# WLS-AM 890 — user reviews > 90 indexed App Store user reviews of WLS by Cumulus Media, rated 2.20/5 from 15 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wls-am-890/id335004671/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wls-am-890/id335004671.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 3 · 4★ 1 · 3★ 1 · 2★ 1 · 1★ 9 ## What do users think of WLS? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 👍 Can listen to WLS live - 👍 Some users find it works well - 👍 Static-free programming **Cons** - 광고 Endless commercials - 🐛 App crashes frequently - 🔌 Connection issues - 🚫 Unusable after updates - 🚫 Forced registration/login - 🚫 Pop-up ads with no exit - 🚫 App freezes or won't open - 🚫 Audio drops frequently - 🚫 Volume inconsistencies - 🚫 VPN issues - 🚫 Tracking/cookie consent issues - 🚫 Redundant commercials - 🚫 App stops working - 🚫 Poor performance - 🚫 Not working in background - 🚫 Requires reinstallation - 🚫 Data usage concerns - 🚫 Phone runs hot - 🚫 Spanish ads - 🚫 Landscape view only - 🚫 No pause/resume function - 🚫 No separate volume control **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes constantly - Connection drops frequently - App freezes or won't open - Audio stream stops intermittently - Pop-up ads without an exit option - App requires frequent reinstallation - Volume levels are inconsistent - App doesn't work with VPN - Cookie consent area is grayed out - App redirects to other station apps - App starts playing when closed - App prevents other app installations - Network error on launch - App stops working after updates **Most requested features** - Fix app to work reliably - Improve connection stability - Allow background playback - Remove mandatory registration - Fix pop-up ads with no exit - Add pause/resume functionality - Add separate volume control - Support portrait mode - Improve podcast loading/subscription - Fix texting integration ## Newest reviews (20 of 90) ### 2/5 — Agree with terrible *2021-08-04, version 6.20.0* I’ve had the same experience if you pause the app and come back you must listen to endless commercials before getting to what you want to hear. Constantly pre-emps the host with repeating ads then starts the show in the middle of conversations. When I pause and then play to skip over the ads the same ad keeps starting forcing you to have to listen to it before you can hear the host. Absolutely awful. Whoever set up this app did it for advertisers not the listening public. ### 1/5 — Unlistenable and infuriating *2020-06-05, version 6.12.0* Been attempting to use this app for months and the dropouts from programming is almost continuous. Spotify, HBO, YouTube, Netflix, etc. all stream without interruption. Save you sanity and don’ add this app to your phone. ### 1/5 — Wouldn’t turn on with vpn on *2020-05-14, version 6.12.0* Update I had to turn off my vpn to use this. I don’t understand why. ### 1/5 — Pop up ads with no exit, and now registration *2020-05-12, version 6.12.0* This app has tended to work pretty well but a few weeks ago it started popping up full screen covering ads. Some of these had no ‘x’ or other obvious means of closing them so I had to shut down the app to regain access to the controls. And now I’m reading about mandatory registration to continue using it (I haven’t updated to that version... perhaps the ads are to force people to update to see if that gets rid of them?). Another decent app being ruined by bad behavior and customer hostile decisions. The next day the app refused to run unless I updated. The new version almost instantly pops up a full screen ad with NO EXIT option from lending tree and I have to close the app, sure as hell not going to click a malicious ad. This has repeated many times making the app unusable. ZERO stars if that were possible. I just tried to send Airkast a note via their website about these problems and the contact form apparently does not work. I guess they don’t want to hear about it. ### 1/5 — Millennial wisdom *2019-11-04, version 6.6.0* Love WLS, had this app for years and loved the app, ‘TAP’ listen to WLS live. Then some pimply faced wizard of smart “fixed” it. Now you must register an account and log in thru social media. Sorry WLS, I don’t do social media and I sure as Hell don’t give out my contact info to use an app. Delete. ### 1/5 — Shockingly Useless *2019-10-29, version 6.6.0* If Helen Keller was commissioned to to make this app it would have been better. This app I’m sure was designed by people