# Fine Woodworking Magazine — user reviews > 166 indexed App Store user reviews of Fine Woodworking Magazine by Taunton Interactive, rated 4.30/5 from 835 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fine-woodworking-magazine/id553183362/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fine-woodworking-magazine/id553183362.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 605 · 4★ 100 · 3★ 19 · 2★ 20 · 1★ 91 ## What do users think of Fine Woodworking Magazine? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 🌟 Excellent magazine content - 📚 Comprehensive woodworking resource - 👍 User-friendly app interface **Cons** - 🐛 Unreliable login and account management - 💸 Paywall issues and lost purchases - 📥 Inconsistent offline access and downloads - 🔍 Poor search and navigation - 🔧 Buggy and unstable app updates **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes and freezes - Login and account issues - Missing or inaccessible purchased content - Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions **Most requested features** - Seamless integration with website and online content - Ability to download and read issues offline - Improved customer support and communication ## Newest reviews (16 of 166) ### 2/5 — Great Magazine poor app *2025-12-14, version 26.0.0* I have been subscribing to the online magazine for multiple years and regularly I lose my connection. It takes at least a month to get it fixed. At the next renewal I think I will just drop my subscription. It is not worth my time. ### 2/5 — Great content, mediocre access *2025-03-14, version 26.0.0* Just give me access to download a PDF of each issue, without all the restrictions an access errors with the app. ### 2/5 — Fine Woodworking Unlimited Content Missing *2025-02-04, version 26.0.0* I like the app, essentially on my iPad but there doesn’t seem to be any access to all the content I pay for with my Fine Woodworking Unlimited subscription. I can access every past issue in a browser but not in this app. If I’m missing something, please let me know and I’ll happily change my rating to 5 stars. ### 1/5 — 5star to 0 stars *2025-01-28, version 26.0.0* The latest update to the app deleted all the special issues purchased over a years. One day I’m reading the most current issue and the next it’s not there. But they tell me you. Have all the available issues which is only the 2024 issues. As for the special issues at 9.99 each the response was sorry we can’t help you. The app has gone down hill at a steady pace ### 1/5 — Minimum Support *2025-01-26, version 26.0.0* Since the new update for app I have lost about 10 years of issues of digital content. Support from Zinio is worthless. “We don’t see an account for you. You will have to contact the publisher.” Isn’t that the role of support? Get off your high horse and YOU contact the publisher and FIND my account information. Maybe if we all get together, we can get a lawyer to force Fine Woodworking and Zinio to fix the problem. Zero stars for the broken app. ### 1/5 — This is a disaster *2025-01-25* The new app has been a disaster. The support helped me get access back, but the latest issue isn’t in the app anymore. Support said that the publisher hasn’t provided it yet. Of course, it was there before the upgrade and it’s on the website. Frustrating. I contacted Fine Woodworking support through the website to let them know the app publisher said they need the latest issue from them, the response I got back was the issue was sent to my email address. It wasn’t and it didn’t address the issue. ### 1/5 — New AP is a disaster *2025-01-24, version 26.0.0* After years of paying Taunton for various accesses and subscriptions, I have now had all but the last 4 issues stripped from my library. I’m sure I’m not alone. Time to return to consider going back to print only. ### 1/5 — Latest Update Unusable *2025-01-23, version 26.0.0* Unfortunately the latest update has left me with an app that doesn't work properly. Trying to login I don't get prompted for a password, can't use my subscription, yet it says I'm logged in. ### 1/5 — New 2025 version not ready for prime time *2025-01-22, version 26.0.0* The new 2025 version does not recognize accounts, past purchases, logins, etc. it is very very broken. ### 1/5 — Apple subscription *2025-01-21, version 26.0.0* The new version of the app does not recognise an Apple Subscription which makes this application useless. Should have zero stars. Eventually after much discussion with support I managed to get all my back issues. It could be a startup glitch, but the app is missing the latest issue (#315) and support is quick to blame fine woodworking for this, even though the previous version of the app displayed the issue before the current developers took over. ### 1/5 — New app as of January 2025 really has holes *2025-01-21, version 26.0.0* It is still missing the latest issue that was released in the prior app. It does not integrate well with your master fine woodworking subscription. The help staff from ZINIO does well in trying to make up for the gaps but a poor transition that clearly was not tested with the full subscription base. ### 1/5 — Upgrade forgets you are a subscriber *2025-01-20, version 26.0.0* While the UI looks good, I can’t test any features or use the app because it erased any evidence I was a subscriber. I have been since the 1990s. First challenge was the new update rejected my login for a bad password — but it didn’t prompt for a password yet. Customer support (email) promptly bypassed the password requirement so I could login, but once logged in ** every issue ** I have downloaded to the library is missing. In fact, it doesn’t even recognize I’m a current subscriber. I used this app to streamline my print collection, and collection of CDs archives I bought over the years. Now, all that is lost. ### 1/5 — Can’t log in *2025-01-19, version 26.0.0* The new app doesn’t work with you FWW Unlimited login. Content I had downloaded disappeared. Useless and destructive “upgrade” ### 2/5 — Ver 26.0.0 *2025-01-19, version 26.0.0* After trying for 2 days to restore my account , nothing has happened This app is less than satisfactory ### 1/5 — Can’t log into account *2025-01-18, version 26.0.0* Can’t login. Nothing works. No access. ### 1/5 — Interesting looking new app but can’t login? *2025-01-17, version 26.0.0* The new version of the app looks great but seems to be unusable. I tried to login and there’s no password field so the login fails. Tried reporting it to the developer but the webform is set up to report a web page issue and not the app. Tried reporting a quality issue to Apple and didn’t have any success there either ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Fine woodworking app. *2026-03-19, version 26.0.6* Fine woodworking full access works good on computer but not iPhone and iPad, only lets me view recent magazines, won’t let me access past issues as stated in your $99.00 a year price. ### 1/5 — Beware *2026-02-16, version 26.0.6* This is decoupled from an online subscription via the site. You would think that they link via email address, but they don’t. When you call to consolidate they are not able to resolve. When you call FWW they just give excuses. I had one agent say he would look into it and call me back…4 weeks later: nothing. Obviously just a ploy to get me off the line. I also find the app in need of some work. FWW has great content, but their online presence and customer support is severely lacking. Also their subscription pricing and what is included in each price level is confusing and I was told their are options not available listed on the website. