# HistoryExtra Magazine — user reviews > 227 indexed App Store user reviews of HistoryExtra Magazine by Immediate Media Company Limited, rated 4.60/5 from 444 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/historyextra-magazine/id488143654/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/historyextra-magazine/id488143654.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 360 · 4★ 42 · 3★ 15 · 2★ 8 · 1★ 19 ## What do users think of HistoryExtra Magazine? Overall sentiment: neutral **Pros** - 👍 Great content and writing - 🚀 Easy to use app - 💡 Interesting interactive features - 📚 Broad range of historical topics covered **Cons** - 🐛 App crashes and bugs - ⏱️ Slow loading and downloads - 🔒 Login and subscription issues - 📱 Not optimized for mobile devices **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes after iOS updates - Subscription not recognized - Issues downloading and accessing content - Syncing problems across devices **Most requested features** - Landscape mode support - Ability to save/bookmark articles - Offline reading mode - Improved navigation and search ## Newest reviews (16 of 227) ### 4/5 — Lots of Interesting Pieces *2026-03-11, version 8.7* While there were some glitches in the transformation of the app from BBC History into HistoryExtra, it is now working well and provides interesting reading. ### 2/5 — A bit of a con *2026-03-01* I can’t fault the magazine itself and will continue to subscribe but - it seems that you can’t access the podcasts unless you have the other History Extra App with another paid subscription. I’m not entirely sure if this is the case but when clicking links within the magazine to the supporting podcast I’m asked to subscribe. It seems a tad unfair to list podcasts in the contents of the magazine if I’m not able to listen to them. I’m not sure if you need both subscriptions, or if subscriptions to the other APP also gives you access to the magazines. But be aware that you don’t get full access with this APP. You can’t link without a subscription number which you don’t get when you purchase through the APP (but, again, it’s not clear if the subscription for this HistoryExtra APP works with the other HistoryExtra APP) The reason I’m not sure is the support pages don’t answer this question and I haven’t had a clear answer from email support. **Developer response:** Thanks for your review and for your support — we’re glad you’re enjoying the magazine. We appreciate your feedback and are always looking at ways to improve the experience. ### 3/5 — Great mag, app not ideal *2025-08-12* The magazine is great but ideally I’d download to read on the underground, but unfortunately it often needs an internet connection to read EVEN when the particular magazine has been downloaded. ### 3/5 — Reading view *2023-03-27, version 8.0* I decided to rejoin BBC History Magazine after a break. I am extremely disappointed to see that you’ve changed the reading format. Previously the digital ‘reading view’ was as the paper addition but now we have to scroll down each article. Is it possible to have the ‘reading view’ as it used to be (the paper format) added into the app? ### 3/5 — Great content but the ads *2022-10-08* The history content is really great. However, after subscribing and using the app maybe three times, I was faced with an ad, which I could not just exit. Subscriptions shouldn’t come with ads. So, I unsubscribed. ### 1/5 — Waste of space *2022-05-11, version 7.0.1* Do not touch it with a barge pole. ### 1/5 — Dire! Unable to access content that I’ve subscribed to! *2022-04-17* I’d give “0 stars if I could for this dire app. I have a subscription to this magazine yet am unable to access any content which I’ve paid for. Only option showing is £5.99 for each issue even though previously they were downloaded & readily available. No option available to sign in as “already a subscriber”. All my bookmarks have disappeared as well as all the paid for issues I’ve downloaded and on,y option available is to pay £5.99 for each!! Also get constantly bombarded with emails (to the address used for my subscription) it’s offers of discounted subscriptions to the magazine I’m already subscribed to. Avoid this app!! **Developer response:** Hi there, we're so sorry to hear you have lost access to your issues. Could you confirm you have attempted to register new log in details inside the app, sign in with these new details and restore your purchases already? Please may you email us at appsupport@immediate.co.uk with further details of where you purchased your subscription and we will then look into this further for you. Many thanks. ### 1/5 — Sign in requested via History Extra.com *2022-04-07, version 7.0.1* Can’t access my magazines - app asks me to log in - when I press log in it asks me to log in via History Extra - I don’t have an account with them - no explanation why - I set up an account with history extra but still can’t get into app. This needs fixing ASAP ### 1/5 — Great magazine, horrible app, bad customer service *2022-03-29* As with many others, the app won’t recognize my digital subscription. I’ve spent several hours on the phone, exchanged many emails, but no one has any idea how to fix this problem. Too bad, I’ve really enjoyed the content when I’ve seen the paper magazine but they obviously don’t care about their digital subscribers. UPdate: If I could give 0 stars I would. Continued bad service. Buy the magazine in paper or don’t buy it at all. **Developer response:** Hi, thanks for getting in touch. We are so sorry that you've been having trouble accessing your subscription and understand how frustrating this must be. Please can I confirm that you've emailed appsupport@immediate.co.uk with full details of the problems you're experiencing? Our team will be in touch to resolve this issue for you. ### 1/5 — Don’t be fooled *2022-02-08, version 5.6.7* You have to pay to read anything, don’t fall for it ### 1/5 — Useless App useless customer service *2021-08-03* I bought my digital subscription over two months ago but not once has the app worked!! I still haven’t been able to access anything!! I’ve emailed customer service multiple times and they keep saying “sorry we’ll get back to you soon” and disappear!! Complete waste of time and money ### 1/5 — Content inaccessible *2021-06-03* Download stalls partway through. No access to articles. Reinstalling doesn’t help. Internet access is high speed and no problems with other apps ### 1/5 — Unable to read some content *2021-05-18, version 5.6.7* In the May issue unable to read the peasants revolt, the rise of Britain’s prime minister or Henry VII, can read the rest. ### 1/5 — App crashes *2021-05-07, version 5.6.7* I like the content, when I can see it. It very frequently freezes up or doesn’t load on my IPad or iPhone. Really poor app in terms of functioning - I’m on the verge of deleting it. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t load articles *2021-04-22, version 5.6.7* Doesn’t work on my iPhone. When I try to load an article it stays grey for several minutes. Also rebooted my phone no difference. Connection is fine. iOS 14.4.2 phone iPhone XS ### 1/5 — Great content . . . when you can get it *2021-04-15* The feature articles do not download, only the short pieces and the ads. Of course pages with advertising download quickly and completely. This is like buying a newspaper after someone has clipped-out all of the news articles. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — No longer allows access to issues *2026-01-17* I have been a subscriber (magazine and digital) for several years and have always used the app without a problem. Now I cannot access issues after December 2025 without paying- despite having an ongoing subscription. I have restored purchases using my subscriber number but without success. I phoned the helpline but they had no answer. Unsure about renewing my subscription if this is not resolved. **Developer response:** simonwtate, Sorry to hear you're having trouble accessing the newer issues. That shouldn’t happen with an active subscription. Please contact our support team with your subscription details so we can look into this and help restore your access. ### 1/5 — App stopped recognizing subscription after “re-branding” *2025-12-27, version 8.7* I have a subscription, but since the re-branding and app update, I have only preview access to any content. I reported the problem, but have received no reply. ### 1/5 — Can't sync my subscription *2023-12-30* Don't purchase anything from the app as you won't be able to read contents on their website... You'd be vendor-locked-in to iOS devices. You can't read anything even on the Mac, let alone on web browsers (of other devices). At least, they could have warned me of that. Apparently, if you have purchased issues on the web, you can read it on this app. Why do they even allow purchasing on the phone at that point? Using either of the two accounts, this app is renders the ugly HTML in a web browser. It's a sad pointless app. It used to be far better, but I guess they sabotaged their efforts and went full on profits at some point. **Developer response:** Thank you for getting in touch. Apologies you're having trouble using your App, if you would please get in touch via this form https://www.immediateapps.co.uk/digital-contact-form/ we may be able to help you with this issue. Many thanks ### 1/5 — New versions never tested update *2023-11-27* Every time there’s a new version, there’s problems having to log back in again. This happens constantly. It never accepts my subscription number for weeks and then decides it’s going to. I don’t know if these apps are ever tested before their release to the public, but it certainly doesn’t appear so. The following day another version was released. This works fine. Panic over. **Developer response:** Thank you for getting in touch. Apologies you're having trouble using your App, if