Review Insights · App Store
Philo: Shows, Movies & Live TV
Philo · 67,968 ratings · ★ 4.8
4.8
★★★★★
67,968 ratings
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Top complaints - extracted from 59 negative reviews
Recurring phrases mined from 1-2★ reviews. The bigger the percentage, the more users have the same problem. Fix the top 2-3 in your version and you have product-market fit on day one.
1
"watch"
18 negative reviews mention this · 31% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Terrible. Playing ads on top of a $28/ month service is terrible. Watch content elsewhere." - dszko1
2
"money"
12 negative reviews mention this · 20% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Waste of money. Having such a high monthly subscription fee and still having nonstop ads in shows is absolutely ridiculous. I feel as if I can’t even enjoy what I’m watching because of the amount of ads." - Cbeech24
3
"subscription"
11 negative reviews mention this · 19% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Ads are horrible. Only problem is why is there no ad free option to pay for like I understand having ads on the starter subscription, but why isn’t there other options to pay for?" - Appleuser_2013
4
"month"
10 negative reviews mention this · 17% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Terrible. Playing ads on top of a $28/ month service is terrible. Watch content elsewhere." - dszko1
5
"philo"
10 negative reviews mention this · 17% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Please enable Apple silicon Mac availability. I love using Philo TV on iPhone/iPad and would really value having it on my Mac (Apple silicon)., I use it for streaming live tv and need it on desktop to avoid switching devices]. If possible, please consider opting in to ‘Available for Ap…" - TylerAustin7
6
"service"
9 negative reviews mention this · 15% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Terrible. Playing ads on top of a $28/ month service is terrible. Watch content elsewhere." - dszko1
7
"free"
9 negative reviews mention this · 15% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Ads are horrible. Only problem is why is there no ad free option to pay for like I understand having ads on the starter subscription, but why isn’t there other options to pay for?" - Appleuser_2013
8
"work"
9 negative reviews mention this · 15% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Not able to upload on iPad. It’s not working on my iPad saying I am using a old version. This the only version on my iPad." - Mijariah2
9
"show"
8 negative reviews mention this · 14% of all complaints
★★★★★ "More ads than show. Not only are there too many ads but the length of them are too long! No other app has ads that run this long and that are this frequent but yet it’s one of the highest in price! I just don’t get it. I shouldn’t have to pay more for no ads w…" - shaye888
10
"ipad"
8 negative reviews mention this · 14% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Not able to upload on iPad. It’s not working on my iPad saying I am using a old version. This the only version on my iPad." - Mijariah2
11
"price"
7 negative reviews mention this · 12% of all complaints
★★★★★ "More ads than show. Not only are there too many ads but the length of them are too long! No other app has ads that run this long and that are this frequent but yet it’s one of the highest in price! I just don’t get it. I shouldn’t have to pay more for no ads w…" - shaye888
12
"shows"
7 negative reviews mention this · 12% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Waste of money. Having such a high monthly subscription fee and still having nonstop ads in shows is absolutely ridiculous. I feel as if I can’t even enjoy what I’m watching because of the amount of ads." - Cbeech24
📋 All 59 negative reviews
Every 1-2★ review we fetched. Use the copy button to grab them all for your own analysis (paste into ChatGPT/Claude with a prompt like "summarize core user problems, group by theme, ignore bugs, focus on missing features").
Terrible
Playing ads on top of a $28/ month service is terrible. Watch content elsewhere.
Not able to upload on iPad
It’s not working on my iPad saying I am using a old version. This the only version on my iPad.
The worst
I downloaded the app to watch show the Cosby show they don’t have most of the episodes and so many add for no reason.
Waste of money
Having such a high monthly subscription fee and still having nonstop ads in shows is absolutely ridiculous. I feel as if I can’t even enjoy what I’m watching because of the amount of ads.
