# VPL Mobile — user reviews > 57 indexed App Store user reviews of VPL Mobile by Vancouver Public Library Board, rated 3.88/5 from 32 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vpl-mobile/id422360968/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vpl-mobile/id422360968.md ## Newest reviews (15 of 57) ### 4/5 — Apple wallet support *2026-01-21, version 2.20.1* The app is the basic white labelled bibliocommons app. Some other libraries have turned on the new UI and enabled the apple wallet feature which would be amazing for Vancouver since it’s such a digital city. ### 4/5 — Good *2024-07-31, version 2.15.0* I like the app. But I think that it should have an option to turn on notifications so that you know when a book is ready ### 3/5 — Buggy after updating to iOS17 *2023-10-03, version 2.10.0* The app became buggy under iOS17. Not only I had to sign in every time, it kept giving me error message when I was trying to load some contents as if my session with the app expired. Please fix it! It was a really useful app! ### 4/5 — Love this! *2023-04-24, version 2.10.0* Easy to use and reserve audio books while on the go. Thank you! ### 2/5 — Constantly need to sign in the app *2023-04-18, version 2.10.0* I keep getting kicked out of the app without doing anything. It’s frustrating to constantly need to sign in ### 4/5 — Predictive search has been added *2022-12-19, version 2.9.1* Thanks for the Improvements! Speeding up I think. And entering searches goes faster for sure. ### 3/5 — Better UI but every action is slow *2022-07-18, version 2.8.0* The app finally has a modern UI but the overhaul has come at a cost of practicality: almost every action incl. fundamental ones such as search and navigation is so slow. ### 2/5 — New app very slow to open *2022-04-20, version 2.8.0* I enjoyed using the old app to quickly request items or put books on my Completed or For Later shelf. But the new, fully rebuilt app is frustratingly slow to open, so trying to use it turns into a whole affair. It looks pretty but is less functional (for me) as a result. ### 2/5 — Update!! *2019-10-07, version 1.14.3* You need to update the app!! ### 2/5 — App Sucks *2019-08-15, version 1.14.3* It used to crash all the time when I wasn’t on wifi and now it won’t accept my password 😡 ### 4/5 — Only one wish *2019-02-11, version 1.14.3* This is a great app which Dow’s exactly what it is supposed to do and a bit more. My one ask would be that we get a notification on screen when a hold is available for pick up. ### 2/5 — Needs improvement *2018-12-15, version 1.14.3* Overall I liked the app but when it came to use it for my kids, it’s not practical. I don’t want to log off, re-enter all the info every single time I would like to put a book on hold for them and to renew. Having the option to add small children’s account onto the parent one would be fantastic and time saving. ### 2/5 — Not optimized for iPhone X *2018-10-23, version 1.14.3* The app is stuck in the dark ages. Whoever design company is in charge of the App the library needs to switch it or have a serious talk with them. A shame of an app (and I love the Vancouver public library) ### 2/5 — Clunky *2018-09-07, version 1.14.2* It works but has a clunky UI. Not optimized for the iPhone X. This app needs an overall, and some UX love. ### 2/5 — Library card screen unreadable by library scanners *2018-03-28, version 1.14.1* I just wish the library card barcode would scan when checking out books in the library. It seems like something that should be an easy fix but has been this way for years. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Incredibly Slow *2022-07-13, version 2.8.0* You’re better off using the web version of VPL ### 1/5 — old crappy UX *2022-03-17, version 1.14.3* this app is not how we want to show the face of this city. super old app with bad user experience, misaligned and disproportional UI elements. VPL has an amazing up-to-date content, we should have an app that elegantly shows this up off. ### 1/5 — Terrible app, but Great content *2021-11-10, version 1.14.3* The app itself is as bad as it gets: its old, it doesn’t even use half of the screen, it is slow, it is just an insult to the user base.. (which is why it’s a one star) But the content is a completely different story. It’s great filled with all sorts of readables, audibles and services. So thanks for the content, but shame on you for such a lousy job on the app. ### 1/5 — The damn thing keeps crashing *2020-10-12, version 1.14.3* The app crashes a lot and does weird things such as putting books never ordered in completed section. It crashes on my iPhone X as well as older models I owned. ### 1/5 — Terrible App for accessing ebooks *2020-04-05, version 1.14.3* I thought this app would save me from