# Michigan Public — user reviews > 77 indexed App Store user reviews of Michigan Public by Jacobs Media, rated 3.10/5 from 56 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/michigan-public/id332602247/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/michigan-public/id332602247.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 20 · 4★ 3 · 3★ 10 · 2★ 10 · 1★ 13 ## What do users think of Michigan Public? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 👍 Good for listening live - 👍 Connects globally - 👍 Stream works well sometimes - 👍 User-friendly layout (sometimes) - 👍 Good content **Cons** - 🐛 Constant buffering/stopping - 🐛 App crashes frequently - 🐛 Audio skips during buffering - 🐛 App stops when switching apps - 🐛 Replays intro message repeatedly - 🐛 Inconsistent streaming quality - 🐛 App randomly starts playing - 🐛 Difficult to stop playback - 🐛 Opens web browser for functions - 🐛 Rebranding is unpopular - 🐛 Difficult to find app - 🐛 Landscape mode missing on iPad - 🐛 Font size issues - 🐛 Alarm function unreliable - 🐛 Background listening issues - 🐛 Battery drain concerns - 🐛 Updates break functionality - 🐛 No longer streams to iTunes **Commonly reported bugs** - Stream stops playing intermittently - App crashes on startup - Buffering issues causing audio skips - App stops when switching to other apps - App restarts repeatedly - App starts playing randomly - Cannot stop playback without uninstalling - Functions open web browser - Alarm function does not work - Background streaming issues - Updates cause crashes or break features - Blank space where images used to be - App not loading or crashing - Streaming issues on older devices - App closes when phone screen locks **Most requested features** - Landscape mode for iPad - Hourly news on demand - Sleep function - Improved alarm functionality - Background listening improvements - Option to disable auto-play - Larger play button - Display current/upcoming schedule within app - Image display aspect ratio fix - Include national news ## Newest reviews (18 of 77) ### 3/5 — Irritating stutters! *2025-08-12, version 2.9.2* Every day the transmission is interrupted and my screen tells me that Michigan Radio is “buffering”, often at critical moments in the news A few seconds or minutes later reception resumes This does not happen with my other NPR stations such as KERA in Dallas or WJCT in Jacksonville I wrote to the Ms Turner, the head of Michigan Public, asking that she have the problem corrected But the answer was— Nothing can be done at this end So the problem lies with the developer, Jacobs Media, which should solve the problem by upgrading the app Go do it for heaven’s sake, Jacobs!!! ### 2/5 — Recent problem *2024-02-26, version 2.9.0* The stream stops playing when you go to another app or even just to your Home Screen on the iPhone. This was a problem years ago that had been fixed for a long time. But the problem is back again. Makes it much less convenient to stream Mi Public. ### 2/5 — Buffering problems for years *2022-08-08, version 2.8.9* The app would be fantastic except for the buffering issues. Doesn’t matter if I switch devices or if I’m on cellular or Wi-Fi. The app doesn’t stay connected to the stream very well. When you start to stream there’s a message about organizations that make Michigan Radio possible. The biggest problems with the buffering is that it replays this message every time it disconnects/buffers even if you just heard it 30 seconds ago. So frequently when I’m listening to a story I miss it because I’m listening to the same message repeated over and over. Very frustrating. ### 3/5 — Notifications off *2022-03-24, version 2.8.9* This is an important app for me to have to be aware of everything that’s going on today. However I do not wish to receive push notifications asking for a donation. So I must cripple this app by turning the notifications off, rendering less useful. I hope I can get notifications for important events of news from some other source now that I have had to eliminate this one sadly. 🙁 ### 2/5 — App has problems *2021-01-24, version 2.8.7* This app seems to have a lot of issues downloading the audio. Very annoying. I’ve tried deleting and downloading the app again thinking it might help but no luck. It’s a shame because this is the main way I listen to Michigan Radio ### 2/5 — Real issues with app *2020-10-04, version 2.8.4* My iPhone 7 was recently replaced with the IPhone 11. I was unable to stop the Michigan Radio app from playing with the 7, and had to delete the app each time I wanted to stop play. I assumed it was a problem with my older phone. Nope. Same thing again-I have to uninstall the app to stop play on my 11, then reinstall it when I want to listen to live play. Nothing makes it’s stop playing unless I uninstall it. Just bizarre. The