Free

Details

  • Released
  • Updated
  • May 6, 2014
  • April 16, 2026

Features

Papers by ReadCube screenshot #1 for iPhone
Papers by ReadCube screenshot #2 for iPhone
Papers by ReadCube screenshot #3 for iPhone
Papers by ReadCube screenshot #4 for iPhone
Papers by ReadCube screenshot #5 for iPhone
Papers by ReadCube screenshot #6 for iPhone
Papers by ReadCube screenshot #7 for iPhone
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About

Manage, read, and discover research literature on your mobile devices. Annotate PDFs, organize your library with custom lists and tags, and receive personalized recommendations for new papers. Syncs seamlessly with desktop and web applications.

Read and manage research papers
Annotate PDFs with notes and highlights
Organize library with custom lists and tags
Discover new research with personalized recommendations
Search and download articles
Sync across devices
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What users say

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What's New in Papers by ReadCube

4.01

April 16, 2026

Fixed issues in the search navigation and query input. Fixed starting search from the PDF reader. And other minor visual improvements and bug fixes...

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User reviews

Import papers function non-functional

After this major update, I can no longer import papers from this app to my library. The safari plugin works, in that an article is added to the import section of this app, but there is no way to then take that item imported into the app and add it to the library. I can see where to do it, there is just no functionality to do it.
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Very buggy pdf annotation

Many bugs since the new update, including highlighted and underlined sections spontaneously disappearing, making PDF annotation a tedious and long process. I like the integrated AI on the desktop version, but I use my iPad for annotation so that I can take advantage of the Apple pen, but since new update, this is difficult because of all the bugs while using the Apple pen. Also lost the ability to easily access the synced PDF on computer, which is frustrating when you want to send and share PDFs. I’m likely moving back to Zotero soon. Better tags, organization of files, and fewer bugs for a fraction of the cost.
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Terrible update

I used to love readcube, but now I’m considering canceling my subscription. The mobile app is almost unusable - there is no easy way to open a PDF and email out a copy for example (like you used to be able to). You have to log in to your desktop, open the PDF, download the PDF and then attach to an email.
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Please stop updating

I normally welcome any app updates, but for the case of Readcube, please stop doing so. As a royal user since the Mac Papers era, I observed that Readcube has a reputation of breaking already-working things down and updating with useless/unnecessary updates. For this time, the new UI is extremely stupid and you need to click more buttons than what it needs before. Please stop doing stupid updates
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So not reliable

The app does not work properly (cannot highlight text) and customer support was down. Not the first time it was down. Simple app but not reliable. Canceled my subscription.

Developer apps

User experience

🐞

Reported Bugs

5 issues

Frequent app crashes and freezes

Bug

Sync issues causing data loss and duplication

Bug

Unreliable PDF downloads and access

Bug

Inconsistent behavior of annotation tools

Bug

Compatibility problems with newer devices and OS versions

Bug

Requested Features

5 requests

Add eraser tool for handwritten annotations

Feature

Improve PDF viewing and navigation experience

Feature

Implement better organization and folder management

Feature

Integrate citation and bibliography tools

Feature

Provide more customization options

Feature

FAQ

What does Papers by ReadCube do?

Papers by ReadCube is a mobile application designed to help users read, manage, and discover research literature. It allows you to organize your papers, annotate PDFs with notes and highlights, and find new relevant articles based on your existing library.

What are the key features of this app?

Key features include enhanced PDF viewing with inline citations, multi-color highlighting and note-taking tools, in-app search of Papers databases, personalized recommendations for new papers, custom list creation, and seamless syncing of your library and annotations across desktop, web, and mobile devices.

Is this app free to use?

Yes, the application is free to try on your iPhone, iPad, and computer. The provided description indicates it is free to use, with no mention of subscription fees or in-app purchases for core functionality.

What devices is Papers by ReadCube compatible with?

The app is available for iPhone and iPad, serving as a companion to the Papers desktop software. It is also mentioned to have a web app component, suggesting cross-platform compatibility for managing your research library.

How can I organize my research papers with this app?

You can organize your research papers by creating custom lists, sorting articles into one or multiple lists, and adding #tags for further customization. The app also allows you to quickly search your entire library, including all annotations, to find specific papers or information.