Reins: Chat for Ollama icon
Reins: Chat for Ollama - Comprehensive Mobile Interface for Self-Hosted Models

by Ibrahim Cetin

Reins provides iOS users with remote access to self-hosted Ollama servers, featuring per-chat system prompts, image integration, and prompt editing capabilities tailored for LLM researchers and enthusiasts.

Detailed Review

Reins: Chat for Ollama represents a specialized mobile solution for users operating self-hosted large language models through the Ollama framework. Developed by Ibrahim Cetin, this iOS application fills a niche market gap by enabling remote interaction with locally hosted AI models, providing researchers and hobbyists with mobile flexibility previously limited to desktop environments. The application's core functionality centers around secure remote server connectivity, allowing users to maintain conversations with their Ollama instances from any location. Key technical features include per-chat system prompt customization, which enables context-specific model behavior adjustments, and comprehensive prompt editing with regeneration capabilities. The image integration feature expands multimodal interaction possibilities, though specific implementation details remain undisclosed in available documentation. The interface maintains persistent connection states and conversation histories across sessions. User experience demonstrates thoughtful design for technical audiences, with a clean interface prioritizing conversation management and prompt engineering tools. Real-world usage patterns show researchers accessing models during commuting, between meetings, or while away from their primary workstations. The application successfully translates Ollama's desktop functionality to mobile without significant feature compromise, though interface adaptations for touchscreen interaction present both opportunities and challenges compared to traditional keyboard-and-mouse workflows. User feedback consistently praises reliability and performance, with reviewer jake5644 (2025-07-28) noting exceptional functionality for server interactions. Multiple users including JosephLG314 (2025-03-22) have requested additional performance metrics like tokens/second display. Reviewer astrokari (2025-03-18) specifically commended remote access capabilities through Tailscale while suggesting improved text customization options. Cmilian (2025-05-10) highlighted the desire for advanced model management features including custom modelfile creation. The application demonstrates notable strengths in remote connectivity stability and prompt engineering flexibility, though some users indicate opportunities for enhanced performance monitoring and accessibility options. Ideal use cases involve technical professionals requiring mobile access to experimental models, researchers conducting field tests, and developers seeking rapid iteration capabilities away from their primary workstations. The application successfully delivers core Ollama functionality while leaving room for expanded metrics and customization features in future updates.

Key Features

  • Remote Server Access enables secure connections to self-hosted Ollama instances from any network location, eliminating geographical constraints for researchers
  • Per-Chat System Prompts allow customized model behavior for individual conversations, enhancing context relevance across different use cases
  • Prompt Editing & Regeneration provides iterative refinement capabilities for optimizing model outputs through successive adjustments
  • Image Integration supports multimodal interactions with vision-capable models, expanding beyond text-only conversations
  • Persistent Conversation History maintains chat contexts across sessions, ensuring continuity in extended research dialogues
  • Mobile-Optimized Interface translates Ollama's functionality to touchscreen devices while preserving core interaction paradigms

Why Users Love It

Reliable remote connectivity
Flexible prompt engineering

Perfect for: LLM researchers and hobbyists running self-hosted Ollama instances

Ranking History

Track Reins: Chat for Ollama's performance in Developer Tools over the last 30 days

Top 5
Top 10
Top 15
Below 15

Current Rank

#44

Best Rank

#44

All-time high

Average Rank

#46

30-day average

User Reviews

70milesperhour
May 6, 2025

I honestly don’t review apps normally but this is so much nicer than enchanted for Ollama Better than Enchanted I honestly don’t review apps normally but this is so much nicer than enchanted for Ollama

scsp85
Jan 26, 2025

A fantastic implementation for accessing your local LLM. Simple and easy with many great features built in. I would love to be able to export the whole conversation, but I appreciate how easy this is to use! Great ollama access point! A fantastic implementation for accessing your local LLM. Simple and easy with many great features built in. I would love to be able to export the whole conversation, but I appreciate how easy this is to use!

wastedbandwidth
Aug 26, 2025

I was surprised by how fast responses are using this app. Works perfectly for my locally hosted ollama. Coupled with a vpn and you never have to pay for a hosted AI platform. Works great chef’s kiss. Speedy interface I was surprised by how fast responses are using this app. Works perfectly for my locally hosted ollama. Coupled with a vpn and you never have to pay for a hosted AI platform. Works great chef’s kiss.

jake5644
Jul 28, 2025

I have been using this app to interact with my ollama server and it works exceptionally well! Great app for using ollama!! I have been using this app to interact with my ollama server and it works exceptionally well!

mrbeen6;8484
Sep 16, 2025

You used it wrong… stick to Google Chrome or Gemini boomer. Great app!! Works as long as you have used ollama for more that 2 seconds and have a iq above 15 😇😇 Dear Menace :) You used it wrong… stick to Google Chrome or Gemini boomer.Great app!! Works as long as you have used ollama for more that 2 seconds and have a iq above 15 😇😇

App Details

Developer

Ibrahim Cetin

Platform

ios

Rating

4.7

Last Updated

10/12/2025