# Observer-Dispatch - Utica, NY — user reviews > 69 indexed App Store user reviews of Observer by Gannett, rated 4.51/5 from 285 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/observer-dispatch-utica-ny/id421242018/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/observer-dispatch-utica-ny/id421242018.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 215 · 4★ 37 · 3★ 14 · 2★ 4 · 1★ 16 ## What do users think of Observer? Overall sentiment: mixed **Pros** - 📰 Good local news coverage and content - 🚀 Fast page loading and performance - 👍 User-friendly interface and layout - 📱 Convenient mobile access to newspaper - 🎯 Well-organized categories and sections - ✨ E-edition format is appealing - 📍 Reliable source for local/regional news **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent app crashes and freezes - 📺 Excessive and intrusive advertisements - 👁️ Small text size difficult for older users - 📄 Pages don't fill screen properly - 🔄 Content not updating regularly - ❌ Poor customer service for cancellations - 📝 Grammatical errors and typos in content - 💾 App consumes excessive memory - 🎨 Confusing layout and navigation - 🔐 Paywall and subscription limitations **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes when reading obituaries - App freezes during normal use - Network error messages preventing content access - Pop-up ads don't close properly - App won't open or load - Content fails to update - Inconsistent format between iPhone and iPad - App crashes every 2 minutes - Intrusive pop-up alerts about winning prizes **Most requested features** - Expand local sports coverage (high school, college, golf) - Increase local news content - Restore original newspaper page-by-page format - Improve text size and readability for accessibility - Full-screen article display - Comics displayed on single page instead of list - Restore missing comic strips (Lockhorns) - Daily obituary view instead of monthly archive - Living/Lifestyle section clarity - Dark mode option ## Newest reviews (10 of 69) ### 4/5 — Good *2025-12-01, version 8.6.0* This is a vast improvement over the last app but I really don’t like that the pages don’t fill the screen. The news items are hard to see with old eyes and I usually have to click on each article to see what it’s about. A waste of time, so you can make an improvement with that to be a close to perfect app. ### 4/5 — Good *2025-08-05* This is a vast improvement over the last app but I really don’t like that the pages don’t fill the screen. The news items are hard to see with old eyes and I usually have to click on each article to see what it’s about. A waste of time, so you can make an improvement with that to be a close to perfect app. ### 4/5 — Good *2025-05-18, version 8.1.0* This is a vast improvement over the last app but I really don’t like that the pages don’t fill the screen. The news items are hard to see with old eyes and I usually have to click on each article to see what it’s about. A waste of time, so you can make an improvement with that to be a close to perfect app. ### 2/5 — Missing the original newspaper format *2022-01-18, version 6.8.1* Not comfortable at all with this format on my iPad. Why are the articles more than a few days old? The layout is very confusing, there’s no living section, which I presume is now the Lifestyle section. Why can’t the comics be spread onto one page instead of a list of choices? Plus, no Lockhorns,, our favorite. My real question is, is there an option to go to settings to have the original format of a real newspaper? And, why does my iPhone still show the original format? Even the obits show 98 in the number available?. I don’t want to see a month’s worth when I’m a daily subscriber. I just want to see and read the daily paper. Very dissatisfied so far. ### 5/5 — New OD Format *2021-03-16, version 6.4.0* Love the new OD format! ### 5/5 — OD is NEW *2021-03-04, version 6.4.0* The OD is a fine source for the latest news from all venues… local, state , national and more ! The new format makes it easy to pick up on articles of interest and photos that are relevant! Good reporting as well . ### 2/5 — Crashes daily *2018-05-17, version 5.0* I have had issues with the old format and continues with the new. I like reading the obituaries and crashes. Then you have to go and start all over again. Needs a fix! ### 3/5 — A Joke! *2018-04-26, version 5.0* This is an update? Since the update on 4/16/18, none of the news stories have been updated and the only thing current are the obituaries. I’m assuming the OD did this to try to force people to buy their newspapers, which just increased in price by $1 or subscribe to their paid website. Don’t bother downloading this app! Since my initial review, the Utica OD has taken steps to improve its app. First, it started providing some human interest stories and then some national news. As of 4/25/18, they actually had some local news, which is the main reason I use the app, so I am upgrading my rating from one star to three. ### 1/5 — Your broke it. What a shame *2018-04-22, version 5.0* Since the new update came out, the news doesn’t update. I’m tired of looking at two week old news. I hope you get it fixed soon. ### 1/5 — Shuts down *2018-04-22, version 5.0* Trying to read obituaries and site keeps crashing. Won’t be using this app. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Impossible to cancel *2024-09-09, version 7.12.0* FAQs on website indicate NY residents can cancel online. This option is not available on my account, and agent on phone would not accept that I wanted to cancel to the point that the call dropped ### 1/5 — App blows *2024-08-11, version 7.11.2* This app is a joke, just like your newspaper ### 1/5 — What a shame …. *2024-01-06, version 7.5.1* What once was a great has now been trashed by owners and sold off bit by bit….. ### 1/5 — OD going out of business *2021-10-22, version 6.5.9* Paper too expensive on line site does not have same content as newspaper ### 1/5 — Utica OD *2021-07-27, version 6.5.9* Absolutely terrible! Ads take up half the screen and don’t disappear when you touch the “X” in the corner. They expect you to pay for this content??? No me! ### 1/5 — Freezes and crashes *2021-01-22, version 5.6* I don’t mind subscribing, but fix the app. It freezes and crashes—a lot. ### 1/5 — your app *2020-01-24, version 5.6* Ridiculous that you have continuously click the free 3to read a m article..so I deleted your app.. ### 1/5 — Constantly crashing *2018-06-27, version 5.0* I refuse to buy a 5 page newspaper for a 1.00. Tried to use the app but it’s worthless crashes every 2 minutes. Don’t waste your time downloading. ### 1/5 — Updated but needs patches SOON *2018-06-21, version 5.0* I have this app to read obituaries. Since the update I have not been able to read the 1st paragraph before the app closes out. Help!! Getting worse not better. ### 1/5 — Adds much? *2018-06-21, version 5.0* Your app is nothing but adds and junk. Good news Utica.... ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Newspaper works great. *2025-08-21, version 8.1.0* Set up nice. Pages turn quickly. Wish there was more local news coverage and definitely more local sports. Especially high school sports and college coverage too including golf. ### 5/5 — Excellent *2025-07-05, version 8.1.0* Use it daily to keep up to date on the local news ### 5/5 — Great paper *2025-02-18, version 8.0.0* E edition very cool. ### 5/5 — Most current news *2024-08-06, version 7.11.1* The categories is expansive. Technology part is very informative. Sports news is great too. Definitely worth it ### 5/5 — Great paper and app *2022-05-21, version 6.10.0* Great paper and app ### 5/5 — Great interface for paper! *2022-04-24, version 6.10.0* I enjoy this app ### 5/5 — I enjoy the OD. *2022-02-11, version 6.10.0* Many years ago,I lived in. Utica,, went to school there and I think it was a great place to spend my teen years. I really like reading the OD now. How things have changed! ### 5/5 — Very convenient and informative *2021-08-11, version 6.5.9* It’s nice to have the OD on my phone and to have the latest up to date news close at hand. ### 5/5 — The OD *2021-08-07, version 6.5.9* Love the OD app! Easier than getting all that paper and see the same articles, obituaries, sales, etc ### 5/5 — Great *2021-04-21, version 6.4.0* The new format is terrific. It’s much better than the Syracuse paper. --- *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 2026-07-04.*