# BBC Music Magazine — user reviews

> 105 indexed App Store user reviews of BBC Music Magazine by Our Media Limited, rated 4.30/5 from 74 ratings.

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bbc-music-magazine/id484554156/reviews
- App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bbc-music-magazine/id484554156.md
- Rating breakdown: 5★ 55 · 4★ 6 · 3★ 2 · 2★ 4 · 1★ 7

## What do users think of BBC Music Magazine?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- 📚 Excellent magazine content and articles
- 🎵 Integrated music samples and CD content
- 🔗 Hyperlinked articles with web resources
- 📖 Comprehensive classical music reviews
- 💡 Educational and discovery-focused features
- 📱 Access to back issues on device

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and instability
- 🔄 Poor redesign from magazine to web-like format
- ⏱️ Extremely slow download times
- 🧭 Difficult navigation and poor UI/UX
- 📵 Inconsistent subscription access and authentication issues
- 🎵 CD music doesn't play continuously or automatically
- ❌ Missing accessibility features (dark mode, VoiceOver support)
- 🔐 Inadequate customer support and communication
- 📱 Compatibility issues with iOS updates
- 🔍 No search functionality for articles
- 📄 Text too small on mobile devices
- 🌐 Regional restrictions (US access limitations)

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes on page turns
- Pages fail to load properly
- Swipe navigation not working
- Password reset emails not received
- Login authentication failures
- Restore purchases not functioning
- App crashes after iOS updates
- Issues with back issue access on iPad
- Cover CD music files missing from older editions
- App freezes when accessing screen saver mode
- Download stuck at 0%
- App crashes when new issues become available
- Blank screen with VoiceOver enabled
- Pages reload every 10 seconds
- Inconsistent subscription recognition

**Most requested features**

- Return to original magazine format/digitized print version
- Continuous CD music playback (auto-play all tracks)
- Search function for articles and reviews
- Dark mode support
- Improved VoiceOver and accessibility features
- Responsive design for different screen sizes
- Article view capability (like Condé Nast publications)
- Free access for print subscribers
- Offline music playback capability
- Better text scaling and zoom functionality
- Special edition releases

## Newest reviews (11 of 105)

### 2/5 — Going downhill

*2023-09-16*

This app used to be great but as usual someone had to ‘redesign’ it. (Read not any better, just different and worse than before) Don’t give me new and worse. Where are the links in the magazines, where is the music, where is any ‘ease of navigation’??? This it really terrible. The actual physical magazine and cd are fantastic and amazing. This is not.

**Developer response:** Thank you for getting in touch. Apologies you're having trouble using your App, if you would please get in touch via this form https://www.immediateapps.co.uk/digital-contact-form/ we will try and help you with this issue. Many thanks

### 4/5 — Supporting even larger fonts…?

*2022-12-23*

The maximum font size is still a bit small to presbyopic eyes. 
Can you provide an option to enlarge screen fonts than given ones?
I had no problem with the old conventional magazine type editions since it could be enlarged as much as I can see, but with the newly introduced web-like editions, I feel tired to read them. 
Other than that, I am enjoying the magazine.

### 2/5 — Unhappy with the new format

*2022-02-18*

As others have mentioned, the changes indeed really ruin the user experience. I recently switched to a digital sub and I’m disappointed that reading the issues feels much like scrolling through a clunky website. The app before wasn’t perfect, but I’m sure most readers would prefer a user experience similar to reading the physical magazine, as it used to be pre-change. Please consider reverting back to the more readable older version.

**Developer response:** We really appreciate all feedback and will be reviewing this with development to continue to deliver the best user experience. If you have any further feedback, please email us at appsupport@immediate.co.uk

### 2/5 — Change not good

*2022-02-15*

The latest update is poor in comparison to the previous version of the application: the interface provides more a series of individual and rather ‘clunky’ website-like pages rather than the excellent electronic but genuine magazine feel previously experienced.

As with the previous version of the app., the so-called ‘Cover CD’ is a misnomer as playback does not provide a CD experience: the tracks do not play one-after-the-other, as per a CD, they each need starting separately; and playback stops when the iPad goes into screen saver mode or if one accesses another page in the magazine.

Correcting this issue is, technically, simple to achieve.

I’ve noticed that the August 2021 and earlier editions in my library do, indeed, display in the previous and much better magazine format but, the so-called ‘Cover CD’ has disappeared from each of these earlier editions. This is a serious problem as all these ‘Cover CDs’ are supposedly included as part of my subscription payment and, therefore, should remain accessible contractually.

LJK - subscriber

**Developer response:** Hi, we’re sorry to hear you’re unhappy with the new app and really appreciate all feedback. We can confirm we have received your email and will be in touch today. Many thanks.

### 2/5 — Great Magazine, Not so great Redesign

*2022-02-08*

Loved loved loved the ability to read the magazine exactly like the print edition (but hyperlinked). This new design was not needed and severely detracts from the overall experience. Feel free to offer this as an option for those who want it, but please provide the classic experience for those who have enjoyed it that way for years.

