# Luminary Podcasts & Originals — user reviews > 271 indexed App Store user reviews of Luminary Podcasts & Originals by Luminary Media, LLC, rated 4.80/5 from 12,225 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/luminary-podcasts-and-originals/id1398370417/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/luminary-podcasts-and-originals/id1398370417.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 10,883 · 4★ 1,019 · 3★ 159 · 2★ 42 · 1★ 122 ## What do users think of Luminary Podcasts & Originals? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 🚀 Amazing content - 🔒 Exclusive and premium podcasts - 👍 Diverse podcast selection - 👍 Enlightening and thought-provoking **Cons** - 🐛 Buggy app with frequent crashes - 🐛 Playback issues and inconsistent functionality - 🐛 Poor search and navigation - 🐛 Difficult to cancel subscription - 🐛 Lacks basic podcast player features - 💰 Expensive subscription cost **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes when pausing or switching between episodes - Inconsistent playback, with episodes randomly stopping or not resuming - Search function not working as expected - Subscription issues, with users unable to cancel or being charged unexpectedly **Most requested features** - Add Apple Watch support - Improve podcast discovery and search - Implement better episode management and resume playback - Provide more customization options - Improve subscription and cancellation process ## Newest reviews (20 of 271) ### 3/5 — Content is good, app is like warm *2025-09-25, version 61.5* My search results never populate because the app is constantly thinking I don’t have service or something. ### 1/5 — Everything disappeared *2025-08-13, version 61.5* Everything disappeared and support hasn’t gotten back to me ### 1/5 — App not working *2025-08-13, version 61.5* I’ve had this app for years and just recently it stopped working. I try to go to my shows and it says it could not load. Nothing I do is fixing this issue and send a email with no response. ### 1/5 — My Saved Shows Aren’t There *2025-08-12, version 61.5* I have had this app for years, i even purchased it for a friend as a gift. And none of my go-to saved shows are showing, nor are they showing up when I search them. There is no customer service number to call luminary. I’ve sent emails. What the heck is going on? I want my money back if this isn’t resolved. ### 1/5 — Paid app disappeared *2025-08-11, version 61.5* I have had this app for several years, suddenly nothing will load. All my shows are gone and logging out/in does nothing. ### 1/5 — App not working *2025-08-11, version 61.5* It’s been 72+ hours and the app 100% is not working for me. I have submitted report and issue, reached out via x, via instagram, haven’t heard back at al. I’ve deleted it redownload it, tried on internet, on network, restarted my phone, I have done the work on my end and nothing is working. For the first 2 days it was just a blank screen, it would have the boxes where the shows would be and then nothing, as of today it says “unable to load content. Something went wrong” this is my favorite podcast app, I live and breathe listening to podcasts. I’m having withdrawals! Please help!!!! ### 1/5 — Everything just disappeared *2025-08-11, version 61.5* I really liked this app, thought it was well designed and user friendly and it functioned well. Now everything has disappeared. Will try uninstalling and reinstalling but this is very frustrating ### 1/5 — Let down *2025-08-11, version 61.5* The app doesn’t work. Full stop. That’s it. I can’t even get signed in to the app to figure out if I enjoy the content. ### 1/5 — App is unusable *2025-08-10, version 61.5* I have previously enjoyed Luminary and the app. The past few days the app has become unusable. Every tab is completely empty. No home, no luminary originals, no my shows. I can’t search for shows I can’t listen to anything. I’ve deleted the app, redownloaded it, turned my phone on and off, my subscription is current and I’m connected to the internet. ### 2/5 — Suddenly Gone *2025-08-10, version 61.5* I have a paid subscription — I’ve had one for years. Suddenly everything is gone — my shows, my saves, everything. Not what I’m paying for:/// ### 1/5 — I’ve been a happy customer for years. What is going on? *2025-07-18, version 61.5* I’ve had my subscription for years. Yesterday my subscription ended. I paid the $50 for the year, a bit more than it’s ever been before. And now I can’t get the app on my pixel phone? It’s only working on my Apple devices. My pixel play store says it won’t down load the app because the APP is too old??? What does that mean? I didn’t want to leave a review, I wanted to get customer support. I went to customer support in the Apple App Store, put in my email, and then