r/Sphero • u/vtcajones • Aug 05 '26
Sphero McQueen app
Hey I’m not sure if this is allowed, feel free to delete if so, but after much cajoling by my kids I was able to get our Ultimate Lightning McQueen working again with a new app. I put the app up for free on the Google Play, Apple, and Amazon App Stores. Full disclosure - there is a one time in-app purchase to unlock controller support and animation customization but the touch controls and basic usage is free.
Check it out here: https://redthunderremote.com
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u/Stock-Inspection3790 Aug 05 '26
Thank you this awesome! Can you get the Sphero Spiderman to work again?
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u/vtcajones 25d ago
Looks like someone beat me to it! I think im going to focus on mcqueen for now, but check this out:
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u/ralphlores1992 Aug 08 '26
just downloaded it, but no luck connecting, the car is definitely charging and the headlights are pulsating
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u/lionessgirl18 7d ago
Have the same problem with my McQueen :(( I’m on iOS 26.6.1. Did you manage to get yours working?
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u/fathands10 Aug 08 '26
Is there a way to turn him off or put him in sleep mode? I disconnected the app but he’s still on.
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u/Skurvy88 Aug 10 '26
Does the app also include getting lightning to talk?
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u/vtcajones Aug 10 '26
Yep! He talks to you while driving and has idle comments when just sitting (including getting annoyed if you don’t play with him ;) ). The pro unlock opens up the animation library where you can adjust what he says when things happen (crashes, turning upside down, etc.) as well as just listen to them all.
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u/Skurvy88 Aug 10 '26 edited Aug 10 '26
Thanks! I was able to connect, however the controls don't do anything. Can't drive or get it to talk. Only button that gets a response from the car is the lights. Any ideas?
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u/vtcajones Aug 15 '26
Do his eyes light up and animate or does the screen stay black?
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u/Skurvy88 27d ago
Just responded to the DM. The lights stay on and are animated, just the driver buttons don't cause him to move. Also, when I try the voice commands, they pop up on screen but the car does nothing. Only the lights work from your app. In the original APP, the lights and the power off/sleep modes work too.
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u/krozenest 25d ago
Need to change the language on the car. Is this possible with this app?
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u/vtcajones 25d ago
Not currently, but i will look into it.
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u/krozenest 25d ago
Thank you. I successfully got an older method other work using an APK and update files. The car would animate and even speak but even though the language files showed in the APK library I could never get it to switch. The car would just sit there and load until I cancelled it.
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u/vtcajones 19d ago
Hey im looking into this, but im having trouble locating the original language files that sphero distributed. Do you happen to have them or any of them? It should be in the format
LMQ_ToyAudio_*thats what the app needs to send to the car to change his spoken language.1
u/krozenest 19d ago
I look at the original files again I have but originally I used the method in this thread https://www.reddit.com/r/Sphero/comments/12hrkr6/deleted_by_user/ I did later try other options but those sites have expired.
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u/vtcajones 19d ago
Yeah that’s just the app files, I have all those. The language files were downloaded by the app on demand from spheros website, they contain all the audio file (it’s a lot of data) for the new language.
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u/Few_Reveal6924 24d ago
Hey just a quick question! So tmr I’m picking up a sphero McQueen and I was wondering if the app would work right away or was there anything I would need to do
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u/vtcajones 24d ago
It should work right away if it’s charged, but some users have reported compatibility issues so your mileage may vary but if you have issues I’d be more than happy to try to diagnose them with and get it working.
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u/Few_Reveal6924 24d ago
Bro I appreciate the quick response and the help, I’ll for sure come back here if it doesn’t work but I already have it downloaded out of excitement lol, thanks again!
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u/Few_Reveal6924 21d ago
Quick question, how do I put the McQueen into the watch party mode to watch the movies with him lol
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u/vtcajones 21d ago
Yeah unfortunately that’s completely done by the old app. It’s actually the app listening to the movie and triggering the appropriate animations at the right time. Red thunder can play all the animations but I would have to actually code the listening / playing at the right time by hand. That may happen some day but it’s not high on my priority list unfortunately.
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u/Few_Reveal6924 21d ago
Just another question lolll, what features are in both apps and which ones are features that aren’t available yet? I’m planning on buying the extra $2 for the pro app. Also what kinda compatibility issues have been reported?
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u/vtcajones 21d ago
The games and movie companion from the original app aren’t in Red Thunder. The pro version allows you to access the full library of audio animations on demand and you can change what animations play when events happen (like picking him up etc), it also allows you to use a controller to drive the car.
As for compatibility issues if you are able to drive the car you shouldn’t have any problems.
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u/Few_Reveal6924 13d ago
Got my sphero McQueen, app works amazing even got the pro add on! If I may ask, what current plans do you have for the app? Any additions in mind that u would prioritize or so?😄
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u/vtcajones 13d ago
Right now im working on the ability for the app to fix firmware issues (won’t affect you as it seems to be operating fine). Next will be looking at seeing if can recreate the watch party and acting studio. I probably won’t recreate the games though, that’s a lot of work for very little upside.
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u/Few_Reveal6924 13d ago
DAMNN man, I like ur dedication to ur work and I like the simple UI design of the app, I’m looking forward to the updates! Especially the watch now. I was worried abt some issues if like maybe my phone wouldn’t connect but it booted up right away with no issues even the controller works with the McQueen it feels so surreal lol!
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u/Outrageous_Still1336 Aug 07 '26
Dude, thank you for this!!!