Sky Guide
Point your iPhone at the night sky to name stars, planets, constellations and passing satellites
by Fifth Star Labs LLC · listed Oct 21, 2026
Quick verdict
Worth installing for anyone with an iPhone and a passing interest in the night sky. It is easy to start with and holds up well offline.
Best for iPhone and iPad owners who want to point at the night sky and find out what they're looking at
Reviewed by AppsPicks on Oct 21, 2026. How we review
Sky Guide review
Sky Guide is a stargazing app for iPhone and iPad. Hold the device up and it labels what's above you: stars, constellations, planets and satellites. It suits curious beginners who can't tell Mars from a bright star, and it carries enough detail to keep more regular observers interested.
Day to day, you open it outside, raise the phone and the sky view follows where you point. An AR mode draws constellation figures over the camera image of the real sky. Time controls let you scrub forward or back, which helps when planning where the Moon will sit later for a photo. A calendar shows eclipses and similar events filtered for your location, and it can alert you shortly before the International Space Station passes overhead. It also works without Wi-Fi, cell service or GPS, so it stays useful at a dark campsite.
Why we picked it: It makes identifying objects in the sky quick and approachable, with a polished interface and a very large base of strong user ratings.
Watch out for: It's free to download, but some content may sit behind an optional upgrade. There's no Android version.
What we like
- Identifies stars, planets and constellations by pointing the phone at the sky
- AR overlay shows constellation figures against the real sky
- ISS flyover alerts timed to your location
- Works offline, with no Wi-Fi, cell signal or GPS needed
- Time controls for planning Moon and planet positions
What could be better
- Apple devices only, with no Android app
- Extra content may require a paid upgrade
- Phone-based AR alignment can drift and need recalibrating
Questions about Sky Guide
Is Sky Guide free?
The app is free to download. Some additional content may be offered as an optional upgrade, so check the in-app options before relying on a specific feature.
Does it work without internet or GPS?
Yes. It can function without Wi-Fi, cellular service or GPS, which makes it practical for camping and remote dark-sky sites.
Is it available on Android?
No. Sky Guide is made for Apple devices. Android users could look at alternatives such as SkySafari or Stellarium.
Can it tell me when the space station passes over?
Yes. It can send notifications shortly before the International Space Station flies over your location.
From the developer: how Sky Guide describes itself
Bring the beauty of the stars down to Earth. Hold Sky Guide® overhead to automatically identify any star, constellation, planet or satellite! Easy to use and powerful, it’s epic stargazing for any experience level.
Is it a star or the planet Mars? Knowing what’s up in your night sky is easier than ever. Sky Guide’s AR mode superimposes figures onto your real sky so visualizing the heavens becomes effortless. Have you ever wished you could recognize constellations but didn’t want to fumble around with paper star charts? Now you can.
A speck of light crosses the night sky, growing brighter. What could it be? You don’t have to wonder anymore. Track a bright satellite and receive perfectly-timed notifications whenever the International Space Station is about to fly over your location. With Sky Guide, you’ll be saying ‘Goodbye, aliens’ and ‘Hellooooo, astronauts!’
Voyage to the past or future with cinematic time controls. Know where the Moon will be later in the evening so you can capture that perfect photo or be an eyewitness to history’s greatest comets.
Whether you’re searching for Sagittarius, Saturn, or the next big meteor shower, Sky Guide is jam-packed with information and rich graphics that will satisfy the most curious minds. Plus, stay current with location-filtered events like solar and lunar eclipses with Sky Guide’s personalized Calendar.
Camping in the backcountry? Sky Guide can function with or without Wi-Fi, cellular service or GPS, so everything is at your fingertips no matter where you go.
Join the millions who have discovered a more personal connection to the stars with Sky Guide. It might forever change the way you look up.
Terms of Use: https://www.fifthstarlabs.com/terms-of-use
Text from the app store listing, quoted for reference. Our own take is above.
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