# Science News Magazine — user reviews > 94 indexed App Store user reviews of Science News Magazine by Society for Science & the Public, rated 4.20/5 from 23 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/science-news-magazine/id439705977/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/science-news-magazine/id439705977.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 17 · 4★ 1 · 3★ 0 · 2★ 2 · 1★ 3 ## What do users think of Science News Magazine? Overall sentiment: mixed **Pros** - 👍 Easy to use and navigate - ✨ Beautiful design and UI - 📰 Great content and informative articles - 🚀 Fast loading and smooth experience (for some) - 💡 Dark mode available - 📚 PDF reader included - 🎨 Customizable reading experience - 📱 Works well on newer devices **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezes - 🚫 Subscription and login issues - 🪲 App not working on older devices/iOS versions - 📄 Articles not fully viewable - 🔄 App forgets reading progress - 🗄️ Difficulty unsubscribing - blurry text and images - 🖱️ Overly touch-sensitive interface - 🔒 Access issues for print subscribers - 📉 Poor app functionality compared to content quality **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes in IOS 26.2 - Latest update doesn't allow articles to be read - Subscription not recognized - App crashes when feed loads - White screen after splash screen - App closes issue and user loses place - Cannot get access to magazines as print subscriber - App asks to sign in repeatedly - Purchases delete themselves - Sharing doesn't work - Image caption text covers article text - App forgets subscription status - "Show Text" popup obscures content - App doesn't work with existing accounts - Text mode broken with iOS 10 - App not downloading/keeping magazines - App exits by itself after a few minutes - Login page link button does not exist - Menu selection covers text when zoomed - App not working with iOS 8 - Cannot download issues - Subscription issues with Apple subscription - App not working on iPad Mini 4 **Most requested features** - Bookmark feature or save place - Ability to store all downloaded issues locally - Option to not auto-renew subscription - Improved sharing functionality - Add Apple Pay/PayPal option - Fix text size and zoom settings persistence - Allow screen rotation - Add a 'my content' section for purchased magazines ## Newest reviews (16 of 94) ### 4/5 — Decent app but subscription is glitchy *2026-02-02* Overall easy to use and much preferred to reading the physical magazine. If the app doesn’t recognize your subscription, you may have to sign into the website (not sure if it has to be on the same device as the app or not, I happened to) and view/download a pdf of any issue then the app may begin to work. The app could use a bookmark feature or something to save my place. If I stop reading for a couple days or a week the app closes the issue I’m in and I have to find my place again. **Developer response:** Thank you for the positive review and the feedback! Subscriptions should be automatic and work seamlessly, unless you purchased your subscription somewhere other than in the app or website (via direct mail or over the phone, for instance). In that case, you will need to sign into the website to activate your digital subscription, but that should be something you only have to do once. If your experience is different, please send a note to feedback@sciencenews.org so we can learn more about the issue and work towards a prompt resolution. We would also love to hear more about your bookmarks suggestion! We currently have bookmarks in articles, but it sounds like you're talking about something else. In that case, send an email to feedback@sciencenews.org and we'll add your suggestion to our backlog. ### 2/5 — App crashes in IOS 26.2 *2026-01-21* I can no longer us the app since IOS 26.2 upgrade **Developer response:** We have resolved the issue. Thanks for letting us know you were experiencing technical issues. Please report future issues at feedback@sciencenews.org and let us know if you have any ideas for how we can improve the app. ### 5/5 — Great app for science news *2024-07-15* The latest update to the app is a remarkable enhancement, featuring a sleek new dark mode for comfortable night-time reading, customizable text options for improved readability, and a built-in PDF reader for seamless access to magazines. ### 5/5 — Dark mode rocks *2024-07-11* The latest update fixed several issues with the app, and I love the new, customizable reading experience. ### 5/5 — Finally! *2024-07-10* A new modern app that matches the quality of the magazine. Now easy to navigate and view. Choose topics or latest news, or go to magazine. This is an app that now rocks! **Developer response:** We've updated the app to address all your concerns, particularly navigation and zooming within the pdf issues. If you have further ideas for improving the app, please send them to feedback@sciencenews.org. ### 2/5 — Should work like a magazine. *2024-07-09, version 101.0.0* That is, when I set my iPad down the page I was reading should redisplay when I pick it back up. Honestly, the effort to store the current location is trivial. Why haven’t you already added this? In fact, why wasn’t this feature in version 1? Reducing to 2 stars as years later this bug still exists. Update 7/9/2024: I received an