# The Family Handyman — user reviews > 87 indexed App Store user reviews of The Family Handyman by Trusted Media Brands, Inc., rated 4.21/5 from 416 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-family-handyman/id493021280/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-family-handyman/id493021280.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 277 · 4★ 42 · 3★ 13 · 2★ 9 · 1★ 56 ## What do users think of The Family Handyman? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 📚 Great magazine content - 🔍 Helpful how-to articles and instructions - 🎥 Embedded videos and additional content **Cons** - 🐛 Buggy app with frequent crashes - 🔒 Poor customer support and account management - 💰 Paid content despite subscription - 📥 Difficulty downloading and accessing issues **Commonly reported bugs** - App not recognizing valid subscriptions - Latest issues not showing up for subscribers - Frequent login issues and account problems **Most requested features** - Zoom functionality for better readability - Ability to download full issues offline - Improved sync between print and digital subscriptions ## Newest reviews (19 of 87) ### 3/5 — Not all change is good *2024-11-01, version 5.6* For years I’ve looked forward to rew issue each month. I’ve tried to give the new format a chance, but just don’t work for me or for a few of my buddies. We discussed, we are not going to renew our subscriptions. Another frustration for me is the inability to zoom. ### 1/5 — The app is Terrible! Do not waste your money! It will be nothing but frustrating! *2022-07-27, version 5.4.9* The magazine is great, but I have had nothing but trouble with this app. I have subscribed to the digital issues almost since the beginning. I have lost years of subscriptions and customer service is non existent. Now I cannot even open the app. What a joke! Do no subscribe with this app. You will be wasting your money. ### 4/5 — Dropped to 1 star *2022-02-05, version 5.4.6* The magazine itself is great. That’s why I’ve been a subscriber for over 20 years. But, no matter how long you’ve subscribed, you can’t access issues older than 2021(!) and customer support doesn’t even try to help you get those issues you paid for. Also, the app should allow you to zoom into pictures. ### 1/5 — Tired of fighting for my subscriptions *2022-01-15, version 5.4.5* I’ve subscribed by print, through the Apple store and from the app itself. I’ve lost access to all of my past issues (I had purchased every one back to the beginning of digital issues). Support was no help at all, refusing to look at my address and recognize that I have been a subscriber forever. I waited a year, then re-subscribed, hoping I could use my print subscription to access back issues. Nope! I can’t even access current issues! Once again, I have absolutely no subscription and the app refuses to accept my print subscription number. I’m done. You’ve completely destroyed my faith in my favorite magazine. If you could give zero stars, I would. ### 1/5 — No acces *2021-06-28, version 5.4.1* Such a great magazine. I’ve been a subscriber since 2014. But I can no longer access the newest issue in the a— and customer support is nonexistent. ### 2/5 — Can’t Access *2021-06-26, version 5.4.1* I subscribed for 1 year in May, was able to view 1st magazine fine, and now it tells me I have to purchase the July/August for $3.99. I tried restoring purchases with no luck. No idea how to get resolved. Next step, I’m calling Apple support to report this magazine a scam. ### 1/5 — Can’t Download Entire Magazine Pdf *2021-05-20, version 5.4.1* This app will not allow you to download an entire magazine, in PDF format, onto your iPad to read offline. In fact, you have to download a page at a time while connected to the internet. Disgusting! Do not subscribe to the digital magazine with this app. ### 1/5 — Terrible App and subscription support *2021-05-02, version 5.4.1* App keeps getting updated and requires login again only to get a message that it cannot find my account. Support is non-existent and will not reply about problems, just a redirect to common support issues. I renewed my subscription since November 2020 and haven’t red any magazines since January 2021. I cancelled my subscription today am giving up on this app and magazine. ### 1/5 — I subscribed but can’t get in. *2021-04-30, version 5.4.1* I subscribed and get an error message so can’t get in. The FH customer service people are no help at all. So I am out what I paid. Don’t waste your money on this app. ### 2/5 — Inconsistent app and horrible for subscription! *2021-04-17, version 5.4* The app is inconsistent at best. The keep changing formats and it freezes frequently. Why provide feedback if the never respond or make changes? I’ve emailed at least a dozen times as I keep getting charged for new releases WHEN I HAVE HAD A SUBSCRIPTION SINCE IT STARTED! No response... ever. luckily Apple takes care of it. Still hate the hassle enough that I will unsubscribe tonight. ### 1/5 — Horrible customer service. *2021-03-09, version 