# Sound On Sound USA — user reviews > 69 indexed App Store user reviews of Sound On Sound USA by Sound On Sound, rated 1.90/5 from 13 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sound-on-sound-usa/id501046470/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sound-on-sound-usa/id501046470.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 2 · 4★ 0 · 3★ 1 · 2★ 2 · 1★ 8 ## What do users think of Sound On Sound USA? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 👍 Great magazine content - 👍 Interactive articles - 👍 Good representation of magazine - 👍 Smooth reading experience - 👍 Clear and sharp text - 👍 Intuitive navigation - 👍 Works well with subscription **Cons** - 🐛 App consistently buggy - 🐛 Slow to load - 🐛 Freezes on 'finalizing' - 🐛 Cannot access subscription - 🐛 Broken after updates - 🐛 App stops working - 🐛 Won't load on devices - 🐛 Annoying bug with article progress - 🐛 Completely broken on iPhone - 🐛 App doesn't remember reading position - 🐛 Downloads disappear - 🐛 Can't log in - 🐛 No support available - 🐛 Lost past issues - 🐛 Restore purchases not working - 🐛 Expensive online prices - 🐛 No landscape mode - 🐛 Incompatible with older iOS - 🐛 White screen when scrolling - 🐛 Does not support iPad Pro features **Commonly reported bugs** - App gets stuck on 'finalizing' screen - App says 'json string not found' - App won't load on iPhone 12 or 2020 iPad - App returns to beginning of article after switching apps - App broken on iPhone after logging in - App doesn't allow downloading any issue but the displayed one - App won't download specific articles - App doesn't remember reading position after leaving for a minute - App sends user back to beginning of article after losing/regaining connection - App doesn't allow login - No way to reset password or find username - App says UK but title says USA - Latest update doesn't allow downloading issues - New update breaks app, can't read owned issues - Subscribe and buy options broken - Restore Purchases doesn't work - 15.1 update makes no issues available - App no longer compatible with iOS 11.3 - App tech platform is the worst - No pinch to zoom - No adjusting font size - App doesn't store issues for offline viewing - App says 'Can't connect to the iTunes Store' - Downloaded issues disappear - Downloaded issues keep disappearing - App doesn't keep track of reading position - Constantly being logged out - Page lost from bookmark feature - Loses subscriptions - Can't log in - No support - App unresponsive after December 2016 rewrite - Every login attempt generates error messages - Never received last few issues - No spontaneous communication from subscription department - Erased downloaded issues after updating app - Cannot log in after update - Screen goes completely white when scrolling - All back issues disappeared after update - Restore purchases button calls up an error dialogue - Switching to another app returns user to cover page - Jumping back even one page returns user to the top - App doesn't support iPad Pro 12" features - Interface downgrades in upgrade - App forgets place in article if another is started - Table of contents forgets place - Update renders app useless for digital subscribers via iTunes - Cannot get back issues - Support is slow and useless - App will not download current paid issue - Wiped previous issues - No response from developers - Last update reset everything, all gone - Will not restore prior purchased issues - Year's issues asking for payment - Previous issues not showing - No reply from support - Cannot access purchased issues before Jan 2016 - Restore purchases no longer works - New version doesn't recognize active subscription - Wiped all past issues - Asks to pay for past issues again - Upgrade deletes prior issues - Upgrade doesn't recognize active subscription - Cannot load any magazines - Cannot sign in to account - Prices online too costly - Garbage app - Couldn't access any issues even with paid subscription - No landscape mode - Update to iOS 8 rendered back-issues unavailable - Blank covers - No functioning 'restore all purchases' option - Downloaded issues have vanished - Cover images no longer appear in Library - Impossible to download back issues - Restore All Purchases doesn't work - App won't load subscription - App says issue is downloaded but it's not - App will not update from version 1.0.17 to version 2 - iTunes shows no updates available - Can only keep one previous issue - Cannot re-download paid issues - Subscription asking for payment - Previous issues not showing - No response from support - App doesn't work in landscape mode - Issues unavailable - Cannot see issues or download latest issue - Only get option to buy single issues - Window to zoom in doesn't get bigger - Existing subscribers given no