IBird Pro Guide To Birds Customer Service

IBird Pro Guide to Birds Positive Reviews

New rating after developer explained issuesI’ve left my original review below for context. There were two things going on that relate more to Apple than iBird. First, in-app purchase are not part of family sharing. Thus, you have to repurchase on different devices. Second, any device using a family shared app but not using the purchaser’s Apple ID has to purchase the original app and the in-app items on its own. Thus, family sharing only works for the original app. In effect, it provides marketing for the developer to extend its sales. To the substance of iBird Pro. It’s the best birding app available. Buy it and put up with the App Store hoops. I had to buy in-app purchases a second time for my iPad after buying them for my iPhone. None of the in-app purchases are recognized on my wife’s iPhone and restoring purchases fails. Instead the app says she has to purchase the original iBird Pro on her phone (i.e., not really family shared)so she can purchase the in-app items — Again! The developer has not responded to my support email or to my post n the support forum. Neither did they respond to my original review. I appreciate the need to make money and how offering in-app purchases for enhancements to components that were once standard or for new components is a way to increase revenue but they need to be honest about family sharing and in-app purchases. It’s a good app and one I’ve used for years but the new version is buyer beware..RioNapoVersion: 12.01

This is the best birding app I have seenThere seems to be a lot of noise right now because iBird changed from a one-time purchase app to a subscription based model. As a customer of iBirdPro (and now Ultimate) for at least 10 years, as well as a software executive, I would like to add my perspective. First, this app is truly awesome. As an amateur bird watcher, I have received immense pleasure and value from it over the past many years. They keep adding more and more features at a tremendous rate, and it has all been useful. I actually did wonder how they could could sustain their business model by not going to an annual subscription model because it virtually impossible to continue in business like this without an ongoing revenue stream. Even advertising would be difficult to sustain because the ability to monetize bird watching is likely too limited. Mitch Waite has gone overboard to provide free transition periods, special promotions and such for existing customers who have to move to the new model. I personally and professionally think they have done too much. For those of you who are legacy customers who are being asked to move, please understand that you are now asking MW to decide to cripple their business or pander to you. If you like their app you shouldn’t be asking them to do this. This is a fantastic app. If you like it, then pay for it..KdfbeeVersion: 13.4

Still need helpI purchased iBird in 2009, and I have enjoyed it ever since. We managed to get through the Dropbox situation and successfully migrated our notes when that happened. We paid to upgrade to Pro. We are even ok with the subscription model if that’s what it takes to keep things going. We use several bird apps, Sibley, Merlin (and eBird), but still want access to iBird. So, as stated, we are willing to go along with the current configuration. However, I am very disappointed and dissatisfied that my notes have been lost. This was the one feature that I relied on constantly. Since 2009!!! I hope this can eventually be rectified. I’m staying the course, accepting the new reality, but if I’m never able to recover all the data and observations I will be forced to let our favorite app go. Please fix this for us and we will happily go forward with the subscription plan. We are already committed to the yearly plan trusting that you guys will take care of us. Please fix this for us..SimjaxVersion: 13.4

Not having problems, plus an interesting storyWe really like iBird Pro and have not had any problems with version 11.0 on iPhone 8 or iPad Air 2. The illustrations with field marks and photos help a lot with identifications. The bird sounds are also very helpful. My wife and I have enjoyed using it for several years, especially last spring when a Cooper's Hawk built a nest and raised a family in our neighbor's tree. A few months after the hawk family had moved on, my wife was in a nearby town doing some shopping. She came out of a store to find a large crowd gathered around her car. Thinking somebody had hit her car, she started walking toward the car until somebody warned her not to get too close. On top of the car was a Cooper's Hawk with a dead rabbit. Whenever anybody tried to 'shoo' it away the bird threatened them with loud calls and thrashing wings. My wife took out her phone, launched iBird Pro, turned the volume up loud and played the Cooper's Hawk alarm call. The hawk on the car looked surprised and puzzled, looked around for another bird, then took off carrying it's prey. Everybody was astonished and my wife was pleased and proud of her quick thinking. One of the women in the crowd asked loudly, "What app is that? I want to buy it!" You probably got several new iBird Pro customers as a result..NalariderVersion: 11.0

Great encyclopedia. Pay attention to descriptions.We finally noted that some of the raven sounds are from other (faraway) parts of the country, and we recall, ravens are wise old birds. Not always their language. Sometimes they react in silence, as if to say, “What?” Also remember to read the description: if the call is one of birds in fear or alarm, you may well note that nearby birds start flying away in fear or alarm. I note the app is of late getting updates describing IAPs with fancy-schmancy new features. I hope this does not portend an overall IAP for a new version of the app (rendering this current version obsolete). Already, instead of the available Bird Sleuth IAP, we use Merlin. I’d be sorrowful to see the end of iBird Pro due to built-in obsolescence..FjpoblamVersion: 12.0

Beautiful App-Don’t Go Birding Without ItWe’ve been using iBird-Pro for several years and have always appreciated the well-laid-out and thorough nature of the product. Using it has most often resulted in identifying birds we’ve encountered in the field for the first time. Numerous times, we have attracted identified birds simply by playing their clear and accurate bird calls/songs directly from the App. And now, with the new Sleuth Photo Recognizer, the App has been raised to a new level of accuracy and usefulness. We realize that some who initially paid up for the App in the past may be a bit put out by the new Subscription-Based approach, but now that the bugs for that seem to have been eliminated with the last App update, we believe that the current annual Subscription fee for the iBird-Pro Field App for Birding is worth the price. Purchase and enjoy!.RekampamVersion: 12.7.2

Love the app, bought In 2011- need to contact devsI’ve been using this app since 2011 when I purchased it for full price. It’s a great app with all wonderful photos and information about birds However I just got a notice when I opened it saying something about having to turn it into a paid subscription. But it said it only affects people who bought it in the last eight years. I bought it in 2011. That’s 10 years plus ago… tried to contact support on this webpage and I was taken to an unsecure website. I hope a developer can kindly reply to me here and tell me how to contact them because I don’t know what’s going on with the app going forward… I don’t want to subscribe but I don’t understand the thing that said it applies to you if you bought it in the last eight years. I’ve had it for 10+ years..MetsBeisbolVersion: 12.7.3

Search function downgradedI have been trying to figure out how to email the developer but have not been able to figure it out. This was my go to App for Birding until a recent update seems to take away the ability to search by month and state. You can still search by state but not by month. It is frustrating because I like to use this app not only in the field but when I am planning for a trip. I am currently hoping to go to Arizona in May and I cannot use this app for review because I cannot get a relevant list up. Maybe they think that the “Birds Around Me” is an upgrade but it doesn’t help when you do not have a cellular connection and it definitely doesn’t help in planning for a trip. I still think it has the best collection of vocalizations of any App out there which is why I gave it a three, and I will correct my rating if this gets fixed, but I will literally have to be looking for a different app to use if it does not get fixed..StvmeVersion: 10.06

