Xhorse 4+

Works great!

I like this app. It is an all in one app, even including the aftermarket support.
Thanks to Xhorse team.

Although the physical build of the Xhorse products is amazing, the software development is slow to address problems identified by users.

There are many inconsistencies in the UI, making it difficult to find infrequently used options. Additionally, there are frequent warning messages that come up in Chinese characters despite the app UI being set to English. Bad translations abound, and deciphering engrish is a frequent occurrence.

Bugs identified months ago are still showing after several software updates, leading me to believe that Xhorse doesn’t really care about minor bugs, even if that bug makes the App/Hardware essentially useless for some users. In my case, when duplicating certain thicker keys, the cutter doesn’t cut the full depth of the key, leaving a web of metal that must be removed manually with a file.

Also, for key blanks that aren’t pre-defined in the software, you can define keys by their Depth and Spacing info, but only keys that have 8 depths or less. And, if the numbering convention for the defined depths are numbered from 0-7, you must remember to add 1 to each depth before entering them. There is no way to define a key with depths from 0-9 (Schlage, Best, Yale etc.) although the Dolphin-005 will easily read and duplicate keys with many depths, however it can’t decode the key and tell you the bitting on for instance an SC1 or a KW1 key. You also can’t cut a Schlage key by code because of this 8 depths only software limitation. The hardware is capable, but the Devs at Xhorse just don’t care to add a few more depths to the key defining section of their software.

I don’t recommend the Xhorse Dolphin 005 key machine which uses this software to operate it unless you are only planning on making Automotive keys that have already been predefined by Xhorse. If you know the depth and spacing info, and you have to add your own key definition for maybe an older automotive key, or a common Residential key that Xhorse hasn’t already defined in the software, forget it.

Xhorse doesn’t maintain support outside the Chinese workday. So if you have trouble with the app or hardware during the North American day, you’re on your own until 9pm EST. If Xhorse was serious about the North American market, they would provide support during the North American workday.

If I knew what I know now, back when I spent my hard earned $$$ on the Xhorse products, I would probably instead bought a SEC E9 Key Cutting Machine. It’s not quite as well built as the Dolphin, but the software and range of keys it supports is way better than this Xhorse App.

The hardware, although excellent, does not make up for this poorly supported app, and apparent disregard Xhorse has for owners of their hardware.

Thanks