# Journal-News — user reviews

> 13 indexed App Store user reviews of Journal by Ohio Newspapers, Inc, rated 4.46/5 from 651 ratings.

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/journal-news/id1177068639/reviews
- App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/journal-news/id1177068639.md
- Rating breakdown: 5★ 471 · 4★ 92 · 3★ 40 · 2★ 11 · 1★ 35

## What do users think of Journal?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- 📸 High-quality photography coverage
- ⚖️ Balanced news reporting
- 📰 Comprehensive local news content

**Cons**

- 🐛 App crashes and won't open
- 🔄 Continuous auto-updating disrupts reading
- 📱 Poor responsive design for modern devices
- 🔍 Missing search functionality
- 📝 Confusing obituary section interface
- 💡 No dark mode option
- 📊 Inconsistent text sizing
- 🎯 Excessive auto-play pop-up ads
- 🔘 Missing back button navigation
- 🌐 Internet connection errors

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App won't open after update
- False internet connection errors
- Continuous article auto-updating prevents reading
- Alerts don't open corresponding stories
- Back button missing from navigation
- Text size settings not applied to headlines
- App incompatible with modern iPhone screen sizes

**Most requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Search functionality
- Improved navigation with back button
- Consistent text sizing across app
- Update app for modern screen sizes

## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated)

### 1/5 — Obituary

*2023-01-11, version 40.37.090059965*

The obituary section is atrocious. Very time consuming and confusing!

### 1/5 — Where’s the content

*2020-07-08, version 4.35.420054654*

Since App update cant see anything. Says it lost internet connection.

**Developer response:** If you haven't already done so, please update to the latest version of the Journal-News app. If you continue to experience issues, please reach out to onapps@coxinc.com.

### 1/5 — Won’t open with new update

*2020-07-08, version 4.35.420054654*

The app no longer will open. It says there’s no internet connection & to try again. But everything else works on my phone. Only the Journal News app doesn’t work.

**Developer response:** If you haven't already done so, please update to the latest version of the Journal-News app. If you continue to experience issues, please reach out to onapps@coxinc.com.

### 1/5 — where is the “back” button?

*2020-02-05, version 7.5.0*

Where did the “back” button go? Now, after reading a story, your only choice is “home” which returns you to the top of the article index and you have to scroll all the way down to get back to where you were. Aargh!

### 1/5 — Update the screen size!

*2019-02-24, version 7.0.3*

It’s 2019 and new iPhones have been out for 4+ years. Update the app!

**Developer response:** Good News! We have :) The redesigned app is now available. We think you'll like the changes we've made. Be sure to check it out!

### 1/5 — Don’t do it.

*2018-11-26, version 7.0.3*

Unless you like auto-play pop up ads, don’t even bother. You’re not even able to click on an article without it being loaded with ads. 👎🏼

### 1/5 — Really lacking.

*2017-09-16, version 6.2.3*

Just going straight to the web is better.

### 2/5 — No search?

*2022-07-30, version 40.35.900059763*

What kind of news app doesn’t have search?

Nothing special with this app.  If alerts are old, doesn’t open the story the alert was for

### 2/5 — Stop the continuous updating

*2020-07-17, version 40.35.42*

The newest version continuously updates articles while you are trying to scan the articles making it impossible to read.

### 3/5 — App needs a Dark Mode option

*2022-09-17, version 40.37.090059965*

The white is too bright at night.  The app needs a dark mode option.

## Most praised reviews (3 highest-rated)

### 5/5 — Pictures of fair

*2021-07-29, version 40.35.570056978*

I especially liked the photos of photographer Nick Graham, as I always do. He certainly captured the moments at the Butler County Fair!!

### 5/5 — Balanced news

*2021-01-16, version 40.35.570056978*

Generally the Journal provides both sides to most stories.

### 3/5 — Text headlines too small

*2018-07-22, version 7.0.3*

My text size is set to the highest level, and it displays that way for the *body* of the articles after I click into them. However, the *headlines* view of the top stories is not displayed in the same text size; it is instead very small and difficult to read.

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*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 2026-06-10.*