The best bird app bar none and……was I upset when the devs switched to a subscription model. Well I wasn’t doing handsprings in ecstasy , but I paid up immediately. As a retired product developer I realize the effort and long time required to keep a program current, and in a niche market such as ornithology, there’s no getting around the fact that you need recurring support from your base. To me this signals that the iBird devs are committed to improving their app continuously and I will gratefully support this commitment for as long as they support this A+ app. So should you! Thanks, fellas for making iBird the app I depend upon most, in the field while I am photographing my avian friends, and at home, when I am writing essays for my photos. Thank you, iBird!.ArthurPJohnsonVersion: 13.4

Have loved this app but may delete itI bought this app years ago! Paid $30 to get the full version for North American birds. I’ve never paid that much for any other app—not even close. The fee I paid was for life-time access to this app, so when the developer announced they were going to start charging a monthly fee in August and my app would no longer be available if I chose not to pay the monthly fee I was not happy! That is what we call a breach of contract. This is why I cannot give iBird 5 stars. I have it 3 because they don’t track your data and that is huge. I appreciate that. But I will probably not continue to use the app due to the new monthly fee. They haven’t even told us what it will be! If you are thinking of using iBird and don’t mind monthly fees I would suggest waiting till August (2023) to download it..Mumsie 3Version: 13.1

Fabulous birding app!!!I totally love this app. I am a lifelong intermediate birder so I often need help with identification, and I always want to learn more about the birds I see. This is like carrying an expert birder in my pocket. Comparing the careful diagrams with the included photos is really helpful. I’m given similar birds to check for comparison, I can listen bird songs to improve my accuracy (and I love listening to them). Unlike some reviewers, I have no problem at all with the subscription rate. It’s extremely reasonable (much less than other apps I’ve had that moved to subscription format after purchase), I was given a year free during the transition, and I want the app to maintain its current level of accuracy and usefulness..QQQ555Version: 13.4

Previous purchaserI purchase iBird Pro years ago. Last year I was contacted saying I’d need to start paying for a subscription - which I don’t mind. I was supposed to pay this month. Now I’m locked out and given options to try a free week or contact iBird since I’m a previous purchaser. I emailed iBird several days ago and haven’t heard back and am still locked out. I can’t pay for a year subscription it seems, since I’m locked out. I use iBird several times a week and I will most definitely need it when I go to Ireland next month. Please help me straighten this out. Love the app and depend on it regularly..Hail, No!Version: 13.1

Still haven’t got spectrograms rightAn excellent app, have used versions for years, not happy about consolidation of the apps, but it was getting confusing with all the similar apps. One problem with the earlier versions of iBird is they claimed to have spectrograms. They were not spectrograms. However this version now, at last, has spectrograms. The bad news is their y-axis is twice as large as it need be. Looks like 20 kHz rather than the more standard 8-10 kHz. This means the diagnostic rise and fall of the birds’ song is nearly a straight line. It’s like plotting the rise in temperature from freezing point to boiling point on a graph that goes from 0 C or -32 F to 1000 degrees: the graph of temp increase incline will barely be seen. As well, these spectrograms are so small that even if they were set onto a useful y-axis they’d be hard to see relevant details and diagnostic features. The big question then is, why bother putting spectrograms on there if they can’t be used the way they’re intended? Either remove them completely, or talk to those of us who work in bioacoustics about how to present spectrograms so they can utilized for their intended usage. Check Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute, talk to those folks about bird songs and spectrograms. Or see the Peterson Guide to Eastern Bird Sounds, or talk to the author (Nathan Pieplow) or see his blog earbirding.com. See what wildtrax.ca is doing with spectrograms—now there’s an app just waiting to be developed! The Mitch Waite group leaped ahead of other bird guides. It is now in the position to be overtaken (see The Warbler Guide app...that surpasses all other guides and I believe they’re aiming to do the same thing for all birds). But, they still have the chance to lead the pack again. They did it once. They can do it again..MemoleitheVersion: 12.0

Older versions were betterI bought this app 12 years ago to help me learn bird song. It did help but I’ve notice that they’ve changed and reduced the amount of songs and calls available. I suppose this was to reduce abusing the source but considering how much I paid it’s not very reasonable..RobphotoqVersion: 13.3

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IBird Pro Guide to Birds Negative Reviews

Do NOT update to 12.7!!!I have used this app for many years since I paid for iBird Pro. Recently when the update showed up, I noticed the wording to switch to a subscription based service like my original purchase is no longer valid. It’s really sad because there are other birding apps out there, but this one worked well for me. Luckily I haven’t updated to the new version as I didn’t trust it and now I can see it ruined the experience for many other fellow Pro users. I’m really hoping the developers will fix this issue as clearly this gives them a bad reputation. I will continue to use it and update my other apps manually. However, the moment this current update is forced I will discontinue use of this app. To me, this is a betrayal of the original purchase agreement I made for this app. There are many ways the developers could have handled this situation if they wanted to add in a subscription-based service and they chose one of the worst ways to go. They didn’t even give a sufficient warning of what this update would do to its current user base. For the functionality of the app itself, I give it 4 stars (-1 star for the constant ads asking me to buy more extensions, otherwise I love it). I hope others can see my review before they update to version 12.7. I’m sorry to those that already updated and now the app is useless to them. I hope the developers make this right with their customers..Waxwing DuckVersion: 12.7

DO NOT UPGRADE!!! Do so & you'll be forced to Subscribe!DO NOT UPGRADE!!! If you do, you'll find this online bird guide converted to a subscription with only a "one year trial" for prior OWNERS of iBird Pro. Also, it's been renamed Waite's Birds!? Save yourself and keep the old version. We accidentally brushed the Update Button and couldn't stop the process. Turned off our iPad in an effort to cancel the update, but it was too late. Don't let this happen to you! We join others (on fixed income and otherwise) in expressing our outrage. We helped start this company and now they throw their original supporters -- who PURCHASED this online field guide -- under the bus by forcing us into a subscription. At the end of one year we will NOT be jumping on the subscription merry-go-round that'll automatically charge our credit card until we die or cancel. It's so easy to accumulate monthly charges. Our original purchase price for this app, which was not cheap back in the day, should've been honored even if the company's future business model switches to a subscription base. This move was SLEAZY and a cheat. So sorry to lose this wonderful online bird field guide... We're tired of "subscriptions" for everything that we "pay" for. Call us old-fashioned Luddites; however, we no longer allow "automatic" withdrawals from our credit cards and prefer to own what we buy... even if that means no more future "app updates." Farewell iBird Pro!.BorregobadlandsVersion: 12.7.3

Their Response to MeYou can fix it by subscribing for $0.99/month, $9.99/year, or not at all. Contrary to popular belief, you do NOT own any software distributed by the Apple Store. Instead, it's a licensing arrangement that grants developers the authority to modify various aspects, including pricing. Most developers strive to avoid altering these terms, but occasionally, as exemplified by iBird, circumstances dictate otherwise. Initially, the paid app model made perfect sense, especially when it enjoyed robust sales. However, as time passed, some 15 years later, sales dwindled to a point where it was unsustainable. This predicament is why you now witness a growing trend of apps transitioning to subscription-based models—a shift that may not be universally favored. However, amidst this change, iBird remains unrivaled in terms of the sheer volume of ornithological information it offers. Considering the modest cost of the subscription, our aspiration is that bird enthusiasts will rally behind our company, enabling us to persist in delivering innovations. Moreover, you have the flexibility to toggle the subscription on and off at your convenience. We understand that discovering your once-paid app now requires a subscription can be disappointing. Yet, it was a necessary decision to avert the risk of going out of business. In the interim, we value your message and hope you'll consider subscribing on a monthly or yearly basis. BumbleBea iBird Support App deleted!.Drose333Version: 13.4

