# The Birmingham News — user reviews > 37 indexed App Store user reviews of The Birmingham News by The Birmingham News Company, rated 4.50/5 from 402 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-birmingham-news/id470912745/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-birmingham-news/id470912745.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 284 · 4★ 68 · 3★ 25 · 2★ 6 · 1★ 19 ## What do users think of The Birmingham News? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 📰 In-depth local journalism - 🌍 Solid world view/current affairs - 📱 Easy to swipe and read - 👍 Easy to use - 📰 Lots of local news - 💻 Accessible on iPad - ✨ Great app - 💡 Interesting and well-written stories **Cons** - 🐛 App is full of bugs - 😩 Clunky, difficult, and primitive account management - 🤔 Confusing app interface - ❌ Cannot renew subscription - 🚫 Account acts canceled - 😵 App is hard to maneuver - 💥 Crashes frequently - ⏳ Information is a day late - 📺 Only comics displayed sometimes - ⬇️ No download at all sometimes - 🚫 Lost interactive crossword puzzle - ❌ Useless app - 🔄 Needs to revert to previous version - 📺 Embedded YouTube video dominates screen - 🚫 Cannot minimize or eliminate video - 🤷‍♂️ App doesn't recognize username - 💸 Subscription fee taken without recognition - ❌ Cannot login - 🚫 User name not in database - 💻 Must download ebook version - 🗑️ Worthless app - 📧 No response to emails - ❌ Login info incorrect - 💻 Can log in on computer, not app - 💸 Money back requested - ⭐ Zero stars given - 📉 Will not continue to subscribe if app doesn't function - 🚫 Never works - 🗑️ Needs to be fixed for paying customers - 🔄 App has to be deleted and reinstalled each time - 🚫 Unstable app - 🔄 Cycles between sections, unable to load - 🔄 Only good for one use - 🔄 Keeps refreshing editions screen - 💸 Forces purchase via iTunes - 💸 Charge on top of existing subscription - 🤷‍♂️ Account online not working - 🤷‍♂️ Doesn't get it - ❌ App does not work - 💸 Waste of money - ❌ Cannot get paper to download - 🤷‍♂️ Cheated - 📉 Part-time newspaper - 📉 Annoying crashing - 💰 Subscription price too high - 🤷‍♂️ Not willing to cut price - 🤷‍♂️ Dropping e-subscription - 🤷‍♂️ Not worth $11/month - ❓ Hidden charge information - ❓ Listed as free install but has charge - 💥 Crashed 3 times before paper could be read - ⏳ Took forever to download - 💥 Crashes all the time - 📉 Inherent instability makes it useless - 💰 Prices not as advertised - ❓ Misleading prices - 🚫 Cannot log on - 💰 Stealing - 🤷‍♂️ Customer service advice didn't work - ⏳ Long response time - 🤷‍♂️ Won't refund - ⏳ Save your time and blood pressure - 🤷‍♂️ Out of their league - 💥 Extremely unstable - 😩 Pain to read - 💥 Constantly crashes - 🤷‍♂️ Needs to be first class app - 🐌 Slow loading - 💥 Crashes 50% of the time - 🐌 Loads slowly - 🚫 Pixilated and unreadable parts - 🚫 Today's paper not available - 💥 Crashes/closes every time - 🚫 Password error message - 🤷‍♂️ Managers didn't have record of payment - 🤷‍♂️ Managers didn't call back - 🤷‍♂️ Problem with app developer - 🤷‍♂️ No idea when it will be fixed - ⭐ One star given - ⭐ Zero star option desired **Commonly reported bugs** - App is full of bugs - Cannot renew subscription - Account acts canceled - App is hard to maneuver - Crashes frequently - Information is a day late - Only comics displayed sometimes - No download at all sometimes - Lost interactive crossword puzzle - Useless app - Needs to revert to previous version - Embedded YouTube video dominates screen - Cannot minimize or eliminate video - App doesn't recognize username - Subscription fee taken without recognition - Cannot login - User name not in database - Must download ebook version - Worthless app - No response to emails - Login info incorrect - Can log in on computer, not app - Money back requested - Zero stars given - Will not continue to subscribe if app doesn't function - Never works - Needs to be fixed for paying customers - App has to be deleted and reinstalled each time - Unstable app - Cycles between sections, unable to load - Only good for one use - Keeps refreshing editions screen - Forces purchase via iTunes - Charge on top of existing subscription - Online account not working - Doesn't get it - App does not work - Cannot get paper to download - Cheated - Part-time newspaper - Annoying crashing - Subscription price too high - Not willing to cut price - Dropping e-subscription - Not worth $11/month - Hidden charge information - Listed as free install but has charge - Crashed 3 times before paper could be read - Took forever to download - Crashes all the time - Inherent instability makes it useless - Prices not as advertised - Misleading prices - Cannot log on - Stealing - Customer service advice didn't work - Long response time - Won't refund - Save your time and blood pressure - Out of their league - Extremely unstable - Pain to read - Constantly crashes - Needs to be first class app - Slow loading - Crashes 50% of the time - Loads slowly - Pixilated and unreadable parts - Today's paper not available - Crashes/closes every time - Password error message - Managers didn't have record of payment - Managers didn't call back - Problem with app developer - No idea when it will be fixed - One star given - Zero star option desired - Fix sign-in issues (username/password incorrect) - Reset iTunes subscription **Most requested features** - Upgrade account-management systems - Revert to previous version - Fix bugs - Get an app that works well - Credit existing subscribers when fixed - Create a new app - Fix the