Legacy Bot Controller

Revive your Sphero droids

The original Sphero Star Wars app is gone. Legacy Bot Controller brings R2-D2, R2-Q5, BB-8, BB-9E and Lightning McQueen back to life on iOS and Android.

4.5 rating on the App Store
Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
Legacy Bot Controller app control screen for R2-D2 with joystick, dome slider and stance toggle

Watch them in action

R2-D2
Lightning McQueen
R2-Q5
BB-9E
BB-8

Control your droids again

New in this app

  • AI voice control
  • AI conversations with R2-D2 and R2-Q5
  • Animation Lab
  • Route Mapping
  • Follow Mode
  • Tilt control

Brought back

  • Bluetooth connection
  • Driving and movement
  • LED light effects
  • Sound effects
  • Autonomous patrol
  • Interactive experiences

What owners are saying

Real reviews from the App Store, Google Play and Reddit.

  • Reddit
    I bought lifetime access; it was a no-brainer. It's so nice to be able to use my LMQ again.

    Lightning McQueen elevatestrategy on Reddit

  • ★★★★★Google Play
    Fantastic app! It brings Sphero products back to life, like Lightning McQueen and the Star Wars droids. The price is completely fair, because they did a great job letting us play with our "toys" again.

    Lightning McQueen Nicola B. on Google Play Translated from Italian

  • ★★★★★Google Play
    Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me the chance to enjoy my Ultimate Lightning McQueen again. I'll be buying the full unlock soon because it's worth it.

    Lightning McQueen Varesa on Google Play Translated from Spanish

  • ★★★★★App Store
    I'm so happy I was able to bring my R2D2 back to life. The app works so well.

    R2-D2 Angelina1p on the App Store

  • ★★★★★App Store
    My R2-D2 works! I love the fact that you made it sound that way when it disconnects! The app is great.

    R2-D2 R2-Q5 lover on the App Store

  • Reddit
    Thanks for making the app, I like it and have it downloaded.

    Sphero_starwars on Reddit

  • Reddit
    You are doing good work. I just tried this.

    R2-D2 jimbobwe-328 on Reddit

What happened to the Sphero Star Wars app?

Sphero stopped making its Star Wars droids and the Ultimate Lightning McQueen, and the original companion apps, including the Star Wars Droids App by Sphero, were pulled from the App Store and Google Play. That left R2-D2, R2-Q5, BB-8, BB-9E and Lightning McQueen owners with toys sitting on shelves with no way to drive them, play their sounds or run their animations.

Sphero Edu can still connect to some of these robots, but it is built for coding lessons, not for play. Legacy Bot Controller is built for play. It brings back driving, sounds, lights and animations, then adds things the original app never had: on-device AI voice control, AI conversations where R2-D2 and R2-Q5 react in character, route mapping, follow mode, and an Animation Lab for creating your own routines.

It is available now on iOS and Android, and works with the droid you already own. No new hardware needed.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Sphero Star Wars app discontinued?

Yes. The original Star Wars Droids App by Sphero is no longer available in the App Store or Google Play. Legacy Bot Controller is an independent replacement that lets you control your R2-D2, R2-Q5, BB-8 and BB-9E again.

What app can I use for my Sphero R2-D2 or BB-8 now?

Legacy Bot Controller works with Sphero R2-D2, R2-Q5, BB-8 and BB-9E. You can drive your droid, control its lights, run animations and tricks, draw routes, send it on patrol, have it follow you and command it by voice. R2-D2 and R2-Q5 also play sounds and hold AI conversations.

Is there an app for the Sphero Ultimate Lightning McQueen?

Yes. Since version 1.2.0, Legacy Bot Controller supports the Ultimate Lightning McQueen on both iOS and Android. You can drive it with a joystick or RC style sticks, play its animations and voice lines, and map routes.

Does it work on iPhone and Android?

Yes. Legacy Bot Controller is available on the App Store for iOS and on Google Play for Android. Both versions support all five models.

How is this different from Sphero Edu?

Sphero Edu is a coding app for classrooms. Legacy Bot Controller is made for play and brings back the character experience: driving, sounds, lights and animations, plus route mapping, follow mode and on-device AI voice control.

Is Legacy Bot Controller free?

The app is free to download with basic driving controls. Premium features such as tilt control, animations, the Animation Lab, route mapping, patrol, follow mode and AI are unlocked with a one time purchase per robot, or one All Robots Unlock. There is no subscription.

Do the AI features need an internet connection?

Only once. The AI model is a one time download of about 500 MB. After that, AI voice control and conversation run fully on your phone.

Is Legacy Bot Controller made by Sphero or Disney?

No. Legacy Bot Controller is an independent app. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Sphero, Disney or Lucasfilm. Product names are used only to identify which toys the app is compatible with.