Lousy customer service - go elsewhereUpdated review: this app was a great reference that I used from time to time. Then, without warning, they transitioned to a subscription model rendering the app useless. I wouldn’t have minded if they stopped updating the existing app, and started a new app as a subscription, but it was a really low blow to offer an app “update” that made the app useless without me paying more forever. It was like going to my bookshelf and finding my printed bird books blank because the publisher decided they wanted more money. There are plenty of other bird guides in the App Store, and you’ll get better customer service from them. The best bird guide is the one you have with you, and I really enjoy this since I don't always know when I'll run into an interesting bird. The search capabilities are a significant advance over a printed book, it is so nice to be able to specify something like, "what was that mostly black duck-like bird that I saw in New Hampshire in November?" an see all the possibilities laid out for easy comparison (a hooded merganser, it turned out). The recorded bird calls are also an incredibly useful feature. The only problem I have had is occasionally the search has not listed a bird that, in retrospect, it should have. I guess there are still some errors in their indexes. Also, eBird support would be nice..EbenOfTheCanyonVersion: 13.4

BummerI have used this app *daily* for almost ten years and it is hands down my favorite. Ten years ago it was THE app to have for birding and at $14 it wasn't cheap. I was a poor college student at the time and wanted this app so badly, my brothers and I would wait for it to go on sale in the App Store so we could purchase it (which even $3.99 for an app is a lot for a young person). Now I am a professional guide and lead bird walks every week, and I still use this app in the field. For years I have recommended it to others. But someone asked me about it this past week, and while I told them what the app was and how wonderful it is, I also had to explain your ridiculous move to a paid subscription service and how I will no longer be using it come August. So while I didn't pay as much as some folks here to originally purchase the app, my loyalty and constant praise of it to others should be enough. I refuse and honestly can't afford to start paying for something that I've used for free for ten years. If y'all needed money that badly, I'm sure folks would have donated to a fundraiser or something. You obviously have a slew of loyal followers. But unfortunately you all chose this route instead and will lose most of those. What a bummer..Kslice22Version: 13.1

So Long Farewell GoodbyeWe bought this app on May 12, 2012, and it has been our go to app in the field ever since. Both of us are certified master naturalists and have used this app extensively. Yesterday when we were birding at one of the local refuges, after volunteering there for 6 hours, we got a nasty little surprise when we turned on this app, it said it had no record of us buying it, and that we had to sign up for a subscription to use it. I tried to contact them via their email address because it said “previous owners click here” They apparently have their email shut off because it came back as unknown address. Therefore, we couldn’t even contact them with photo documentation that we did buy it ages before whatever greedy people have taken over that company that produces this app. Even their website isn’t working today. We would not recommend downloading it or giving them any money to subscribe to it. We are going to go back to using BirdsEye which ties into eBird and also into Cornell University’s Ornithology department, which is a extremely good source of birding information, which is what we were mostly using in addition to our Sibley books before we bought iBird eleven years ago..Climbergirl2002Version: 13.1

Disgusted with BAMI’ve had iNird for 4 years, but didn’t purchase BAM until today. In New Mexico I didn’t need it. I’m moving to FL. There is an Intracoastal Waterway that separates beachside and landslide. I’ll be beachside. I’ll miss my New Mexico backyard birds enormously and wanted to know what songbirds I can attract to my beachside backyard. So I bought BAM assuming the address search would allow me to constrain my search to beachside. IT DIDN’T. BAM allows minimum of 25 mile radius. I don’t even want to know what birds might be 3 miles west of me, let alone 25 miles. I am more than disgusted. It was only $2.99 but I feel tricked, conned, ripped off. I want a refund. UPDATE I frequently see Curved Bill Thrashers in my NM yard. Since I just bought BAM today, I decided to give BAM another chance to look up the Curved Bill Thrasher to find out what it’s been eating. I set it to use my GPS for the search to make it easier to find. The search didn’t even return Curved Bill Thrasher!!!!! I’ve been seeing this bird all the time for 4 years while backyard birding and looking it up using the Location feature for NM. It’s always appeared in the list. And BAM excluded it? Come on guys. Somethings’s definitely wrong with BAM. Talk to me, guys. I’m very unhappy..PmoliverVersion: 12.0

New update doesn’t allow access.I’ve used this app for years and it had been great. But I updated the app just before starting fieldwork, and it boots up to a screen offering me a free trial or a button that says previous owner. When I click on previous owner, it says “no purchase found in the App Store” and gives an option for emailing the developer. This too goes nowhere and returns a message saying “email unable to send.” I paid almost $30 several years ago, and is one of the most expensive apps I’ve purchased, only to be shut out. I’ve read through reviews, and it seems to be blaming this on “family plan” settings, which makes no sense as we have other purchases in our family plan associated with individual members. I’ve tried to go to their website and it goes to an empty “sorry, we’re doing some work on this site” message. I’m super disappointed not just that they haven’t worked this out for paid app owners, but also that the customer support is totally lacking. Avoid purchasing. It can be taken from you at any time and there is no support, no recourse, and nowhere but here to voice your dissatisfaction..John_birderVersion: 13.4

Loved App for Years Until They Broke Their WordI purchased this app in 2018 as pricey, but worth it, one time purchase app. As a beginner and as I gained more experience, I found this app very helpful, especially with the BAM, bird calls/songs, & photos features. However, a few months ago, suddenly I could no longer access any of the app features and just got a page with 2 options, to either start a free subscription trial (for an app I already paid for) or I could ‘Restore Purchases’ (which sends a msg to customer service with my purchase date in it). I have sent 3 messages trying to restore my purchases since Aug. 2023, and have yet to receive a response. I used to brag about how much I loved this app to ppl, but I’m not sure if I can afford the subscription and the way they went about this change does not make me want to continue to do business with them or recommend them to others. I’m going to look into other birding apps, iBird Pro would have to make this right (like grandfathering previous members in, giving us a version without new features, etc.) for me to come back and to recommend them again..SammyumdVersion: 13.4

DON’T DO IT ! Buyer beware ! A nest of liars and thieves !I give it one star , solely for the reason it won’t let me give it a ZERO . I purchased the top of the line for this app ( and it WASN’T cheap ! ) on July 18 , 2009 with the understanding ( explicitly using the term “lifetime”) that it was a one time payment for the agreement . In reality , it was a payment for “until we change our mind and want more money out of you !” Now they have closed it out on me and want me to PAY THEM AGAIN , to “subscribe” on a yearly or monthly basis . It’s a pure money grab . I refuse to deal with anyone who makes an agreement , takes your money , then comes back and reneges on the deal , demanding MORE money to supply you what you have already paid them for . The Internet is populated by enough thieves as it is , I refuse to be ripped of further by a so called “legitimate” business through the App Store. I don’t care WHAT your reason is , if you cannot follow through on a commitment and stay true to your word , you do not deserve to remain in business . If that is your idea of integrity , I won’t do business with you and will be sure to announce it to anyone who cares to hear ..PsyberbillyVersion: 13.4.1

