# Mother Earth News Magazine — user reviews > 43 indexed App Store user reviews of Mother Earth News Magazine by Ogden Publications, Inc., rated 4.40/5 from 459 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mother-earth-news-magazine/id735181192/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mother-earth-news-magazine/id735181192.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 351 · 4★ 37 · 3★ 17 · 2★ 10 · 1★ 44 ## What do users think of Mother Earth News Magazine? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 📚 High-quality magazine content - ✂️ Clippings feature for sharing articles - 🌱 Excellent sustainability-focused editorial **Cons** - 🚫 Subscription payment not recognized by app - 🔐 Paywall blocks access despite active subscription - 📋 Poor app layout - article list instead of magazine format - 🖼️ Missing visual design and magazine aesthetics - ❌ Frequent access and authentication failures - 📞 Non-responsive customer support - 🔄 Confusing navigation and carousel interface - 📱 Compatibility issues with some devices - 🛑 App freezes and locks up - 💳 Billing issues and duplicate charges - 🎯 Difficult to locate purchased issues - ⏱️ Time-limited access to content - 🔗 Disconnect between Apple subscription and app recognition **Commonly reported bugs** - App stuck on newsletter signup form - Unable to access current and past issues - Content locked despite active subscription - App crashes and freezes frequently - iOS version compatibility issues - Account number not provided with in-app subscription - Carousel interface prevents viewing owned issues - Content becomes inaccessible after app updates - Cannot navigate past a few recent issues - Non-functioning darkened app icon **Most requested features** - Return to traditional magazine flip-through format - Grid view option for browsing issues - Ability to download content as PDF - Family sharing or multi-user access - Simplified subscription and account management - Clear indication of which content is included in subscription - Option to choose between different app layouts - Easy access to purchased back issues - Better integration with Apple subscription system ## Newest reviews (13 of 43) ### 2/5 — Cannot access all the articles in the magazine *2020-09-19, version 21.0* Cannot access all the contents that the magazine cover says that it have inside ### 2/5 — Lots of ads and stuff. *2020-04-14, version 18.0* Expected to be able to flip thru the magazine ### 1/5 — Great magazine but terrible app- no support at all *2020-04-01, version 18.0* First off I love the Mother Earth news magazine and find the content terrific. As I am based overseas it is not widely available in print locally so I downloaded the app and got a digital subscription. Initially I thought it was good then they changed the app completely and I could not access any content, past issues, extra paid content or current issue. I contacted support through the app and they were useless and referred me to the publisher who could not help as they didn’t recognise me as a subscriber and to go back to the in app support. It’s been several months and I still have not got a response from the app support other than their stock standard automated reply. I ended up paying again for another subscription through ZINIO to be able to read the magazine and if I could leave a zero star review for the total lack of service I would. ### 1/5 — A TOTAL WASTE *2020-03-02, version 18.0* Signed up for a year! Can’t even get the app to get off the Newsletter sign up form! The magazine won’t even show up! The only choices you have is Newsletter, Video and Podcast! You can see all that crap of their website. I even have magazine issues that I can’t even access, BECAUSE ITS STUCK ON THE NEWSLETTER FORM, OVER AND OVER AND OVER. A TOTAL WASTE. ### 1/5 — Don’t like format *2019-12-10, version 9.0* I love Mother Earth News but can’t stand the new Magz format on my iPad - just a collection of articles to scroll through with no feel of a real magazine. FAQ tells you that’s the way it is now, but it’s enough to make me not want to read the articles. ### 1/5 — Unreadable *2019-11-22, version 9.0* I cannot read the newest magazine since the update. I hope they fix it or will need to cancel. I hate the new format. It’s no longer a beautiful magazine. Just a list. ### 1/5 — 2 minutes to read an entire magazine I want my money back. *2019-11-10, version 9.0* I purchased a new yearly subscription. It will not let me read any magazine for more than 2 minutes. I want a full refund. ### 1/5 — Useless *2019-10-29, version 9.0* Can’t access latest issue on my IPad mini (IOS version not supported). I can access using my IPhone, however the new layout is absolutely useless. No longer a magazine. 0 response from customer support. Will be canceling subscription if not fixed before next issue is out. ### 1/5 — Layout *2019-10-24, version 9.0* I’m only giving it one star because I have to choose one. Canceled my subscription . I’m going back to the paper version. I signed up for a magazine, not an app. Maybe that’s what they wanted. More profit to be made in printed. They took a great magazine and trashed it. ### 1/5 — Latest Update Made Me Unsubscribe *2019-09-29, version 9.0* I don’t know what the editors were thinking when they approved this ‘app’ but it has forced me to unsubscribe. This is no longer a magazine but just the website repackaged in a poor container. Not worth the money. ### 1/5 — New Format *2019-09-29, version 9.0* What in the hell did you do? Nothing works. I can’t go back more than a few issues to see anything and it locks up. If this is not fixed soon, I will not be renewing my subscription. ### 1/5 — Not loving new layout *2019-09-25, version 9.0* I used to love reading the magazine on my iphone and ipad because it felt like a magazine. It doesn’t anymore. Its too hard to read now. Very sad. I will really have to decide if I want to continue my digital subscription. ### 1/5 — Business Model is Bad User Experience *2019-01-08, version 8.4* Information wants to be free and this stingy app locks it up at the expense of the user experience and the people who paid for the content. Let people download their content as PDF. