# Cinefex — user reviews > 39 indexed App Store user reviews of Cinefex by Cinefex LLC, rated 4.77/5 from 579 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cinefex/id512379220/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cinefex/id512379220.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 507 · 4★ 42 · 3★ 11 · 2★ 4 · 1★ 15 ## What do users think of Cinefex? Overall sentiment: mixed **Pros** - 📚 High-quality VFX content and educational value - 🎨 Vivid image quality and visual presentation - 🎬 Bonus video content and multimedia features - 📱 Works well on iPad devices - ✅ App continues to be maintained and updated - 🔄 Restore feature recovers purchased issues - ⚡ Fast page swiping with no lag - 🌐 Digital access to out-of-print back issues **Cons** - 🐛 Crashes on iOS 17 and newer versions - 🔐 Lost Kickstarter campaign purchases not recoverable - 💾 Download permission and cache folder errors - 🔍 Zoom and page scaling issues after updates - ⏱️ Slow download speeds for high-quality content - 🖥️ iPad-only, not available on desktop/laptop - 📖 Difficult page navigation and scrolling - 💬 Poor customer support responsiveness - 💳 Unexpected taxes and billing surprises - 🔄 Subscription issues and charge reversals needed - 📱 Syncing problems between devices **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes on launch with iOS 17+ - Pages zoomed and cut in half, unreadable - Cache folder permission denied errors - Download completes but won't switch to read mode on M1 Macs - Kickstarter issues disappear from library - Purchases not syncing between devices - iTunes password prompt appears twice on startup - App doesn't remember reading position - Download failures on newer iOS versions - Review writing feature not working **Most requested features** - Desktop and laptop application support - Adjustable font size for better readability - Portrait mode for text reading - Interactive multimedia content expansion - High-resolution still images - Improved page navigation system - Better subscription management - Offline reading capability ## Newest reviews (10 of 39) ### 3/5 — Version 2.3 now broken on MacOS 14.2 running on M2 Mac *2023-12-20* The app just crashes when you open. Please fix. ### 2/5 — Please update for iOS 17 *2023-10-22* Great app in the past, but no longer works on iPad OS 17. ### 3/5 — Great magazine, sorry to see it go *2022-11-01, version 2.3.0* I bought a few issues over the years, but gradually ran out of local stores that carried it. I was thrilled when the iPad version came out, and bought the “Classic Star Wars” kickstarter package, along with several more issues over the last few years. I saw a post on Twitter today, saying that the website is now gone, so I checked the app and was relieved that I could still download. However, it appears that my Kickstarter issues are no longer in my account in the app - I can only download issues that I bought individually in-app. ### 2/5 — App didn’t work, not so much support, surprise taxes *2022-02-03, version 2.3.0* Update: I bought an issue for $4.99 and got billed with extra taxes I wasn’t aware of, so it was $5.43. I don’t like that kind of surprise. I think I’ I’ll definitely never buy from cinefex ever again after my first isssue with the app. I could not download any issue on iPadOS 15 for quite a while, I kept getting "caches folder permission denied" as error message. Contacted the app developper who eventually suggested me to pay the yearly subscription to access all their past issues even though I couldn’t even download the one I paid for; nor the free one! It seemed they did not even care or try to understand my problem. Didn’t heard from them after that. I was very disappointed as it was my first impression with Cinefex. It seems everything is fixed and in order now, let’s hope for cinefex and their readers that future OS updates won’t screw this app again as it is their only source of income/way to get those magazines. **Developer response:** Sorry about that. We're working on a fix now. ### 3/5 — Fix for ios15 *2022-01-06, version 2.2.8* Is it true you are working to fix the download error issues for iOS 15? I bought an issue (have a few issues already) on my new device and it won't download(comes up with the cache permissions error). When I got to my older device I can download issues but it does not show I bought the issue I got on the new device (it did not sync). **Developer response:** Yes, we are working on the download problem for iOS 15, sorry for the wait. As for syncing of purchased issues among multiple devices, the second device won't immediately show the purchase, but if you attempt to purchase it again, it should report that you already own it and let you download it (once the download problem is