Please enable Apple silicon Mac availability
I love using Philo TV on iPhone/iPad and would really value having it on my Mac (Apple silicon)., I use it for streaming live tv and need it on desktop to avoid switching devices]. If possible, please consider opting in to ‘Available for Apple silicon Macs’ in App Store Connect. Even a basic version would be very helpful. Thanks for considering!
To be clear, I am not referring to any web browser because it does not enhance user
experience at all. I prefer to use the native app version because it is highly useful compared to any web browser.
To be clear, I am not referring to any web browser because it does not enhance user
experience at all. I prefer to use the native app version because it is highly useful compared to any web browser.
Worst Option
This is, hands down, the single WORST streaming app. Watching live is a nightmare. The app will consistently drop service, an hour long show will take two to get through with the amount of stopping it does. $30 a month for an app that stops and starts at its leisure is highway robbery. Once the season of my show is finished, I will be all too happy to cancel my subscription. Caveat Emptor!
Too many ads. No option to remove ads.
They give me ads after 5 minutes of watch time. The ads are two minutes. I understand that’s how they make money but at the same they have no option to remove the ads with a subscription. This would be a 5 star if I could pay for no ads. Also they repeat the same damn ads every single time.
Outdated
The shows are so outdated
Not free
It says you can watch for free or you can upgrade to the premium but the first thing they do when you try to sign on is to tell you you have to spend $38. This is a fraud.
Too expensive for ads
paying almost $40 a month for unskippable ads is insane. Do better
Too many ads
I watch Philo and pay too much money a month for all these ads. Each ad is over 4 minutes for a hour show and over 3 minutes for a 30 minute show. Unacceptable
Wont work on older iPads or iphones
It’t now only works on iOS 18 or higher. If you try to use it in anything below 18. You get a notice your app is out of date “ visit the App Store to update “ then when you go to the App Store you get a notice “ The latest version requires iOS 18 or above but you can download latest compatible versions “ so when you do. And try to use it . You get “ please go to the App Store and download The latest version. it’s just a circle. instead of saying there is no compatible version. Even YouTube Tv and Sling will run on iOS 15.8.5 But not Philo .
Why are you restricting such a large group of people just because they do not have the money to buy new iPads and phones is Beyond me. The service itself is nice if you can find a device it works on .
Why are you restricting such a large group of people just because they do not have the money to buy new iPads and phones is Beyond me. The service itself is nice if you can find a device it works on .
Stopped working
I never thought I would see the day where I would have to unsubscribe to Philo due to the fact that the app is no longer supported on my iPad because it’s older that is crazy. I wish they would fix this problem and roll it back where any iPad or device can be used!!!!!!
App not working
I’m going to need my money back if this app doesn’t work it’s way too expensive for the app not to work.
Sloooowwwww
The app is super slow to load content. I would never use this app except for streaming the new season of RPDR, otherwise… what a dud.
Reviewing again because it’s garbage!
5-6 minutes of ads every 5 minutes of show you watch is absurd! If Apple denies my refund I’m going to be livid. SAVE YOUR MONEY AND DO NOT PAY FOR THIS. For $38 I should NOT have 5+ minutes of ads every couple of minutes. Tried to use it since a refund seems unlikely and I got through half an episode before I couldn’t take it anymore. Plus they play the same ads repeatedly for 5+ minutes. It’s not the great deal they claim, paying for discovery+ & HBO max individually is cheaper, less ads and the same amount of content, and I know because I already pay for both. What a joke.
Terrible user interface
I bought this strictly to watch MTV and it’s been absolutely terrible. Overpriced and the user interface is sooooo clunky, would not recommend. If you’re watching on a tv it’s very slow even with high speed internet. Hate.
Every other subscription triumphs.
The trashiest app that only gives “reality tv” and movies from the 90’s. Save your money and go anywhere else.
$38 dollars and still has ads
Greedy as hell
Extremely Buggy App
Don’t waste your time with this app. It is extremely buggy! I’m disabled and it’s easier for me to watch tv on my 2023 iPad Pro (M2 chip) connected to my chair but this app is the worst of all of them, it is very buggy and crashes - Especially if you want to stream dvr titles. I always get the error message that it can’t be played. And that’s frustrating!