access to issues - No support for Retina Display - Existing SOS subscribers are SOL - Does not provide free access to existing subscribers - App doesn't look good on New iPad **Most requested features** - Fix app to load issues - Fix app to access subscription - Fix app to remember reading position - Fix app to restore purchases - Add iPhone support - Add landscape mode - Improve download efficiency - Offer print/mobile bundling - Allow saving digital issues to computer - Support iPad Pro features - Provide access to website with digital subscription ## Newest reviews (17 of 69) ### 2/5 — Broken Again *2025-10-25* App stopped working, saying something like 'json string not found'. I deleted and reinstalled and now it hangs on the 'finalizing' screen. I hope this gets fixed. ### 3/5 — Annoying bug that never gets fixed *2025-01-21* I love the magazine and continue to read it using the app but if you switch to another app or take a break the SOS app returns you to the beginning of the article you were reading. It’s weird because it does actually remember where you left off but after a split second it returns you to the beginning. It feels like it’s punishing you for leaving the app. This behavior might seem minor but it significantly discourages you from wanting to use it because you know that every time you’re going to have to search to where you left off. This is a bug that has persisted for I don’t know 2 or 3 years now? I keep thinking ah, maybe this update will fix it? Nope! ### 2/5 — App needs to be better *2022-03-01* The magazine itself is great. However the app is a pain to use. It never remembers where you left off reading if leaving the app for more than a minute, sending you back to the issue selection. And if you lose and regain connection it will bump you back to the beginning of whichever article you were reading. Even if you download the issue for offline use. Which is a pain because I like to read on the subway, which gains and loses connection every minute or so. ### 2/5 — Latest Update Broken *2021-03-15, version 15.1* The latest update doesn’t allow me to download any issues, ten months into my subscription. If it doesn’t get fixed I obviously won't renew. It’s a shame as the magazine itself is great. Please fix this. ### 1/5 — 15.1 update completely broken *2021-03-13* Installed the update when it became available late Friday. Now NO issues are available in my subscription. And support is not available on weekends. I’m this will eventually get fixed, but releasing an update right before the weekend, especially one that fails so badly, is very poor planning. ### 1/5 — App no longer compatible 🤨 *2021-01-10, version 12.0.2* I have one issue dowloaded to my ipad Air. Just tried to update the app. My ios 11.3 is now not compatible. Good thing i checked before renewing. ### 1/5 — great content, awful app *2020-10-24, version 11.4.1* this is a classic magazine and i am a longtime subscriber. but their recent app change is definitely bad. their tech platform is the worse and i am back to download pdfs via their website. hope they change their app soon ### 4/5 — The web version is better than this app. *2018-07-26* Not impressed with this app. No pinch to zoom, no adjusting font size - and apparently it doesn’t store the issues for offline viewing. I do like how the articles are arranged vertically. I’d much rather have it as a pdf or maybe a Kindle or iBooks. The web version is better than the app many ways. [UPDATE]SOS must have read my review! They just made PDF versions available! With that in mind this app is pretty good as an alternative reading method. **Developer response:** Things have moved on. Please try the new 13.1 version released 21st Jan. ### 1/5 — Great magazine gone terribly written wrong! Terrible support and all my past issues are gone! *2018-06-22* I used to be a Sound On Sound subscriber for over three years. When my old iPad died, I went out and got a new. I downloaded the Sound on Sound app four months ago to try and restore my purchases. I continuously get the message “Can’t connect to the iTunes Store” so I am unable to download my purchases. I contacted Sound on Sound and they gave me the runaround saying it was Apple’s fault and that I should subscribe directly to them through the app and not Apple (since Apple did away with Newsstand). I am not going to resubscribe until I can recover my old magazines! And if other users are complaining about downloaded issues disappearing with their direct subscription model, why would I or anyone else subscribe? Please fix the issue! Sound on Sound does not care about their loyal customers. **Developer response:** Things have moved on. Please try the new 13.1 version released 21st Jan 2021. ### 1/5 — Mysteriously deletes downloads *2018-02-17, version 