I get it but…They switched to a subscription-based model and I bought it years ago for $50. This is more of a mobile app industry problem and less from Mitch Waite. Maybe I’m getting old but I still remember when customers’ purchases were respected; if you bought an app once, you keep it. I’ve had developers delete their entire app that I bought only to re-upload an exact copy to refresh their cash flow (I’m looking at you EA Games). I think the App Store and apps in general have tanked in the last few years which is unfortunate. About the app itself, I’ve used it for years and it is very handy if you’re an outdoor kind of person. You couldn’t ask for a better birding app. Mitch Waite knows this and I’m guessing they aren’t getting a lot of new buyers. If you’re okay with this new subscription-based business model then you should have no problem! I think all things being fair and just, previous purchases should be able to keep it without a subscription since we already bought it once but again, they are the developers and we are the consumers. It is what it is..TMC4791Version: 12.7.3

Company does not stand by what they offer.While the app has been useful, thankfully there are several better apps available now. I paid over $100 for this app several years ago because they offered the app for a lifetime of use. I felt the investment was worth it. The company has now changed their app and have excluded all those people who paid for the lifetime of use. We were the ones that helped them get off the ground! They sent a letter explaining they are just copying what everyone else is doing in the industry and offering a discount for the first month trial. They have NO INTEGRITY. Here is the quote from their email: “The move from a single-purchase to a subscription-based model is in line with the evolving trends of the software industry. Influenced by market dynamics, including the lower pricing strategies of leading smartphone platforms, this shift isn't just limited to the smaller apps. Even renowned companies like Microsoft and Adobe have migrated to this model without providing exclusive “grandfather” benefits to earlier standalone purchasers.”.A Five Star ReviewerVersion: 13.4

Used to be OK - but calling it quits nowAs longtime user, have seen various iterations. As of today, I am LOCKED OUT of a purchased app - it appears these folks changing their fee structure. I PURCHASED the app years ago, and now they want a monthly fee - egad. Here is review of App for people considering purchase: Nice representative drawings and pretty intuitive to use. Two areas to FIX: 1) filtering by state has incorrect ranges for countless species. e.g. Greater Scaup does not appear when filtering for Oregon. uggh - this is just pure laziness on developer part not to do this. I have contacted them repeatedly in past and they suggested I purchase another App of theirs as a work-around. Uggh again. 2) Update the filter-by-family feature to allow selecting more than a single family at a time. e.g., It would be really nice to have sandpipers, ducks, and herons show up on a filter when out at the local marsh. I will never purchase a Mitch Waite app again due to pretty slimy business practice and lack of any product support..Dogbutt1965Version: 13.1

Turning their back on original app purchasersDisclaimer: I’m an interpretive naturalist and lead guided bird walks. I bought this app years ago and paid full retail price ($30). I always somewhat regretted getting iBird over Sibley, since Sibley’s illustrations are far superior to iBird’s. But I made due, and enjoyed the large amount of audio recordings available for each species on iBird. Today when I launched the app, I was notified that in one year my purchase will no longer be valid, and I’ll have to pay a subscription fee. Seriously? I bought this app and paid full retail, treated like a field guide, and even recommended it to clients on bird walks since the audio library was so good. And now I’m being closed out? Nah fam. You honor past purchases by giving legacy owners a legacy subscription, just like Gaia. It won’t eat into your profits that much. I purchased Sibley today, and will now actively recommend against this app to everyone on my birding walks. TBH Merlin does everything iBird does and it’s free. There are better options out there folks..RangerRiverVersion: 12.7.3

Victim of subscription cash-grabI paid a high price for this when it was introduced. I tried to resolve via email and was met with same template response as others. Justifying a subscription model to allow “innovative new features“ is a lie. Check the release notes. There hasn’t been a single major feature enhancement since the introduction of subscriptions. The other reason sited was to support maintenance of the app. This is nonsense for a few reasons. 1. This kind of app (should) have very low monthly cost to maintain. Minimal- if any servers, small updates to maintain compatibility, minimal user support, etc. 2. The previously high one-time fee should have been enough to cover whatever minimal impact a user has throughout their use period. They could have easily given previous owners a lifetime subscription and let new users decide if a subscription based app was worthwhile. 3. It’s detrimental to their business. Which users do you think were the most passionate about the app and the biggest advocates? Which users (myself included obviously) are most angered and vocal about this? Which users would have been most likely to voluntarily upgrade to something genuinely better or voluntarily switch to subscription if this had been handled better? This was THE app I used to recommend when asked about birding apps. Congratulations; you angered all your most loyal users and destroyed a wonderful app. I hope it was worth it..Jamesj3kVersion: 13.4

No Longer Accessible 😡I purchased IBird Pro back in 2009. I know this because when I tap the button to contact customer support to restore my purchase, the date purchased and version appears at the top of the page. So obviously they know. I spent far more for this app, around $35, than I have for any app before or since. Now I cannot access it unless I subscribe, and multiple emails from me over the last couple of weeks have all gone unanswered. Not very professional! If they want to make it a monthly subscription that is up to them. But this is a heck of a way to treat people who spent a significant amount of money to purchase this app back when they were getting started. All I want is the use of an app that I already paid for. But the way it looks now that isn’t going to happen. So anyone who is thinking of supporting and subscribing to IBird Pro, keep in mind the way they have treated previous purchasers. There are other good bird watching apps out there..DeborahgemVersion: 13.4

AdiosYou’ve lost a long time fan with your new subscription policy. I suspect you’ll lose the majority of your user base. Personally I’m retired on a fixed income, and a bird app does not fit into my financial must haves. It did in 2012 - when I paid plenty of dough for the app and most of your add-on features, thinking it was a lifetime payment, which it obviously is not. What burns me more however is that you felt your new subscription-based policy wasn’t important enough to make your user base aware of via email or some other notification method, other than by default when updating the app. That’s sneaky and treacherous. Many of you software developers never learn and always look at the short game. I understand the importance of profitability but there’s something to be said for loyalty and trust as well. Oh well thanks for many years of support and updates. Off to the internet to find out about these black-capped chickadees keep attacking my outdoor cams. Best of luck. You’ll need it..Bones boyVersion: 12.7

ByeBeen a good paying customer, since 2009 according to the subscriptions page (not sure if thats right but its been a long long time). I used to keep my life list in here, i’ve seen a lot of changes thru the years. Just redownloaded, and surprise, its now a subscription product. A free year you say. Previous owners could be easily grandfathered. And I think they should be. Subscription are not good for me, and I think they are not good for customers. Yes people are heading that way, but i am avoiding them. Its a hard no. The app has good pictures, has good content overall but is always very awkward to use. Once the search is figured out, it works good (or used to-i havent used it in a while). I only use it a couple times a year, if that. Each time i have to relearn the app because of all the changes (might be good, might be bad). A loyal customer I was, a loyal customer no more. Still loyal, just not to ibird..Davidj979Version: 12.7.3

