# LAist — Member-supported news

> Southern California news, NPR radio, podcasts, and headlines. (iPhone/iPad app by Southern California Public Radio.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/laist/id293825085 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Southern California Public Radio](https://appshunter.io/developer/293825088)
- Category: News, Entertainment
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.30/5 from 634 App Store ratings · 168 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 17+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 39 MB
- Languages: American English, European Spanish
- Released: 2008-10-18
- Data updated: 2026-08-27
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/laist/id293825085/reviews.md

## What is LAist?

Welcome to the new (and improved) LAist app! Stay connected with Southern California’s go-to source for NPR news, local headlines, and podcasts. The LAist app allows you to listen to the live broadcast stream of LAist 89.3, get the latest headlines and in-depth coverage from LAist.com, and stay informed with breaking news alerts and program updates.
 
Live Streaming
• Take LAist on the go with digital streaming-no radio signal required. 
• Explore the program schedule for LAist 89.3.

On-Demand
• Catch up with the LA Report updated twice daily with essential headlines. Access to all LAist 89.3 program archives.
• DVR-like controls. Pause, rewind and fast forward on-demand programs with ease. 
•  Browse and select individual stories and episodes to listen to at your convenience. 

LAist.com Headlines
• Get the latest headlines and news updates from LAist.com.
• Get push alerts for breaking news, stories you may have missed, and program schedule changes.
• Share stories easily from within the app.
 
Additional features
 • Built-in Sleep Timer and Alarm Clock allow you to go to sleep and wake up to your favorite station.
 
Please support LAist by becoming a member today!
https://laist.com/give

## Key features

- Live radio streaming
- On-demand program archives
- Daily news headlines
- Breaking news alerts
- Sleep timer and alarm clock
- Story sharing

## What do users think of LAist?

Overall sentiment: neutral

**Pros**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 👍 Reliable source of news
- 👍 Vital app for news
- 👍 Fantastic
- 👍 Reliable and unbiased
- 👍 Excellent investigative reporting
- 👍 Informative and entertaining
- 👍 Vital for staying informed
- 👍 Excellent local and national coverage
- 👍 Clean and well-designed app

**Cons**

- 🐛 Buggy and unstable
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezes
- 🐛 Glitchy performance issues
- 🐛 Carplay not working properly
- 🐛 Ads disrupt the listening experience
- 🐛 Difficult to navigate and find content
- 🐛 Cluttered and confusing interface
- 🐛 Lack of key features like rewind and sleep timer

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Podcasts not loading properly
- Live stream frequently drops out
- Playback issues when switching between apps
- Inconsistent behavior when pausing and resuming
- Sync issues between device and app

**Most requested features**

- Add rewind and fast-forward functionality
- Improve CarPlay integration
- Implement a sleep timer
- Enhance podcast playback controls
- Improve organization and discoverability of content
- Add a dark mode option
- Provide better support for older devices

## Recent user reviews (10 of 168)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/laist/id293825085/reviews.md

### 3/5 — Great Content. Backward-facing App

*2026-07-17*

I’m a 25+ year devotee of KPCC/LAist, but the app is barely useable for keeping up with live news.  It used to be amazing before the pandemic and would cache audio and let you rewind for anything you missed.  Now, you’re better off waiting until those shows are archived as a podcast (and hoping you don’t forget, for a topic that might be less current when you get back to it.)  It stops on my phone constantly, and then you usually have to listen to a 30-60 sec commercial to get back to the stream (so if you’re switching from the car radio to listening ‘on foot’ you miss what you may have been hoping to hear before you switched- happens constantly.)  I’m a person who works on foot a lot, so I’ve had to divorce myself from caring about the content (which is tough for a 15-yr $15/mo contributor.)  It was so bad, I switched to Audials (which records), but that started glitching, so I’m back for the pain of this app.

### 2/5 — Frustrating to use through Apple Play

*2026-07-07*

I am surprised at all the glowing reviews because I have been continually frustrated using the app. My number one use is while driving when out of range of a good signal (or traveling away from stations). So often, instead of live streaming, I get an ad on repeat every time I hit play. Driving in my car, I don’t want options (not that there are many) - I want one button for live streaming. Period. I understand I may need to listen to an ad before joining the live program and that should be it - play the ad and jump to the live content. Instead, the app often plays the ad and stops. Hit play again and get the ad, again and stop. Repeat this cycle until I give up. I love LAist and want to keep listening even when I am unable to receive the signal - and mostly I am unable to do that.