email today from SN developers saying the App has been updated to better maintain reading position. So, I updated the App. I started in landscape mode and navigated to an interesting article. I rotated my iPad to better view the text but, after rotation, the App displayed the magazine cover and remained there! This is worse than my original complaint as the App won’t maintain reading position while actively using it. Honestly, who tests this stuff? ### 2/5 — No access *2024-07-07* I’m a print subscriber so but I can’t get access to the magazines. Your website says all print as subscribers have access to the digital issues but not everyone apparently. **Developer response:** You should be able to access these from the magazine icon at the bottom of the app. If you have issues with your subscription, please send a note to subscriptions@sciencenews.org. ### 5/5 — Easy to use and informative *2024-07-04* Love the interface of this app. I like the categories at the top where you can easily toggle by topic and find what you’re looking for. The front page gives a great overview of a range and it’s super easy to share with friends as well. **Developer response:** Thanks for the positive review! ### 5/5 — Amazing Redesign! My favorite news app. *2024-07-02* I love Science News Magazine! Their old app was admittedly lacking but the content has always been top notch. The latest app version is NIGHT AND DAY better and has resolved all of the complaints I see other reviewers mentioning. Highly recommend! ### 2/5 — Great Content; Poor App Functionality *2024-06-09* I get the paper magazine, but also like to access the app. It seems to me that the people at Science News don’t really put much time and effort into improving the app, or the web site, for that matter. The app does not execute smoothly. Navigation is not very good. Zooming text and photos does not routinely work as expected. They have such a great product; it is just unfortunate the app does not meet the same standards as the articles/material. **Developer response:** We've updated the app to address all your concerns, particularly navigation and zooming within the pdf issues. If you have further ideas for improving the app, please send them to feedback@sciencenews.org. ### 2/5 — URGENT UPDATE NEEDED!!! *2024-05-08* Running up to date iOS but won’t turn pages just turns white!!! Not impressed as as the days go by the less of my subscription I have!!! Tick Tock……… ### 4/5 — App stopped working on iPad *2024-05-06, version 51.1* I have been a Science News subscriber for many decades. Their science journalism is top notch for the casual and non-technical reader. I think almost everyone should read it! However, this app stopped working on my iPad Mini 4 (with its latest iOS 15.8.2). After the initial splash screen, I get a never-ending white screen. It never loads the latest stories or magazine covers. (However, it does work on my newer iPhone with iOS 17.4.1.) ### 2/5 — Need to reboot each time *2024-03-02, version 51.1* It is very frustrating that I have to restart the app every time I open it. It takes me back to the home page not to the article I was reading. It seems science news is not making any improvements to this app yet I pay for a subscription. Please update app! ### 3/5 — Not robust *2024-02-28, version 51.1* Seizes up after just a few pages—dreaded White Screen of Failure. Extremely frustrating! ### 2/5 — Great magazine; very poor app *2023-12-21, version 51.1* I am a regular reader of Science News, and admire the magazine for its breadth, depth, and accuracy. Their app is poor, unfortunately. They obviously have not put much effort into it. I hope they do start taking thier digital offerings seriously, because I am afraid they may be left behind if they don't. ### 2/5 — Need to reboot each time *2023-05-26* It is very frustrating that I have to restart the app every time I open it. It takes me back to the home page not to the article I was reading. It seems science news is not making any improvements to this app yet I pay for a subscription. Please update app! ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Latest update still doesn’t allow articles to be read *2026-01-23* The latest update fixed the problem that it was impossible to open an article owing to the fact that clicking on an article thumbnail caused an instant jump back to the Apple Operating system. However, in this update, the article seems to open, but only the title, lead graphic (and caption), author, and date are visible. The article itself is not viewable. Please fix the app so that we can read the articles. Thank you. **Developer response:** We have resolved this issue. Thanks for reporting it! You can report technical issues or concerns about our reporting by emailing feedback@sciencenews.org. This box is monitored by an actual human and we'll get back to you right away with any follow up questions. You can also find other ways to contact us at sciencenews.org/faq. ### 1/5 — Unsubscribe *2025-05-24, version 101.0.0* You shouldn’t trust any app that makes it difficult to unsubscribe, “non-profit” or not, it’s fraudulent behavior ### 1/5 — Can’t see anything with latest version *2024-07-02* Signed in successfully but each time I click on anything it just tells me to resister. Old app was bad(really bad) but I could use it. **Developer response:** Please send