only app I have installed, out of a couple dozen, that has that issue. The quality over the years has certainly dwindled. ### 2/5 — Glitchy app, always buffering *2020-09-12, version 2.8.4* Hmmm, Michigan Radio is always suggesting that the mobile app is a good alternative when you can’t listen to the radio. So far I’ve never had my radio buffer again and again and again and again while I’m trying to listen. New app in the works? ### 3/5 — IOS Integration Imperfect *2020-07-13, version 2.8.4* I’m not sure whether the problem is the app or my less than perfect iPhone X, but when I go for a walk, the streaming hangs when the phone transitions from WiFi to cellular. Most of the time I have to manually restart the streaming. On some occasions, this happens multiple times during a half hour walk. ### 3/5 — Quibble *2020-04-15, version 2.8.4* I don’t like the way the ap plays the radio when I open it. I just want to read the news, I don’t listen to the radio on my phone. ### 2/5 — The app intermittently stops playing. Here are some details: *2020-02-28, version 2.8.3* The app intermittently stops playing. Using it here at the house with WiFi available. . Plays for 5 minutes then stops for 5 seconds. Plays for 1 minute then stops and restarts after maybe 10 seconds; or 20 seconds or just plain stops altogether. Sometimes it will replay the initial boot up station promo. Most times it just restarts where it left off. It doesn’t actually crash and disappear. I tried using a lower playback fidelity and that hasn’t cured the problem. I don’t know what else to try. In the last hour have successfully used the Apple “Podcasts” app and had no problems whatsoever. iOS 13.3.1 iPhone XS Max 256GB ### 3/5 — Will not update *2020-02-23, version 2.8.0* Not sure what is happening. I can not do the current update on the iPad. Seems like I can no longer stream Michigan Radio. Very sad. ### 3/5 — Inefficient app *2019-07-08, version 2.8.1* Cannot see what’s currently playing (or upcoming schedule) from within the app. To see what’s playing, must click drop-down menu, choose “Show Schedule,” which then opens a browser window! For developers: check out WGVU’s app; it is much more user-friendly. ### 3/5 — Font size *2019-07-01, version 2.8.1* I know I’m aging and don’t see as well as I used to. That said the new app font size on the portion describing the story headline is a challenge to read. Or maybe it’s the font. ### 2/5 — 2.8.0 update is broken *2018-08-07, version 2.8.0* The app still mostly works but the home screen no longer has images for each story: there’s just blank space where there used to be graphics above each headline. ### 4/5 — Recent update fixes break *2017-03-30, version 2.7.6* After the update fix for IOS 10.3, things are working again. Thanks for the quick fix! ### 1/5 — Unstable *2017-01-29, version 2.7.5* Poorly implemented buffering. Restarts repeatedly during listening, probably due to minor issues with WiFi signal. Needs rewrite. Highly annoying. ### 1/5 — Do not use *2016-11-09, version 2.7.5* I have been a user of this app for several months, and have found it deeply disappointing. It randomly stops playing for no reason very frequently. Anything, including buying a physical radio, is better than this. Will never use again (my only regret is using it this long). ### 1/5 — Good, should be Great, but… *2016-10-29, version 2.7.5* Goes through major periods when it's virtually unlistenable. Has to constantly be rebooted. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Very poor App *2025-12-10, version 2.9.2* This App is one the worst Apps on my phone! Goes in and out and reboots almost continuously!!! ### 1/5 — Obnoxious Name Change *2024-03-05, version 2.9.0* Michigan Public Radio apparently needed to justify the existence of a marketing team who thinks simplifying themselves to “Michigan Public” will somehow enhance their branding. It hasn’t. Instead, it’s made this app impossible to find via the most logical keyword. I’m sure a new team will be installed in 2-3 years whereupon they will change it back. ### 1/5 — The name came branding change needs to be reverted back. *2024-02-03, version 2.9.0* I am a VERY long time supporter of Michigan Radio, and for a variety of reasons am extremely disappointed by the rebranding of a storied institution, and will no longer support this station and company. Please fire the agency that presented this idea, and return to the name we all know and trust. ### 1/5 — The redesign is terrible *2024-01-29* Functions inside the app open up a web browser?!? What’s the point of an app if you’re going to push me to a webpage? Functionality I used all the time seems to have disappeared The app is virtually useless. The rebranding to Michigan Public from Michigan Radio is awful. Whoever you’re using for this guidance should be