So Difficult...I bought iBird years ago. It was expensive, and flawed. The bugs were never fixed. Now I’m being cheated out of my purchase, they’re going subscription. I’ll delete the app. I've used every version for at least the last five years. Unless you already know the bird's name, you may never find it. Searching by locale or description brings up arbitrary lists. Take the Snowy Egret for example. If you search for "egret", the bird is not listed. If you search for "snowy", it is. The same difficulties and inconsistencies are present in all search methods, like geography, size, color, family. I once wrote down iBird's own description of a bird, entered it as a search filter, and the app could not locate the bird. My wife got so frustrated with iBird Pro that she deleted it. I keep it around if I have a question about a bird I already recognize. (But I still may not find it.) Not worth the price. Shoddy programming, poorly implemented search functions. Too bad..Chevalier du TastevinVersion: 12.7

Purchased all options and Photo Sleuth no longer works after upgradeI have used iBird Pro for a few years and purchased all of the in app options. I used Photo Sleuth often and it worked fine until I upgraded to version 12.6. It would prompt me to install another Photo Sleuth or restore purchases. I tried several times and the restore would always fail. I messaged the developer and they had me delete and reinstall the complete app again. It still did not work after restoring purchases. The developers last response was I would need to update to the latest IOS. I explained if that was the case then why would it let me download and install it? In all apps I have ever updated on my apple phones, it will check the version of IOS and if not compatible it would not let you install it or indicate to use another version of the app. The developer was not helpful when I indicated this and has not responsive. How about fixing the issue?.OkiiKumaVersion: 12.6.1

Not worth itI’ve had this app in my phone for a few months now, and I have not opened it even once in the field. I find it generally difficult to navigate, not to mention that there are much better FREE field guide apps out there. Also, I heard an interview on a birding podcast, This Birding Life, from quite a few years back of the maker of this app (Mitchell Waite): he essentially said that he sent poor artists in third world countries photos and illustrations of birds and asked them to put their own spin on it so it wasn’t straight-up copyright infringement. He was very proud of “outsourcing” and getting this work done on the cheap. Perhaps this is also why some of the images are not that great. Most bird guides with illustrations include paintings done by people who have actually seen these birds in real life, so the results are much more true to life. Don’t waste your money. Get Merlin Bird ID or the Audubon apps instead; they include a good field guide with other great features, and they’re free..NorNorEsVersion: 12.0

Much Better Apps Than This Bait and SwitchI purchased this app for the full fee twice, the initial time and a few years ago when they said they did a complete rework. Now the developers are saying they are not making enough money so they are not going to honor what they sold me and want to charge monthly. The developers say the market is saturated with bird apps which is not true. What is true is both Audubon and Cornell Lab of Ornithology have excellent and easier to use free apps plus Cornell Lab of Ornithology has an excellent free online resource. A friend of mine who has no interest in bird watching and is not app savvy enjoys using Smart Bird ID, another free app, where she can just hold up her phone as a bird is singing and the app identifies it. Also, these three free apps are all under 250MB while this app is 1.8GB. I never found this app intuitive to use but maybe you love this app enough to start paying for it monthly. Me? I’m moving on..CairnblsdVersion: 12.7.3

Extremely disappointedAs a longtime user (2013) and PURCHASER/OWNER of the original iBird Pro app, I’m extremely disappointed with the forced move to subscription, which in essence makes me repurchase the material I already own access to, over and over again. I have always found your Range maps, Behavior, and Sounds sections useful in the field, but I will be switching to a different app, I can’t afford paying a subscription, like paying for streaming video channels, which I can’t afford either. If there are others like me, you’ve just ruined your own base of users. It is not fair to change your model without recourse, you should have closed the current owner list and started a new app for your new subscriber model. That way we could choose whether the new features, etc, were worth subscribing, or just stayed with the static product. Sorry it wasn’t worth it to you to honor your prior purchasers..OutsideNYCVersion: 12.7.2

Took away my purchase to ask for more moneyI purchased this app outright. They have now “updated” this app to disable it unless I pay more money. Developers please note. This can and probably will result in legal action. If you really want to screw…. increase your revenue stream, the legally acceptable way to do this is to stop supporting the current app and just create a new one with the new business model (subscriptions). New app, no existing customers. Still pisses off the old customers, but less grounds to get you sued. Unless they remedy this, I’ll be dumping them on principle. I never signed up for subscriptions. I was never told subscriptions would be forthcoming. I’m not 100% opposed to subscriptions, but you need to make that clear from the start, not charge a large initial fee and then change the rules after the fact. I refuse to pay more for something I already purchased..MrivoreyVersion: 13.1

Another customer lostLike many here, I also purchased iBird pro, only to have my access removed when they updated to a subscription model. Highly unethical. Even Apple’s App Store guidelines state “If you are changing your existing app to a subscription-based business model, you should not take away the primary functionality existing users have already paid for.” And their support took months to provide me a generic response. Among their justifications was that companies such as Microsoft and Adobe moved to subscription models without providing “grandfather” benefits. This is ridiculous and disingenuous. My Adobe and Microsoft products did NOT stop working when they moved to a subscription model. And those companies retained me as a subscribing customer when I decided I wanted the newer versions of their products. No such luck here. Can’t even access the app now. Don’t buy or support this company..NHW159Version: 13.4

Deleted and NOT worth a subscriptionSo disappointed with the move to subscription after no changes or improvements to app were made. Do not spend money on the app. They charged an upfront cost for the purchase of a product and now I have nothing to show for it. Should have at the very least grandfathered in people who had purchased the guide prior. Also, it was incredibly dishonest and sly the way that they pushed the update without making it clear (no email, no clear notification upon opening app) to customers that they were going to lose access to a product that I had already paid for. I did not even realize that the switch had occurred, and thought it must have been a mistake until I searched online for answers. So disappointed. I deleted the app and will switch to the Sibley guide or something that does not require a subscription..Marg8801Version: 13.3

Mitch Waite iBird Pro (a Turkey of an App)Purchased app years ago, worked very well in North America. Good value for the money at that time, although by the time I upgraded from the basic to the full US to the I Bird Pro I actually spent more than I anticipated. Now the Waite group has switched to a subscription based service and I am locked out of the app I purchased and paid for. Seems like a bait and switch marketing plan. I’m content with the features I paid for. This is the second time I’ve purchased an app and the developer has subsequently switched to a subscription only service. Waite has joined the inglorious Market Circle of developers scamming consumers. Before you buy, consider what else they may leverage once you’ve bought the subscription. I can’t even get a email response after months of emails to them! R. E. California.RobertinCAVersion: 13.4

Developed changed the rules 9 years after I purchasedI purchased this application for the full asking price at the time which sadly I don’t remember. This was in February 2014 now today 9+ years later the developer has decided that this is now a subscription unless I can prove I purchased this is clearly in my Apple account where I did purchases February 22, 2014. I have sent this to the developer and ask them to reinstate the application as it was when I purchased it on the terms I purchased it they are unwilling to do that they keep asking me to subscribe to their new subscription to service, I don’t think it’s fair to ask me to do that. I don’t feel like I can trust any developer who changes terms of service after you have paid full, asking price for the product I would find another app which I intend to do..K2kryzoVersion: 13.1

