# Essence Magazine — user reviews > 68 indexed App Store user reviews of Essence Magazine by Essence Communications Inc, rated 4.50/5 from 975 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/essence-magazine/id1428985622/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/essence-magazine/id1428985622.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 791 · 4★ 64 · 3★ 29 · 2★ 15 · 1★ 76 ## 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 ## Newest reviews (12 of 68) ### 1/5 — Worst app ever *2020-06-11, version 1.2* Digital subscribers are unable to access your online content. The online ads and/or request to allow cookies fill the entire screen. It is annoying and amateurish. This is the third time I have resubscribed after canceling because I love the idea of reading about strong, intelligent, creative, and successful WOC. I want to support but come on, do better. ### 1/5 — Love the magazine but *2020-05-21* The issue is always late to come online on the app - digital version should be available at the same time as the print it’s crazy you have to wait over a week sometimes two to have access ### 1/5 — Awful Customer Service - NOT Responding! *2020-05-16, version 1.2* I’ve sent 2 emails seeking help downloading May/June 2020 issue- NO response. Is ANYONE working?? Again - Please help. ### 1/5 — Magazine is unreadable still *2020-05-08, version 1.2* I thought the kinks had been worked out so I renewed my subscription in March during the quarantine. I can’t access the May issue and it’s May 8. I will never subscribe again. ### 1/5 — Poor quality! *2020-01-06, version 1.2* I renewed my subscription after hearing all the kinks and issues had been worked out. Sadly I have not been unable to view the Jan/Feb issue and it’s already mid-January and have already been charged. I will not be renewing again. ### 3/5 — Unsure of my Essence App subscription *2019-12-14, version 1.2* I subscribed for 1 year today. I can only access December 2019 issue. There is no log in options. Essence has not given me an account number. 12-14-19 ### 4/5 — There is a wait *2019-04-27, version 1.1* My current subscription was not immediately available. It took about a month to be able to download issues included in my subscription. Otherwise the magazine is great!! ### 2/5 — Can you fix it? *2019-04-26, version 1.1* This app has glitches. I can’t log in with my Apple ID and I lost the April issue I subscribed to. Even though I download for offline use it does not store it and I have to download it again. Even reading it online, it needs to be downloaded again. Annoying! Help!! ### 1/5 — Log in trouble *2019-04-16, version 1.1* The app will not let me sign in so if I didn’t have a hard copy of the magazine I would not be able to read each issue. ### 2/5 — Can not access all the magazines I paid for *2019-04-03, version 1.1* I have been a subscriber since 2016 but never used my digital account until 2017 I tried this app on my iPad and after four emails to essence they still can not provide me with the correct way to access all my magazines via this app ### 1/5 — Paying and cannot download *2019-03-26, version 1.1* I am going to cancel this subscription but I want a refund. I haven’t been able to download the magazine since February. This should not be happening for a reputable magazine and Apple. ### 1/5 — Awful App *2019-03-20* Magazine does not download properly since the latest iOS update. Very limited user management. This App needs lots of improvement. Not receiving issues even though my subscription is active. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 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!!! ### 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. ### 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 ### 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. ### 1/5 — The worse magazine ever *2020-09-05, version 1.4* DO NOT, AND I MEAN DO NOT RENEW YOUR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS MAGAZINE. My subscription is until 8/21 and I still can’t download the current issue. I Don’t have the option to log off and re-log on. Take so tips from other magazines. Since this magazine was bought out, its be horrible. Clear up the stereotype! ### 1/5 — No access to magazine *2020-08-17, version 1.4* I get charged monthly but can’t access the magazine. ### 1/5 — App doesn’t work *2020-07-13, version 1.4* I’ve had a paid subscription for years and prior to an update in 2018 I was able to download magazines, but now I am not able to download the print version of the magazine, I can only download images. I reported this several times and it still hadn’t been fixed. Maybe the app needs to be rebuilt and/or get a new developer. This is ridiculous that Essence can’t get this fixed. I may actually cancel my subscription because I don’t understand why they can’t get it fixed when they are fully aware of it. UPDATE: as a previous reviewer stated the account # on the magazine cover is different from what’s online, so after using the online account number I found online was able to logon and download the magazine view of the magazine. The developer needs to correct the login image to show what portion of the account number users should use or tell customers to go online to get the correct acct #. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 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! ### 5/5 — Love Essence *2023-07-24, version 2.4* Insightful articles, beautiful black people I so appreciate this magazine ### 5/5 — Love *2020-12-25, version 1.4* Essence magazine have been apart of my family for decades. ### 5/5 — Limited app *2020-05-12, version 1.2* I enjoapp is unfinished. There isn’t a sign in option for current subscribers and no recognition of previous purchases. I think it was poor judgement to release an app in this unfinished condition. I just found out today, Dec. 6, that the Essence app isn’t compatible with Apple. Dumb decision by Essence It’s December 2018; today customer service reports Essence is working to eliminate the issues with their magazine app and IOS. Management decision to launch without IOS on board, not tested and remaining silent is irresponsible. When it’s fixed, I will take time to reconsider another subscription. Reckless!!!!! ### 5/5 — A freakin issue again! *2019-12-03, version 1.2* I cannot access my December issue of my essence. What is going on? Why does this happen? ### 5/5 — Essence App *2019-11-24, version 1.2* Sorry app since the update. Still cannot get the digital magazine copies that were lost after update. ### 5/5 — Love having the magazine right on my phone! *2019-06-01* I’ve always been a lover of Essence magazine. I love this app ### 5/5 — Help! *2019-03-25, version 1.1* I am not able to download the current magazine! I have contacted the app site and Essence both are blaming each other! I don’t have an account number so I am completely lost on what to do next. I am not able to get a refund either. ### 5/5 — Digital Login Help *2019-01-20, version 1.1* After much frustration with the Essence App, I FINALLY found access to my subscription. I accessed the Web from my iPad so I’m not sure if this will work from a Laptop or Desktop. Probably will, but I did not try it. I hope this will help the many frustrated digital fans of Essence Magazine. Visit Essence.com/digitalaccess to enjoy the digital benefits of your subscription. GOOD LUCK! ### 5/5 — What Is Going On?!!! *2018-12-24, version 1.0* I’m so disappointed in this app! --- *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 2026-09-04.*