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work *2025-12-03, version 26.0.0* I am a long time print subscriber but can’t down load any of the magazines. The only option in the app is to purchase. ### 1/5 — I hope you read this first *2025-06-28, version 26.0.0* You will not get any back back issues if you sign up. I found out the hard way and I can’t even get a refund. Dumbest idea for an app ever. You have to pay $12!!!!!! For outdated issues. Never buying their dumb magazine again. ### 1/5 — This is a disaster *2025-03-23, version 26.0.0* The new app has been a disaster. The support helped me get access back, but the latest issue isn’t in the app anymore. Support said that the publisher hasn’t provided it yet. Of course, it was there before the upgrade and it’s on the website. Frustrating. I contacted Fine Woodworking support through the website to let them know the app publisher said they need the latest issue from them, the response I got back was the issue was sent to my email address. It wasn’t and it didn’t address the issue. Update: I was able to get content back. Now every time I start the app it just spins. I have to force close it. Reopening the second time seems to work. ### 1/5 — Junk app *2025-03-22, version 26.0.0* Lost all magazines from subscribing from years back. Now have to buy they again?????? Waste of time writing this because no one will ever read it. Will be dropping Fine Woodworking this year ### 1/5 — Cannot access past issues using app on an iPad. *2025-03-08, version 26.0.0* SSee title ### 1/5 — Lost editions *2025-02-11, version 26.0.0* The majority of magazines I purchased under my ongoing subscription over many years are no longer available, whereas they were accessible using the previous Fine Woodworking app. The change to this new app reflects extremely poor service on the part of Taunton Press. ### 1/5 — Do it over *2025-02-04, version 26.0.0* All my stuff is gone thanks ### 1/5 — This app is a thief *2025-01-28, version 26.0.0* This app stole or deleted hundreds of magazines from my iPads when an automatic update converted from the old app to this when from the worthless company Zinio. The SOB deleted those that I already had and could read and wants me to repurchase at $12.99. Time to terminate my subscription and save $ 70 a year. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Fine woodworking *2025-12-30, version 26.0.0* Love this magazine, I have been a member for many years I never get tired of reading and looking through every time I get my hands on a magazine even if is 20 years old. ### 5/5 — Back issue problem solved *2025-07-03, version 26.0.0* I had some issues (long story) and lost all my back issues. It happened when I changed my sub from the publisher to Apple. Not gonna happen again. Anyway, these guys and I finally communicated and they resolved everything. Very fair. Thank you. The app as always is very good. ### 5/5 — Awesome *2025-02-08, version 26.0.0* An upgrade thats so much better than the original its like a brand new app. Loads of useful detail in terms of how to access content, and it meshes perfectly with the website. ### 5/5 — Where’s my stuff? *2025-01-31, version 26.0.0* I sent a screenshot to Zinio from the App Store showing when I first downloaded the fww app. My access to the magazines from that date was restored within minutes. ——- All of my downloaded content has vanished with the new app! Can it be restored from an ipad backup? ### 5/5 — Long time reader *2024-03-25, version 22.1.0* Been reading Fine woodworking since the early 80’s. It’s always been the gold standard for woodworking publications ### 5/5 — FWW NEWS *2023-10-29, version 22.1.0* Toured Normandy France during the D day celebrations this year and took a side trip to Paris where we walked around the Notredamn cathedral. There is a hugh amount of wood working going on there to rebuild the church after the fire. I’d like to forward some pictures I took there for your review to see if you’d have any interest in creating an article for the magazine. The work is not fine furniture woodworking but the scale of the work is very impressive and exacting. I need an email address to send the pictures if you are interested. Thanks. Ron Steis ### 5/5 — The best magazine ever on the subjects *2023-05-12, version 21.1.4* I think this magazine is tops. The illustrations are beautifully rendered and the articles are superbly reasoned. This was the best review ever. Thank you. ### 5/5 — Simple online magazine reader. *2019-03-11, version 18.1.6* This is an easy to use online magazine reader. It shows your subscribed issues and lets you download them for offline reading. Images are high resolution. Layout is the same as the print version so of course that is a factor on small screens but on an iPad, it’s awesome. A great benefit. ### 5/5 — Nice presentation, content limited for members. *2018-08-11, version 16.1.1* I have an online membership which should give me digital access to all issues and videos on the website which it does via the website. However on the app only the latest issue is available. This is a significant let down because whilst I can access old issues via my PC being unable to do it on the tablet is a real limitation. If this isn’t improved it would make me reconsider renewing my membership. ### 5/5 — Not Perfect, But No Issues *2018-02-25* While not perfect, the app isn’t giving me the issues noticed by others. It does have some quirks. For example, if you choose to Restore Purchases, it will only restore the items you have purchased through the app. In order to restore items from a print or digital subscription purchased through Fine Woodworking, you’ll need to login in order for those issues to appear. You can then download the ones you want. Looking forward to future app enhancements. --- *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 2026-09-02.*