# Kansas City Star \| Local News — user reviews

> 103 indexed App Store user reviews of Kansas City Star | Local News by The McClatchy Company, rated 4.40/5 from 6,378 ratings.

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kansas-city-star-local-news/id445990659/reviews
- App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kansas-city-star-local-news/id445990659.md
- Rating breakdown: 5★ 4,233 · 4★ 1,380 · 3★ 310 · 2★ 127 · 1★ 328

## Newest reviews (18 of 103)

### 2/5 — Not able to view next page

*2026-05-28, version 11.1.1*

In order to get to the next page, must go to “contents” to select the next page for viewing.  Some links to in-depth articles don’t work.  Continued low quality web page reading options.

### 4/5 — Failure to load some pages

*2026-03-26, version 11.1.1*

Only issue with the digital copy is that on numerous occasions several pages containing articles I was interested in do not load up. I see them on my content but they won’t load up to where I can read them. Disappointed in that aspect.

### 3/5 — Dark Mode Needed

*2025-12-09, version 10.4.0*

Among all my news apps, this is the only one lacking a dark mode. The brightness of the interface makes it noticeably harder to read than the others.

### 2/5 — Repetitive Pictures

*2025-11-05, version 10.4.0*

I am so tired of looking at the same pictures in every issue.

### 2/5 — New Format with Permanent Google Ad

*2024-06-06, version 10.0.3*

I can not read portions of the Star due to Google ads permanently placed at bottom of page. It is not responsive to iPad gestures to enlarge and reduce view.

### 1/5 — Can’t read articles even though I have a subscription

*2024-05-12, version 10.0.2*

When I tap an article to read, I get a message saying thank you for reading, with an opinion to subscribe. I have a subscription. Signing out and back in doesn’t help. Deleting and redownloading the app doesn’t help. I cannot read the articles. That is a real problem with a newspaper app.

### 2/5 — Bad App managed to get worse

*2024-05-09*

I’m saddened by this app because I think the journalists who work at the Star do a fine job. The previous version of the app was frustrating because if you were reading an article and it referenced a previous Star article, the link would open a browser and ask you to log in, rather than just taking you to the article in the app. Sooooo, when a new version appeared I had hoped it would fix that issue. It did not. The ability to see the actual physical version of the paper was a redeeming factor of the previous version, and now that’s gone. Love the journalism, hate the app.

**Developer response:** We are sorry for the delay and experience you had with your digital access. Please contact us at customerservice@mcclatchy.com with your contact information as we would like the opportunity to assist you. 

Thanks, 
Customer Care

### 1/5 — Terrible

*2024-05-04, version 10.0.2*

Your app and login process is terrible. Despite having a subscription through Apple, when I login, the app treats me like I do not have an account and keeps asking me to subscribe. It has caused me to my subscription lapse and find local news elsewhere.

### 1/5 — Not happy with the new version

*2024-05-04, version 10.0.2*

I’m not too happy with the new version of the Kansas City Star. I found the old way was much easier for me to find what I was looking for in the online paper. I also don’t want to download the paper on my phone. I just want to look at it. Sometimes new is not always better. Should have left it alone.

### 1/5 — Disappointing Upgrade

*2024-05-02, version 10.0.2*

This week the Star’s (e)edition eliminated the option to browse the print newspaper edition look. My renewal option coming due next week couldn’t have come at a better time. Not for me.

### 2/5 — New Version of the Star

*2024-05-02*

The version of the Star released several days ago makes it very difficult to navigate through the Star news.  It’s no longer a newspaper where you can glance at a page and decide what you want to read.  I spent the last hour trying to figure out how to navigate through the Star.  I much prefer the “old version” of the Star.  Unfortunately, I’m having to pay for this.  Makes me want to reconsider my current subscription.

### 1/5 — Yet another poor roll out

*2024-05-02, version 10.0.2*

I love the paper, but whenever an “upgrade” come along it’s a mess. The app doesn’t load properly. It closes randomly. You have to close the all to get the new paper loaded. The previous upgrade was a mess as well. Very frustrating.

