# How It Works: digital edition — user reviews > 282 indexed App Store user reviews of How It Works by Future plc, rated 4.70/5 from 159 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/how-it-works-digital-edition/id471270590/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/how-it-works-digital-edition/id471270590.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 131 · 4★ 16 · 3★ 5 · 2★ 3 · 1★ 4 ## What do users think of How It Works? Overall sentiment: neutral **Pros** - 👍 Interesting and informative content - 🚀 Visually stunning and creative - 💡 Great for curious minds **Cons** - 🐛 Crashes and bugs - 👎 Poor navigation and user experience - 💰 Expensive subscription model - 📱 Not optimized for smaller screens **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes frequently - Purchased issues not accessible after updates - Restore purchases and subscriptions not working **Most requested features** - Add a free sample or preview option - Improve navigation and zooming features - Optimize layout and text readability for mobile devices ## Newest reviews (14 of 282) ### 4/5 — Almost Perfect >>>> Future Perfect *2020-12-12, version 6.0.16* Contents are interesting covering vast various topics. The graphics are great and photographs are exquisite. Downsides: 1. give us the print button or ability to save it in PDFs because when I purchased a mag I own it. 2. Where’s the videos? This is a digital era where multimedia is a must. Preferably videos included in the mags so can be viewed offline, NOT STREAMING CONTENT PLEASE ! ### 3/5 — Needs an update *2020-07-18, version 5.6.3* Obviously the content is good, the content isnt what I’m reviewing though. The app is a bit messy and its hard to focus on stuff, there hasn’t been an update for the new ipad sizes so it doesnt fit the screen properly and it just looks old and tired. Still love the content though ### 2/5 — Family sharing *2018-10-17, version 5.2.3* Be aware, my wife bought a subscription to this mag, but despite having family sharing turned on, and it previously being accessible, the app no longer seems to support family sharing. Very disappointing, I was enjoying the content. ### 3/5 — Good but bugs *2017-03-15* The magazine is one of the best with awesome content and knowledge. But every time there is a main update the stored or bought mags cannot vanish and doesn't have to be restored again. It's so irritating and this also leads to recurring wastage of download data package for restoring. Please address this issue at the earliest. ### 2/5 — Zooming in and out *2017-03-04, version 3.4.2* Basically a PDF reader have to zoom in and out to read content. Not optimized for the iPhone ### 2/5 — Interesting content however no access to old magazines like the new scientist subscription model *2017-02-10, version 3.4.2* It would be better if they included the specials in the subscription fee - was clear as mud when paying for it thinking all was included. Saying that the actual content was entertaining and enjoyed learning new and interesting facts. ### 4/5 — Great reading *2017-01-18, version 3.4.2* Definitely deserves 5 stars, just wish the subscription gave access to more without having to pay extra ### 4/5 — Great *2016-05-09, version 3.4.2* Great magazine i wish you combine US with British english because it's perfect for english learning. ### 4/5 — Good app *2016-03-19, version 3.4.2* I really like this app. The content of each subject matter is excellent; the colors on each page of the magazine are very vibrant. Great photography and computer graphics. ### 4/5 — Bubby *2016-02-18, version 3.4.2* Could be better. ### 2/5 — Pricing structure needs review *2016-01-27, version 3.4.2* This is a good publication but the pricing structure makes it an expensive read. Not only are there subscription fees, that subscription does not cover all the magazines. The Special magazines are over $13 each and for a digital publication this is too much.....add the monthly subscription and the cost of the ever increasing Special magazines where the bulk of the content is and the sums get too big to continue to look at this magazine. It's a shame...... ### 4/5 — Interessante *2016-01-10* Os artigos são muito interessantes. ### 4/5 — Excellent App *2015-12-08, version 3.4.2* I don't understand the negative reviews. This app is a vehicle for an online subscription and to purchase back issues at a substantial discount. There is nothing free here. Nor should there be. Like virtually every other magazine, neither back issues nor a subscription are free. If you like this fine magazine and would like to subscribe or purchase back issues at $3.99, this is a great app. ### 4/5 — Four stars only for the paper magazine, and this app I can only give one star *2015-06-25, version 3.4.0* How It Works is my favorite magazine for curious mind but it is very difficult to purchase its paper version in China and that is why I downloaded this app and subscribed for digital books. However, the experience for this app is too terrible that I cannot access the store anymore after I successfully subscribed. This magazine is fantastic and in order to enjoy it on iOS I sincerely hope you guys can improve this app. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Total joke *2026-01-20, version 7.1.13* What an absolute joke of a system. Supposed to have received this magazine subscription as a present. However, four weeks on I still can’t access the digital copy. Bounced around three different websites, magazines direct, pocket mags and magazines the sign up process is about as clear as a scrumpy cider ### 1/5 — Superficial overview of subjects. *2020-02-18, version 5.6.3* Magazines skim the surface of topics without going into much depth. ### 1/5 — Great mag, horrible app *2019-10-28, version 5.2.3* App takes over 5 min just let me view my purchased magazines. Horrible navigation to find the mag I am looking for. Canceled my subscription. ### 1/5 — Doesn't work! *2016-12-16* Just has blank page with message "can't connect to network" and does nothing. My network is fine with all other apps. But there is nothing I can set in this app. Stupid! ### 1/5 — Not free *2015-11-11, version 3.3* Thought it sounded like a great app. But it only is selling "how it works " articles or magazines. If it gave you one for free at least you would have an idea what you were getting if you bought one. This will be the first app that I will not only delete from my phone but also try to delete from my iTunes library of purchased apps. ### 1/5 — BAD N TERRIBLE *2015-10-27, version 3.4.2* This is not even an app it's a scam for people to buy books and that's STUPID I hate this app ### 1/5 — Are you serious *2015-08-23, version 3.4.2* I was trying to get a head start on school so I got this and all its creators wanted was MONEY💰😔😒 ### 1/5 — Terrible App *2015-07-28, version 3.4.2* This is a rip-off. There is nothing to read from previous purchases. It wants you to re-buy everything. ### 1/5 — Scam App. Nothing to see unless u pay... *2015-06-30, version 3.4.2* Scam App. Nothing to see unless u pay, so why do they list it as a Free App??? Total Waste of time !!! ### 1/5 — Best magazine, but poorly presented on ios *2015-02-12, version 3.4.0* I have to say this best magazine to read for curious mind. Got recommendation from friend, been buying paper copy from bookstore since then. But, my only complain is that it is not friendly to read on here, its basically presented as picture or images of text paper which is hard to read. This is are text, should not presented as images. I hope you know what i mean. I have economic magine subscripion, you can read text clearly, scroll down text, change font just like any text on pc. But this magazines just present there stuff as images, i suppose that fine read non pc or tablet, not smartphone. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Really Works *2020-09-05, version 5.6.3* Excellent information, highly recommended. Apps works excellent ### 5/5 — My kids love this. *2020-02-26, version 5.6.3* I have the digital version of this magazine on our iPad and I am able to download the whole magazine and the kids can check it out whenever they want it works really well I really like it and so do the kids. ### 5/5 — Missing a register and search function *2019-07-20* Quite nice app for reading. BUT there is no register for finding articles. So the app looks a bit like 19th century. Steam punk without modern equipment. Pleeeeaaaaasssseeeee add a register and a search function, at least for article headlines. Better were one for keywords. ### 5/5 — Love it! *2017-07-14, version 5.101* This magazine is so damn good! I normally never spend money on apps. But I spend on this app for the first time. Money well spent! If you're curious about how the world works this app is for you! ### 5/5 — Quality information *2017-01-28, version 3.4.2* This app is really great and I usually never write reviews because it's a waste of time. I'm writing this because the other negative reviews probably stop people from learning and that's not cool. It cost 3 bucks a month for a 75pg informative piece of literature. You spend more on lunch in one day.. You can actually learn something informative in this rather than your little Debbie cakes. ### 5/5 — How it works *2016-12-01, version 3.4.2* Excellent read, wide ranging topics, always interesting. ### 5/5 — How it works *2016-06-19, version 3.4.2* Excellent magazine. Long term subscriber. ### 5/5 — The Best *2015-06-24, version 3.4.0* It is well written non....the best I have read in a long time. . ### 5/5 — A Wonderful resource *2015-02-06, version 3.4.0* To those who want something for nothing please read carefully. The app IS FREE, the magazines you must buy. Simple. The magazine is a great resource. Lots of information every month. Think of it as BRAIN CANDY and just enjoy the wonderful insights that you will be provided . Please continue the good work. ### 5/5 — Excellent topics and educational material. Colorful *2015-01-24, version 3.4.0* For those who like to keep up with technology and the inner workings of how things work, and what they are made of, this is a magazine for you. Beautiful colors and illustrations for any age group. --- *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 2026-09-13.*