app - Make it work for paying customers - Fix the app so it doesn't need reinstallation - Fix the app so it's good for more than one use - Fix the app so it doesn't refresh editions screen - Fix the app so it doesn't force iTunes purchase - Fix the app so online accounts work - Fix the app - Fix the app so it downloads papers - Fix the app so it doesn't crash - Change subscription pricing - Make subscription price at least in half - Make information prominent on app store listing - Fix app so it doesn't crash before reading paper - Fix app so it doesn't crash all the time - Fix app so it's not useless - Correct misleading subscription prices - Fix app so users can log on - Fix app so customer service can resolve issues - Make it a first class app - Fix slow loading - Fix pixilated and unreadable parts - Make today's paper available - Fix app crashes - Fix sign-in issues (username/password incorrect) - Reset iTunes subscription ## Newest reviews (11 of 37) ### 2/5 — Account management *2023-07-05, version 8.0.0* The news stories are interesting and well written. However, the support for managing ones account are clunky, difficult and primitive. These folks need to invest more resources to upgrade their account-management systems. ### 2/5 — Needs Work--a LOT of work! *2015-10-13, version 6.26.27* Too often the only "news" displayed in the app is the daily comics. Very frustrating! And at least once ear week there is no download at all. The news app, in its current version, is not worth the bother. This needs to revert to the previous version until all the kinks have been worked out. We also lost the interactive crossword puzzle feature with this version. ### 2/5 — Updated app confusing to use and crashes *2015-04-21, version 5.67* Once again The Birmingham News has introduced a new version of its digital paper app and unleashed a useless app. The app is very hard to navigate. It should allow you to move from one section to another and back again, but once you try and go to back to a previous section, the section is blank. If there is an embedded YouTube video as part of a story, it dominates the screen with no way to minimize or eliminate it. Come on Birmingham News, can't we get an app that works well? ### 1/5 — App has to be deleted and reinstalled each time before use *2014-11-10, version 2.5.6* The application has gotten so unstable that it will not last any longer than one session. When I try to open it, it cycles between the Edition Section and the current Front Page, unable to load either. I order to use it, I have to delete it each time, reinstall, sign in and open. Then, it's only good for one use.u ### 1/5 — Doesn't work well at all *2014-11-01, version 2.5.6* I'm a Sunday news subscriber. And the only way I can use the app is to uninstall and reinstall before each use. Otherwise, it keeps refreshing the editions screen. ### 1/5 — Nice, but if you have a printed edition account... *2014-09-21, version 2.5.6* It doesn't work. The app forces you to purchase a subscription via iTunes. While it is painless, this is a charge on top of what you are already paying for. My account online which says it is enabled, will not work. That is stupid, since I am already paying for it, and I don't get. Otherwise the app work great. ### 1/5 — CWalker *2013-11-02, version 2.5.6* App does not work ### 1/5 — Waste of money *2013-10-26, version 2.5.6* Do not buy. I bought it with a 6 month subscription. Cannot get it to download a paper. B'ham News supports says contact Apple. Apple says contact the B'ham News. I'm out the money I spent. Cheated. BTW, The Birmingham News only comes out three days a week. ### 3/5 — Good App but Waiting for Subscription Price Change *2012-10-03, version 1.0.2* I have had minimal problems with crashes when using the app on my iPad. It is as close to reading the real paper as one can get using a tablet. My primary problem with it is the subscription price for a month is $10 (plus $1 tax) but the News doesn't seem willing yet to cut this price at least in half now that the print edition is coming out only three days a week. I am dropping my e-subscription until the pricing is changed. Reading the news on my iPad just isn't worth $11 a month for a three-times-a-week newspaper. ### 2/5 — Not as listed *2012-09-03, version 1.0.2* This app was listed as a free app. I downloaded it and then found out I couldn't use it without purchasing a weekly subscription. After deleting the app from my iPad I went back to the listing and found hidden at the bottom of the screen something that said the desktop version had a charge. I have two questions: 1. Why was that information not in a very prominent place rather than being underneath the arrow and then down at the bottom of the page? 2. Why is it listed in the app store as a free install? ### 1/5 — Horrible *2012-09-02, version 1.0.2* Downloaded this app and it has crashed 3 times before I could get through the paper. Took forever to download for amount on content. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Renew subscription *2023-11-15, version 8.0.3* All I’m trying to do is renew my subscription. This crazy website is ridiculous! I can’t renew. It acts like my account has been canceled. ### 1/5 — Reviews are for different app *2023-06-25, version 8.0.0* LEDE has been out for less than a year but ratings are based on reviews that go back much further. How can you trust reviews if they are not relevant to the app? Was a subscriber to paper until it was cancelled. Everything moved to LEDE this year. The app is full of bugs. Says they don’t recognize my username - but they never hesitate to take my subscription fee from the bank. Local news is important but this app isn’t cutting the cake. ### 1/5 — Clumsy *2020-01-22, version 2.9.61* Clumsy, awkward, slow Get better tech help! ### 1/5 — Someone please save Birmingham *2015-04-22, version 5.67* Once again the Birmingham area is forced to deal with an incompetent company providing a horrible way to get local news and information. This app is hard to maneuver, crashes, and the information is a day late. Why can't I just get a paper like experience digitally? I wish some company would come in with a daily local paper and publish it seven days a week...HELP! SOS! ### 1/5 — Zero stars *2015-04-13, version 2.5.6* Because I live in this town, and don't want to recycle a paper, I keep my subscription current hoping the company will fix the app. The Bham News needs to do the right thing and credit existing subscribers whenever they do fix this app or create a new one. This is fraud. It should be reported. The saddest part is that the technology exists for this app to work, but The Bham News can't seem to harness the wherewithal to engage this issue. ### 1/5 — Can not login *2015-03-29, version 2.5.6* App doesn't recognize subscribers. Cannot login. Error message states User name not in database. Must download ebook version to view. ### 1/5 — Let me tell ya *2015-03-24, version 2.5.6* WORTHLESS! USELESS! BIRMINGHAM NEWS Emailed 100 times about this app and no response. ### 1/5 — Doesn't work *2014-12-27, version 2.5.6* The app will not let me sign in...it says my login info is incorrect, but it isn't. I can log in on my computer so it is definitely the app. I have emailed the News asking for help but never got a response. The app used to work well but if I can't log into my account it is just worthless...no stars for this app. Please get this fixed!!! ### 1/5 — Birmingham News App *2014-12-07, version 2.5.6* This App is terrible. Will not stay open constantly drops. I want my money back. I want to give it zero stars but it forces me to give it one. Hope the BNews staff realizes people will not continue to subscribe if the App does not function. ### 1/5 — Never Works *2014-11-30, version 2.5.6* App never works, needs to be fixed for paying customers!!! ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Readership for the Modern Era *2026-01-07, version 10.0.0* Great continuation of in-depth local journalism and a solid world view/current affairs reporting. ### 5/5 — Like it *2023-02-22* I’m a big fan of this new format- easy to swipe and read ### 5/5 — The Lede *2022-10-03, version 7.0.2* I’m a big fan of the new format. Easy to read. Lots of local news. And like that I can get it easily on my iPad. Thank you for the update! ### 5/5 — E edition *2021-08-25, version 6.32.47* Great app ### 5/5 — Keeps me up to date *2021-07-18, version 6.32.47* I love having the Birmingham News app on my phone. It keeps me up to date and is so easy to use. ### 5/5 — Generous and a Treat *2020-07-02, version 3.1.80* Wanted to thank Birmingham News for their generosity in providing this free news coverage. I have appreciated it so much during this dangerous time with the pandemic. The extra fun activities for kids and their selection of puzzles in the paper is second to none. Thank you for providing this valuable and entertaining service during this time. I am grateful for this bright spot during the week! ### 5/5 — Crashes a lot *2013-10-23, version 2.5.6* I like this format but it crashes every few minutes. I have to restart the app 3 or 4 times everytime i read the paper. It is about as reliable as The Birmingham News. Very annoying. Before this app only crashed on my IPAD I but now it also crashes on my IPADII. WSJ, USA Today and The Washington Post do not crash. I guess this crashing should be expected from a part time newspaper. ### 5/5 — UPDATE on previous review. *2011-11-15* Purchased this app over a week ago from iTunes. Have not been able to log on yet. The app gives password error message. Have spoken to two managers at Birmingham news and had 6 lengthy calls to them seeking help. First they said they didnt have record of payment through iTunes. When they had that, the managers told me they would have it working that day and would call me back to verify. Neither manager did. Sixth call- they now say there is a problem with the app developer and I'm just going to have to wait until they fix it and they don't have any idea when that will be! Will gladly update my review if I can ever view the news on this app. Until then, I give it one star and if they had a zero star, I would have chosen that! UPDATE: Josh at Bham News was able to identify problem and fixes were applied to the app by the developers. I can now read the news, which is awesome! For anyone having problems with sign in on the ipad (user name/password incorrect)- you have to click the button like you are subscribing again and a new button appears that says reset itunes sub (you are not charged for another account) Click that button and the application works! Thanks for the fix!!!! ### 3/5 — Just cause it is new don’t make it gooder *2025-01-25, version 9.0.0* Open the app and yesterday’s paper greets you. Wow, what progress. ### 3/5 — Confusing. *2024-03-09, version 8.0.5* I’m really confused. Did The Lede go away? I liked that. I don’t get this at all. I thought the newspaper closed. Is this a the same thing? --- *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.*