that hate you, and apps. ### 1/5 — Terrible *2019-10-15, version 6.6.0* Terrible app, frustrating to get past mandatory ads in the beginning, constantly cutting out and dropping. It shouldn’t be so difficult to listen to a radio app! ### 1/5 — Crashes. Stupid ads. *2019-10-14, version 6.6.0* This stupid app is useless. It crashes without warning, and every time you restart, you get stupid video ads. I make note of the ads and make sure to avoid the advertisers to teach them a lesson. ### 1/5 — Poor App, Keeps Dropping Out *2019-09-09, version 6.6.0* This app is frustrating. It drops out intermittently. I have to re launch the app. I hope this gets fixed. ### 1/5 — Don’t waste your time *2019-08-25, version 6.6.0* Why do I have to watch a stupid game promotion THREE times before it keeps a connection? Waste of time! ### 1/5 — Network error immediately upon launch needs a fix. *2019-06-13, version 6.6.0* The application does not work! All you get is a network here. Fix it. ### 1/5 — Volume control *2019-05-28, version 6.6.0* I constantly have to adjust the volume higher then lower during the Mancow show His volume is always different than other personalities and telephone guests then commercials. All this makes for a very frustrating morning of listening on the app. ### 1/5 — On your next Update could you please do some basic major BUG FIXES. *2019-05-19, version 6.6.0* This is the most frustrating and disappointing App I have ever tried to use. Having to register now may be one thing. Another is why it continues to be so difficult for this App to get and keep a connection to a live WLS broadcast. I love the “Po Po Report” but listening to their show on Saturday evening is impossible if I’m not near a radio. This App was to be the answer but I found that the initial connection takes far too long and then it’s almost impossible to stay connected. This evening may have been my last attempt to use this App. The “Po Po Report” was on the radio and this App. Establishing a connection on the App was difficult and once connected continuous advertisements, including numerous repeats of the same add, played while the actual show was barely on. To my amazement, the radio had been playing the “Po Po Report” for some time while this App was playing more and more Adds. Was this a joke? (I’m thankful that this show is available as a Podcast.) ### 1/5 — No thanks *2019-05-15, version 6.6.0* Downloaded app to use at work. Why do I need to have an account also? Or sign in with Facebook. Deleted app!! ### 1/5 — Garbage *2019-05-13, version 6.6.0* It doesn’t work, period. The pop up ad did however work. Bad app for such a good station. Bye! ### 1/5 — Not gonna register *2019-04-16, version 6.6.0* I hate apps that make me register. Deleted. ### 1/5 — It was good... *2019-04-16, version 6.6.0* This app used to work great then months ago it had a pop-up that said No “Internet Connection” so I stopped trying to use it... So today I give it a try and it wants me to register soooo, it gets deleted and I listen to my other free talk radio that doesn’t require a registration. ### 1/5 — I dont want to register *2019-04-02, version 6.6.0* And I don’t want to pay for iHeartRadio plus. Get a clue. ### 1/5 — Crashes EVERY Time *2019-03-26, version 6.6.0* I tried to use it, but it has crashed every single time with a network connection error. I’m going to delete it. I have better things to do with my time then to fight a poorly written app. ### 1/5 — Terrible performance *2019-03-08, version 6.6.0* The app keeps crashing since the last update ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Pepe’s Taco commercial *2025-12-10, version 8.2.1* The commercial is awful and it seems to play every 5 minutes. ### 1/5 — App has gotten terrible *2025-10-04, version 8.2.0* I love WLS. I listen on the radio all the time. The old app was useful. I want to be able to go and see what shows are on today and see something about the people from the show. Possibly some news about what’s happening with the station. Instead you get a bunch of pop-ups and ads. It’s almost unusable now. I can hit the listen now button which is the only useful thing in the app. When you hit what looks like the links to today’s shows that all shows nothing pops up it’s just blank. I really wish this would be fixed. ### 1/5 — Horrible *2025-05-16, version 8.1.9* If you want to hear the same commercial 24 times in one hour go for it ### 1/5 — Since update *2023-04-20, version 8.1.7* Since update I cannot access