This is an add on for the 2024 update. Now you can’t even get a proper e-edition of the paper.  Just a bunch of headline to click on and many of the headlines only display partially.  Hate it.

### 3/5 — Room for Improvement

*2024-05-01, version 10.0.1*

The new app is clunky and difficult to navigate. The cost of the digital edition of the Star is overpriced. Not good value for money. Too little local news reporting. The paywall does not permit subscribers to share any articles. The Washington Post gives you 10 free articles per month to share. It costs less than the Star too.

### 2/5 — Revised Star app is a disappointment

*2024-05-01, version 10.0.1*

New presentation format doesn’t include print facsimile, which has been my preferred first view of daily news. 

Headlines in news section are sketchy, really not enough to guide a reader’s intentional progress through the site.  

Persistent ad at bottom gets in the way of content.  Unlike earlier versions, it can’t be dismissed. Very annoying. 

Experience might be improved by incorporating some of the content included in daily email summaries?  Not clear what is contained in “Money” section - is this Business or personal economics?

### 1/5 — Impossible to cancel subscription

*2023-12-27*

I paid for my subscription but it still doesn’t let me access content. Finally managed to get thru to their foreign, satellite customer service agency after jumping thru hoops and finding my account number. Between the data harvesting on the app and it apparently being impossible to cancel, I can’t recommend anything from The Star. They’re also a very anti union company, so if you are or have a family member that is a Union member, do yourself a favor and find a different news source.

### 1/5 — Glitchy App

*2023-07-30*

I have had repeated issues with the app’s performance.  When I attempt to open articles in the news feed, the article opens and then closes automatically a few seconds later. I worked with someone from customer service… they had me delete the app and then download it again.  It had not corrected the problem.  

I have also noticed that many of the Chiefs sports articles do not have the referenced videos attached to the correct article.  

This needs attention!

### 2/5 — Not all articles available thru the app

*2023-01-12, version 9.1.8*

Sometimes I see an article of interest in social media but when I search for it in the KC Star app it is not available.  There is a message in the under the apps search field that says not every article is available and go to the web page.  Why bother with the app if I can’t access everything I am paying for.

### 4/5 — Videos stop playing

*2022-12-01, version 9.1.8*

I like everything about the KC Star app except the news videos that posted. Whenever I play a video in the app about halfway through it abruptly stops to buffer, but it never restarts. I have to close the app and restart it. I have deleted the app and reinstalled it without any success in resolving this issue.

## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated)

### 1/5 — If ads and crashed sites are your thing …

*2026-05-11, version 11.1.1*

If you enjoy overwhelming ad interference and page takeovers, use this site. If you like to experience repeated page crashes, you’ve found the place. If you really enjoy click bait from sources like The Street, look no further. I want to be supportive of my local news publication,  it the owners of the Star are making it very difficult.

### 1/5 — App does not work

*2026-03-10, version 10.4.0*

Must have iOS 17.0 or higher. And conveniently does NOT notify you … just disables my previous version of app and cannot install new version. Adios KC Star
Tried to install previous version …. Vicious loop … says I have to upgrade.

### 1/5 — Pictures Accompanying Articles Repeated

*2026-03-10, version 11.1.1*

The same picture is used for every article.  Fewer and Fewer reasons for continuing my subscription

### 1/5 — Cannot use on ipod - subscription is now useless

*2026-03-07, version 10.4.0*

Latest update made subscription useless

### 1/5 — Terrible app

*2025-11-16, version 10.4.0*

You have to login every day

### 1/5 — August update is disappointing

*2025-08-31, version 10.1.0*

The print edition loads as one big image.  I know it's cheaper but I interacted with the print edition because (wait for it) it resembled the actual newspaper.  Not anymore.

### 1/5 — Worst news app ever

*2025-06-30, version 10.0.8*

How many years will KC Star and its parent company make it impossible to find columns by its sports columnists in their app? Those writers are the main reason anyone still subscribes to the Star or any local paper, and KC Star makes it impossible to find their work.