a screenshot to feedback@sciencenews.org and we'll take a look. ### 1/5 — Terrible app *2024-02-12, version 51.1* I subscribe to many digital publications and this is by far the worst app I've encountered. Very hard to navigate, locks up repeatedly etc. Etc. Unfortunate given good content ### 1/5 — Stopped working on iPad *2023-04-04, version 51.1* I’ve had a subscription through apple for years. Starting maybe a month ago the app stopped working. The intro image shows up but nothing happens after. When I remove the app, then redownload, the pop up appears that says it is a preview and blocks me from the app. The app works fine on my iPhone. Please fix. ### 1/5 — seven months? *2022-12-18, version 51.1* The last update was 7 months ago? really? no wonder it does not display the page if anything changes. And i have closed all other apps, have fine wi-fi, < 1 yr old ipad. ### 1/5 — paid thru Apple subscription keeps asking me to sign in *2022-11-26, version 51.1* I’ve had a paid subscription thru Apple for years, but now I can’t read any issues. Pop up asks if I’m enjoying my preview and wants me to sign in with an email. I don’t have an email based subscription , it’s thru Apple. Went to website, no help there. This has been an off and on problem for some years that would go away/self-correct after coming back weeks later. Now I’m not reading any issues with my paid subscription. This is unacceptable, very disappointed. Will have to cancel subscription and find another science journal. ### 1/5 — Good articles if I could read them *2022-07-10, version 51.1* I paid $29.99 for a year's subscription, but the app refuses to recognize that and won't let me access the articles. I paid for nothing. I feel badly cheated. Do not use this app. ### 1/5 — Why sign in? *2022-06-11, version 51.1* I subscribed through my iPad and now I’m being asked to sign in using some password. I never set up any such password. I just subscribed. Why was I “signed out” anyway? This app is way too clunky and annoying to use. Screens going blank, jumping from one place to another, etc. And now I’m paying for a subscription that I can’t access. I like the content and have read Science News in one form or another for many years, but this is the last time. I’m canceling and won’t be back. ### 1/5 — No way to link to a print subscription that I can find. *2021-11-20, version 49.9* I have had a print subscription for several years, and it supposedly includes access via the app. But there is no way I can find to use that subscription to the app that I can find in the app, unlike other magazines I subscribe to. I’ll work at it some more, but right now, it’s either useless or double expensive. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — App crashes in IOS 26.2 *2026-01-27* I can no longer use the app since IOS 26.2 upgrade UPDATE: The issue has been resolved. **Developer response:** We have resolved the issue. Thanks for letting us know you were experiencing technical issues. Please report future issues at feedback@sciencenews.org and let us know if you have any ideas for how we can improve the app. ### 5/5 — Easy to use update *2024-07-23* I’m loving the updated app. Much easier to navigate and read. **Developer response:** Thanks for your positive review! ### 5/5 — Filter out the noise! *2024-07-16* What a refreshing way to get news that matters. This app allows me to cut through the clutter of politically-motivated garbage and renews my faith in humanity as a thriving species. Thank you!!! **Developer response:** Thank you for your support. Three cheers for science! ### 5/5 — Awesome App! *2024-07-16* This is awesome! I’m so excited to have a place to check out thorough articles about science. The UI is flawless, and I love the category toolbar at the top. The animations are excellent, and the search enables a really nice experience. **Developer response:** Thank you for your positive review and for noting some of the work that we're most proud of! ### 5/5 — My Daily Dose of Science! *2024-07-16* It’s a great app with a beautiful design. This is one of the apps I open daily. I highly recommend it to anyone passionate about science and staying informed. ### 5/5 — Mind-blowing, Literally! *2024-07-16* This app is like a black hole for my free time—in a good way! I downloaded it for some light reading and now I’m basically a walking encyclopedia of science facts. Who knew learning could be so addictive? From cosmic wonders to microscopic miracles, this app has it all. If you want to sound like the smartest person at the party, this is your secret weapon. Just be prepared to lose track of time—seriously, where did my afternoon go? Five stars, hands down! **Developer response:** We're so glad you find the app mind-expanding, and that you're spending your free time with us! ### 5/5 — Great update! *2024-07-16* Loving the new accessibility settings and dark mode 🙏 ### 5/5 — thanks for the update!! love it *2024-07-16* Big big big big improvement! Great to see a new SN app finally here. 🤓 ### 5/5 — Science News Mag 🌟 *2024-07-15* Perfect! Clean, simple, and easy to use. 10/10 ### 5/5 — Informative and easy to use *2024-07-15* Love the simple UI – easy to find the topics I’m interested in. Also I was able to seamlessly add longer form articles to my read-it-later app --- *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.*