The Observer: Independent journalism that matters
The Observer has been challenging power, explaining the modern world and celebrating arts, culture, food and the things that make life worth living since 1791.
Our subscriber-only app brings together The Observer’s award-winning journalism, the complete weekly print edition, exclusive digital stories, ad-free podcasts, puzzles, recipes and more, all in one place.
Download The Observer app to enjoy:
UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE OBSERVER
Read our journalism every day of the week, with in-depth reporting, investigations, analysis and comment on politics, world affairs, climate, culture, ideas, food, travel and more.
EXCLUSIVE DAILY STORIES
Discover digital stories published exclusively for subscribers, with journalism from observer.co.uk and the weekly newspaper.
THE COMPLETE PRINT EDITION
Read the full Observer newspaper every Sunday on your phone or tablet, including the Observer Magazine and New Review.
Browse every page in our digital edition and enjoy the experience of the Sunday newspaper wherever you are.
EXCLUSIVE, AD-FREE PODCASTS
Listen to award-winning podcasts, investigations and original audio series without advertising.
Hear major series including We Call Her Emma and Foundling, as well as behind-the-headlines conversations and reporting from Observer journalists.
Subscribers can also access exclusive and ad-free Observer audio through their preferred podcast app.
PUZZLES FOR EVERY DAY
Take a break with a growing selection of digital puzzles, from accessible daily challenges to The Observer’s famously demanding cryptic crossword.
The Observer published the world’s first cryptic crossword more than a century ago. Our app continues that tradition with puzzles designed to test, entertain and delight.
OUR NEW CULTURE CLUB
Observer subscribers receive unlimited access to Culture Club, with a wide range of cultural benefits and exclusive offers.
Enjoy access to special offers, experiences and events, including events in our newsroom featuring famous authors and conversations with leading cultural figures.
RECIPES FROM NIGEL SLATER AND OUR FOOD TEAM
Find trusted recipes from Nigel Slater and The Observer’s food writers, presented in an easy-to-follow format that is simple to use while you cook.
EXCLUSIVE NEWSLETTERS
Stay close to the subjects that matter to you with subscriber newsletters from leading Observer writers.
Receive insight and analysis from voices including Rachel Sylvester on Westminster, Ben Zaranko on economics, Rory Smith on football, Patricia Clarke on artificial intelligence, and more.
DARK MODE
Read comfortably at any time of day with a night-reading-friendly dark mode throughout the app.
INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM, SINCE 1791
For more than two centuries, The Observer has looked beyond the headlines: holding power to account, investigating the stories that matter and finding joy in culture, food, ideas and everyday life.
Download The Observer app today and enjoy everything your subscription has to offer.
Terms of Use
https://observer.co.uk/policy/terms
Editorial Guidelines
https://observer.co.uk/news/about-us/article/the-observers-editorial-guidelines
Privacy Policy
https://observer.co.uk/policy/privacy
Apple Standard EULA
https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
I love this app and their journalism. I have listened to many podcasts and am always impressed with the quality of reporting. The News Meeting is perfect for my walk back from the gym. I love that they keep an eye on stories in the world that the rest of the news media has pivoted away from covering despite nothing being resolved. I also love the podcasts on particular stories. I found the podcasts because of the Neil Gaiman story and just started another on a spiritual life counselor (I do not really know what to call her) that manipulated and abused her patients. I will be sharing the content with friends and family.
Audio Walled Garden
OzMik
I’m a former Tortoise subscriber and an avid podcast listener. I have a great podcast app set up exactly as I like it. It has numerous features I value. But Tortoise is busy erecting an audio walled garden. If I want to listen to Tortoise podcasts using my subscriber benefits (early and ad free listening) I am forced to listen in the pared down audio player offered by the Tortoise app. Why can’t I access my subscriber benefits via an RSS link in my podcast player of choice? Other publications make this easy for subscribers - the Economist is a great example. But Tortoise foists a substandard experience on its subscribers and expects me to now juggle multiple apps to accomplish my podcast listening. I cancelled my subscription and Tortoise has lost the subscription revenue. If matters change I would resubscribe. But the current state of affairs shows a disrespect for listeners’ workflows and time.
What the world needs...
Mistershabba
I am, as many others are I presume, time poor. I don’t have time for the barrage of news that interrupts my day. All contradicting itself. I need a well-informed friend to tell me what’s what, in just the right amount of detail so that I actually learn something instead of superficial fast news that can’t keep up with itself. I only need to know about the stuff that matters. Tortoise is my new digital friend in the know in that respect. An antidote to fake news, and much like noise cancelling headphones amidst the cacophony of media noise. Bravo team. Keep slow and carry on
Thank you
uwu girl 22
One of my favourites, if not favourite podcast. Discovered it whilst browsing to look for great stories and have been listening to Tortoise since. The work of the journalists, producers and everyone involved in getting the stories out are phenomenal. Thank you
Support for iPhone Duo.
Bug Fixes.
Version 3.2.0
The developer, Tortoise, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Linked to You
The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:
Identifiers
Data Not Linked to You
The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:
Identifiers
Usage Data
Diagnostics
Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More
Accessibility
The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More
Information
Seller
Tortoise Media Ltd
Size
110.9 MB
Category
Magazines & Newspapers
Compatibility
Requires iOS 17.0 or later.
iPhone Requires iOS 17.0 or later.
iPad Requires iPadOS 17.0 or later.
Mac Requires macOS 12.0 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later.