fixed). If the app is restarted or if you tap the Restore button, it should refresh with all your latest App Store purchase and subscription info. ### 5/5 — So sad to hear you are closing shop *2021-03-07, version 2.2.6* I’m an art director in the film and tv business and learned so much from this magazine...I first got it when only a youngster and dreamed of working with these legends...and some I have! So sorry you are needing to close shop...I do hope the iPad edition remains up and running...or that there is a way we can download our bought editions. When I gave to your fund for digitalization of all the early editions I gave towards that so I could have all the issues to browse thru ...and sold off my hard copies! So please find a way to keep the digital iPad version functioning! ### 3/5 — Please fix downloads when running on macOS *2021-02-17, version 2.2.6* Please fix downloads on iPad OS app (v. 2.2.6) running on M1 MacBooks. My library shows up and it allows me to download but then it doesn’t switch to Read which renders the app useless on the M1 Macs. I was very excited to be able to read my library of Cinefex issues on my Mac. Please fix. Thanks! ### 5/5 — Good solution to a well known problem *2020-06-10, version 2.2.5* Cinefex🎞 does not work on Laptops 💻 or desktops 🖥only IOS platforms and they need for a bigger screen has become very important . There have been a lot of comments about this. Airplay needs a Bluetooth or two ips running together and not everyone can get acesss to this setup when traveling on a tour and living in and out of hotel 🏨rooms. No worries just get a Apple Lighting to Digital AV adapter and connect it up to your favourite Screen ! My choice is a 60 OLED with 7.1 surround sound makes reading this magazine a scream 😱 and brings it back to Life ! Nuff Said! ### 5/5 — 40 years *2020-03-10, version 2.2.4* For 40 years, Cinefex has provided the best coverage of the FX industry. A great magazine, well written and easy to understand, especially if you are not a member of the FX community and are only a fan. Congratulations Cinefex! **Developer response:** Thanks, much appreciated! ### 3/5 — Cinefex *2019-05-26, version 2.2.0* A little more difficult in moving from one article to the next then most other magazines of the type. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Where are the rest of my collection? *2024-01-22* A lot of us spent a large sum of money through the Kickstarter campaign that devolved this program, and now only issues from 2012 are showing as being purchased. How do we get the rest of our collection returned to us. I don’t plan on buying them all a second time. ### 1/5 — Where are the rest of my collection? *2024-01-19* A lot of us spent a large sum of money through the Kickstarter campaign that devolved this program, and now only issues from 2012 are showing as being purchased. How do we get the rest of our collection returned to us. I don’t plan on buying them all a second time. ### 1/5 — Zoom *2023-12-25* I just updated to the latest version and all the pages are zoomed and cut in half. Unreadable and no way to minimize the page **Developer response:** That's another iPadOS17 issue (still looks alright on iPadOS16). We're working on a fix. The problem specifically affects the image gallery pages, classic covers, and classic reader views, the regular text pages and videos should be OK. ### 1/5 — I have used this magnificent App for many years *2023-12-23* Ever since I got this app, when it first came out, I thought it was amazing. Over the years I have actually purchased some of the issues that were out of print and the ones that replace digitally that I already had. I was saddened to hear that they closed but the app will live on! I was glad to hear that my purchases will be on my iPad and I can take them with me. Now after all these years with the new update cause the app to fail. With all my issues locked up failed app. I am hoping that Apple will be able to fix because my purchases are not accessible anymore. **Developer response:** Hello, if you're experiencing a crash with iPadOS 17, hopefully the most recent update (approved on Christmas Day) fixes it. ### 1/5 — iOS 17 Breaks App *2023-11-02* DO NOT upgrade to iOS 17 if you want to continue using the Cinefex app. Cinefex went out of business a few years ago, so it doesn’t appear that anyone is keeping the app updated. It’s a bummer because I am no longer able to access the collection that I spent a lot of money on. **Developer response:** Hello, we finally have a crash fix for iOS 17 released just yesterday. ### 1/5 — App crashes upon pending *2023-10-20* Please fix the app. It crashes upon opening it. I tried restarting my iPad. Nothing is working to fix it **Developer response:** Hello, thanks