5.2.0* Unable to open the March addition and customer support does not reply back. What is going on? ### 1/5 — New Issues will not download *2021-02-19, version 5.2.0* Tried to reinstall app but no luck ### 1/5 — Worthless *2021-02-13, version 5.2.0* After last app update, issues are harder to read and that’s if I get new issues at all. I basically threw away a year’s worth of subscription. It used to be great. Customer service is nonexistent and worthless. Obviously, they don’t really want online subscriptions. ### 1/5 — Terrible app and support *2021-02-10, version 5.2.0* Love the magazine, it the new issues show up 1 to 2 months late. Contacted support and they say online issues are released about 2 weeks prior to print issues so it must be an issue with my iPad. I then update the version of the app and the article based update is worthless..every time you swipe to the next page you have to wait until the page loads..will be going back to print version when this subscription is over, ### 1/5 — Useless !!!!!!!!! *2021-01-03, version 5.2.0* After update the App does not recognize my subscription and does not recognize my account after registering it!! Purchased AGAIN and same issues. Still says I have to pay for the magazines even thought I paid a whole years subscription TWICE!!! ### 1/5 — App issues *2020-12-03, version 5.2.0* I have been trying to access my paid subscription for several months. I contacted Family handyman and they tell me it’s an iTunes problem. Please fix so I can use what I paid for. ### 4/5 — WORST UPDATE EVER *2020-09-29, version 5.2.0* This is a joke. Can no longer access any current issues despite having a current subscription. Restoring purchases DOES NOTHING! No response to emails! As a long time subscriber I deeply resent this kind of sloppy coding and an absolutely unnecessary updates to an app that functioned well until this nonsense. ### 3/5 — Downloading issue on my iPad *2020-09-28, version 5.2.0* I have downloaded the Oct/Nov issue some time back. Now it seems after you changed the App recently, I can not access the same Oct/ Nov issue and it shows “nothing here”. Please note that my subscription is still valid until November and will renew one month before it is due. Just because you changed your icon recently, should not have affected my “already downloaded” issue. Please let me have access to this issue and enjoy it. Thanks Satish ### 1/5 — Latest update needs some fixing *2020-09-26, version 5.2.0* Since the latest update the most current magazines don’t load. There’s just a message that there is “no articles in this collection” and a reload button that just reloads the same page with the same message. Of the issues that do load, each page loads individually as you flip through the magazine. It works but it’s not very polished or presentable compared to the previous version of the app Hoping this gets better soon, it’s really not an improvement. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work *2026-08-25, version 6.2* Subscribe to this magazine over a month ago, and I have been working with Support since then to try and get access to this app. They just responded today with a password that I could use. However, when I try to use it, I now get some random error with a retry button that doesn’t work. I am very disappointed because one of the things I was looking forward to was reviewing old issues from the app. ### 1/5 — Cannot download latest 3 issues from August to October 2020 *2026-08-25, version 6.2* Nothing but problems since the beginning of the year with issue downloads. New version of the app made you redownload previously purchased issues, but the latest 3 issues are not available. Emails go unanswered, you are left coming back everyday trying to access those latest issues, only to find they are still not available. Very poor communication and customer service. ### 1/5 — TRY AGAIN! *2026-08-11, version 6.2* Cant open site, says TRY AGAIN! ### 1/5 — Missing latest issue *2026-02-11, version 5.9* I got the email in January saying the latest (February) issue is now available. It does not show up in the app. I have written to customer service and have not heard from them. This morning I canceled my subscription. The new owners are turning the magazine into printed TV with cheap “lifestyle” stories. “Look Muffy, I’m storing screws in an old peanut butter jar!” This isn’t the magazine it was even two years ago. ### 1/5 — Was great while it worked. *2023-10-12, version 5.4.9* I still have issues left on my subscription. However, the app tells me I must pay for the current issues. Reloading, resetting, etc does no good. ### 1/5 — Magazine must want to go out of business *2023-07-28, version 5.4.9* As with the other subscribers, I have had a subscription for over 20 years. They have been print, digital, and apple subscription. It has continued to be a fight to access anything. The company has sold me magazines that I cannot access. I recommend that apple discontinue this app as a selection and cease selling the subscription. ### 