# Smithsonian Magazine

> Digital magazine subscription for history, science, culture, and travel content. (iPhone/iPad app by Smithsonian Institution.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smithsonian-magazine/id484193368 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Smithsonian Institution](https://appshunter.io/developer/370564865)
- Category: Entertainment, Magazines & Newspapers
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.70/5 from 420 App Store ratings · 104 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.6 · 62 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2012-07-18
- Data updated: 2026-08-25
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smithsonian-magazine/id484193368/reviews.md

## What is Smithsonian Magazine?

Enjoy an iOS compatible issue of Smithsonian magazine on your iPhone or iPad. The issue includes every story, department, photo and more. Subscriptions and single copies are available for purchase within the app.

Smithsonian magazine delivers trusted and incisive reporting on history, science, nature, culture and travel.

* Explore history and archaeology from the earliest days of civilization to secrets of American history to the latest historical discoveries
* Catch up on cutting-edge science from wildlife to evolution and the solar system
* Travel the world virtually from Petra to Prague, taking in cultural treasures along the way
____________________________________________

SINGLE ISSUES:
- Single issue, $3.99 (one time purchase, not ongoing)

SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE:
- One month for $1.99, automatically renewed until canceled
- One year for $19.99, automatically renewed until canceled

Smithsonian Magazine publishes 8 issues a year. Payment for any issue or subscription will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase.

SUBSCRIBERS AUTO-RENEWING FEATURE:  
Your subscription will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period.  
Your iTunes account will automatically be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and the cost of the renewal will be provided (yearly subscriptions will renew for another year and monthly subscriptions will renew for another month).  
Your subscription may be managed through your Account Settings after purchase.  Auto-renewal may be turned off in Account Settings.  
No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during the active subscription period.  
Visit https://www.smithsonianmag.com/app/ and https://www.smithsonianmag.com/about/privacy/ for more information.

ABOUT THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION:
The Smithsonian Institution has inspired generations through knowledge and discovery since 1846.   It's the world's largest complex of museums and research facilities, and it focuses on four core areas: Unlocking the Mysteries of the Universe, Understanding and Sustaining a Biodiverse Planet, World Cultures, and the American Experience.

Privacy Statement: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/about/privacy/
Terms of Use: https://www.si.edu/termsofuse

**Please note that the minimum requirements for Smithsonian Magazine is iOS 13 or higher.**

## Key features

- Digital magazine issues
- History and archaeology articles
- Cutting-edge science reporting
- Virtual travel and culture features
- In-app subscriptions and single purchases

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Smithsonian Annual Subscription | $19.99 | per year |
| Smithsonian Annual Subscription | $1.99 | per month |
| Smithsonian Magazine Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| 12-Month Subscription | $19.99 | per year |

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Smithsonian Magazine | $3.99 | one-time |
| Smithsonian Magazine | $3.99 | one-time |
| Smithsonian Magazine | $3.99 | one-time |
| Smithsonian Magazine | $3.99 | one-time |
| Smithsonian Magazine | $3.99 | one-time |
| Smithsonian Magazine | $3.99 | one-time |
| Smithsonian Magazine - February 2014 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Smithsonian Magazine - September 2014 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Smithsonian Magazine 07/2024 | $3.99 | one-time |


## Chart rankings

- #201 in Top Free · Magazines & Newspapers (US App Store)

## What do users think of Smithsonian Magazine?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- 🚀 Easy to navigate
- 🔍 Great content
- 👍 Intuitive interface

**Cons**

- 🐛 Crashes frequently
- 🔒 Difficult to authenticate subscription
- 💰 Requires separate digital subscription
- 🔧 Clunky and buggy
- 🗂️ Loses downloaded issues
- 📵 Drains battery quickly

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Unable to download new issues
- Fails to remember last read position
- Incompatible with newer iOS versions
- Incorrect issue labeling in library

**Most requested features**

- Allow login with existing subscription
- Restore previously downloaded issues
- Improve stability and performance
- Provide better customer support

## Recent user reviews (10 of 104)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smithsonian-magazine/id484193368/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Can’t access my subscription

*2026-03-19*

Purchased print+digital version, I cannot access the digital version with this app. Tries to force me to buy new subscription; horrible app.

### 1/5 — Digital Subscription Access

*2025-12-10*

This app doesn’t access the digital subscription purchase from Smithsonian Magazine. If you already have a digital subscription you will need to purchase it again through this app.

### 1/5 — Misleading

*2024-08-25*

You have to install the app to realize it's a subscription based version of the magazine. Mention about in-app purchase is missing. Deceiving.

### 5/5 — App crashes

*2024-07-08*

App crashes whenever I try to open it. Please fix immediately.

### 1/5 — The “Tap to Subscribe” button is off the screen

*2024-06-25*

As much as I’d like to get a digital version instead of killing trees to have a paper edition, I can’t subscribe because the stupid button to double click is off the screen. Good web design, Smithsonian!

### 5/5 — Please Show TOC

*2023-01-15*

The magazine is great and the app is really good, too.  But, could you please allow us to look at each back issue’s table of contents before purchase so we can tell exactly what we’re buying? It’s very hard to tell from just looking at a thumbnail image of a magazine’s front cover, even on an iPad.

### 2/5 — Disappointed with this app

*2022-10-10*

Requires a separate purchase to access digital version of magazine, even if you are a print subscriber. App is clunky, doesn’t remember your progress and starts over at the beginning of an article every time you reopen the app. Two stars because the content is top-notch, but an otherwise disappointing experience using this app.

### 5/5 — ✨👌🏼

*2021-09-12*

Excellent tout simplement ! Permet de maintenir son Anglais avec des sujets intéressant s, je recommande !

### 3/5 — Loses your last viewed page

*2021-08-07*

Great content. Lousy app. Can’t keep track of what is your last viewed page in an issue. Very frustrating having to remember where you were.

### 1/5 — Old Magazine issues gone

*2020-07-21*

Ever since the app was updated, the magazines I’ve been saving from January 2012 to today have all been erased. The pages are gone and if this doesn’t get fixed, I’ll look for something else that will.

## Frequently asked questions about Smithsonian Magazine

### What content does this app offer?

The app provides digital issues of Smithsonian magazine, featuring every story, department, and photo. Content covers history, science, nature, culture, and travel, offering in-depth reporting and insights.

### How can I access the magazine content?

You can purchase single issues for a one-time fee or subscribe for ongoing access. Subscriptions are available on a monthly or yearly basis and automatically renew until canceled.

### What are the subscription options and costs?

Subscription options include one month for $1.99 or one year for $19.99, both automatically renewed. Single issues can be purchased for $3.99.

### What are the system requirements for this app?

This application is compatible with iOS devices and requires iOS 13 or higher. It can be enjoyed on an iPhone or iPad.

### How do I manage my subscription and auto-renewal?

Your subscription can be managed through your Account Settings after purchase. Auto-renewal can be turned off in Account Settings at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 7.4.10 — 2026-01-20

Improved app and reader stability

We always love to hear from you - please don’t hesitate to contact us at appsupport@emagazines.com with any feedback or if you require assistance

### 7.4.7 — 2025-08-28

New and improved app
Enhanced reading experience
New subscription page
Listen to articles


Existing subscribers tap Options > Restore Purchases to retrieve your subscription.

### 6.0.4 — 2025-05-14

Bug fixes

### 6.0.3 — 2024-08-02

Notification bug fix and fixing the restore purchases screen

### 6.0.1 — 2024-07-10

Bug fixes.

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*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 2026-08-25.*