fired. ### 1/5 — Fix the buffering! *2022-11-09, version 2.8.9* This is unlistenable in its current state. I miss my functioning Michigan Radio App. ### 1/5 — “Buffering” *2020-08-10, version 2.8.4* Several times an hour, the audio stops and the app says “buffering”. Buffering implies that the app is gathering data and will continue where it left off. But it’s not. When the audio returns, whether it takes 2 minutes or 20, the audio during the “buffering” period is completely skipped. We lose the news stories, interviews, and anything else of interest that might occur during the audio blackout. Instead of “buffering”, you might instead say “Data Loss”. At least it would be more accurate. ### 1/5 — Not MICHIGAN enough *2020-03-27, version 2.8.4* Downloaded this to hear the Governors press conferences live and they aired National news shows instead, disappointed. ### 1/5 — Newest version doesn't work with iPhone 4 *2019-06-07, version 2.8.0* The big new start button that works so well on my 7 blows up the app when it loads on my 4, which I keep as a radio and podcast player. Sayonara WUOM! ### 1/5 — No luck! *2019-02-17, version 2.8.0* Disappointed-At the recommendation of att tech support I closed out my NPR/Michigan radio app & reinstalled it after having so many issues of it closing itself down-It did not solve the problem less than 10” into listening the same thing started happening all over again😣 ### 1/5 — Went from good show to no show. *2017-02-04, version 2.7.5* App was ok, but with iOS 10.3 it doesn't open then crashes. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Great App, wish it would go into landscape mode on my iPad. *2023-12-12, version 2.8.9* I’ve used this app for years, especially when I travel to connect with Michigan Radio, so far, anywhere in the world. My sole gripe is that it only presents in portrait mode on my iPad, making it awkward on my landscape-configured iPad. Surely this isn’t a difficult thing to include in future revisions? ### 5/5 — live listening! *2019-08-28, version 2.8.1* i love listening to NPR in the car, so convenient to be able to listen live without a radio (: ### 5/5 — Rat Head Icon *2016-03-24, version 2.7.4* UPDATE: OK. A wallaby not a rat. Joke's on me and others? It is kind of funny, very strange. PREVIOUS: Just updated. I now have a rat's head as the app icon. What's going on? ### 5/5 — Early April Fools?? Kangaroo head app icon?? *2016-03-23, version 2.7.4* 😂 ### 5/5 — Works great *2014-09-03, version 2.5.2* Not sure what anyone else is complaining about here. Do you want to listen to Michigan Radio on your phone? Download this app and press the play button. Boom. Done, it streams, and never once paused or stopped. What else are people expecting? If you are experiencing drop offs it might be your cellular connection. I streamed an entire episode of fresh air on headphones while walking a remote trail and had zero problems. If you want to stream Michigan Radio on your phone, this does it. ### 5/5 — Needs Sleep Function *2013-04-20, version 2.4* It would be nice if the app could shut down after a set amount of time. Also needs iPad compatibility so that the screen doesn't look sideways and blurry. ### 5/5 — From Michigan Radio *2013-04-16, version 2.3* There was an unexpected problem when we updated the stream location in the app that is causing some users problems when trying to do other tasks and listen. We are working to correct the issue as quickly as possible. We're sorry for the inconvenience. ### 5/5 — NIce Public Radio app! *2010-05-10, version 0* First off, I couldn't care less about the alarm function. What makes Michigan Radio's app so good is how well it streams. Live stream starts up right away with almost no pause and no glitches. Much smoother-running than most other Public Radio station apps seem to be. Haven't had it cut out on me once so far and my internet isn't all that great to start with. I also prefer PR stations that run straight news and talk without a lot of local music slots. Take it from a real NPR junkie, WUOM is one of the best Public Radio apps out there and I have almost all of them. ### 5/5 — I like it. *2010-01-29, version 0* This app does everything I want it to. I don't use the alarm, I'm pretty sure "but, but, my app doesn't work right boss!" is not an excuse for being late. Try a wind up clock with a little hammer and two bells on the top. Those work swimmingly. ### 5/5 — Domo arigato! *2009-11-20, version 0* We moved from near Manchester to Tokyo last spring and dearly missed listening to Michigan Radio. Luckily, this app has allowed us to reconnect with old radio friends and keep in touch with Michigan! Keep up the good work. All that you and NPR do is such a calming voice in the cacophony out there... --- *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 2026-08-03.*