates 2-4 years old
  19. [R24] 1/5 · US Travel: This is the most difficult application I have ever used. It is not helpful at all.
  20. [R37] 1/5 · US Crashes: Crashes literally every 10 minutes, forces a change of password, requiring the most basic info several times. With this service; no way is the US government capable of monitoring your travels while abroad. This AP is a joke
  21. [R104] 5/5 · US Great: I am enrolled and happy as when in South Africa in January 2024 i received the alert of demonstrations and avoided the area.
  22. [R11] 1/5 · US Does not work: Multiple attempts to register for STEP through the app failed. Once logged in the app just goes blank. Good job USG!
  23. [R13] 1/5 · US Doesn’t work: Step doesn’t work
  24. [R17] 1/5 · US STEP not working.: One of the primary reasons for the app is the STEP application to tell the Consulate that I am in the country & to automatically get security alerts. STEP isn’t functioning now in the SMART system.
  25. [R21] 1/5 · US Out of date: This was last updated last year so is not helpful at all.
  26. [R25] 2/5 · US App is now deemed worthless: this app does not reflect the current state of affairs. Urgent travel restrictions have already been issued as per the state department listed here. The Smart Traveler app does not reflect this and the only country found to be a no travel consideration is Iran. This app and it’s developer should be considered liable for false information.. “Americans in Bahrain, Egyp
  27. [R27] 2/5 · US Update: Not updated in a timely manner. Today is 02/28/26 and still showing Jordan, United Arab Emirates, etc as “travel with increased caution”.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store