Zen desk is broken??? Can’t even send feedback any other way than through a review. Not happy after spending $50 on this yesterday to have so many problems one after another. Is Luminary going out of business and I just didn’t know??? ### 1/5 — Terrible service/no customer service/scam *2025-06-29, version 61.5* I purchased this subscription in order to access above the noise with Russell brand yet every time i tried to access the show it said I needed to purchase a subscription! I then over a few weeks tried to email luminary with no response. Disappointing ### 1/5 — Impossible to cancel! *2025-06-14, version 61.5* Charged me a full year membership after I canceled (a year prior). There was no email saying it it was renewing (unlawfully) and then when I redownloaded the app to cancel (again) it says I have to go to the website, when I go to the website it insist I use the app. Emailed them days ago with screenshots to get a refund and have the delete all my payment options. All I got in response was an email saying they are experiencing high volumes of emails. Wonder why?!? Ultimately I have to go to my bank and file the fraudulent charge. ### 2/5 — WHY ALL THE ADs *2025-02-11, version 61.5* Why am I paying a yearly subscription fee to STILL LISTEN TO ADS ON PODCAST????? is this up to the discretion of each podcast? It doesn’t make sense. I purposely pay for a few patreon subs so I DONT have to deal with the ads! :( ### 1/5 — I want my money back! *2025-02-09, version 61.5* So, I started this trial and did not use it much. Initially, I downloaded this app in hopes of being able to listen to the new Black Star album but I haven’t been able to locate it in the app. So, I immediately cancelled the trial. Somehow, my cancellation was reversed and I was charged a full year subscription! This isn’t fair! I have reached out to Apple a couple of times and they are refusing to refund my money. I can’t afford to take this loss and it isn’t fair what has taken place! I am not fund of podcast! Please return my money and cancel my subscription immediately! I will not use this app! ### 1/5 — Really bad app overall *2025-01-19, version 61.5* Been reluctantly using this app for years and years and only have it to listen to GWF podcast as a paid subscriber. Consetwnt problems it has incl: It’ll exit from the app if I pause on my earbuds. If I leave it open too long it just says error episode not available. Can’t pause and start with earbuds. Can’t play and pause from the Home Screen. Can’t play from lower bar when in app — have to pull it up to the big screen to press play. ### 1/5 — Avoid! Avoid! Avoid! *2024-12-25, version 61.5* If you subscribe, you will find it impossible to unsubscribe in the future! They never send you emails stating they will automatically renew your membership. There is no unsubscribe button on their app or website. They also don’t openly state what their support email address is on their website or app. There are many other more ethical podcast platforms out there. Use them instead. ### 1/5 — Constant Crashing *2024-11-16, version 61.5* Luminary might be one of the worst podcasting apps I've ever used. For three years I have been paying for this app for GWF, and during that time, I was hopeful the app would have improved.. it has not. The app is constantly crashing, or episodes randomly become "unavailable" mid listen. I will be canceling my paid subscription. ### 1/5 — Horrible - scam *2024-08-07, version 61.5* Originally signed up for luminary when I heard Dave Chapelle’s podcast would be featured. It only ran 5 or so episodes and that was it. Come to find out, luminary has been charging me now for over 2 years!! I’ve reached out to them only to be given the run around. Turns out, you can only cancel if you reach out to the right customer support team… what a shocker. They also refuse you share the specific email with you and keep sharing links to their website. ### 2/5 — Too many ad interruptions *2024-06-28, version 61.5* I assumed that if I'm paying nine dollars a month, I don't have to listen to constant ads. I was wrong. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — This app sucks *2026-07-26, version 61.5* New GWF episode that released on Friday is still not available and it is Sunday. Did the on-call engineer quit? I’ve been a subscriber for years to be able to get the GWF bonus episodes. This app has always had issues with restarting an episode after pausing, with load times of several minutes or it will not load. I’ve came up with my own troubleshooting trick over the years- starting another episode and jumping back to the one I’m meaning to play. However with this week’s episode just straight up not appearing, it has actually warranted a negative review. ### 1/5 — Horrible App and Service *2026-07-24, version 61.5* I’ve been a luminary subscriber for years and pay $4.99 ($5.39 tax) specifically to listen to GWF. Today episode will not load and apparently there are subscriber only episodes on the Apple Podcast app that aren’t available on the actual Luminary app. I really don’t want to switch my subscription over to the podcast app because I’ll have to pay more ($6.99 plus tax) fix your app and give me the episodes I’ve paid for or honor my current subscription rate and switch me over to Apple. ### 1/5 — App sucks *2026-02-06, version 61.5* Wish they would fix the issues that have been ongoing for years ### 1/5 — No bonus episodes *2025-10-26, version 61.5* I’m disappointed with the lack of customer service. I’ve paid a subscription fee but have zero access to any bonus episodes. All my emails and DMs have been unanswered to resolve the situation. Guess they just wanna take that money and run ### 1/5 — The worst and and zero customer service *2025-09-14, version 61.5* The app has always been spotty but now it is completely unusable. I’ve reached out to customer service multiple times with an issue logging in and no response. ### 1/5 — Shockingly unreliable *2025-08-15, version 61.5* I’ve had the luminary app for several years and it’s always been unreliable. Things never load properly. Rarely able to use offline on planes because things don’t download properly. Continuously crashing and having to restart. The last few weeks have been notoriously bad. App doesn’t load. Been like this for several days. Very confused why this app is so bad. Every other podcast app seems to have it figured out, but Luminary continues to fall behind. ### 1/5 — Never loads *2025-08-15, version 61.5* I’m a subscriber for one show (GWF) and this app drives me crazy. Never loads. I always have to refresh and it never plays for me. Major bug issues. Please fix, you’re doing your podcasters a disservice. ### 1/5 — Something wrong with the update *2025-08-15, version 61.5* After the most recent update, the app is not working at all. I thought it was something wrong with my account, but I can’t search any shows and I keep getting errors ### 1/5 — What’s wrong?? *2025-08-14, version 61.5* I’ve had luminary since it came out and all of a sudden my subscription ended, are you fix this and then all my shows are gone and won’t upload. I even went as far to create a new account and pay for another subscription and still are not uploading and says they cannot be found. They cannot be found on luminary’s website either were these shows cut. I am so confused and frustrated. ### 1/5 — Too many bugs *2025-08-14, version 61.5* I really wanted to love this but there are way too many issues with the app. I can’t access my shows or play any episodes. I can’t search for new shows without getting an ‘unable to display content’ error message. App will be getting deleted and subscription will be cancelled ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Download for the best podcast now! *2024-06-20, version 61.5* I have never loved a podcast app more than this one! I love having my library of shows, notifications on new episodes, and it is so easy to use! ### 5/5 — Russell Brand *2023-09-23, version 61.5* I originally joined to listen to Russell Brand’s show and I have found a cornucopia of shows to entertain and challenge my world views. I hope that if you decide to try Luminary that you take up the challenge and subscribe to ONE podcast that runs counter to what you believe. You might be pleasantly surprised by your choice. ### 5/5 — Never ever ever ever turn out the lights! Or stop listening to this chilling podcast *2023-04-14, version 61.5* Brilliant top to bottom - nothing better than taking my dog for a walk through the land around our house, in the dark of the night with this pod in my ears. Fantastic production! ### 5/5 — Amazing app. *2023-03-28, version 61.5* I love it, amazing podcasts and super cheap. ### 5/5 — Essential education *2023-03-21, version 61.5* All the things they don’t teach you in school are right here in the one place. From Russell brands ‘under the skin’ to Dave Chapelles ‘midnight miracle’ and countless others. An app worth paying for. ### 5/5 — Dave Chapelle, Yasiin Bey, and Talib Kweli are amazing *2023-03-12, version 61.5* Midnight Miracle is gem ### 5/5 — I’m here for Black Star. *2023-02-03, version 61.5* Keep the main thing the main thing🧘🏾‍♂️ ### 5/5 — Love it! *2023-01-27, version 61.5* The podcasts are above average. Really great listening. ### 5/5 — Covers it all *2023-01-08, version 61.5* Regardless of political leanings they host, good platform. ### 5/5 — I’m here for Guys We Fcked *2023-01-03, version 61.5* And the C Word. Worth the subscription for these 2 alone. --- *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 2026-09-10.*