Too many bugs and glitches. Leaving asap
When I fast forward a saved episode on my tv, Philo freezes on my fire-stick. It won’t go back or forward. The only way to exit is to restart my fire stick. I’ve been a customer for 4 years and I think this is my sign to leave and find better with less bugs and better content.
PS. The app is updated and my internet connection is strong.
PS. The app is updated and my internet connection is strong.
Buggy
Keeps logging me out I can’t watch anything.
Update
Update doesn't exist for IOS yet, so I can't update this app.
Scam
I didn’t even get the chance to use this app. I tried to get the free subscription but it claimed it “declined” due to insufficient funds. So, I didn’t think much of it. Yet, when the trial was “over” they charged me 33.01. I called for a refund and they explicitly told me that the account was deactivated and I was given a refund. But today, I was charged another 33.01 and they were no help when I called. They kept repeating that they canceled the account and can’t see my charge anywhere, even with all my information given to them, they’re dead on the fact that they think I used another email or number on my account. Worthless app that only steals your money!
Fast forward & rewind glitch
Not sure what happened but all of a sudden, if you tried to fast forward or rewind in a movie, it selects a different movie. It’s like you’re skipping through movies rather than skipping through the movie you’re currently watching.
Latest upgrade no longer opens on ipad
Like the title says. I click on the app, says I need to upgrade and sends me to the app store. But the app tells me I have the latest version. Power cycle ipad does not help. Why pay for service if I can't use it?
Worst streaming service
I truly hate this streaming service they constantly raise the price every couple months also it has a lot of ads I'm not paying 38 dollars to watch ads and I pay way less for other streaming platforms that don't half ads and also all the shows are not even available to watch you have to eating a certain day to watch old shows that been out already I don't recommend this streaming platform it's a waste of money honestly if I can give it 0 I will
Downhill
This was a great service until now. I got this at least 5 years ago and watched a lot of great fun movies. Now I go on a short vacation and return to all my favorite channels being locked out and to want me to pay $40. month to unlock them. I found something else to replace you. I want to unsubscribe and even that seems to be a lot of work. I haven’t located the management site yet.
fY Not worth it
Too few programs and movies that we enjoy
App crashing
DO NOT SWITCH PROFILES, THE APP CRASHES ALL THE TIME AND IS NOT WORTH THE MONEY IF EVERY TIME YOU GO TO WATCH YOU HAVE TO SIGN BACK IN AND GET CODES AND EVERYTHING JUST FOR IT TO CRASH AGAIN. YOU GO ONLY FOR TROUBLESHOOTING AND THEY TELL YOU TO DO WHAT YOU’VE ALREADY DONE WHICH IS TO EITHER RESTART THE DEVICE OR REDOWNLOAD WHICH MADE IT WORSE BECAUSE I ACTUALLY ONLY HAD THE ISSUE ON MY PHONE BUT IT KEPT SAYING MY IPAD WASN’T UP TO DATE WHEN IT ACTUALLY WAS. SO NOW I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE BECAUSE I REDOWNLOADED IT TO MY IPAD SO I DIDN’T GET THE ERROR AND NOW I’M GETTING IT HERE TOO.
Older devices
I love Philo and been a subscriber for years. However I have not updated my iPad and now I can not use Philo because your app only work with newer iPad O/S that my iPad can not install. You should have an exception in place for folks whom have older devices. This is what many app owners do to continue support for their users whom do not have or can not afford a newer device. It is as if the poor is being penalized by Philo for not being able to afford newer devices.