5.5.11* I’ll echo another 1 star review on here: this app will download an issue, and then the next time you open it your downloads will be gone. You have to redownload the issue to continue reading...I’ve had to do this 3 or more times in a single day with the same magazine issue. Please fix this so I can enjoy a great magazine! ### 1/5 — Downloaded Issues Keep Disappearing *2017-11-14* I can't count the number of times I've sat down on a plane or subway (with no internet), opened up the SOS app, and had all of my downloaded issues gone without a trace. I am able to download them again, but not until I get somewhere with internet, defeating the purpose of having downloaded them for offline reading. Slightly less annoying is that the app does not keep track of where you left off reading. So if I close the app on page 40 of a particular issue, when I return I have to open the issue again and figure out where I left off. Please note that this is a review of the app, not the publication itself. If anything, it is a testament to the quality of the magazine that I am willing to put up with a sub-par app. ### 1/5 — Great magazine, terrible app *2017-06-08, version 5.2.2* Great content once you get past the app's flaws. Whether it's constantly being logged out or having your page lost from a useless bookmark feature, this app makes it difficult to use without frustration. Because of this, I don't believe I'll be renewing my subscription when it expires. ### 1/5 — Terrible app *2017-05-09, version 5.2.2* They lose subscriptions, can't log in, no support. Expensive for the content once you finally get an issue. Cheaper and easier to buy all the gear and try it out yourself. ### 1/5 — App Unresponsive *2017-04-11, version 5.1.5* Worked great until December 2016, when they tried to rewrite it. Now, every login attempt on every screen generates error messages, I never received the last few issues on my subscription, and I've received no spontaneous communication from the subscription department. I've subscribed to Sound on Sound (my favorite mag) for over 9 years and I'm afraid to resubscribe, since I don't know when I'll be allowed to read it. VERY disappointed customer!! ### 1/5 — Everything is gone?? *2017-03-24, version 5.1.5* I let my subscription lapse for a couple months. I resubscribed and nothing new showed up in my cue. I updated the app hoping that would jog it back to life and it erased 2 years of downloaded issues and I can't log in. Kind of a sucky morning. ### 3/5 — Please fix for iPad 2 *2017-02-08, version 5.1.5* I loved loved LOVED this app before the upgrade. My gripe originally was the removal of all prior purchased issues (though they are slowly bringing those back, thankfully!). Now, the screen just goes completely white when scrolling thru the pages of whatever issue I'm reading, rendering the app pretty useless. Please fix this!!! ### 1/5 — DO NOT UPDATE *2017-01-25, version 5.1.5* All back issues have disappeared. Restore purchases does not work. Restore purchase button calls up an error dialogue. The mag itself is great. This app, however, is not. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Terrible app! Can’t Access My Subscription! *2025-12-05* This app has never been any good. Always slow to load. Now it just gets stuck on “finalizing” and never opens. I can’t even see my issues. Tried uninstalling and reinstalling to no avail. Just horrible… Still happening in early December 2025. ### 1/5 — Terrible app! Can’t Access My Subscription! *2025-10-27* This app has never been any good. Always slow to load. Now it just gets stuck on “finalizing” and never opens. I can’t even see my issues. Tried uninstalling and reinstalling to no avail. Just horrible… ### 1/5 — Favorite Recording Magazine, consistently buggy app *2025-10-25* I’m not renewing my subscription. This app has been buggy since the beginning. I’m not getting print issues anymore, so I need the digital version to work. Currently, as of October 2025, the app won’t load on my iPhone 12 or my 2020 iPad. Been a subscriber since 2004, but I can’t read issues anymore, so it’s time to move on. ### 1/5 — Completely Broken *2023-01-24* The app used to be great but is now broken on iPhone, after logging in and restoring purchases I get nothing. At least on the iPad it partially works. Not like it used to though ### 1/5 — Fake reviews by the developer *2022-07-08* Unbelievable This app is incredibly bad, it’s impossible that someone gave it honest good reviews. Spend time fixing the issues and you will get honest good reviews! ### 1/5 — Why *2022-05-28* I really like SOS. But this app doesn’t allow me to download any other issue but the one it displays. Furthermore, if I search for a article, it will not download that specific issue. Why?! ### 1/5 — Cant access