healow
Healow is a highly polarizing app, with many users finding it easy to use and convenient for managing healthcare, while an equally significant number report persistent issues with navigation, functionality, and communication features, often preferring alternative platforms.
Healow is a free medical app designed to help users manage their healthcare, including appointments, prescriptions, and communication with providers. While some users praise its ease of use and convenience, a substantial portion of recent reviews highlight significant difficulties with navigation, login issues, and unreliable messaging, leading to frustration and a preference for other platforms.
What users like
What users complain about
- Frequent login and password creation issues, including inactive buttons and infinite loading screensR2R30R90R98
- Difficult and confusing user interface, especially for seniors and those with disabilitiesR1R5R8R12
- Messaging and communication features are unreliable or non-functional, with messages not sending or disappearingR18R22R66R97
- Inability to update or edit personal information, medications, or pharmacy detailsR25R53R61R136
- App is glitchy, crashes frequently, or gets stuck in loading loopsR9R11R41R83
- Concerns about data privacy and the app saving payment information without consent or an option to remove itR24R52R72
- Lack of essential features compared to competing apps like MyChart, such as attaching documents or better medication trackingR40R57R79R81
- Difficulty finding specific information like lab results or adding multiple practices/providersR1R20R35R59
Latest update · v7.6.4
What the developer says changed (the verdict above weighs this against what reviewers report):
This release includes improvements and bug fixes to enhance your overall experience with the healow app
Recurring themes
Who it's for
Healow is for patients who need a free app to manage their healthcare and find its interface intuitive, particularly if their provider actively supports its use and they primarily need to view information or make basic requests R3R6R13R14. It is not for users who expect advanced features like document attachment, seamless integration with other health platforms, or reliable two-way communication, nor is it suitable for those who struggle with complex interfaces or have privacy concerns about payment information R12R18R24R40.
Evidence note: The recent reviews show a strong negative sentiment, with many users reporting similar issues across different functionalities. While there are positive reviews, they are often general praise for ease of use without specific details, making the negative points more actionable. The developer's notes are vague and do not address the specific, recurring bugs reported by users.
Frequently asked
Is Healow easy to use?
Can I communicate with my doctor through Healow?
Does Healow save my payment information?
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.
- [R3] Patient: This app works it’s easy to use !
- [R6] App: Really like this app and use it a lot
- [R13] Very helpful!: Thanks for creating an app that is simple, easy to navigate and covers all the bases. Of all the apps I’m obligated to use in this crazy tech world, this is by far the best!
- [R14] So easy to use!: I found it very easy and convenient
- [R51] So convenient: I love this app. It makes communicating with my health care provider about minor issues so much easier. My medical history is also right at my fingertips. User friendly and I love the layout. 10/10.
- [R70] Best way for you and your doctor to know you: Love knowing my tests, and all my medications
- [R80] Simplifying access and communications: I’ve been using the app regularly for a variety of interactions such as reviewing test results, visit summaries to requesting medication refills. It’s been helpful having pertinent information in one location.
- [R93] Review of test results: It is very helpful to get timely results on bloodwork. I am able to study the results, compare with past tests, and have questions ready for my next medical appointment. Quite informative
- [R110] Plz add emoji’s: I LOVE this app. It is so organized, amazing way to message my doctors, great way to make appointments, and an efficient way to view labs. The only reason why there is not a 5 star is because when messaging my provider, I can’t use Emoji’s. I understand it’s not a huge deal, but in texting you cannot tell someone’s tone of voice. You can when you use emojis. Please add emojis.
- [R4] Nice new system: I find using the App is so much easier than the old Patient Portal. That became frustrating and required many visit to the front desk to get into it. Rosanne recently helped me with this new app and I appreciated that so much. You people are Great!
- [R2] I am unable to create a password: I am on the phone right now and the person is unable to help me with my request.
- [R30] Unable to save password: The “confirm” and “save” buttons are inactive when I try to save my password at the end of the sign up process. As a result, I am unable to create an account. Update: after writing this review, I read some early reviews and saw that someone else raised this exact same issue over six months ago and the developer responded saying they would address it. Obviously they haven
- [R90] Loading forever on Validate Portal User: Title. I’m a new patient on this platform, and I got a login from my practice. I successfully enter the OTP from my phone number, and the next screen is “Validate Portal User” and it gets stuck infinitely loading. I cannot login as a result. Please fix!!
- [R98] Tired of trying to log in: Terrible customer service
- [R1] Needs Instructions: No instructions on selecting provider or Facility. Has you scroll through hundreds of names with no way to select. Name of provider stated Psu. What is that? Md’s office said to go to help on the website which is a Bot!