Stolen app. Paid for and taken away. Should be illegal, Stay away!I paid $15 to BUY this app over 10 years ago. I OWN it!! Loved it used it a lot. Best bird app ever. But the company is stealing it back to charge for subscriptions. If you pay for something it belongs to you; they have no right to steal it and charge again. And again. And again! I understand changing it for new customers . Though $10 a month is a rip off, I would Understand them not allowing new info for those who OWN IT, who don’t subscribe. But to attempt to steal it ALL back so an OWNER now has to subscribe SHOULD BE ILLEGAL if it’s not already,. OWNERS SHOULD GET TOGETHER AND SUE THE COMPANY FOR FRAUD AND THEFT I bought my car; the car company cannot now rent my car to me! if you don’t own it DO NOT SUBSCRIBE ! Get Merlin a free app from Cornell University and EBird for counting the birds you see for the good of the birds! APPLE DISCONTINUE THIS FRAUD.!! DO NOT CARRY IT!.RuahjVersion: 13.1

Don’t buy - No support or access for previous purchasesI have used this app for a really long time and have recommended it many, many times. But now, I can’t access app. It looks like an update requiring a subscription, but say there is NO record of me purchasing this app. When you select “previous owner” on the pop up, you get link to a support email for help. (Sounds good, right?). But the email address does not work. Emails returned as undeliverable! Then, I go to the website, but there is no access to web site an more. “Under construction” or “doing work”. Looks like they just shut down AND made the app non-usable. I feel like I have just been shut off. I’ll just stick with my Sibley app. It’s a shame some companies will just “lock out” the customers who paid for several products in the beginning when a company was just starting out..WwhoweVersion: 13.1

Mislabeled photosI just downloaded this app and the first thing I did was look at the Rd-tailed Hawk info, a bird I have studied for over 50 years and I am very familiar with. Looking at the photos, there are some that are obviously mislabeled. The photo labeled “Red-tailed Hawk Juvenile 1” is actually an adult as evidenced by the dark chestnut colored iris and the varied colors on the bird instead of the light iris and more monotoned colors of a juvenile. Conversely, the photo labeled “Adult Red-tailed Hawk Adult 3-Flight” is actually a juvenile bird as evidenced by the light iris, the lack of a dark sub-terminal band on the secondary wing feathers, and the thinly banded tail feathers with no broad sub- terminal band and no red coloration. With almost a quarter (22.2%) of the photos mislabeled, this brings into question the validity of the labels on all of the other photos in the app. I am immediately feeling buyer’s remote after purchasing this app. I would recommend spending your hard earned money on Sibley’s app instead..WillieBTVersion: 12.01

Adios iBird!At one time this was the best app available, but it has long since been superseded by free apps such as Merlin that leverage crowd-sourced data to provide comprehensive global coverage, with constantly updated images, sounds and maps. In addition to the poor illustrations (which have always been awful), iBird deteriorated further over the years, becoming cluttered with pesky pop-ups offering unwanted features as the developers struggled to squeeze more revenue out of users. Worse, they recently switched to a subscription model, aggressively disabling a user’s access to their own paid-for app instead of enticing them to opt-in to a more feature-rich subscription app. I might have considered subscribing had I not been forced to do so. That was the last straw that made me delete this old-school app altogether. Three stars for the app, minus two for bad business practices..OjalaquelluevaVersion: 13.3

Was a good app but no longer worksVery frustrated with this company. A few months ago iBird Pro stopped recognizing my purchase of the app which occurred ten years ago. They added a button for restoring purchase but it defaults to the Apple email and not the email associated with the original purchase. The developer refuses to even respond to my emails or somehow fix the problem. UPDATE They went to subscriber format and, unlike ethical companies who recognize prior purchases, they refuse to honor prior purchases. It is pretty disgraceful that people who paid $20-$30 can’t even access the content as it was before their subscription service began. I could understand walling off new content or even disabling features like submitting notes and seeing recent locations. But to brick the app unless you pay $10 a year is really shady..PsalmusVersion: 13.4

Unethical decisionsI’ve had this app for years. I purchased it because of its wonderful qualities. They took features away over the years but it was still a great field guide. Those of us that “own “ the app have had the door slammed on us. Stating that subscription base is now the trend they walked down that path of greed. I have promoted this app for years far and wide to everyone I came across out doors while birding. I can assure you I will never mention iBird again to anyone. It’s so very disappointing, their current actions, and even offering to extend excess before monthly charging is insulting. I bought the app. But, just as for Adobe and others- greed takes over. But also just as I left Adobe for Affinity I will either carry a field guide in print that I also bought and or rely more on Merlin and eBird and make donations as I am inclined..EmptywandererVersion: 13.4

Taking away the app we paid for and forcing us into subscription.Revised review. Reducing to one star. I paid for this app. Then for Ultimate. Then Journal which they discontinued. Now they are going to take my app I paid for away and turn it into a subscription????? I should be able to keep what I paid for. I don’t care if I don’t get any updates. I should not be forced to pay monthly for what I already paid for. Previous review below. ——Leave all my bird books at home now. —— Love the ability to search by colors & body style & habitat & many other criteria. Then you see all birds who meet your observations. Choose the closest bird then look at similar birds & hear the calls. (I use that ALL the time). Even do a slides how of birds you are considering. Wonderful on iPod or iPad. Try the free version (less birds less features) & you will be hooked..LouiseLovesAppsVersion: 12.7.3

Subscription update removes everything we've paid for!Very disappointed that this app has completely moved to a subscription model, with no option for existing users to keep their purchased plan (aside from the "very long free trial" that isn't "free" at all, since we already paid for the app). For a lot of users, this subscription model probably makes sense. But as someone who doesn't use the app often, it's ridiculous to try to remove what I already paid for with no options to keep my existing purchase. I don't need all the latest taxonomic updates, and online services and all that. I'd be happy with a more limited version of the app that gave me the features I already paid for, without removing at least the basic functionality..Patrickl27Version: 12.7

Don’t trust these developers!I actually purchased iBird Pro and found it useful. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of purchasing from developers who are not only lacking in honor, but are extremely greedy and are intentionally taking (stealing), something they have already sold, from those who purchased it. Instead of offering purchasable updates to iBird Pro owners, the developers decided to alienate their supporters by “converting iBird from a one-time paid app to a subscription-based app.” For some reason these developers seem to think that a one year “free” subscription to the app people have already PURCHASED is worth the app’s purchase price (as well as, the lost potential monetary investment value of that purchase price)! Why would anyone ever trust these developers again? The better app choices would be Cornell’s Merlin Bird ID, or Audubon’s Audubon Bird..Appalled & outragedVersion: 12.7.3

Deleted the app.Remember the Simpson’s episode where they have the elephant and the start charging people to ride and take pictures with it, but them Homer realizes that he needs to charge more because the elephant is costing him too much to care for, so he raises the prices and tries to charge people retroactively under his new price structure? Well that’s this app. I paid for the app years ago with the understanding that I’d have it forever because that was the agreement at the time…silly me. Now they have decided to change to a subscription service and I no longer have access to the app that I paid for. If you want to switch to a subscription model, that’s fine, but you need to honor the contract that you entered with people who purchased under your previous business model. Just a poor, poor way to treat paying customers..Biff CoolVersion: 13.3

Rip Off for Previous Owners - DO NOT UPDATELike many other recent reviewers, I previously purchased this app at full price and have found it useful for many years. With the latest update, you are presented with a subscription signup and no way to access the previously purchased content without subscribing. The “Previous Owner? / Special Offer” button does nothing (tries to restore purchases, but then says no purchases or subscriptions found). I have reported this to Apple as a ripoff / scam. Very disappointing..~Wonko the SaneVersion: 12.7