for your report. We just released an update with a fix for crashes on iPadOS 17 ### 1/5 — Cinefex is great, but app crashes on launch *2023-10-15* Cinefex app crashes on launch on iOS 17. Cinefex itself is great though. Was sorry to see it go. ### 1/5 — No meat, all captions *2022-01-30, version 2.2.9* App to write a review is not working. **Developer response:** I'm not sure if this is what you're referring to, but the rate-this-app popup that occasionally appears after reading an issue is provided by Apple (it's called SKStoreReviewController). The frequency of its appearance is controlled by Apple and the default behavior is to only ask for a rating. There is an option to also prompt for a written review, which I might have tried out and decided it was a bit obtrusive who just want to rate quickly and get on with the app, but that was quite a while ago, so I don't really remember. ### 1/5 — Download doesn’t work *2022-01-19, version 2.2.8* I bought an issue on my iPad but there’s no way to download it. How can I see it? Is there a way to download it on the computer? Or any other way? **Developer response:** This is a problem that started happening with iOS 15. We're working on a fix. Sorry for the delay. ### 1/5 — Don’t have access to caches *2021-12-18, version 2.2.8* I can’t download any new Cinefex issues that I bought. I get a “don’t have access to caches message” after the download completes. It seems this app, which has worked well for years, is broken on newer versions of iOS. **Developer response:** You're right, the download is not working on iOS 15. We're working on a fix. Sorry about that. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Happy to see this is still supported *2024-03-19* I, like a lot of people, was dismayed when Cinefex ceased publication. I feared that this app would also cease to function at some point, but I’m happy to see that it is still being supported (thus far). I’ve purchased a few issues through the app, but the issues I received through the Kickstarter campaign to create the app have disappeared. Is there any way to get them back (other than repurchasing)? ### 5/5 — App seems fixed…. *2024-01-01* Thought it was doomed when iOS updated and broke the app, especially since they shut down years ago. Currently its magically working sgain. IPad pro. IOS 17.1.2 FYI to those in similar boat. **Developer response:** Great to hear it's working, thanks! ### 5/5 — Working great *2023-12-28* Great job on the update **Developer response:** Thanks, good to hear! ### 5/5 — Thanks for Fixing iOS 17 version! *2023-12-26* It now works on my MacBook and iPad. ### 5/5 — A tragedy that Cinefex is gone *2023-11-16* I’ve learned so much from this magazine over the years. It served as my number one how-to manual in my DIY film days, was a huge source of inspiration in my 18 months of being a digital compositor in the VFX industry, and remains some of my favorite bedtime reading. And sadly, it’s not working in iPadOS 17. I hope for an update to fix that, but I do wonder how long this app will continue to be updated. ### 5/5 — Hoping the app developers see this *2023-10-02* Sorry for low rating the app - there seems to be no other way. After upgrading to iPadOS 17, the app no longer works. Simply crashes on launch. Please fix ASAP. Thank you. ### 5/5 — What happened *2023-09-19* I cannot open the app on my new IPad. **Developer response:** Hi, sorry for the long wait. If your iPad is running iPadOS 17 hopefully the latest update will fix it. ### 5/5 — A Vestige of a Classic Movie Magazine *2023-05-29* They say print is dead so it's a great thing to be able to purchase digital copies of Cinefex. If nothig else, it's great just being able to view the beautiful covers! ### 5/5 — Great app for a great magazine *2022-07-28, version 2.3.0* I love movie special effects, so Cinefex has been a go to magazine to learn how they made movie magic. I was sad that the magazine stopped publishing in 2021, but I’m happy the app has been maintained and updated regularly, and I can buy back issues that I find interesting. **Developer response:** Thanks for the nice words, we appreciate it! ### 5/5 — Cinefex is the best! *2021-03-13, version 2.2.6* This is a valuable asset for any VFX practitioners library. I own most of the Cinefex editions in print but over the years some were lost or missed and with this I have completed my library. Having digital copies at hand on my desk is very convenient and valuable to quickly look up and review something I might need immediate insight on. My problem is that it is all just so incredibly exciting that I will find myself getting lost going deep into the history of VFX thanks to Cinefex. --- *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 2026-06-10.*