How to return to the iPad view on WSJ app?

What a load of bullpucky.

The likely translation of the marketing word salad is, "even though we already developed a 5-star iPad-specifict version of the WSJ that fully utilizes its larger screen size, we're cheap and don't want to pay even the marginal incremental expense of maintaining an iPad version to keep up with the lastest iOS. So, instead, we're going to the lowest common denominator (the iPhone implementation), and render your iPad into a Super-Duper Phablet. Have a nice day." 😒

I called customer service to ask about what happened. It was, in fact, a deliberate change to the platform and user interface. The agent and his peers were fielding many complaints about the change so he was well aware. It’s very disappointing and I hope that they make the classic iPad version available. But I am not confident.

R-D-P just posted the following:

WSJ app display on ipad 

I concur with all the criticisms of the updated app. Let's let them know by contacting

Customer Service

• t.sanfilippo@dowjones.com
• Thom San Filippo
• Vice President, Customer Service

I sent and e-mail to Mr. San Filippo pointing him to this thread and also suggesting that he get on the Apple App Store and read the iPad reviews sorted for most recent. They will both give him the same picture.

Unlike the Budweiser company.... If they fix it, I'll resubscribe...... They don't even need to pay a marketing professional to write and insincere apology.

Many people are saying they are waiting on cancelling their subscription to wait and see if they "fix" the problem... or waiting for your subscription to expire. Don't. My suggestion:

• Don't wait to cancel. It is the only measure they care about. It will not change if you do not cancel. The faster you cancel, the faster they will get the message... or not.
• Cancelling for me was an easy decision. I am no longer able to consume their product with their change in delivery model. Why should I pay for it another day?
• This is not just about the app. This is about the cost of editors, formatting, graphics, layout... it must be hard and expensive to deliver the iPad experience. I think this is a test to see how much they will lose if they just save all the money they spend on producing it.
• Make your voice heard. Cancel. Now. Today. Do it over the phone and explain exactly why you are cancelling.
• I made it clear I would come back if they bring back the old experience. And I mean that. They may have great content, but it is worthless if I can't find it.

my comments still hold above, very disappointing change to the app…. However I am finding WSJ Print Editon App an alternative on iPad. Read in landscape mode, as print edition is on left and when you click an article the text comes up on right. Graphics come up as well.

I've explained that to several folks at the WSJ. Bottom line...... They have two scripted responses.

1. "Too bad, we're not going to change it. You just don't understand how to use the new app and your change adverse."
2. "We hear you!! We've got our entire team looking at this and we will be back in touch."

Both résponses amount to the same thing. "Yup, we changed it. We figure some folks will cancel but, that's the way things go. We really haven't looked into this too deeply because then we'd have to agree that we made a poor decision and that would require an apology."

I cancelled my subscription, they insisted on prorating the cancellation. I refused to pay the credit card bill for the pro-rated amount and my credit card company said they were non-responsive.

You should pose your question directly to customer service at WSJ. While I’ve pointed them to this thread several times, it’s really an iPad thread for technical support by the community. I doubt they read this as it doesn’t support their narrative on the new app.

They post an 800 support number and need to hear more voices that want the old app back.

Finally, they have made some major improvements and almost back to where it used to be. Re-subscribed after talking to customer service, they said I would see access to past issues in the app now. Downloaded version 14.8.0 Build 11924 and Viloa, there the back issues were under the Print Edition Icon on the bottom center of the app. This print edition is much better than what was there and resembles what they used to have. Select which issue by clicking on Browse Issues in top right corner. Can also select Sections in top left corner and you also see the light brown bar on the right with What' News and can scroll down. I am happy and glad they are getting things back up to where they used to be. Not the best way to treat customers and they paid a price for this in the long run.

They updated the app. Get it now on the App Store

Really disappointed with the change and was very puzzled why nothing was communicated about the change so thanks to these posts for confirming my suspicion. I go on safari to wsj.com to get views of the paper vs using the app. I want to cancel my wsj subscription but hoping they will come to their senses in the next few weeks and fix the ipad app.

They changed app and there is no other information for us to decipher a problem or whether there will be a change. I downloaded the WSJ Print edition and use that, or go the web browser to WSJ. Very disappointing but ever hopeful they will hear this forum and others as well and fix/improve the ipad (&iphone) app!

A few days ago they shipped a new version of the iPad app which is no better than the previous one. It leaves huge chunks of empty space on either side of the content. The What's News bar is dumbed down and not like the one in the old iPad app before they ruined it. WSJ, you are NOT listening to your customers. The only solution to this mess is to revert back to old app! Admit you made a mistake and promise you will never do it again! (For those of us old enough to remember, this is like the infamous "New Coke" debacle of the 1980s, about which business school case studies are written as examples of what NOT to do.) For years, WSJ was my every morning must-read. Now, if they don't fix this, I will cancel my subscription.

Think it is time to start writing letters and emails to executives at WSJ. Here are some I found:

Almar Latour: CEO & Publisher almar.latour@wsj.com

Thom San Filippo, Vice President, Customer Service t.sanfilippo@dowjones.com

Suzi Watford, Executive VP suzi.watford@wsj.com

Matt Murray, Editor in Chief matt.murray@wsj.com

Also found their old Chief News Strategist & Chief Product and Technology Officer who left in 2021 but could not find the replacement.

To me the biggest issue is not being able to go to your Profile and pick how many Issues for Auto Download you want. I used that to get to the last 7 days of issues and also have them so I could read when I did not have a connection either WIFI or phone data plan. I also do not like WSJ using some algorithm to tell me what stories I am interested. Another issue is not knowing how old a story is i.e. was the article today or older. I am still using my wife's non updated iPad and it seems to be what I was used to. I have been sent links to two different questionaries asking for my opinion but find them to simplistic. Also today I got a pop up ad for WSJ see below, guess they are looking for new customers after many cancellations.

hit Profile then rest content then yes to road content and close the app and restart and it refreshes to todays WSJ. WHAT A MESS !!! Ps it doesn’t tell you the date of the WSJ either … who approved this ??? Bud light ???

I'm thinking about emailing WSJ leadership team directly. Here's a list of the WSJ team members https://www.wsj.com/about-us if others would like to do the same.