Forced to pay a subscriptionI purchased the iBird Pro app in good faith, now I am forced to buy a subscription. I have immediately deleted the app and I hope this new direction works for the developers, it doesn’t work for me. I should get my purchase cost refunded..MDGST1300Version: 12.7

Rip-offI’ve had this app for years and years and years and now they want me to pay for everything and subscription yearly and now they give me seven days subscription trial… this app is gone greedy… i’m very upset… you should support your loyal customers of years and years instead of trying to rip them off….SfourVersion: 12.7

CAUTION: GREEDY DEVELOPERS ALERT!Do not rip customers off with this subscription bull$**t. We paid for the app already, let us have what we paid for. Enough of this heinous greed already!.FungifuriousVersion: 12.7.2

Great app, sneaky strategyHave been using and enjoying this app for several years. This latest update changes model to a subscription, which is fine for a new version that the user has an option on. Other apps respect that the user paid for the previous software and don’t ‘take that away from users’ who are not interest in upgrading. Certainly a new take on an in-app purchase — taking away what the user has already paid for! Marketing strategy that won’t work for this user! There are other apps out there and this user will not be sending more money to this developer..Worried about efficiencyVersion: 12.7.2

Rip-OffDownloaded the iBird Pro app from iTunes for $20.99 but can’t use the app as it requires a monthly or yearly subscription! Paid $20.99 just for the privilege to download the app! What a rip-off I want my money back!.Kuju63Version: 12.7

Robbers!I PAID for this app YOUR "pro" version NOW if I want to continue to use the app I PAID for I have to pay monthly for it? Seriously? Double dipping big time..KumayashaVersion: 12.7

Epic fail nowPaid the full $30 or whatever, years ago. Now their new business model wants a subscription for annual blood extraction from users. So — sorry folks! There are better options out there. I believe in paying for good service. But I won’t pay to be exsanguinated by corporate oxpeckers. Good bye! Uninstalled..PmarianaVersion: 13.3

Do not updateWith the latest update, I was now told that it is a subscription starting next year. There was no indication on the update that that was the case. That’s like coming out with a new book and saying you can’t read the old one that you paid for. Very poor business practice. For customers who paid a premium for the old app, it’s a really bad way to treat them. very disappointing. august 2023 update. App now blocked and no response from customer service . DO NOT UPDATE. Can’t access what I paid for..Pak kennerVersion: 13.3

Broken update processI had bought this app when there were no subscriptions. Latest update does not recognize my purchase and wants me to buy it again. It also gave me the option to send an email to their support team which has not been answered in over a month. The link for support on the AppStore page is broken. I want the old app made available for download as new one does not work..SF HistorianVersion: 13.3

Use Smart bird ID it’s freeUse Smart bird ID it’s free. No need to pay, no feelings of being ripped. Smart bird ID Smart bird ID Smart bird ID Smart bird ID Smart bird ID Smart bird ID Smart bird ID Smart bird ID Smart bird ID Smart bird ID Smart bird ID Smart bird ID Smart bird ID Smart bird ID Smart bird ID Smart bird ID Smart bird ID Smart bird ID Smart bird ID Smart bird ID Smart bird ID Smart bird ID Smart bird ID Smart bird ID.FlamppetVersion: 13.2

Not interested in a subscriptionIs it possible to go back one version. I have no interest in a subscription..Planet 3013Version: 12.7

Another great application ruined by subscriptionsThis has been a good application over the years but has seen very few updates so the explanation of going into a subscription model to keep everything current because of the cost of keeping data current doesn’t lineup. Birds don’t change. I have no problem paying for an occasional update, but I will be deleting this to avoid the subscription. Subscriptions are ruining the platform!.TouchtheworldVersion: 12.7

Subscription bait and switchI paid for this app, let me keep my features for life or give me a refund. Disgusting..AlbinogiraffeVersion: 12.7

UnacceptableWhen you pay for an app a bigger amount you don’t expect to be charged again later. That’s the deal. You pay more and this money must cover for future developments. Changing that even if you give 13$ discount is unacceptable. The subscription model should not be applied to existing owners..ÉZÉKHIELVersion: 12.7

Subscription now requiredI paid 25$ last year for this app and now I have to paid for a subscription!! No way!.Ray 12345Version: 13.4

Avoid This AppI paid a fee many years ago for a lifetime membership. Now the owners have cancelled lifetime memberships and want you to pay a monthly subscription. If this was an expensive purchase I would fight them in court. Avoid this app it’s a rip off!.KevapmelVersion: 13.4

RipoffLike others I had purchased a version that promised unlimited access. Unfortunately an upgrade rendered this useless forcing me into a yearly subscription or not using the app. There was no mention in the description that this would occur and no wayntonroll backnto the version I paid for. I feel I have been ripped off and DO NOT recommend this app. Most unprofessional and unethical move by the developer.Bitemeappstore99Version: 13.4

THE SCAM CONTINUES!!! BEWAREThis is the company that sold many of us a Lifetime License for this app only to send an update that disabled it and forced Lifetime customers to a subscription in order for it to continue working. Even more disgusting is that APPLE allowed them to have all of their reviews removed, including all of the negative posts from angry customers. It is such a scam that Apple who allow this - I guess you can't really trust iTunes for accurate reviews..StupFDVersion: 13.4

Crooked Company.I BOUGHT their ibird pro in 2022. Paid FULL PRICE. they’ve stolen it back. They want MORE MONEY. Can’t reach them by phone. CROOKED DISHONEST AND THEY HIDE BEHIND THEIR WEBSITE..DT12zVersion: 13.4

Poor Customer ServiceSo many people are frustrated with the fact that we pay for an app and then the developers get greedy and renege on their commitment to a customer’s purchase. They try to justify the price comparing it to the New York Times, but I never bought a permanent purchase of the New York Times. I did however, buy a one-time purchase of this app which the company has since forfeited on which has lead many to use a different birding service. This is unacceptable and a very poor and shady business practice. HONOUR YOUR ONE-TIME PURCHASES and for any new subscribers they can pay for your services as per their current agreement. Don’t be shady!.DinonellyVersion: 13.4

Developer GreedIf you expect an app that will adhere to the implied contract they make when you purchase it, look elsewhere. There is a button which says it will restore your purchase, but it doesn’t work if you don’t choose the subscription model. Moreover, there is no price advantage for those of us who supported this app for 10 years. They also use very specious logic is a FAQ defense, in which they liken an app to a car… Avoid this company like the plague!.GonzopapaVersion: 13.4

Not paying twiceMy ibird pro app is no longer working. Apparently “old subscriptions “ no longer entitle one to continue to use what one has, in good faith, paid for. Buy or rent this at your own peril- buyer beware! I would rate it minus five stars if I could. Robbery..SheehanfanVersion: 13.4

Unacceptable.They converted to a subscription plan after thousands of people purchased the app for $20. Use Merlin Bird ID. It’s a lot more fun..Mhog01Version: 13.4

