App continues to be uncomfortable to use
October 30, 2026
The app’s main purpose is to listen to KCRW, but it makes it most painful experience possible. I can’t pause the audio using my headset controls, the live stream resets when a timer ends on my phone, the live stream also resets when my switching from WiFi to cell data, and lastly it still consumes SO MUCH battery compared to other streaming apps. I had stopped using the app, but KCRW removed their livestream on the Apple Music app.
Can there please be an acknowledgement that the developer will add basic functionalities back in? These issues were in the original app and persist into the new iteration.
It would also be great if members were able to not have an ad play whenever the live stream starts
The app’s main purpose is to listen to KCRW, but it makes it most painful experience possible. I can’t pause the audio using my headset controls, the live stream resets when a timer ends on my phone, the live stream also resets when my switching from WiFi to cell data, and lastly it still consumes SO MUCH battery compared to other streaming apps. I had stopped using the app, but KCRW removed their livestream on the Apple Music app.
Can there please be an acknowledgement that the developer will add basic functionalities back in? These issues were in the original app and persist into the new iteration.
It would also be great if members were able to not have an ad play whenever the live stream starts
Show more
Unusable….Needs a complete overhaul
This most important piece, playing back shows/podcasts is completely broken. You can’t “jump back into” a previously listened show. It starts from the beginning every time the app closes. There is no way to tap and drag to fast forward through a show which you could do with the previous major release. The developers need to completely overhaul the app. Making the usability of playing shows and navigating shows the focus. Too much fluff like Explore LA and Win tab is not going to keep users engaged with the app. Making the app play shows without glitches will. If the streaming platform back end is the limiting factor, it’s time to move off that back end and get a more robust platform
Show more
Love KCRW!, the app not so much…
Love KCRW!, the app not so much
Please update to allow rotation on iPad
Will just listen via TuneIn on iPad for now
Please update to allow rotation on iPad
Will just listen via TuneIn on iPad for now
Very Annoying
“Best enjoyed from the KCRW app.” Not really ya’ll…
Before you do anything, an ad for KCRW plays. We all know “ad free” actually means only KCRW ads and generally it’s fine, but I really hate that one plays every single time you start listening, live or recorded content, ad comes first. Sometimes right in the middle of what you're listening to.
Sometimes I use the app to listen to shows I missed. It does work, but not well. If you pause and then come back to it later, it may or may not save your place. This is in addition to the shows being a little hard to find in the search, I would prefer a tab for the DJs, and then I can select the one I want.
Live radio is a disaster. I can’t be sure if the connection issues are related to my devices / cell service / wifi, or KCRW, though I’m kinda leaning towards KCRW cause I’ve experienced this on website too. Most annoying of all, if you pause for too long, it will just go back to live rather than stay where you were and play from that point. What is the point of having a pause button if it’s not going to “play” from where you left off?
Love you KCRW, but please.
also, new red color was a miss. nothing else in your branding is this color. if anything, it just symbolizes our anger for this lazy app.
Before you do anything, an ad for KCRW plays. We all know “ad free” actually means only KCRW ads and generally it’s fine, but I really hate that one plays every single time you start listening, live or recorded content, ad comes first. Sometimes right in the middle of what you're listening to.
Sometimes I use the app to listen to shows I missed. It does work, but not well. If you pause and then come back to it later, it may or may not save your place. This is in addition to the shows being a little hard to find in the search, I would prefer a tab for the DJs, and then I can select the one I want.
Live radio is a disaster. I can’t be sure if the connection issues are related to my devices / cell service / wifi, or KCRW, though I’m kinda leaning towards KCRW cause I’ve experienced this on website too. Most annoying of all, if you pause for too long, it will just go back to live rather than stay where you were and play from that point. What is the point of having a pause button if it’s not going to “play” from where you left off?
Love you KCRW, but please.
also, new red color was a miss. nothing else in your branding is this color. if anything, it just symbolizes our anger for this lazy app.
Show more
Yikes
If I stop playback or it gets interrupted I loose my place. Trying to FFWD is painful to get back to where I was. I have been listening a little less as a result.
Explore LA
I love the new map feature! I’ve bookmarked so many things. Also, the DJ playlists are great while I’m stuck in traffic getting to all these restaurants and events! 😅
No caching again
Current version doesn't remember where you left off. It was fixed in a previous version but reverted. A minor annoyance when pausing a show for a few minutes and having to fast forward every single time.
Why the change?
Before the recent updates the app was awesome. Where the hell are the track lists? The app used to let me leave a set on pause and use other apps. Now when I do that the set starts completely over. I do want to say I am thankful for the app and KCRW as a whole. I just wish they would take this feedback back and go back to the older version. Anyway that's my rant about love KCRW but hate the app.
Show more
A Fresh, Smarter Way to Experience KCRW…and Explore LA!
The updated KCRW app is a big step forward…faster, cleaner, and much easier to navigate. The listening experience feels more polished, whether you’re jumping into live radio, catching up on favorite shows, or discovering new music and stories on demand. The improvements make the app feel more intuitive and reliable, with a modern design that keeps KCRW’s distinctive voice at the center, without compromising all the feature heavy BS like other apps.
Want to highlight the new Explore LA map they just dropped. I’m discovering new things everyday — and with context! Which I appreciate since a place is only a place until you know the story. It’s also vouched for with the name behind these picks. Much rather have that than some algorithm or confusing sponsored ad behind it. Great job to everyone for listening and making it soooo much better.
Want to highlight the new Explore LA map they just dropped. I’m discovering new things everyday — and with context! Which I appreciate since a place is only a place until you know the story. It’s also vouched for with the name behind these picks. Much rather have that than some algorithm or confusing sponsored ad behind it. Great job to everyone for listening and making it soooo much better.
Show more
This app is lit
!!!!!!
🙁
I miss the previous app. This one really blows. It's missing great features from before. 🙁
What happened to KCRW
This used to be my go to app to keep up to date with my LA roots, but the app is not the same anymore. I hate it. It blows
For People Who Love to Discover
I’ve always loved KCRW for its taste and for introducing me to music, people, and ideas I probably wouldn’t have found on my own. The new Explore LA feature brings that same sense of discovery to the city. It feels curated rather than overwhelming, like getting recommendations from someone whose taste you actually trust. I’ve already found things I wouldn’t have come across otherwise. Such a natural extension of what makes KCRW so good.
Show more
Music listening experience is so difficult
What happened to the ability to either resume a show from where we stopped playing, or the ability to pick where in the show we can listen? Please bring it back! Such a step down from previous version of app.
Sleep timer
Put a sleep timer please
Love the station, App does not work well on CarPlay.
Station the best, app does not sum
No w/ CarPlay
Hopefully update works better.
No w/ CarPlay
Hopefully update works better.
Stream live, plus other easy access
KCRW rules, and this is the easiest way to digitally listen to KCRW, so it’s pretty simple. I had some bugs at first, but after updating, it’s all good. Love to enter for ticket giveaways, inside here, plus get event info. A must if you’re a member, especially!
5 stars
Best app for music discovery
Love Kcrw hate the app design
Literally hate the app design
Not nearly as good as it was
I have to agree. This app is nothing like the old app was. If I’m in the middle of listening to Henry and I have to leave or something I have to restart the whole show all over again and worse if I wanna skip ahead or skip back that functions gone. I’m gonna continue to listen and support and thank goodness we’re still on the radio because this app isn’t really very good it’s clunky, it doesn’t respond very well, it’s searching a lot of times, and I hope you guys find some time to fix it.
Show more