you would please get in touch via this form https://www.immediateapps.co.uk/digital-contact-form/ we may be able to help you with this issue. Many thanks ### 1/5 — Older issues aren’t accessible even after paying *2023-03-18* I paid to unlock call the past episodes, and the in-app payment went through, but I still can’t access the back issues. The individual issues still show they can be purchased for $6.99, despite paying to unlock them all. **Developer response:** Thank you for getting in touch. Apologies you're having trouble using your App, if you would get in touch via this form https://www.immediateapps.co.uk/digital-contact-form/ we can help you with this issue. Many thanks ### 1/5 — Download *2023-03-04* Reading offline is at best unavailable or at worst not functioning **Developer response:** Thank you for getting in touch. Apologies you're having trouble using your App, if you would get in touch via this form https://www.immediateapps.co.uk/digital-contact-form/ we can help you with this issue. Many thanks ### 1/5 — Unable to access App. Hopeless tech support. Don’t waste your money! *2023-01-15, version 8.0* Again and again I find I am unable to access my subscription. No amount of working through their systems works. Hopeless tech support. Do not subscribe! ### 1/5 — Captions *2022-11-20, version 8.0* Captions DO NOT work on this app When you click on “i’” nothing happens After 6 months of this, I’m shutting it down Their other publications work This one doesnt ### 1/5 — I just cannot log in! *2022-06-17, version 7.0.1* The page is blank when I click the Log In button. What’s happened? ### 1/5 — Rubbish ap , shame as the content good *2022-06-02* You used to be able to access this via iPhone like a normal ap, but now it is obsessed with making you login and subscribe via the website which never works on my phone (iPhone 12) . I subscribed through iPhone store but can’t access, what a waste of money. Which is a shame as the content is excellent really wanted to read it. **Developer response:** Thank you for getting in touch. Apologies you're having trouble with your App, if you would get in touch via this form https://www.immediateapps.co.uk/digital-contact-form/ we can troubleshoot this issue. Many thanks ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Informed *2022-05-23* Those who do not remember the past are doomed to repeat past mistakes! Illuminating and profound delivery of history! Thank you! ### 5/5 — Updated app is brilliant *2022-03-31* Such a surprise to find the update and love the access to more audio . Much better reader too! Easy and more reliable to use and layout more refreshing. Well Done! **Developer response:** Thank you for the positive review, we really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with us. We loved your response so much that we would like to ask your permission to use it as a testimonial across our marketing communications. To confirm your permission, please respond by emailing app-reviews@immediate.co.uk. ### 5/5 — Always great reading! *2022-01-15* Even if you aren’t interested in History, this digital and print magazine is endlessly fascinating. Well written by experts (with impressive qualifications) but still so accessible. Era hopping from mythology to present day and everything in between, this publication has turned out to be a great favorite. So glad I subscribed. Don’t miss the (occasionally quirky) readers’ letters. Think I will gift this to my 11 year old grandson, knowing the whole family will enjoy it. ### 5/5 — Love this magazine *2021-05-16, version 5.6.7* 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 ### 5/5 — BBC history *2021-02-17, version 5.6.7* Great magazine-love the variety- every month is full of fascinating articles! ### 5/5 — History in the Time of COVID *2020-12-01* During this time of isolation and distancing, I find reading articles about history a very rewarding activity. I highly recommend this journal. ### 5/5 — So great ! Thanks from France *2020-09-21* Very well documented and written articles. An amazing way to learn more vocabulary Laury ### 5/5 — Update has improved everything *2020-09-18* I have to say before the update to the app to optimise for iPhones I didn’t use the app for that exact reason. You’ve brought me back in because it’s so easy to use and it’s now a joy to use the app. Thanks dev team for the great update! P.S. Would be great to see a dark mode enabled if possible ### 5/5 — Lifelong learning *2020-03-23, version 5.6.1* This magazine has so much interesting information. I enjoy it more than anything else in print. I have always loved history. Learning something new from every issue of BBC History is great. ### 5/5 — Required reading! *2020-02-13, version 5.6.0* The BBC History Magazine offers a wide range of topics, this said, the attention to detail is meticulous. A thoroughly good read for all history enthusiasts. --- *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.*