WLS. Going to delete app after this review. ### 1/5 — Awful service *2021-10-07, version 6.20.0* Connection is often iffy on cellular or Wi-Fi. When it works, good but connection a challenges ### 1/5 — App bad *2021-09-03, version 6.20.0* Gets stuck before you ever get to listen. Wants to track you and if you don’t agree it freezes. Needs much work. ### 1/5 — App is terrible *2021-08-13, version 6.20.0* Worst app I have ever downloaded. I was an IT professional for several years. Cannot believe a company like Cumulus cannot come up with something better. App stops all the time and is getting worse.Always reconnecting but most of time I have to close and restart and get all the commercials again! I love listening to WLS but have now started listening to Sirius news stations. Please fix. ### 1/5 — App doesn’t work *2021-05-24, version 6.19.0* I cannot get this app to work. It won’t even open. I keep getting a message saying that I am not connected to the internet but I have a full connection to the internet. Strange, all my other apps work with no problem. ### 1/5 — crap *2021-02-24, version 6.19.0* DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME!!!! the worst app ever. if ur not listening to commercials AD NAUSEUM, they’ll preempt shows for their stupid college basketball games, YAWN. AND god forbid u leave the app and come back, it won’t start where u left off, u AGAIN have to listen to these redundant commercials, even tho i MUTE all these ads. the app should be put out of its misery UPDATE: WORSE than ever!!! how they’re allowed to stay on the air is a MYSTERY. PLEASE don’t support them, don’t listen to them—-let’s get RID of trash, too much of it. thank GOD for podcasts. ### 1/5 — Unable to open app *2021-02-08, version 6.19.0* Asks to accept ‘cookies’ but area is grayed out, only choice is to ‘cancel’. Very frustrating, I have had this app for years. I have eliminated the application and reinstalled it a number of times but the same issue arises. Please advise. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Closer *2011-08-01, version 2.1.2* Works much better than the other radio station app that I loaded. I moved nearly 200 mi away 30 yr ago & it's nice to get static free programming, keeps me company in the woods. ### 5/5 — I don't get the bad reviews *2010-03-10* I have had no problems with this. It works great on my iPod touch 3G, and my cousins iPhone 3gs just with 3g connection. idk if maybe the people had bad connection, because me & my cuz almost always have full bars. this is a great app don't feel scared to get it. Its free so there's no lose trying it, just get it! :) ### 5/5 — This is GREAT! *2009-11-11, version 0* Now I can hear all of my favorite radio shows when I want. WLS has wonderful show hosts and I usually had to miss some of every show. Keep up the good work! ### 5/5 — What a Deal! *2009-11-10, version 0* I love this app.. I can watch my fav conservative talk show peeps at different times. Great sounds and interfCe. Thanks ### 5/5 — WLS Rocks! *2009-10-27, version 0* Just click the arrow and then "Background" and you don't have to worry about the landscape view. ### 4/5 — At least it works *2013-01-25, version 3.0.4* It's light years better than that crappy iHeartRadio app that constantly drops connections and won't restart without force closing the app. Wish WLS would go back to TuneIn Radio, that always worked flawlessly. ### 4/5 — App approved. *2010-12-04* Love the station. I wish, however, I could multitask on the phone whilst listening to the station. It would also be nice to have the app be more interactive, like being able to text shows and have a direct call option of some kind. ### 4/5 — Good App. Renders may iPhone unusable. *2010-11-28* This is great for me when I am not near a radio or I am the only one wanting to listen to the radio. The only problem is that it doesn't work all that well when you aren't using it over your home internet connection. Using it in the park, etc. is a no go. One major problem with this App is that if you are listening to the radio you cannot use your iPhone for anything else. ### 4/5 — Works great just need os4 support *2010-11-01, version 0* Great app simple and works. I just wish it supported multitasking so I can text and listen at the same time ### 4/5 — Thank u for making this app. *2010-10-23, version 0* Works great on iPod, wish I could stream in background and surf the web. --- *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 2026-08-04.*