# The Times Literary Supplement — user reviews > 133 indexed App Store user reviews of The Times Literary Supplement by Times Media Limited (Apps), rated 4.70/5 from 1,045 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-times-literary-supplement/id556820250/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-times-literary-supplement/id556820250.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 902 · 4★ 75 · 3★ 18 · 2★ 13 · 1★ 37 ## What do users think of The Times Literary Supplement? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 🚀 Elegant interface - 🚀 Instant access to content - 🚀 Ability to export articles - 🚀 Holds multiple past issues **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent login issues - 🐛 Subscription recognition problems - 🐛 Inability to download issues - 🐛 Unstable and buggy app - 🐛 Confusing navigation and UI **Commonly reported bugs** - Constantly logging out users - Failing to recognize valid subscriptions - Inability to download purchased issues - Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions **Most requested features** - Ability to bookmark and resume reading - Crossword puzzle inclusion - Better integration with print subscription - Improved sharing and annotation capabilities ## Newest reviews (12 of 133) ### 2/5 — inferior *2026-03-06, version 6.3.0* 1. No way to show a TOC as in the printed version. 2. no search function within articles. 3. a primitive global search function that doesn’t even tell you dates of the articles it finds. ### 3/5 — Wish I could buy individual editions *2026-02-28, version 6.3.0* It's such a shame this app doesn't allow you to buy a single magazine. I don't want to subscribe as I mostly don't have time to read the TLS. But it would be my go-to when I do have time... if only I could just drop by the app and buy this week's issue. ### 2/5 — Accessibility and Login Issues *2025-12-02, version 6.3.0* Continue to have login issues, issues recognizing subscription, font is tiny. Access to the digital subscription is really hit or miss. As one reviewer pointed out, at least I don’t have to search for my subscriber number! ### 3/5 — TLS great; accessibility mediocre. *2025-11-14, version 6.3.0* Not just clunky navigation — but print on ipad unnecessarily tiny and not adjustable. Their writers deserve better ### 3/5 — Sumption taken to task by an American *2025-03-14, version 6.3.0* How silly to ask a US liberal to review Sumption on the UK… of course he gets his nickers in a twist over Covid - apparently unaware of Sweden - and judicial review which he reads in an American context. Waste of time… ### 3/5 — Great content, frustrating login issues *2024-09-24, version 6.2* Like some other reviewers I often find I have been logged out when opening the app and then have to go through a rigmarole to get back in. Annoying especially when no access to data Otherwise as good as the paper content and more portable! ### 2/5 — Login ugh *2024-04-19, version 6.2* With the new update I get prompted to login in every time I launch the app. At least I don’t have to retrieve my subscriber number anymore . ### 4/5 — Very good... *2024-01-08, version 6.0* It's just a shame that (1) the app pesters incessantly for an app-store review, which I didn't want to give so soon after downloading and (2) there is a "loading wheel" permanently in the middle of the screen on the iPad app when reading (a spoked one, composed of fat lines radiating from a central point, pulsing in a circular motion). UPDATE: the trick with the circular whatnot (which appears on iPhone as well) is that it only appears on articles accessed directly from the article menu. So click on the article before and swipe to the one you want. ### 2/5 — Not an improvement *2023-07-07* Completely new design, but you still keep having to re-login, just like before - have your subscriber number handy. The app defaults to highlights, rather than the edition you’re reading and your place in it. If you leave the app open to keep your place, it bounces up and down, I guess to show you what you were reading? Scrolling is jumpy sometimes. The TLS is great, but digital readers deserve a better experience. ### 3/5 — Improvement needed on text size *2023-01-08* It still lack a proper text adjustment model. Currently its three types are either too small or out of proportion, even on the iPad. ### 3/5 — Too big margins and no split view *2022-11-02* I’m using iPad mini 6 for daily reading bz it’s light and compact. TLS on iPad mini 6 makes reading a struggle rather than an enjoyment. Apart from the two problems mentioned in the title, the typeface is either too small which forces my eyes to squint and stare at the screen or way too big which makes a huge wasted screen area and forces me to constantly slide my thumb. It‘s a tiring and painful to use the app despite the content of TLS is really great！ ### 3/5 — Tls *2022-10-07, version 5.1* Very good. Why is the crossword missing? ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Subscriber for ma y years *2026-05-20, version 6.3.0* The App does not permit me to search or read ### 1/5 — Still one of the worst apps ever *2026-05-01, version 6.3.0* Impossible to delete, mark, or otherwise distinguish which issues you have read. The delete button does nothing. The check mark indicating a downloaded issue pops back within a second. ### 1/5 — The old constantly logged out… *2024-06-03, version 6.2* … bug has returned. Infuriating. Does anyone look after this app? ### 1/5 — Do not let these people have your credit card number *2023-12-30* The app is not very good but sort of works and the content of the magazine is not that bad. However, for a digital subscription, while you can easily sign up for a trial on their Web site, you can only discontinue the “trial” and avoid paying for a regular subscription by calling their call center, which does not make clear exactly when you may call. There is also an email address but all they are capable of doing is redirecting you to the call center. It’s obvious that the only reason for it to work this way is to make it inconvenient enough that you fail to cancel even if you do not wish to receive the subscription anymore. This sort of deceptive business practice ought to be illegal. ### 1/5 — Buffering icon still showing *2023-11-04, version 6.0* Possibly something to do with background app refresh, but the constant spinning icon in the centre of the app is TERRIBLE. Occasionally you can trick it into disappearing by toggling background app refresh on and off, but you need to do this for EVERY article. Makes the app unpleasant to use. The web version is easier, but no dark mode and it has an annoying habit of forgetting you are a subscriber within minutes. ### 1/5 — Cannot remove buffering sign *2023-10-19, version 6.0* The app across iPhone and iPad carries a buffering sign which is impossible to get rid of. ### 1/5 — Aggravating password system *2022-04-05* I use the app when I travel, and like to download issues before I go. The app frequently denies access, won’t let my password app supply the user/password, doesn’t like the password, etc. I understand the need to protect intellectual property. But if you can’t make access closer to the experience of picking up the paper and beginning to read, there’s no point in a digital subscription, and it’ll be easier just to throw a few issues in the checked luggage. ### 1/5 — Still not working *2022-03-24, version 5.0* Five months and counting of not working. ### 1/5 — Terrible app, TLS REFUSES TO FIX *2022-02-12, version 5.0* Fails every to authorize my valid sibscription every month. TLS refuses to fix, tells me to use web version, not iPad app. I’ve given up on TLS and canceled my sub. ### 1/5 — Authorisation Failed *2020-09-23* I can no longer access my subscription. I get an "authorisation failed" message. This has been going on for 2 weeks. ——————— A year or two has passed since I wrote the above ... I decided to try the subscription again. It worked well for a few weeks. Then today, it crashes everytime I try to read an article. Eventually the TLS will catch up with the technology of the 1990s and provide an adequate app for reading. But they will have spent YEARS damaging their reputation and readership by tolerating their (fantastic!) content to be distributed through such flawed, thoroughly crappy apps. TLS was a giant of the print world. It is awful that such a wonderful newspaper couldn’t find a successful way to digitize after decades of trying. They were titans, and I have always loved the writing. But, they are complete digital idiots. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Jane MacLeod *2024-01-18, version 6.0* I really enjoyed reading up on Psychedelics. My friend suffers from Depression. My eldest Son is interested in financial monetary affairs. Thank you. My youngest Son runs his own metal business ### 5/5 — Best place to get the latest reads *2023-02-26, version 5.1* The TLS provide short sharp and succinct reviews of new publications. Also very readable are the reviews of films, current topics and opinion pieces. As an Australian reader I wish the TLS was less Eurocentric and covered more works from below the Equator ### 5/5 — Great content *2022-09-27, version 5.1* Diversity and quality. ### 5/5 — Thanks, Always Fun and Inspiring *2022-08-06, version 5.1* I thoroughly enjoy the TLS and the supporting podcast. Alex Clark is a great addition to the podcast team although Thea always provided a stimulating listen. The TLS consistently provides the opportunity to learn and to be excited by that new learning. The introductory editorial piece is always worth a read. Some good humour. ### 5/5 — Sanity in a sad, sick world *2021-07-07* Need TLS more than ever as a place of refuge Have been subscribing since 1988 and ever since then my cocktail party chatter has glittered as strangers flock around me to listen to me hold forth as I regurgitate all that I have read that week ### 5/5 — The absolute highlight of my week - need more be said? *2021-07-03* (Some witty comment about brevity perhaps?) ### 5/5 — Drop off *2021-04-02, version 5.0* I open the app to an issue, and it keeps closing. Not amused. ### 5/5 — Always something surprising *2021-02-11, version 5.0* As well as being accessibly erudite, across a range of subjects and perspectives, there is always something to surprise and pleasurably enlighten you in every edition. ### 5/5 — Time Sink! *2020-11-16, version 5.0* Cannot use this app from day to day without refilling subscription information each and every time. Search for info, copy and paste, hit ok, read—for a bit—repeat endlessly. ——————— Update: does anyone understand why they see the need constantly to login as a desirable feature? What does it to for them? In my best moment, I realize I should cancel and read via library subscriptions online. ### 5/5 — The best *2020-07-08, version 4.1* What a great online version of a great literary magazine. The intellectual world at your fingertips. What could be better than that --- *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 2026-09-08.*