**Developer response:** Hi there, we’re sorry to hear you are unhappy with our new app. We have introduced this new format as it is optimised for mobile devices with smaller screens. The format also allows us to deliver more features like Search, Dark mode, and Text-to-Speech. We are always striving to deliver the best user experience so please email any feedback to us at appsupport@immediate.co.uk. Many thanks.

### 2/5 — Very disappointing

*2022-02-07*

No links to music app like Gramophone Magazine, can’t copy text to paste into Apple Music.

### 1/5 — The BBC Music Magazine app has no accessibility at all

*2020-08-22, version 5.6.0*

I am registered blind, and use the iPhone large fonts feature, dark mode and zoom features to make the iPhone accessible.  The app is has virtually no accessibility at all.  It doesn’t use dark mode.  There is no text reading mode.  The zoom capability for the articles in the magazine is not good.  While it is possible to zoom in to articles, this only goes so far, it is necessary to use the native zoom capability go go further, but the result is still quite small, but manageable.  Note that sometimes when using this method, the screen goes blank and it is necessary to go back to no zoom, and get the page back to normal and start again.

The real problem is with voiceover.   There is virtually no voiceover support while reading, the only voiceover capability is the page turn slider, however if you use it, the pages don’t reader at all, and all you get is a blank screen.

The app doesn’t use the iPhone large fonts feature at all.

I think this is the worst magazine reading experience I have had on any device.

### 4/5 — Love the coverage... music absent

*2020-01-08*

I used to subscribe to the print edition and loved it.  Later when I found this app, I was thrilled and liked the ability to listen to the tracks digitally.  That worked for the first editions.  Then with the last two issues the digital music files from the CD are missing.  I look forward to the tracks while I read the magazine.  With no way to address this malfunction, I’m left wondering if I should cancel.

**Developer response:** Hi Steve MT. Sorry to hear you are having problems. We've checked and confirmed the audio is present in the latest issues. If you are still encountering problems please get in touch at apps@immediate.co.uk and we'll be happy to investigate further.

Thanks.

### 1/5 — Download problem

*2019-12-03*

I tried the free trial period, and managed to download the first edition (which was great), but for the next one available couldn’t get past 0% downloaded (despite leaving it overnight). The ap support is via a survey monkey form which doesn’t work - fields don’t accept any input.

**Developer response:** Hi,

We're sorry to hear you are having problems downloading. Please contact us at apps@immediate.co.uk so we can get more details and try and resolve this for you. We will also check the support fprm is working correctly.

### 1/5 — You know something is bad when......

*2019-08-07*

.....the latest issue requires an update to the app and it offers to redirect you to a place where no update is available. I’ll thought-through, rookie error. The magazine is so-so with the reviews section increasingly crowded out by ‘popular’ twaddle.

### 2/5 — No IPhone X support

*2019-02-10*

No IPhone X support , no subscription...

## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated)

### 1/5 — Customer service is completely MIA

*2024-02-17*

Having a problem with the app because it does not recognize me as a subscriber.  Tried to restore purchases, no luck.  Try to log into my account online- fails, even with stored password.  Try password reset, no email received.  I finally try to just cancel because I don’t need the hassle.  This magazine does not even appear in the drop down to select magazine.  Complete frustration and customer service FAIL.

### 1/5 — Pity you can’t give minus scores!

*2022-09-22*

I’m not a regular subscriber to the magazine but have used the app to download the magazine when the mood takes me. Last time was less than a year ago and the app worked perfectly.
     Downloaded the October issue and paid £6.99.
Utter waste of time and money. Pages don’t load properly, pages don’t turn when swiped, crashes, in short utterly useless.
      This appears to be a case of trying to fix something that was never broken in the first place and ending up with an app that is unusable.
Uninstalled and switching to another classical music mag.
Hope the Beeb are happy about losing revenue due to this truly appalling app.

### 1/5 — New(ish) format is awful

*2022-06-07, version 7.0.0*

I just can’t put up with this any more. I much prefer the “magazine experience” way of reading any magazine (others I subscribe to continue to provide that alongside the newer format). 

The ‘web’ like format might actually be bearable if it actually worked properly. I have a relatively new (2020) iPad Pro which I use to read 4 or 5 different magazines - only the BBC Music Magazine has such a flaky interface. Unable to scroll down some pages, skipping to next page for no good reason, doesn’t remember where in the magazine I have got to. 

I’m sorry but unless there is a significant improvement (and a return to the magazine format) my subscription will be cancelled.

### 1/5 — Loss of Digitised Print Version Disaapointing

*2022-05-18*

It’s a great shame that this new version of the app gives a clunky web-style version of the magazine rather than a digitised print version.  It’s not an enjoyable experience at all.  An outstanding magazine but this app really lets the world-class content down.