### 1/5 — New App - Crappy as usual

*2025-01-07, version 10.0.6*

$55 / year for poor function! The new app is clunky. It takes several taps on any button or link to get them to work. There are whole sections for videos, but none of them play!

### 1/5 — Impossible to cancel.

*2024-09-01*

It’s one of those places where they turn the payment method into a stressful charade. I got an email notification of my payment, but there is no evidence of it within Apple Pay or the App Store or even on The Kansas City Star website. On their website, I’m unable to change my password or billing info, and when I go to cancel my subscription, I am immediately prompted to provide information for it to find my account which I am already logged into. it’s like an exercise in madness. Shame on them.

**Developer response:** We are sorry for the delay and experience you are currently having accessing your account. 

Please reach out to us at customerservice@mcclatchy.com with your contact information as we would like the opportunity to help correct. 

Thanks, 
Customer Care

### 1/5 — Forever downloading

*2024-06-10, version 10.0.3*

If you have a half hour with nothing else to do, you can download the paper.  Worthless for normal folks.

## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated)

### 5/5 — Horrible

*2026-03-11, version 10.4.0*

The update won’t work on my 78 yo friends iPad.  Suddenly memory. So while the iPad works great she can no longer get the e edition. So kind Star

### 5/5 — Very Disappointed

*2026-03-05, version 10.4.0*

So now, because I have an older iPad that I can’t update I can no longer read the edition.  Planned obsolescence sucks!

### 5/5 — KC Star and Coffee

*2021-03-07, version 8.0.1*

I can not start my day unless I have my coffee and read the KC Star. Local national and international news. I keeps me informed and up to date on the issues of the day. 

I have been subscriber since 1974. The day is not complete with out it.

### 5/5 — Beta Version is Terrific

*2021-01-28, version 8.0.0*

I like the flexibility of scanning the paper pages quickly and opening the stories I want to read.  No need to upload to browser.

### 5/5 — No stars

*2020-01-19*

No stars.  I have not been able to access the e edition for 3 days.  Cannot get technical assistance 24/7. When I can get access, keep having to sign in if I leave it for a few minutes.  Have not been able to set up as a bookmark so that I don’t have to continually sign in

### 5/5 — Issue

*2019-12-15, version 7.4.1*

There are times early (5:00am) when the paper does not load. I even would like to see the paper available earlier. The Xtra section is sweet.

### 5/5 — I enjoy the Star

*2018-11-19, version 7.1.3*

Great old school journalism. This nice local paper deserves our support. Pony up the very affordable subscription rate and help make our local paper better.

### 5/5 — Excellent!

*2018-11-11, version 7.1.0*

I am from Kansas City, Missouri.  I retired from the United States Navy after serving 20 1/2 years.  So it is awesome for me to see what is going on in the city that I called home for 18 years.  Outstanding coverage of the Kansas City area!  And of course I remain a Chiefs & Royals fan forever!

Eugene Swinney

### 5/5 — Always Surprised 🤗

*2018-11-02*

Living in Columbia, MO, a Blue island in a Red state,  I am always encouraged with the Star and it’s thoughtful coverage of two red states.  It gives me hope that we can overcome the White nationalist leanings of our current President.                 As a former history teacher, the Trump lies and fear mongering mimic the propaganda of the Nazi regime of another Dictator, Adolph Hitler. 
I never understood why the German people fell so easily for the same lies and twisted ideas espoused by the Nazi Party and leaders. 
I know now.  
The Star must continue to print the truth. Do not let fear and lies overcome our country.  Many have said this election may be the most important in our lives.  I believe it will be.

### 5/5 — Frustrating!

*2018-10-12*

We’ve tried repeatedly to stop delivery during vacations without success.  There are broken links and our password doesn’t help.  Clicked Forgot Password (twice) and neither temporary one works.  What happened to PHONE service for these kinds of requests?

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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 2026-08-26.*