I know this is quite old topic, but I have to say that I have the same experience. I bought FLIC because it seemed like a good way to solve my problem - absence of physical switch button to control LIFX light bulbs and the resulting frustration of my wife... Well it didn't. It works like 70% of the time 
I don't think it's the phone. I tried two different phones and one computer. Sometimes I press the button and nothing. And sometimes after 10, 20s suddenly do something. It's really frustrating especially if you consider the price and "the brand". I wouldn't be surprise if it's from Aliexpress for 2$, but it's not. My original idea was to wait for FLIC HUB, but it seemed to me be a little bit pricey. To be completely honest now I'm thinking to sell the buttons and (as it in the title) give up. It's a pitty because the idea is great.