**Developer response:** Thank you for getting in touch. Apologies you're having trouble with your App. Please would you email us at appsupport@immediate.co.uk with details of where you made your purchase so we can see if we can help you with a better viewing experience. If you are able to include a screenshot and a subscription number with any further feedback that would be very helpful. Many thanks

### 1/5 — New format

*2022-03-16*

I really don’t like it at all. I find it very hard to navigate through it, and it’s nothing like reading the magazine. If I could go back to the old format, I would do so immediately.

**Developer response:** Thanks for getting in touch, we really appreciate all feedback and we're sorry to hear you're unhappy with the new layout. We have introduced this new format as it is optimised for mobile devices with smaller screens and allows us to deliver more features like search, dark mode, and text-to-speech to make reading the magazine via the app a more interactive, stable and personalised experience. For more information on how to use these features head to our App Guide in the hamburger menu on the left hand side of the App. If you have any further feedback, please email us at appsupport@immediate.co.uk. Many thanks.

### 1/5 — A shocking mess

*2022-03-03*

I wanted to be fair before I cancelled my subscription as I gave loved the magazine on my IPad. So I looked at the ‘new’ redesigned version again. It’s truly ugly and a shocker. It looks like it was put together on an old Amstrad. How could someone have let this happen?

**Developer response:** Thanks for getting in touch, we really appreciate all feedback and we're sorry to hear you're unhappy with the new layout. We have introduced this new format as it is optimised for mobile devices with smaller screens and allows us to deliver more features like search, dark mode, and text-to-speech to make reading the magazine via the app a more interactive, stable and personalised experience. If you have any further feedback, please email us at appsupport@immediate.co.uk. Many thanks.

### 1/5 — Appalling update Feb/22

*2022-02-09, version 7.0.0*

The updated version is a disaster. Slow download, bland design, you have to wait for pages to fill in, you have to scroll down to read pages as in a website. Oh for the old app! Thank god there’s still gramophone. Very sad about this. Rj759

### 1/5 — Very disappointed to lose Magazine copy

*2022-02-09*

I’m afraid the loss of magazine design turns this from a pleasurable coherent read into nothing better than consulting one of many music websites.  The essential essence of the magazine is lost.  Similarly the presentation of the cover discs is now just the sort of random streaming you can do anywhere rather than a magazine article with associated content.  There is nothing left now to justify a subscription. N

**Developer response:** Hi David, we're sorry to hear this. We really appreciate all feedback and will be reviewing this with development to continue to deliver the best user experience. If you have any further feedback, please email us at appsupport@immediate.co.uk

### 1/5 — Music gone again

*2021-10-10*

Have had this subscription for years. This is the third time I can no longer access the CD music. Please fix. Very frustrating and disappointing.

### 1/5 — Utter rubbish

*2020-10-19, version 5.6.4*

Cannot download issues cannot get support utter crap. Not run by BBC and constantly directly to Apple for any support question. Sadly have to rate this one star because it won’t let me rate it no stars pathetic

## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated)

### 5/5 — Content very good

*2022-02-07*

Second update: All ok, new version delivered and working. Interface is quite different, more like a tabled edition and not a copy of the magazine, but good all the same. Back to 5 stars.

Update: February 2022. No digital magazine available? Last one delivered in December and I am fully subscribed. Zero help from anyone for the past 2 weeks, will reduce to 3 stars and put back up when I get a full response. A full cd worth or music is also in the digital app so it works out well worth the monthly sub, and saves on the paper No need anymore to buy the printed version.

**Developer response:** Hi there, we’re sorry for the delay of the February 2022 issue. We are working on getting this live as soon as possible, this should be over the next few days. Many thanks.

### 5/5 — Love BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE

*2021-01-12, version 5.6.5*

It’s arrival is always a cheering light in my day.  Briefly forget the nation’s idiots.

### 5/5 — Yes it’s very good

*2020-10-04, version 5.6.4*

Classical fans this is a must

### 5/5 — Enjoying reading it! Thank you!

*2020-09-12*

Many good articles to read. We could listen to CD online as well as read the liner notes too!

### 5/5 — The best.

*2019-11-29*

Best musical mag app.

**Developer response:** Thank you for your review. We are very glad you like the magazine!

### 5/5 — BBC Music

*2019-11-26, version 5.5.2*

Takes forever to download—much longer than before!

### 5/5 — Full of Info

*2019-10-31*

Great recommendations which lead to to an Apple Music listen and then a purchase of the cd if the the music is to my liking. Invaluable source.

### 5/5 — BBC Magazine

*2019-10-08, version 5.5.2*

It is a focal point of my month. I can’t wait to open the new edition.  It brings me great joy.

### 5/5 — Scots appreciation

*2019-06-16*

I have been a reader/listener since the magazine has been produced.A great magazine,great cd,s,keeps me enthralled for hours,a monthly highlight
Only one small criticism,could we have some extra special editions that we used to have in the past
Regards
A.Davidson

### 5/5 — Always great stuff!

*2018-06-26*

Great magazine on the subject. Very insightful reviews and properly asserted. I've been reading it for more than twenty years and I still look forward for the next issue.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-29.*