going to the VPL website every time I needed a new ebook but that’s not the case. There is no way to search ebooks by availability or to put them on hold. Very disappointing. I would think an organization like the Vancouver Public library could do better. ### 1/5 — Crashes and Bugs Galore *2020-02-09, version 1.14.3* Crashes all the time when trying to access my shelves ### 1/5 — Crashy McCrasherson version 2.0 *2017-06-07, version 1.14* New version, same problems. Only difference is you can push the search button and type something before it crashes again. (old review) On my Ipod touch running IOS 6.1.6 as far as I can tell, the app opens but when you try to use it at all it crashes. Pushing any button, search, My VPL etc. causes it immediately to crash. Previous versions were very usable. Trying to contact developers to file bug report just brings me to the VPL website. ### 1/5 — Crash *2014-06-17, version 1.6* Since the update can't open this app. (iPad 5.1.1). No problem before the update. ### 1/5 — Login bug since ISO 7 update *2013-10-06, version 1.3* The login screen is blank since updating to ISO 7. So sad as I always use this app to place holds and check my account. ### 1/5 — Useless *2013-10-01, version 1.3* Used this all the time and loved it before I downloaded iOS 7. No longer lets me log in. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Great app with built in reader *2026-07-19, version 2.23.0* I usually don’t trust public sector software to deliver a high-quality experience, but this app completely proved me wrong. It’s easily one of the best apps I’ve ever used from the Canadian government (a massive step up from the ArriveCAN disaster!). I was genuinely surprised by how well-built it is, especially the built-in reader that seamlessly remembers your progress. Amazing job! ### 5/5 — Great app for anyone with a library card! *2025-02-22, version 2.17.1* So much easier to use than their website for quick look ups, holds or checking your account! Loving it and using the library more as a result. We are so lucky to have the VPL! Extra fun feature: scanning barcodes at bookstores to find the book at the library! ### 5/5 — Love the app *2025-01-28, version 2.17.1* Clean and smooth interface. Makes it easy to track borrowed and renew current books. I agree that I wish there were notifications for books that are ready to be picked up, since emails get hard to track. ### 5/5 — Easiest 5* ever *2024-06-06, version 2.14.0* This app is fantastic! It does exactly what you would want it to do and is completely intuitive. ### 5/5 — ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ *2024-04-03, version 2.14.0* This app makes it so much quicker to access the your VPL account, it saves so much time- especially because you don’t have to sign in every time you use it!! ### 5/5 — Fantastic app *2023-09-07* I really couldn’t ask for much more from this app. Great user interface and functionality. What’s more it works extremely well. I’m very thankful for the investment and development of this app, it really exemplifies VPL. Hats off to you all! ### 5/5 — Has improved a lot since I last had it downloaded! *2022-10-06, version 2.8.0* I used to have this app downloaded a year or two ago and the UI was terribleeeee and it was so sooooo slow, because of that I uninstalled it. However I’ve just redownloaded it recently and I’m so happy to see how much it’s improved! The UI first of all looks a lot better now! Simple and modern. In terms of speed it’s not always instantaneous but I still think it’s very fast and not a bother! Also happy to see it include some (new? unsure if these were there before the UI overhaul) features like a map to show nearby libraries as well as a section on the home page that shows upcoming VPL events. Also in terms of the main functions like searching up books, adding them to your saved lists, placing holds etc, I’ve been finding those very smooth. Overall happy to see this app improve so much, it’s very useful as I love the library :) ### 5/5 — Basic & Simple *2022-01-06, version 1.14.3* Clearly the app is old an neglected of an update. HOWEVER, it is simple an effective when checking our rented book status. Plus renewing books works well. So it’s a 5 stars for me that’s all I need. Thanks VPL. ### 5/5 — Love it! *2018-09-29, version 1.14.2* So easy and convenient to use! Can renew and put books on hold. Love that I can search for new books and it shows the covers for all the books. This make life way easier and going to the library fun. It does crash at times. ### 5/5 — Very useful *2016-04-23, version 1.10* Best app ever. Easy to navigate and seamless in everyway. Haven't had any problems. Free doesn't get any better. --- *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 2026-08-29.*