Reviews of HanDBase Database Manager

By: DDH Software, LLC App

List of user reviews and ratings for HanDBase Database Manager

Total ratings

3.40 (Rating count: 840)

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Review summary

HanDBase Database Manager is praised for its longstanding reliability and flexibility as a personal database app, with roots in Palm OS and support for Windows desktop. However, recent updates have caused significant issues such as data loss, hidden file storage, compatibility problems with modern Android versions, and poor customer support. Users appreciate the app's power but are frustrated by challenges in data management and syncing, making it less trustworthy currently.

Pros

Long-standing user base dating back to Palm OS era, indicating reliability and familiarity
Flexible and powerful personal database management tool
Supports relational databases on both desktop and Android platforms
Offers synchronization between Android devices and desktop, albeit with challenges
Has had good customer service and product quality historically

Cons

Recent updates cause data loss or records not being saved properly unless the user exits to main DB list
File storage locations were changed without clear communication, making data retrieval and backup difficult
Poor or no support from developers in recent times, including non-responsive customer service
App compatibility issues with newer Android versions and devices, leading to functionality problems
UI changes in recent versions perceived as worse, including scrolling issues and limited printing capabilities

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User Reviews

Recent rating average: 2.20

All time rating average: 3.40

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35% (7)

Date	Author	Comment
2024-11-12	Ch*****	I had hoped this app would become active again, but alas, no updates since Nov 2023. The new version has issues, the most critical being that changed records are not saved to stable storage unless you close the DB by backing out to the DB list. If the app closes, either manually or automatically, I've found it would lose my updates. Also, backing up DB has become far harder now that files are hidden from file managers, which I think is Google's fault, though. This app needs more attention!
I had hoped this app would become active again, but alas, no updates since Nov 2023. The new version has issues, the most critical being that changed records are not saved to stable storage unless you close the DB by backing out to the DB list. If the app closes, either manually or automatically, I've found it would lose my updates. Also, backing up DB has become far harder now that files are hidden from file managers, which I think is Google's fault, though. This app needs more attention!
2024-09-26	An*****	This is a great app. The 1 star is because it deletes records after you insert them. This seems to happen 10% of the time. I emailed the developer to ask for help with the self deleting records or for a refund. Will update. One other problem: it does not consistently respect your sorting preferences. Update 9/25: the developer emailed me back. Apparently new Androids don't save unless you exit the table back to the tables list view. I'll try that and update again.
This is a great app. The 1 star is because it deletes records after you insert them. This seems to happen 10% of the time. I emailed the developer to ask for help with the self deleting records or for a refund. Will update. One other problem: it does not consistently respect your sorting preferences. Update 9/25: the developer emailed me back. Apparently new Androids don't save unless you exit the table back to the tables list view. I'll try that and update again.
2024-07-24	J *****	UPDATED-July 2024. Not sure if company is active as website no longer seems to work. I've used this app for years - first on Palm OS and on Android OS. I've always gotten first rate service and it is a quality product. It's easy to use and provides flexibility in building personal data management tools. Worth the purchase price (or used to be anyway)!
UPDATED-July 2024. Not sure if company is active as website no longer seems to work. I've used this app for years - first on Palm OS and on Android OS. I've always gotten first rate service and it is a quality product. It's easy to use and provides flexibility in building personal data management tools. Worth the purchase price (or used to be anyway)!
2024-01-13	Ti*****	I used this for many many years and loved it! Latest update completely destroyed it. Paved over a database with eight months of data in it. Lost. All UI changes are for the worse. Heartbreaking. Please please please please please please please give us access to the old one. I use this all the time for so many things. This release is just garbage. The last two times I updated records they were magically lost. Can't even trust it to store simple changes.
I used this for many many years and loved it! Latest update completely destroyed it. Paved over a database with eight months of data in it. Lost. All UI changes are for the worse. Heartbreaking. Please please please please please please please give us access to the old one. I use this all the time for so many things. This release is just garbage. The last two times I updated records they were magically lost. Can't even trust it to store simple changes.
2023-12-05	Te*****	I have used this since the Palm. Since the big update, I often lose the most recent records, which is very frustrating. I also don't know where the databases are being kept. The disappearing text bug was fixed, but more updates needed.
I have used this since the Palm. Since the big update, I often lose the most recent records, which is very frustrating. I also don't know where the databases are being kept. The disappearing text bug was fixed, but more updates needed.
2023-11-28	Br*****	Was using this for years and generally happy. Recent updates change where data is stored, and no info on how to retrieve your old databases. Also, recent update makes it impossible to scroll in edit record view, so data entry is painful. I did figure out how to import my old databases, but I have no idea where they're currently being stored, so I have no confidence that they're being backed up. Probably moving to a different app.
Was using this for years and generally happy. Recent updates change where data is stored, and no info on how to retrieve your old databases. Also, recent update makes it impossible to scroll in edit record view, so data entry is painful. I did figure out how to import my old databases, but I have no idea where they're currently being stored, so I have no confidence that they're being backed up. Probably moving to a different app.
2023-11-26	Sa*****	So many recent reviews here with lots of words that could have just said "I can't read instructions." I've used HanDBase since the Palm III was the new hotness. Years ago an Android update caused devastating bug. I've made several attempts to find something to replace HanDBase and just never found anything I liked. Then, very unexpectedly, HanDBase showed up on my list of apps with updates available. Oh frabjous day! It made me irrationally happy. Thanks, Dave!
So many recent reviews here with lots of words that could have just said "I can't read instructions." I've used HanDBase since the Palm III was the new hotness. Years ago an Android update caused devastating bug. I've made several attempts to find something to replace HanDBase and just never found anything I liked. Then, very unexpectedly, HanDBase showed up on my list of apps with updates available. Oh frabjous day! It made me irrationally happy. Thanks, Dave!
2023-11-17	Ro*****	The " What's new" statememt says: "To import these into HanDBase, you'll need to select them from within the Files app. Tap on each database file or form file in the Documents/HanDBase folder, and HanDBase will import them right in." But what is the "files app"? I guessed that you probably mean the Android files browser, but that doesn't work.
The " What's new" statememt says: "To import these into HanDBase, you'll need to select them from within the Files app. Tap on each database file or form file in the Documents/HanDBase folder, and HanDBase will import them right in." But what is the "files app"? I guessed that you probably mean the Android files browser, but that doesn't work.
2023-11-12	Ro*****	I used the app for a long time and was very satisfied. Then one day out of the blue they changed file locations. All my old information was inaccessible. They provided one popup with an inadequate instruction on how to transfer files. The popup only appeared once and the information was not on their support page. So every once in a while they will leave you high and dry.
I used the app for a long time and was very satisfied. Then one day out of the blue they changed file locations. All my old information was inaccessible. They provided one popup with an inadequate instruction on how to transfer files. The popup only appeared once and the information was not on their support page. So every once in a while they will leave you high and dry.
2023-05-19	El*****	Update. Sadly this is no longer a viable option. I used this app for many years and had several is my techs use it. Tried to install it on one new techs phone and it says his version Android is too new. It is the same version as mine. Can't get anyone to respond so finally having to find another database that might work for us.
Update. Sadly this is no longer a viable option. I used this app for many years and had several is my techs use it. Tried to install it on one new techs phone and it says his version Android is too new. It is the same version as mine. Can't get anyone to respond so finally having to find another database that might work for us.