No rating star until you fix the problem
Why do you have to have the latest update iOS 17 in order to watch your subscription account? I am not going to buy a new up-to-date tablet when I have one they still working and functioning to watch or do any entertainment on my tablet, I will cancel my disk subscription before I buy anything to accommodate y’all in your mishap. This is unacceptable. Something needs to be done about this. If not, then I will just cancel my subscription and I have been a member for quite a while. Can you please fix this for me or just fix it period because why should it matter if you have the updated iOS or not? If you have a subscription you should be able to watch it wherever whenever and on any device that a person has. Can y’all come up with a resolution in fast? because again, it should not matter about the update. As long as the person has a subscriber account. And another thing stop trying to update, promote any of that sort if nobody is asking it is OK to promote, but don’t just think that someone wants the update before y’all ask them and just apply to their account because y’all are offering it.
No longer useful
App says I need to download the newer version to use, but the new version won’t work on my phone which is up to date. It says I can download an older version but it won’t open. Pointless ti pay for this if I can’t watch it.
Took away support of iPad IOS 16
I’ve been a long time subscriber. As of today, the app won’t open and directs me to the app store. The problem is the updated Philo app require IOS 17. My iPad can not update to that level. Is Philo going to provide an app for older iPads?
Ads & More Ads
Good grief, the ads are so repetitive and are more than any cable station I’ve ever watched. I forgot how much I can’t stand advertisements during a show. Either show ads before or after a live show but not during. the days of streaming ad free are coming to an end and there will be a reckoning and a completely new way to watch shows without ads. The app itself functions well on Apple devices, but very slow on Android.
Rough
Ad skipping on saved content is inconsistent. Sometimes it skips the break, sometimes it skips in increments, and sometimes you just have to let the ads run out, sometimes for 3 minutes. Needs work to make it consistent. Using on an otherwise flawless new Roku stick. You’ll have to spend more than this to get competitive with legacy DVRs from cable and satellite.
Why does one movie have ten ads for 4 minutes per ad
I won’t be continuing my free trail it’s not worth it especially if you have ads
Nearly 30.00 a month with ads?!
Why am I paying nearly 30 dollars and having ads?!? Canceling immediately!
Ads
You pay 38 bucks to still get ads is crazy
price vs quality
$29+ dollar subscription options just for there to still be many ads is pretty nuts. you can watch a lot of these shows on other channels much for less and suggest you do! cancelled the subscription immediately. just wanted to watch court cam.
Not Worth It
I got the week free trial to see what was on philo, my trial ended up being cancelled the next day. When i called they said they detected another free trial in my home (which how?) even tho i didnt get another trial. They said they restarted the trial for me and i still cannot watch anything on the app. If the free trial went awful, im good on spending $33 a month.
40$ for Ads?!
I get it’s supposed to be like cable but come one 40$ and there’s upward of 10-15 ads in one 2 hour long movie! Actually ridiculous, I feel for that price a few less ads is needed
Way too many ads.
Why are there so many ads for the price we are paying. That’s absolutely crazy. canceled subscription.
Never will use again
They are trying to make me pay a bill from 2 yrs ago that I never had on my phone. Now I can’t use the app because they want me to pay that bill but they can’t even tell me no information that they have on the bank card so that I could call my bank and find out about it. This app is the worst and they are stealing money if you don’t pay attention.
Why do u not like it
I do like it because I tied to put my email in but it did not work the first time and the second, third forth fifth, sixth seventh eighth ninth and tenth freaking time
Terrible
Avoid they will get into your bank information and take money and double charge!
Dissatisfied With The App Because It Keeps Closing
I’ve had Philo in the past and I never experienced the app closing on me; this just started yesterday. It’s annoying that the app continues to close while watching a show.
More ads than show
Not only are there too many ads but the length of them are too long! No other app has ads that run this long and that are this frequent but yet it’s one of the highest in price! I just don’t get it. I shouldn’t have to pay more for no ads when the price is already high. And I see that I’m not the only one that feels that way so something has to give at some point because this is ridiculous.
Commercials
Way too many commercials for the price
Ads are horrible
Only problem is why is there no ad free option to pay for like I understand having ads on the starter subscription, but why isn’t there other options to pay for?
+ 9 more in the clipboard copy
Sentiment summary
94%
Positive (4-5★)
2%
Neutral (3★)
4%
Negative (1-2★)