# Exploring Tolkien — Tolkien podcast, news & videos > Tolkien podcast, news, videos, and community for dedicated fans. (iPhone/iPad app by Jonathan Watson.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/exploring-tolkien/id6759834594 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Jonathan Watson](https://appshunter.io/developer/1881068413) - Category: Entertainment, Books - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 5.00/5 from 5 App Store ratings · 2 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 12+ - Requires: iOS 18.0 · 24 MB - Languages: English - Released: 2026-05-23 - Data updated: 2026-07-09 - Monetization: freemium - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/exploring-tolkien/id6759834594/reviews.md ## What is Exploring Tolkien? Exploring Tolkien is the companion app for the podcast of the same name — the show for serious JRR Tolkien fans, from the team at TheOneRing.com, online since 1999. Hosts Jonathan Watson and Michael Grumbine of TheOneRing.com (the internet’s longest Tolkien community since 1999) read through The Hobbit, The Silmarillion, and every Age of Middle-earth — chapter by chapter. We read closely, we read slowly... we're on a long, detailed journey through Tolkiens works! WHAT'S INSIDE - Every episode of Exploring Tolkien... audio or video (plus extended episodes for members) - Browse by episode or check out an entire series - Offline downloads so you'll never miss a moment - Background playback and sleep timer - Push notifications for new episodes and breaking Tolkien news - Tolkien news from TheOneRing.com.... films, casting, products, and the conversations that follow - Today in Tolkien... every important date in Middle-earth and more - Every video from our YouTube channel, in one place - Rank up with every episode you complete MEMBERSHIP — $4.99/month For our most dedicated listeners, an Exploring Tolkien Membership unlocks: - Listen to (or watch) every episode's extended discussions and deeper thoughts - Monthly live video chats with Jonathan and Michael - Middle-earth Portrait... generate your own custom AI portrait in the style of Tolkien's world - Choose your Middle-earth alliance... Rohan, Gondor, the Shire, the House of Fingolfin, and more Cancel anytime, directly from iPhone Settings. ABOUT THE COMMUNITY TheOneRing.com has been a home for serious Tolkien fans since 1999. From the Peter Jackson trilogy era through Amazon's Rings of Power — and everything in between — we've covered it all. Whether you're reading The Silmarillion for the tenth time, or following Bilbo's journey in The Hobbit for the first time, there's a chair at our table! — Subscriptions auto-renew at $4.99/month unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. You can manage or cancel your subscription in iOS Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions. Privacy Policy: https://www.theonering.com/privacy-policy/ Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ ## Key features - Podcast episodes (audio/video) - Offline downloads - Background playback - Push notifications - Tolkien news updates - YouTube video integration - AI Middle-earth portraits (members) ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **Subscriptions** | Subscription | Price | Period | | --- | --- | --- | | Exploring Tolkien Membership | $4.99 | per month | ## Recent user reviews (2 of 2) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/exploring-tolkien/id6759834594/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Great Design *2026-06-10* Nice navigation. Easy to use. Audio, Video, News, and events all in one place! Excellent job! ### 5/5 — Excellent app *2026-06-04* Been following the podcast for awhile now and the app is a wonderful addition. Some bugs, but that’s to be expected. Can’t wait to see more projects in the future ## Frequently asked questions about Exploring Tolkien ### What is Exploring Tolkien? Exploring Tolkien is a companion app for a podcast dedicated to J.R.R. Tolkien's works. It provides access to podcast episodes, news from TheOneRing.com, videos, and exclusive member content for a deep dive into Middle-earth. ### Is Exploring Tolkien free to use? The app offers free access to many features, including podcast episodes and news. A premium membership is available for $4.99 per month, unlocking extended content and features like AI portraits and live chats. ### Can I listen to Exploring Tolkien offline? Yes, the app allows for offline downloads of episodes, so you can enjoy content without an internet connection. This ensures you won't miss any part of the detailed journey through Tolkien's works. ### What exclusive content is available for members? Members of Exploring Tolkien gain access to extended episode discussions, monthly live video chats with the hosts, and the ability to generate custom AI portraits in the style of Tolkien's world. They can also choose a Middle-earth alliance. ### How do I manage my Exploring Tolkien membership? Subscriptions can be managed and canceled directly from your iPhone Settings. Navigate to Apple ID → Subscriptions to adjust your membership status. Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before the current period ends. ### What kind of Tolkien news does the app provide? The app delivers breaking Tolkien news from TheOneRing.com, covering films, casting, products, and related community discussions. It also features 'Today in Tolkien,' highlighting important dates in Middle-earth. ### What is the age rating for Exploring Tolkien? Exploring Tolkien is rated 12+, making it suitable for teenagers and older audiences interested in in-depth literary analysis and fantasy lore. ### How often is Exploring Tolkien updated? The app was last updated on June 14, 2026, with version 1.0.3. While specific update frequency isn't detailed, this indicates ongoing development and support for the application. ## Version history (last 3 releases) ### 1.0.3 — 2026-06-14 * Updated standardized menu. * Improved intelligent search * Fixed series to be auto-updated when new episodes are published * Added close button to podcast player ### 1.0.1 — 2026-05-26 Fixed a few launch bugs including - Riders of Rohan is now Horse Lords. - Fixed Horse Lords Middle-earth portrait - Updated bottom menu to be standard across all iOS devices - Fixed search bug ### 1.0 — 2026-05-23 No release notes. ## Related topics [exploring tolkien](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/exploring-tolkien) · [tolkien](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/tolkien) --- *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 2026-07-09.*