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Confused *2026-02-09, version 24.0* I was wondering why I can't open my paid magazines for 2025 and I reached for the website. They told me they don't sell through Apple. So who is receiving my subscription money if they are not and they don't recognize me as a customer? ### 1/5 — I would love to read it! *2025-03-22, version 24.0* Been paying for a subscription this app for a couple years and have not been able to read any of the magazines, says I need to pay to read them even though I have a subscription through apple. I tried to cancel it but somehow it didn’t go through and paid for another year. I am trying again but really upsets me because I really love the magazine and would love to be able to read at least the ones I’ve already paid for… ### 1/5 — Not working, No help *2023-01-10, version 23.0* I renewed my subscription and added the digital app, paid more. I got the email saying I bought it and how to down load and how to access it. I downloaded it,BUT can not access it I have tried , I have delayed and re downloaded it. I sent 3 requests for help and have yet to get help. So today I will be calling. ### 1/5 — This is not a magazine and want to share your information with 3rd parties. *2022-01-01, version 23.0* What is this? It is not a digital magazine. It looks like a bunch of long reddit posts. No photos. No interesting layout. I want my money back. ### 1/5 — Horrible app *2021-08-18, version 23.0* Paid and cant access. Wrote for help and still wont work. Need a easier subscription process. Make things simple for people trying to give you money. ### 1/5 — Paid for but unable access any content *2021-02-14, version 22.0* I paid for a subscription but I have not been able to open a single article that I wanted to read. Then as I write this review I cannot even see my comment only the title and the number of stars. ### 1/5 — Help! *2021-02-01, version 22.0* What is going on with this app? I cannot read this like a regular magazine, I can only read by by choosing from the list of articles! ### 1/5 — Hate the app *2020-10-12, version 21.0* I like reading a magazine LIKE a magazine. Not just a few articles. ### 1/5 — Terrible app. Takes your money and does not give access. *2020-06-23, version 21.0* This app is broken! Subscribed and then the app does not allow you to access locked content even though you paid. ### 1/5 — Takes your money, doesn’t give you access *2020-05-10, version 18.0* I just signed up for a one year online subscription through the app. The app does not let you access the current issues without an account number, but you don’t get an account number with your in app subscription. So maybe in two days they will respond to my support request. If you are hoping to subscribe and get access, beware. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Magazine format *2021-01-31, version 22.0* Please go back to the magazine format. It would be nice to flip the a magazine format. Separate articles drive me crazy. I hate your current app format! ### 5/5 — Poor layout *2019-09-19, version 9.0* Need to return to old layout. It is hard to read, it should be similar to a magazine not a bunch different articles where you have to click on each one. ### 5/5 — Love it *2014-11-19, version 5.6* The best sustainability content out there! ### 5/5 — Cool feature *2013-12-06, version 1.0* I love the clippings feature on this app, I am able to share snippets or full articles with friends and family. Very nice. ### 4/5 — Mostly Great *2019-12-13, version 9.0* I love the magazine and it’s content. Not the most user friendly app but as long as the magazine content stays great, I will keep coming back for more! ### 4/5 — A Digital Stack? Really *2014-10-03, version 5.0* So, I give another star but without an explanation as to where the grid view is no 5 stars. It took me 2 days of fuming to Accidentally find the grid, I still say the stack is pointless in digital form. For digital the grid is the only thing that makes sense. Very disappointed, guys. How tedious can it get to go through a digital stack? Very. I want my grid back. The write up mentions a grid but there is no indication of how I find it. I thought the last one was just fine. Change graphics OK but the layout needs more explanation, like where is the grid option so I can Quickly find the issue I want. Am I the only one who got a non functioning darked out ME icon, I can neither open or delete? ### 3/5 — Okk *2023-07-15, version 23.0* Wish I didn’t have to pay to read the past issues. ### 3/5 — New app has issues *2019-10-17, version 9.0* If the problems with the new app are not solved soon, I’m going back to printed copies.! Please fix the App! ### 2/5 — Digital Magazine does not show actual magazine *2023-12-11, version 23.0* I just renewed my subscription and decided to get a digital one. Unfortunately the digital subscription does not show the actual magazine. Disappointing. ### 2/5 — Not loving new format *2022-01-28, version 23.0* I do not like the new format that is”easier” to navigate. Not for me!! I liked the app because it read like a magazine. I wish they would give users the option to choose format. I couldn’t tell you about the content because I couldn’t navigate it. I love technology but everything doesn’t need to change. ☹️. Still not loving format😠 --- *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 2026-07-31.*