# Essence Magazine

> Digital magazine for African-American women's lifestyle, fashion, and beauty. (iPhone/iPad app by Essence Communications Inc.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/essence-magazine/id1428985622 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Essence Communications Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1428985618)
- Category: Magazines & Newspapers, Lifestyle
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.50/5 from 975 App Store ratings · 68 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 14.0 · 22 MB
- Languages: British English, Arabic, Catalan, Czech, Dutch, French (France), German (Germany), Hungarian, Italian, Japanese and 5 more
- Released: 2018-09-14
- Data updated: 2026-08-26
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/essence-magazine/id1428985622/reviews.md

## What is Essence Magazine?

ESSENCE is the premiere lifestyle, fashion and beauty magazine for African-American women.

Download the newly updated ESSENCE magazine app and experience the fierce, fun and fabulous features you love, wherever you go.

The app includes: 

- Each digital issue which includes all of the news and features in the print edition 
- Offline reading for downloaded issues 

SUBSCRIPTION PLANS ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH ITUNES! 
Download our free app today, select the issue for purchase or subscribe and save 70% off the single copy price! 

Essence Magazine Subscriptions Available: 
1-month subscription - $1.99 (automatically renewed until canceled) 
1-year subscription - $17.99 (automatically renewed until canceled)
Single issue - $4.99 (non-subscription) 

SUBSCRIBERS’ AUTOMATIC-RENEWAL FEATURE: 
Your subscription will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase and will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of your current period. Your iTunes account will automatically be charged at the same price for renewal, as stated above, within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period.

Current subscribers may not be canceled during the active subscription period, but you can manage your subscription and/or turn off auto-renewal by visiting your iTunes Account Settings after purchase.

NOTE: WHEN PURCHASING A SUBSCRIPTION OR SINGLE-COPY OF THIS TITLE, YOU AGREE TO THE PRIVACY POLICY AND TERMS OF SERVICE WHICH CAN BE VIEWED BY GOING TO: 
https://www.essence.com/privacy-policy
https://www.essence.com/privacy-policy-california/
https://www.essence.com/terms-of-use/

## Key features

- Digital magazine issues
- Print edition content
- Offline reading
- Subscription plans
- Single issue purchase

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Essence 1 year Subscription | $17.99 | per year |
| Essence Magazine 1 month | $1.99 | per month |

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Essence Magazine Sep 2018 | $4.99 | one-time |
| December 2018 | $4.99 | one-time |
| February 2019 | $4.99 | one-time |
| April 2019 | $4.99 | one-time |
| May 2019 | $4.99 | one-time |
| July-August 2019 | $4.99 | one-time |
| October 2019 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Mar 2020 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Essence Magazine | $4.99 | one-time |
| Essence Magazine | $4.99 | one-time |
| Essence Magazine | $4.99 | one-time |
| Essence Magazine | $4.99 | one-time |
| Essence Magazine | $4.99 | one-time |
| Essence Magazine | $4.99 | one-time |
| Essence Magazine | $4.99 | one-time |
| Nov 2020 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Essence Magazine | $4.99 | one-time |
| Essence Magazine | $4.99 | one-time |
| Essence Magazine | $4.99 | one-time |
| Essence Magazine | $4.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of Essence Magazine?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- 💖 Love Essence magazine
- 💻 Love having the magazine on my phone
- 🗓️ Insightful articles, beautiful black people

**Cons**

- 🐛 App doesn't work, unable to download/access issues
- 🤯 Frustrating app experience, many issues reported
- 🔍 Can't sign in or access subscription content
- 💰 Charged for subscription but can't read new issues

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes, freezes, or is incompatible
- Issues with downloading and accessing content
- Subscription and login problems

**Most requested features**

- Restore previous purchases and access to old issues
- Improve login and subscription management
- Ensure timely availability of new issues

## Recent user reviews (10 of 68)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/essence-magazine/id1428985622/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Where’s the latest issue??

*2025-09-25, version 3.9*

NEVER loads the latest issue in a timely manner. It’s almost October… Where’s the September / October 2025 issue?? I’ve tried everything, including restoring past purchases and. Nothing. Ever. Works. So over this app!!!

### 5/5 — I’m in awe of Essence and its incredible journey over the years

*2023-12-02, version 2.7*

I love the format of the magazine! Whether it’s online or in print, the photographs and images of people, places and events. I grew up reading this magazine from a young age. And when I became an adult I too became a fan and now a subscriber! Keep up the great work! Happy Holidays!

### 1/5 — Paid for Subscription but Can’t Read New Issues

*2023-10-01, version 2.6*

It has been over a month since I paid for the yearly subscription and I still cannot read any of the new issues without paying for them.  I’m a long time subscriber (over 10 years) and the subscription model has been on the decline for the past four years.  It’s such a shame to see good content not able to be accessed by people that paid in full for it through the app.

### 5/5 — Love Essence

*2023-07-24, version 2.4*

Insightful articles, beautiful black people I so appreciate this magazine

### 1/5 — App doesn’t work

*2023-04-22, version 2.1*

I have tried logging out, deleting & resetting.  Cannot get magazines on my iPad.

### 1/5 — The app does not work on iPhone

*2021-12-29, version 1.9*

It's December 2021. The App doesn't work on iPhone. I'm reading the November/December 2021 issue. On page 106, Wherever you go, Essence goes with you. You are still promoting an app that has major issues. WHY?

### 1/5 — Loading problem

*2021-01-10, version 1.4*

Unable to load so I m not able to enjoy my subscription this site is not friendly

### 5/5 — Love

*2020-12-25, version 1.4*

Essence magazine have been apart of my family for decades.

### 1/5 — Update APPLE USER!!!

*2020-11-22, version 1.4*

My subscription ends in 6 months... however, I am unable to DOWNLOAD THE DECEMBER ISSUE!!!!! What is going on?!?!?! B

### 1/5 — App doesn’t work for me

*2020-10-19, version 1.4*

Love magazine but app doesn’t work.

## Frequently asked questions about Essence Magazine

### What is Essence Magazine?

Essence Magazine is a digital publication focused on lifestyle, fashion, and beauty specifically for African-American women. The app provides access to all the news and features found in the print edition.

### How can I access the magazine content?

You can access the magazine content by purchasing single issues or by subscribing through iTunes. The app allows you to download issues for offline reading, so you can enjoy the content wherever you are.

### What are the subscription options and costs?

Subscription plans are available through iTunes. Options include a 1-month subscription for $1.99 or a 1-year subscription for $17.99. Single issues can be purchased for $4.99. All subscriptions automatically renew until canceled.

### Can I cancel my subscription?

Yes, you can manage your subscription and turn off auto-renewal by visiting your iTunes Account Settings after purchase. Current subscribers cannot cancel during the active subscription period, but you can prevent future renewals.

### Is this app compatible with my device?

The app is available for download and offers subscription plans through iTunes. This indicates compatibility with Apple devices that support the iTunes Store and app downloads.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 4.1 — 2026-07-28

Resolves an issue with restoring subscriptions on iOS 26.

### 3.9 — 2025-07-10

Performance enhancements, miscellaneous bug fixes

### 3.8 — 2025-04-30

Updates the underlying code platform to the latest version

### 3.7 — 2025-02-18

Updates the underlying code platform to the latest version

### 3.6 — 2024-12-03

Updates the underlying code platform to the latest version.
Minor bug fixes and performance improvements.

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## More apps by Essence Communications Inc

- [Essence 360](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/essence-360/id1382387491)

All apps by Essence Communications Inc: https://appshunter.io/developer/1428985618

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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 2026-08-26.*