# Unshackled! — user reviews > 51 indexed App Store user reviews of Unshackled! by Pacific Garden Mission, rated 4.30/5 from 144 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/unshackled/id1448074396/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/unshackled/id1448074396.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 103 · 4★ 11 · 3★ 8 · 2★ 7 · 1★ 15 ## What do users think of Unshackled!? Overall sentiment: mixed **Pros** - 💖 Uplifting and inspiring stories - 🌟 Great content and ministry - 👍 Accessible content - ✨ Nostalgic connection to childhood - 💯 Well-made app (older versions) - 👍 Encouraging testimonies **Cons** - 🐛 App crashes randomly - 🐛 App won't open after update - 🐛 Loading errors - 🐛 Cannot download content - 🐛 App not working - 🐛 Error on getting content - 🐛 New design is not good - 🐛 Impossible to go back to a particular year - 🐛 Cannot fast forward or rewind - 🐛 App doesn't play in the background - 🐛 New interface is awful - 🐛 Archives for past programs gone - 🐛 Hard to find episodes by year - 🐛 Have to stay on the app to listen - 🐛 No background play - 🐛 Accidental taps on different programs - 🐛 New format not practical - 🐛 Cannot listen unless screen is on - 🐛 New update makes it difficult to use - 🐛 Cannot get sermons that come on Sunday - 🐛 Older content removed - 🐛 Removed older recordings - 🐛 Newest ones only **Commonly reported bugs** - App will no longer open - Loading error on opening app - App won't download content - Error on getting content - App crashes randomly - App stops after 15 minutes - Cannot fast forward or rewind without story restarting - App doesn't play in the background - New homepage interface keeps clicking on things when scrolling - Archives for past programs are gone or hard to find - Website archives only available in foreign languages - No background play - Accidentally tap a different program, restarts instead of continuing - Cannot listen to audio unless phone screen is on - New update makes it difficult to use - Cannot get sermons that come on Sunday - Older content removed from the app - App crashes randomly, sometimes during the beginning of episodes - Podcasts won't play after iOS update, only error message **Most requested features** - Autoplay function - Ability to filter for new episodes - Episodes more than 1 part displayed back to back - Option to play all episodes - Background play functionality - Ability to listen while using other apps - Playback speed adjustment - Bring back older recordings/content - Bring back ability to go back to any year - Bring back ability to fast forward/rewind without restart - Bring back old format - Apple Watch compatible app ## Newest reviews (11 of 51) ### 2/5 — App does not work *2024-03-30* When you open the app it gives you a loading error and that’s it. ### 3/5 — App not working *2024-03-28, version 7.2* I used to listen to Unshackled daily but the app keeps giving me an error - Retry “ Error on getting Content”. I have deleted the app and reinstalled about four times now but still getting the same error. 😢 ### 4/5 — Re : STOPPED Working! *2024-03-18, version 7.2* Hey. The app has completely quit working since the iOS 17 update. It’s great when it works but it no longer works! Help!! ### 4/5 — Not working *2024-03-14, version 7.2* The unshackle app is not working it say retry but it still won’t work what is the problem I am missing it. ### 2/5 — App not working *2024-03-06, version 7.2* Love this program, which I’ve listened to since I was a very small child. However, the app has quit loading since the most recent update. ### 2/5 — Disappointed *2024-02-03, version 7.1* I am extremely disappointed that they removed their older recordings from this app. I was trying to go through recordings from as early as they had them (1990’s, 2000’s) now they only have the newest ones. It removed a lot of the amazing stories, and nostalgia that connected me to this program. I will re download whenever it returns, I need my Bob O Donnell!!!! ### 1/5 — I rarely use the app anymore *2024-01-25* The new format is not friendly and lacks many features the old format had. I appreciate the app has added programs by years. I hope they continue to add about 20 more years. The main reason I don’t use the app is because I can’t use my phone for anything else. The app does not play in the background. ### 2/5 — What happened?? *2024-01-21* I write this review reminiscent for the old narrator, Bob. Making the older content unavailable for people to listen to on this app was a terrible move. I will have to delete this app. I appreciate what PGM does, but I cannot stand with this decision. ### 2/5 — I loved this app but what happened?! *2024-01-14, version 7.0.2* I use this app every night to go to sleep listening to a program but I used to go to the archives & listen to ones from 2003, 2004, 2005, etc but they're all gone now! The new homepage interface is awful, it keeps clicking on things when I'm scrolling & the archives for past programs are gone or at least I can't find them, they only have 2020 to now. Please fix this!!! Edit: I tried to use the website archives & they’re only available in foreign languages. Albanian, Farsi, Greek, Japanese, Macedonian, Romanian, Spanish, & Turkish, but no English? What on earth is happening? Why can’t I just listen to my programs like I used to? Please I implore you, FIX THIS!! Thank you! ### 3/5 — Love unshackled *2024-01-13, version 7.0.2* I love listening to unshackled, but the new app design isn't as nice as the old one. Its hard to find episodes by year and I have to stay on the app to listen whereas before I could leave the app and the program would stay on while on my gps so I could have something to listen to while I travel. ### 4/5 — Great, but missing features make a difference *2024-01-07, version 7.0.2* I’ve listened to Unshackled since I was a child, and have always enjoyed the stories. I was thrilled when I discovered the app several years ago and have enjoyed using it up to now. The stories are still amazing, but, not that there is no “background play,” I am prone to accidentally tap a different program. What I was listening to begins again, rather than starting where I left off. I also liked the option to adjust the playback speed. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Love the radio program and PGM but not the app *2024-03-30, version 7.2* The app will no longer open. I LOVE unshackled but I can’t get this app to open anymore. 🙁 ### 1/5 — Not working *2024-03-29, version 7.2* The app won’t download content. I’ve deleted the app and reinstalled. Still no good. 😕 ### 1/5 — New design of App is not good *2024-03-22, version 7.2* I love the stories on Unshackled and used to listen to them every day. I could go back to any year and listen to the true life stories. Then the App was redesigned in 2023 and it really was two steps backwards. It’s impossible to go back to a particular year and listen to a story that was recorded in 2005 , for example. And when listening to a story you cannot fast forward or rewind without the entire story restarting. I could list many problems with this app from a listeners point of view. I truly hope you can get this App back up to the level it was ### 1/5 — “Retry - Error on getting content :(“ *2024-03-18, version 7.2* First off, love you unshackled. Have been a listener for 15+ years. Always loved hanging out with my parents on Sunday nights awaiting the weekly program on the radio. However, the app hasn’t worked for over a month now! I give it a one star just to gain the attention of someone who can fix this issue! I’ll continue to listen on the internet, but would love to see the app up and running once more. Thank you pacific garden mission! May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. -Matt ### 1/5 — UNSHACKLED *2024-03-14, version 7.2* After update app will not open ### 1/5 — Not working *2024-03-11, version 7.2* As of 3/11, the app is not working. When I try to go in, nothing happens and the message says “retry.” ### 1/5 — App won’t open. *2024-03-06, version 7.2* Since the upgrade I can’t open the app. It says tap to retry but nothing happens. ### 1/5 — Can’t access app *2024-03-05, version 7.2* Can’t access the app now after maintenance ### 1/5 — Why? *2024-02-26, version 7.1* I don’t understand why you downgraded this app by taking away the ability to listen when I’m not on the exact page of the episode on the app! I loved being able to look around the app or check an email while listening. Please bring this back. I don’t know of any audio apps that lack this functionality in 2024. ### 1/5 — Revamped app *2024-01-30, version 7.1* I’ve been listening for many years. Before the complete change to the new app was done everything was awesome. I was listening from current to the early 2000’s. I planned on listening to every one. Since the app was completely changed, “every time” I listen, it stops just after 15 minutes and will not continue. I even uninstalled and reinstalled and still not working properly. Am I the only one experiencing this problem? Please advise. Thanks and GOD BLESS ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — The Best Radio Show Ever. *2026-07-03, version 6.8.5* This is the best radio show i have ever listened too.. I like all the old programs you have daily on King of Kings Radio 90.5 F.M. Thanks for all the Great shows. Some of your programs remind me of some of the experiences I’ve had in my life…Thanks and May you continue to make New Programs for all future listener’s . May GOD BLESS YOU ALL.. ### 5/5 — Autoplay function *2025-08-21, version 6.8.5* I absolutely love it, have been listening to it at work instead of my usual true crime and it’s something I can listen to with my baby too, I only wish there was an autoplay function so I don’t have to go back and manually change each episode, other than that I love it ### 5/5 — I love unshackled *2025-02-25, version 6.8.5* Absolutely the best testimonials app on the web however I have noticed a few glitches going from one story to another from one sermon to a testimony, not sure what’s going on but please check it out for me , thank you so much ### 5/5 — Wonderful! *2024-10-13, version 6.8.5* So worthwhile! ### 5/5 — Finally! Yay! *2024-05-12, version 6.8.5* The app is back and is so much better! Thank you for all your hard work in restoring all the story episodes. The app is so good now! ### 5/5 — App *2024-04-02, version 7.2* The app has been down for over a month ### 5/5 — App Error *2024-03-05, version 7.2* Hi, I love listening to Unshackled. It has help to spur me on in my walk with Christ Jesus! The app has has been working for me lately. I have deleted the app and reinstalled it but it’s still not working. ### 5/5 — I really like Unshackled but… *2024-02-02, version 7.1* Could you please go back to the old format before the update! There’s a story I really liked about Randall Rogers but it’s not on anymore! I really like the old format better! More user friendly! ### 5/5 — New format *2024-01-07* I liked the old format much better. To listen to any program on this new format we have to leave our phone on the entire time. If your phone goes to sleep so does the program. I would like to listen to the dramas by years. ### 5/5 — Displaying Christ Through Brokenness *2022-01-31, version 5.16.0* I am from the Caribbean, and used to listen to unshackled as a child every evening on PJD2. I am now a grandmother, and still grateful for Pacific Garden Mission. Unshackled has been a source of encouragement to me throughout many years. Listening to the many testimonies of GOD’S amazing Grace has allowed me to know that there are many broken people searching to find hope, a place of belonging, and a friend who never fails. I recently found the Application, and now can reacquaint myself with hearing GOD’S transforming work in the lives of Believers worldwide. Thank you!! Aloma --- *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 2026-08-20.*