POLARIE U 1.2.4

Vixen Co.,Ltd. ❘ Freeware ❘
iOS

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POLARIE U — Simple companion app for Vixen’s POLARIE U star tracker

Elena Angelini

07/20/2026

POLARIE U is a lightweight companion app from Vixen that controls the POLARIE U star tracker (camera shutter control, shoot-move-shoot timelapse, adjustable rotation speeds, bracketed imaging and night-vision UI) and supports multiple languages, though a few users report occasional Bluetooth/connection issues on newer iPhones.

The POLARIE U app serves as the dedicated companion for the POLARIE U star tracker from Vixen. It simplifies night-sky photography by providing robust control over the tracker while enabling higher-quality time-lapse sequences.

Major features

Rotation speeds configurable, up to 10x the sidereal tracking rate at maximum.
Rotation speeds can be set in Custom Mode.
Camera shutter control via an optional shutter-release cable.
Shoot-move-shoot functionality: synchronize POLARIE U motion with the shutter control.
Accurate tracking with long-exposure star fields, yielding point-like stars without trails.
Bracketed imaging mode supports capturing fainter objects (diffuse and emission nebulae) and enables HDR by stacking exposures for greater dynamic range than a single shot.
Night-vision lighting options, including red and incandescent colors.
Display options with screen color schemes suitable for daytime and nighttime use.

Overview

POLARIE U is a Freeware software in the category System Utilities developed by Vixen Co.,Ltd..

The latest version of POLARIE U is 1.2.4, released on 07/19/2026. It was initially added to our database on 07/19/2026.

POLARIE U runs on the following operating systems: iOS.

Users of POLARIE U gave it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Pros

Designed specifically for Vixen POLARIE U star tracker — tight integration with the hardware for intended workflows
Supports multiple rotation speeds up to 10× the sidereal tracking rate and allows custom speed settings for flexible timelapse and tracking
Camera shutter control supported (with optional shutter release cable) and ability to link motion with shutter (shoot-move-shoot) for automated sequences
Bracketed imaging mode for capturing multiple exposures (useful for HDR stacking and imaging faint nebulae)
Night-vision lighting option (red or incandescent) and selectable screen color modes for daytime and nighttime use to preserve night-adapted vision
Small app footprint (≈5.4 MB) and support across Apple platforms (iPhone, iPad; requires iOS/iPadOS 11.0 or later; listed compatibility with macOS on Apple Silicon)
Multilingual UI (English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish)
Developer states the app does not collect user data (privacy claim)
Free to download

Cons

Only useful with the POLARIE U hardware — not a general-purpose astrophotography controller for other mounts
Camera shutter control requires an optional physical shutter release cable (no built-in universal wireless shutter control)
Limited public feedback and ratings (very few reviews/ratings visible), making real-world reliability harder to judge
At least one user report of connectivity problems on newer iPhone models (e.g., iPhone 13 Pro) — potential device compatibility issues
App privacy/developer claims are unverified by Apple’s review (Apple notes the developer’s statement but has not independently verified it)
Appears to have had occasional bugs (changelogs note fixes) and updates are infrequent based on listed versions
No Android version — Apple platforms only
Top-of-page note on the App Store previously indicated “Not verified for macOS” for some builds (check current compatibility before relying on macOS use)

FAQ

What is POLARIE U?

POLARIE U is a free companion app from Vixen for controlling the POLARIE U star tracker. It helps with sidereal tracking, creating higher-level time-lapse movies, controlling camera shutter functions, and setting tracking speeds and modes for astrophotography.

Which devices and OS versions are supported?

The app requires iOS 11.0 or later. It supports iPhone, iPad (iPadOS 11.0 or later) and is available on the App Store. It can also run on macOS with Apple M1 (macOS 11.0 or later) and on Apple Vision with visionOS 1.0 or later. App size is about 5.4 MB.

What are the main features of the app?

Major features include adjustable rotation speeds (up to 10× sidereal rate and custom speeds), shutter control via an optional release cable, linked motion-and-shoot (shoot-move-shoot), accurate star tracking for long exposures, bracketed imaging for HDR/stacks, night-vision light (red or incandescent color), and screen color modes for daytime and nighttime use.

How do I control my camera shutter with the app?

POLARIE U can trigger a camera shutter when you attach the optional shutter release cable to your camera and the POLARIE U unit. The app provides controls and can link shutter actions with tracker motion (shoot-move-shoot) for automated sequences.

Does POLARIE U support custom tracking speeds?

Yes. In Custom Mode you can set various rotation speeds, including fractional or multiple sidereal rates (the app supports up to 10× the sidereal tracking rate).

What languages does the app support?

The app supports English, Japanese, German, French, Italian, and Spanish.

Is any personal data collected by the app?

According to the developer's App Store listing, the developer does not collect any data from this app.

I can’t connect my iPhone to POLARIE U — what should I try?

First ensure your POLARIE U is powered on and in pairing/communication mode and that Bluetooth (or the required connection method per your POLARIE U manual) is enabled on your phone. Restart the app and the tracker, confirm iOS is up to date, and check cable connections for shutter control. Note: there is at least one user report of connectivity issues on an iPhone 13 Pro; if problems persist, try a different device (iPhone/iPad) and contact Vixen support with device model, iOS version, and app version.

Where can I get the app, updates, and support?

Download or update POLARIE U from the Apple App Store. For support, visit Vixen's website or consult the developer contact and the app’s privacy/support links on the App Store listing for troubleshooting, firmware updates, and the privacy policy.

Elena Angelini

I'm Elena, your go-to software reviewer at UpdateStar and tech enthusiast. Whether you're a user seeking the latest software titles or software news I've got you covered. When I'm not diving into the latest software, you can find me exploring nature trails, camping under the stars, or competing in online multiplayer games. My reviews are designed to be fun, engaging, and packed with all the details you need to make informed decisions.

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Latest Version
1.2.4

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