### 2/5 — Great radio. Ever more intrusive app

*2026-05-18, version 7.4.8*

I'm a sustaining member of LAist. Was a broadcast circle member. I can't believe how much advertising they insist I listen to when using this app. Used to be occasional. Now it's every time I open the app. And donating doesn't let you opt out. You think this is helping? Clearly burning good will.

### 3/5 — CarPlay issues

*2026-04-28, version 7.3.3*

Was working fine now all of a sudden doesn’t work for CarPlay. Maybe an update is needed?

### 5/5 — Great Support/Great App!

*2026-04-27, version 7.3.3*

I recently reported an issue with the app. It was immediately responded to and not long after that it was fixed!

### 4/5 — App doesn’t work very well.

*2026-04-05*

I repeatedly have difficulty getting the live broadcast to work on the app. I even deleted the app and reinstalled it, and it still works just as badly.  I don’t have problems making other apps work.

### 2/5 — The app is bad

*2026-03-03, version 7.3.3*

Great news, incredible reporting, but the app is so so bad. Every article you click can’t be read in app - it launches a browser within the app. There’s no way to search for articles within the app, there’s also a limit on the ones you can see. The website is great, the app is not.

### 4/5 — Easy to use - but CarPlay broken

*2026-02-17, version 7.3.3*

App is fine but unusable under CarPlay. Live radio station only plays the ad read and then stops.

### 5/5 — Best News App

*2026-02-10, version 7.3.3*

This is the best, least biased source of news available from real journalists. It’s a tough time for staying informed and LAist makes a balanced palate possible, the bitter, sour, and sweet, with none too overwhelming.

### 3/5 — Same Old Performance Issues

*2026-02-10, version 7.3.3*

App is still sometimes glitchy. Some shows like The Daily no longer seem to work. Podcasts still often stop after they begin and take a while to resume.

## Frequently asked questions about LAist

### What does the LAist app do?

The LAist app provides access to Southern California's go-to source for NPR news, local headlines, and podcasts. You can listen to the live broadcast stream of LAist 89.3, get the latest headlines and in-depth coverage from LAist.com, and stay informed with breaking news alerts and program updates.

### What are the key features of the LAist app?

Key features include live digital streaming of LAist 89.3, on-demand access to program archives and daily news reports, push alerts for breaking news, and the ability to share stories. It also includes a sleep timer and alarm clock.

### Is the LAist app free to use?

Yes, the LAist app is free to download and use. The app is supported by members, and users are encouraged to become members to support the news organization.

### What kind of news content can I find on the LAist app?

You can find local headlines and in-depth coverage from LAist.com, NPR news, and podcasts. The app also provides updates on breaking news and program schedules for LAist 89.3.

### Can I listen to LAist 89.3 live on the app?

Yes, the LAist app allows you to take LAist 89.3 on the go with digital streaming, meaning no radio signal is required. You can also explore the program schedule for LAist 89.3 within the app.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 12.0.8 — 2026-07-29

Performance enhancements and bug fixes.
Your feedback helps us make our app better for everyone. Please send us your suggestions via the "Settings and Help" section of the app!

### 12.0.5 — 2026-07-03

Performance enhancements and bug fixes.
Your feedback helps us make our app better for everyone. Please send us your suggestions via the "Settings and Help" section of the app!

### 7.4.8 — 2026-05-06

Performance enhancements and bug fixes.
Your feedback helps us make our app better for everyone. Please send us your suggestions via the "Settings and Help" section of the app!

### 7.3.3 — 2026-01-15

Performance enhancements and bug fixes.
Your feedback helps us make our app better for everyone. Please send us your suggestions via the "Settings and Help" section of the app!

### 7.3.2 — 2026-01-06

Performance enhancements and bug fixes.
Your feedback helps us make our app better for everyone. Please send us your suggestions via the "Settings and Help" section of the app!

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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 2026-08-27.*