subscription *2021-11-25* I am a digital subscriber. I can log in but it does not allow access to magazines. They still say $5.99.. ### 1/5 — Can’t Even Login *2021-08-23, version 15.1.1* I can’t even login and there’s no way to reset your password or find your username in the interface. ### 1/5 — Unable to access subscription *2021-03-16* App Title says USA...In App says UK Logging in using credentials does not provide access to anything. Completely useless right now. ### 1/5 — New update stinks *2021-03-13* Can no longer read issues I own via my subscription through the app store, or download the latest issue. Even the subscribe and buy options are broken. Restore Purchases doesn’t work even though I have a sub through June... which I suppose I’ll cancel now. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Good Stuff Here! *2025-12-22* I’ve learned a lot about Music Production and Audio Engineering from this magazine! Good mix of technical, how-to, and reviews. ### 5/5 — Works well *2021-12-07* As of December 2021, the app works well with a digital subscription from the website, and has easy to use navigation as well as a good representation of the look and feel of the magazine. I’m not sure why there are so many one-star reviews; I suspect people are rating the app before they pursue a solution with the developer, a common problem on the App Store. ### 5/5 — Love the January 2021 update!! *2021-01-25, version 13.1.1* I was so excited to get the email today about the app’s recent overhaul, and I think they knocked it out of the park. Super happy with the ease of accessibility and overall look/feel on my iPhone. Definitely recommend! ### 5/5 — Top notch! Excellent quality magazines! *2012-12-07* I never bother with reviews, but after buying a few digital magazines from various publishers, I quickly learned that Sound On Sound was doing it right. SOS does a superior job delivering their magazine on the iPad (even better with Retina display). Clear, sharp text and images mixed with interactive articles yields a very pleasurable experience. ### 5/5 — Great magazine app, just one gripe. *2012-09-30, version 1.2* Is there really no access to the SOS website with this digital subscription as with the hard copy subscription? Not being able to read some of the articles on the page is annoying. It really is the only thing I'm not happy about. ### 5/5 — Great Magazine and App *2012-07-12* I love how interactive this magazine is and how easy it is to navigate around. I haven't had any issues downloading my subscriptions at all like some other users. I love being able to not have a bunch of magazines laying all around my place and being able to enjoy them all on my iPad...highly recommend this app. ### 5/5 — Awesome *2012-07-08* I've looked at a variety of magazines for the iPad thus far, in several of my areas of interest, and I believe that Sound On Sound has done the best job by far of translating their magazine to the iPad format of any I've seen, especially now that they are taking full advantage of the retina display of the new iPad. This made my choice to subscribe an easy one when I already knew that the content of the print edition was consistently good. If you are interested in music recording, there's no need to hesitate on getting this one - you won't be sorry! ### 5/5 — Best audio Magazine on iPad bar none *2012-05-28* I used to subscribe to the printed edition, then I found out this was coming out so I didn't review the printed version. This was well worth the wait. I love the interface, I love that you can zoom in to view images and scroll around while on the page. The text is crisp, navigation is very intuitive, and content is amazing as always. Keep up the great work. well worth the yearly price of admission. ### 5/5 — Best Formatting yet - now supporting glorious Retina quality! *2012-05-13* Of all the Brit music mags I subscribe to (future music, computer music, and their specials). SOS is the smoothest to read. The photos are interactive, and the articles scroll vertically, preserving the continuity quite nicely. It never feels like I'm looking at a scanned page. Not to mention all url's work with just a tap (and the browsing stays inside the app) as well as audio clips relevant to the articles are embedded and activated with just a tap. Wicked! I've updated my review from 4 stars to 5 with the latest update. Every print mag wanting to make the jump can learn a thing or two from SOS. Totally worth the subscription price! ### 5/5 — No Support For Retina Display (Or Yet) *2012-03-24, version 1.0.1* Downloaded the free trial doesn't look good on the New iPad, when they update I will subscribe for the yearly subscription, and change the 1 star to 5. --- *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 2026-09-02.*