A little help getting warm.
Setup, compatibility, history, and support
nick@collectsoftware.orgGet in touch
Email nick@collectsoftware.org with your app version, controller model, and a description of the issue. Do not send passwords or installation credentials. Better Saunum is free and is an independent companion app, not an official Saunum product.
Compatible hardware
Better Saunum connects to compatible Saunum AirIQ controllers with local Modbus TCP enabled. Testing so far has used a Saunum Air L 15 kW installation. Compatibility with every controller or firmware version has not been established. A sauna heater without a compatible network controller cannot connect to the app.
Connect your sauna
Join the same Wi-Fi network as the controller. On the controller, enable Modbus TCP in Settings → Modbus Settings. Open Better Saunum, allow Local Network access, choose Find my sauna, and select the discovered controller. The app remembers your selection. Discovery checks the phone’s current private IPv4 /24 subnet. If the controller uses a different subnet, use Enter address manually with its private IPv4 address. The controller must be reachable on TCP port 502, unit 1.
Connection troubleshooting
If discovery fails, check that your phone is on Wi-Fi, Local Network permission is enabled in iOS Settings for Better Saunum, Modbus is enabled, and your router does not isolate Wi-Fi clients. VPNs and guest networks can prevent local access. Retry discovery if the controller’s address changes. The app connects locally; it does not provide remote sauna control over the internet.
Temperature history
Choose Enable cloud history to upload sauna observations for graphs and analysis. An internet connection is needed for uploads and saved graphs. Offline readings wait on the phone until they can upload. Choose 1h, 6h, 24h, 7d, 30d, or 90d in the graph. History settings includes pause, upload, and deletion controls. Deletion applies to every sauna recorded by this phone’s installation, not another phone’s history.
Background limits
Foreground history saves at most one reading per minute. Background tasks request a minimum interval of 15 minutes, but iOS may delay them substantially or not run them. The phone must still reach the sauna’s Wi-Fi. Force-quitting stops background work until the app is reopened. History settings shows the last successful background reading; gaps are expected. This app is not an always-on monitoring service.
Controls and safety
Check that the sauna is clear and nothing is on the heater before starting a session. Follow your heater and controller manufacturer’s instructions and supervision requirements. The app checks reported door and alarm status and asks for confirmation before starting. Fan controls require an active session. A command failure can leave partially applied settings; refresh actual controller state before retrying. Use the physical controller if your phone cannot connect. The app does not replace the controller’s safety protections.
Explore without hardware
Choose Explore demo in the app to try simulated temperature history and controls. Demo data is clearly labelled, is not uploaded, and does not send commands to real hardware. Return to Connect your sauna to leave the demo.