1/5 — Where are the magazine? *2023-02-16, version 5.4.9* Went from around 9 issues to one so far this year, they turned it into a seasonal magazine. Right now winter 2023 replaced December/January and of course there’s is never a February issue. Let’s see what they do for spring, summer and fall or if they’ll actually produce monthly issues. If is is seasonal I’m cancelling my subscription. ### 1/5 — Family Handyman *2022-11-03, version 5.4.9* I have always been able to read current and past issues on my iPad. My subscription expires in June, 2024. in the past week I cannot even open the app. It says I am an unauthorized user. Called customer service, and after long waits the agent could not help. I deleted and re-installed the app. When I try to open it, it shows up for a few seconds and then disappears. Tired of messing with it. Will unsubscribe as soon as I can. Don’t waste your time or money. ### 1/5 — Can't activate *2022-09-01, version 5.4.9* 9/1/22 - app absolutely refuses to even try to open on my iPad Mini 5. Deleted app, reinstalled. Rebooted iPad. Nothing has helped. Love their print magazine, but whoever’s been responsible for their app all these years should be fired. The entire department/team. Ridiculous!!!!! ——Original Review—— Unlike other reviews which say they can now activate their print subscriber access, I am NOT able to. I enter my account number, and zip. It takes me to a page asking for my email address, which I provide, then it takes me to my account summary. All my info is there and correct, BUT NO FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS?!?!? What the F*** am I to do next? I go back to the app and still nothing, so I follow the process again. Annoying thing is it once again asks for my email address, saying it doesn't have it. Really!?!?!? Thanks for wasting my time, uninstalling and sticking with the good ole fashioned tried and tested print method of reading. ### 1/5 — Great magazine! terrible app!!!!! *2022-08-29, version 5.4.9* App crashes often, downloaded magazines WILL need to be re-downloaded. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Lousy App after update!!!! *2020-12-31, version 5.2.0* Since the last update I have lost all of my 2012, 2013 and 2014 issues. I have sent emails through App and have not had a single response. Terrible customer service. Update; 2012, 2013 and 2014 issues have been restored. Still a one star app. Who ever came up with the idea of an article base magazine should be force to read this magazine!! ### 5/5 — Tech issues STILL a problem! *2020-08-18, version 5.1.1* I am a long time subscriber, paid up thru next year & am happy with the digital edition usually - UNTIL last month when the last issue available is the July issue. Have tried signing in/out, deleting/reinstalling the app, contacting customer support - only to be told that there is a tech issue & we’re working to resolve it. For 2 MONTHS?! ### 5/5 — Best How-To Magazine on the market *2019-07-25, version 5.1.1* I’ve been reading this magazine for forty years. Times have changed but their home improvement technology has kept up. Countless easy to understand articles and useful knowledge packed into each month. You will find something informative even when your not interested in that subject. I’ve learned so much from reading it cover to cover. Recommended for all ages, young and old, truly an outstanding read. ### 5/5 — Un tres bon magazine *2014-02-03, version 3.0* Very easy to navigate or should i say handy... ### 5/5 — Perfect! *2013-09-20, version 2.0* Don't change a thing! What did I do before ate Family Handyman? ### 5/5 — Re. Handyman app. *2013-09-15, version 2.0* Great magazine ! Clear diagrams and great plans and for the beginner to the expert. Love the ideas. ### 5/5 — Excellent! *2013-09-14, version 2.0* This app has it all with being able to enlarge the photos, embedded video and additional articles. It is a must have. ### 5/5 — Family Handyman *2013-08-26, version 2.0* Excellent magazine. Full of useful tips. I really like the embedded videos. ### 5/5 — Handy Man App is truly HANDY! *2013-08-15, version 2.0* I am really not a handy man so this magazine really comes in handy. Having it on my iPad gives me access to the articles and "How To" videos with just a touch. I have never had it crash or any sort of problem. Also, if I want to refer to a previous issue I just get it from "The Cloud" rather than having to look through old magazines or put up with the clutter of old magazines laying where my wife wants, well, empty space. That alone is worth the price! Using the app gives me the confidence needed to do any project that I find interesting. I really enjoy finding new ideas and tools, etc. that I didn't even know existed. I highly recommend the magazine and, especially, the app version! ### 5/5 — Great magazine. Fluid app. *2013-08-07, version 2.0* Digital copy has awesome benefits such as embedded video and additional content. Highly recommended. --- *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 2026-08-28.*