- [R5] Grrrr: I hate this app. Unlike my fabulous doctor, this app is hard to use and frustrating beyond belief.
- [R8] Poor design: App runs on iPhone. Seniors use iPads. Font design color and size hard to read not very useful
- [R12] Review: This app is WAY too complicated for the average patient to use! I am a tech professional and I am totally frustrated!
- [R18] Nonfunctional app: I’ve used several other medical apps but this one simply doesn’t work. Communication is one way. Can’t respond to messages. Information is impossible to find. Better off just calling the doctors office for why your needs are. I’ve given up and will be deleting the app entirely. The web based portal is even worse. Not sure why anyone would use this in their practice.
- [R22] Communication: You can never get ahold of a person , trying to get prescriptions refilled is a chore the website doesn’t send them forward so you call and nothing
- [R66] Healow app: Sending messsged to My provider doesn’t work !!
- [R97] Communication: None what so ever
- [R25] Not User Friendly: Required me to input surgeries and hospitalizations that it already had but didn’t display until after my inputs. Duplicate meds and lots of expired meds. The list of meds doesn’t come close to matching the records in the doctor’s office.
- [R53] Medication Updates: Edit functionality isn’t available - pattern can’t perform self-service updates.
- [R61] Cannot update info: Cannot update medications, add an updated pharmacy and so on.
- [R136] Not easy to use: I tried to update my personal info as phone number and email address and can’t locate a “edit” button. Frustrating.
- [R9] Drops Out: Kept on kicking me out. Couldn’t update Rx info. Doesn’t show taking/not taking.
- [R11] Service: Call problems
- [R41] Glitchy app: This app is glitchy and kept kicking me out of it while I was in the process of completing my intake forms.
- [R83] Nonstop Loading: I wish my doctors office would switch to MyChart this app is so frustrating. Even after updating the app, no matter what I click in it, nonstop loading. Totally infuriating I can’t get to my results, visit summary, nothing. Nonstop loading.
- [R24] No feedback option: I’m not sure if this review applies to the app or the web portal I use on my PC. There doesn’t seem to be an easy way to provide feedback to the developers or ask questions. Additionally, it stored my payment information against my wishes and does not provide a way to remove the card. Electronic healthcare systems are the most vulnerable to data breaches so I don’t want my CC i
- [R52] Zero privacy, data sold to advertisers and AI: Why is this App free? Because you have given up the right to protect your sensitive medical information for marketing. Take the time to read through their waivers. Remember, HIPPA is null and void once you agree to data sharing.
- [R72] Protect Yourself!: Last year I used this app to communicate with my doctors office and pay my bill. When I had completed making a payment, I noticed a pop-up that said they had saved my debit card information. There was no question as to whether I wanted that, and there was also no option to remove it. I went through all the channels of customer service to get it removed and after repeated emails
- [R40] This app is not user friendly: The app doesn't communicate with MyChart.... why not, how stupid.
- [R57] Needs Improvement: It’s not Epic MyChart for sure but it gets most of the job done
- [R79] Need: The app need more features
- [R81] NO WAY TO ATTACH DOCUMENTS: Currently in GENERAL MESSAGES the app is lacking the ability to attach a document in any form. Would be nice when a doctor needs a document ASAP and you don’t have a fax machine. I use EPIC MYCHART and it allows such a function.
- [R20] James McMahan: I already have one practice on this app. Can I and how do you add a second, different practice?
- [R35] Navigation difficulties: There is no category called “Lab results” or X-ray results. Eventually you might stumble into it but only if you go through the records functions. Suggestion: make a selection called Lab Results. It’s not that tough.
- [R59] How to add new MD: I can’t figure out how to add a new physician (a specialist) to my Healow account. Everything else is great.
- [R37] Consistently unable to access health records: I am able to login but then can never get anywhere else in the app. I constantly get message that it is unable to access my health records at this time.
- [R15] Useless: This app is useless. The office never answers or called you back either. Don’t bother
- [R27] Needs data sharing and modernization: I want the data from my doctor in apple health. App needs to be spruced up.
- [R63] Worst Medical App I’ve experienced: This is the worst medical management app I have experienced, and I have used many. My kids’ pediatrician’s office uses it, and because I am not a patient, my oldest child has to be the primary account holder, with my other child’s account linked to his - I cannot have my own account with my minor children attached. The interface is also a pain to use. Also, if I
- [R78] Difficulty getting responses: Im having trouble getting responses for medication refills i.e Belsomra
Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store