I loved this app when it worked. But they did something to change to “article based”. Suddenly, all my downloaded issues disappeared. Everything appeared with a price. Apple says my subscription is fine, I need to contact the App developers. The number for help provided on the app is geared to print subscribers. They can’t even understand the issue. They send you to a website to register, which is also for print subscribers, NOT for people who pay for the app. I’ve called them twice — zero understanding of the issue. I sent an email to the address provided in the app. It’s been a week — no response. I’ve deleted and re-downloaded the app twice, done everything I can think of. And there is nowhere to go for help! Nothing is worth this amount of frustration!!!! So very disappointing!

Update May 2021 -Not only have bookmarks and my other suggestions been ignored but now the order of articles has also changed. I was using my print issue to keep track of where in the magazine I was up to. This month, the articles appear in some random order. In fact, the last article is now first in the e-e dition. Who is monitoring the quality control of the app? Another star subtracted from my review. I’ve been a subscriber to RD for 40 years. The latest version of the app is now what is called article based vs. issue based. I was reluctant to upgrade when I heard that bookmarks were eliminated. I called customer service before updating. I found out that I could not load the Nov-2020 issue until I updated so I had to do it. Its true that bookmarks are not included. Also, after closing the app and reopening it hours later, the issue opens back to the cover page, not to where I left off. Suggestions for improvement. 1. Please add bookmark functionality back into the app, 2. When the app opens, it should open to the bookmarked page (just like kindle reader). 3. Add the ability to zoom into a page with finger motions to make the page appear larger or ability to increase the font size. 4. Include page numbers so that I can match where I’m up to with my hard copy magazine. 5. Change verbiage on subscriptions page to indicate that digital access is included for the length of the print subscription. 6. Restore ability to archive issues you’ve downloaded and have fished reading. 7. Restore interactivity of Word Power.

Once upon a time the app version of READER’S DIGEST could be downloaded and saved so an internet connection was not needed. It also had a bookmark and table of contents at the ready, to avoid scrolling through pages to get to the place you remember reading last. No more. It can’t be downloaded and saved. On a plane, it cannot be read if you accidentally close & reopen the app. You have to flip through pages to get to the place you need to be. I treasure my print editions as I can take them anywhere to read them. Even to the beach! I can highlight parts I like, or tear out pages to keep & share. If it’s intact, I donate it to my library so someone else can enjoy it & hopefully get their own subscription. I’ve read Reader’s Digest since 1963, when I was 12. The jokes were my favorite & the real stories taught me valuable lessons. I might not like the app, but I will continue to subscribe to the print version as long as I live.

I downloaded this after subscribing, under the mistaken assumption that I would be able to enlarge the text. I’ve never been unable to do this until now. It’s disappointing, and I wonder if it’s not done because large print is much more expensive for the printed magazine. Whatever it is, it’s sad! No purpose in ordering again if the print is so very small and difficult to read. My second impression is better, since I now understand how to use the magnifier on my iPhone. I’m sorry I did poorly on my research.