Relay UK 4+

Seems improved

I’m not sure if this service has been updated recently but it seems much improved. I’d given up using it but recently I had no choice because it’s not reasonable to keep asking relatives to make calls. The last 3 times I’ve used it over the last 2 weeks it’s been very successful. On a long call (on hold to the tax office) I had 3 different operators but this didn’t present a problem. Personally, I only feel it’s appropriate except for business calls but in most cases personal calls can be conducted via instant messaging or text.

Developer Response ,

We've made a lot of changes to the app in the last few months, so thanks for letting us know that Relay UK is now working well for you.

Brilliant assistants

I have enormous problems hearing on the phone, especially when calling e.g. government services. This app is an absolute boon. The assistants are fantastic and so patient. The most recent call had me on hold for over an hour, and the assistant was very reassuring that it wasn’t a problem. When we finally got through, the actual call only took two minutes.

Others have said it’s annoying that your words get displayed in the body of the message every time you tap the space bar. It’s certainly not what people are used to when using something like WhatsApp, but here, the person you are typing to is talking to someone else on your behalf and typing *their* response, which takes time. When they finish typing what the person had said, they always end with “GA” (does that mean “go ahead”?). Wait for that and it doesn’t matter if your words appear one by one.

Also, if calling a number where you know there will be a series of automated options, I always type a summary of what my call is about using a Notes app, then copy and paste it into the Relay app as soon as I’m connected so the assistant doesn’t have to type out all the options. Brilliant app - hugely appreciated

Developer Response ,

Many thanks for your review and detailed feedback, much appreciated!

Download regionally restricted to UK

I'm writing this review on my iPhone SE V2 UK region. I don't like using smart phones because the screen and keyboard are too small for my clumsy fingers even on the largest mobs. I prefer to use my iPad. I can't use my iPad currently because the Relay UK/BT development team has decided to restrict download of the iPad Relay UK app only to UK region devices. My iPad is set up for Australia region. I need to leave it set up for Australia so all my Australian banking apps will continue to download and update properly. If Relay UK user security and Relay UK server security are the issues underlying regional restriction, then please at least add in further BT download regions for Relay UK app: Ireland; Isle of Man, Channel Islands, Gibraltar, all other EU, and all Five Eye countries: UK; US; Canada; Oz; NZ. Given my unpleasant and extensive experience in 2020 of a Portsmouth-based Romanian Organised Crime gang, who, according to the NCA, control credit card fraud in the UK, then maybe some EU polities are still not safe enough for BT to permit download secure apps such as Relay UK.