Do not use this birding appUpdate October 2023: was sent an offer for 6 months trial ‘for free’, when in fact what they’ve done is stolen this app from long-time users who paid bookstore prices for the app years ago. Stop being shady and just admit you’ve stolen from your customers. You should have created a new, subscription-based app instead of taking this full-price one away. At the least do a full refund *then* offer us the trial on this new system. But then again, why would I ever consider giving you any more of my money after I already gave you money for a full purchase, and then you took my purchased item away three years later? I don’t usually actively advocate against certain books / apps, but I certainly will with this one. Original Review: I paid full bookstore price for this app years ago and have loved using it, but they are now barring access unless I start paying them a monthly subscription fee. Reached out to their support contact, no reply. Very disappointed, as it was a great app but now feel like I’m being scammed & forced to pay money to used something I’ve already paid for in full. Do not buy or use this app..NovaeangliaeVersion: 13.4

Full Rip OffBought the app for full price a few years ago. Pricey then but was excellent and used it around my farm. The software moved to a membership yearly or monthly fee with no ability to keep the app separately. When I paid for the subscription just to see what the changes were and to keep using the app all of the databases were empty. I couldn’t access any aspect of the app. I attempted to trouble shoot and got absolutely NO WHERE. Find a different app. I got scammed. Don’t get scammed too..RistelVersion: 13.4

DISGUSTING RIPOFF OF PRIOR PURCHASERS — DO NOT SUBSCRIBEI purchased this app originally in 2011 and enjoyed using it for a number of years. I hadn’t used it for more than a year but when I tried the Mitch Waite Group, the developer, had decided to make the app subscription only and shut out previous purchasers from the content they had purchased unless they started paying for a subscription. This is completely unfair to original purchasers of the app. The developers say well Microsoft and others have gone to a subscription which is true for new purchasers but Mircosoft did not prevent users who had bought there apps before the subscription was put in place from using the app that they bought. If the developers of iBird Pro had created a brand new app and made it subscription only, that would have been quite acceptable, but for them to take the iBird Pro that many people had purchased in good faith and prevent those original users from accessing or using the app anymore unless they agreed to pay for a subscription is UNFAIR, DISGUSTING AND GREEDY. Please find another bird app from a developer that doesn’t treat their original app purchasers like they are just someone to be exploited by a DUSGUSTING and GREEDY business model..The.IcefisherVersion: 13.4

UnbelievableI can’t believe that the owners of this app now want me to pay a subscription rate when I purchased this app 13 years ago. At least they should have grandfathered previous purchasers. In the world of greed and unprofessional like behaviour, this ranks at the top. I suggest that people switch to Merlin. It offers just as much content. Shame, Shame..E-TohhhhVersion: 13.4

I want my Money back!!!I bought this app over ten years ago (along with a few other IBird apps along the way) and now for my loyalty they are trying to completely screw me over with a subscription. Not cool and you should be ashamed IBird..Codered66Version: 13.4

CrooksI paid approximately $30 to own a subscription to this app outright some years ago and now they decide to charge monthly or annually and cancel all old lifetime subscribers, but won’t grandfather or refund previous purchases! Have some loyalty, crooks!.WwwiBobVersion: 13.4

IBird RIP-OFFI purchased a single payment, lifetime license for iBird Pro several years ago. iBird then decided to switch to a subscription based app because they weren’t making enough money (as per their email) and informed all of their lifetime license customers that they would have to start paying monthly. According to a follow up email from them, there was a huge outcry and they said the were giving us 1 year free and coming out with a new Classic Pro for us. After several months it was released but with a catch; they will not be updating it so if it breaks, they will not be able to help. The version that I purchased has updated over the years to the current version of this subscription based version. They one year free has ended and now it has stopped working unless we subscribe. They sold us a Lifetime License which was our contract and they breached that contract. Customers who paid should be given free lifetime subscriptions or Apple should shut them down their scam..StupFDVersion: 13.3

An outrageous greedy money grabWe paid, one time, for iBird Pro many years ago. There was no hint of any ongoing subscription fee. Now it is taken away from us completely if compulsory subscription fees are not paid. Why has iBird not, at the very least, done what so many other apps needing more funds have done: Allow the long-term loyal users accessibility to the app they paid good money for, and simply not provide them with further updates? That strikes as a very reasonable compromise. It's not too late to do that. The current situation is truly shameful...10.2 suxVersion: 13.3

Good while it lastedI just deleted this app from my phone after 13 years of patronage. I’m unable to comprehend why this company cares less about the long term users that built their customer base, while placing profit above all else. I sent them several messages to this effect, and never received a single reply. I think I know where their loyalties lie. So long, iBird: fortunately there are many excellent alternatives out there. PK.XAB XCOVersion: 13.3

RipoffI purchased the iBird pro app as well as many region add ons since my phone is a lot smaller than the guide books I used to carry around. Can’t access any of it now even though it was all purchased. Bloody disappointing ripoff. I’ll go back to carrying around books now. Previous purchase button does nothing. Utter rubbish!.Niralee BVersion: 13.3

Purchased the app in 2012…Now I’m. Locked out. Disappointing!.Bomber419Version: 13.3

Rip offI bought this application years ago at full price and now you have switched to subscription and leaving your clients behind. This is unfair. This is not a way to treat your existing clients. I will just erase the app and never come back. It’s a shame..Boby HachéVersion: 13.2

Not Going to Pay for a Subscription!Like many other reviewers, I paid a lot of money for this app years ago. I have used it a lot and it often replaced hard copy field guides while I was travelling. That being said I will NOT be paying the developers even more money for the 'privilege' of continuing to use something which I paid full price for previously. I would have been happy to be able to continue to use the, now unsupported, old version which I have already paid for. It is disappointing that the developers have decided to let their original supporters down with this move I will not be recommending this app to fellow birders and bird photographers!.SquidcanVersion: 13.2

Subscription Is an issueOrdinary I am fine with the subscription bases for an app, particularly if there is a lot of upgrading and additions over time and it is my decision going in. That said, and noted by others, this was by no means an inexpensive initial purchase. Seems to me a “grandcustomering” in would be more equitable. Don’t forget, without all the original purchases/patrons there would likely be no app surviving to offer as a subscription..ByabikeVersion: 13.2

No loyalty to customers that paid $29.99I purchased this app when it was rather expensive, in relative terms (it was $29.99 while most other apps cost .99, 1.99 at that time). Now they’ve switched to a subscription model, and my app ceases to function unless I pay them a monthly fee? This is a super lame way to treat your customers. Bait and Switch, I believe it’s called in business. I’m surprised this is permitted..SanfordciscoVersion: 13.1

I Hate This Developer! Do NOT Update! Do NOT Purchase!Accidentally updated this app on my iPad, now I’ll soon be locked out of my app that I purchased supposedly for life (that has turned out to be a lie). Unless you want to continually pay for this app each and every year, avoid it and look elsewhere. I bought iBird Pro so I could have my guide book in my pocket. I bought this app at full cost under the guise it was mine to use without additional fees. I don’t want a subscription and I don’t like the fact that I can’t just keep my out of date app for use without avoiding the ‘Update All’ button in the App Store. I am sure that eventually this app will cease to exist, and I will have to look for another bird guide. I only wish they had created an iBird Pro 2 app so that existing customers didn’t have to avoid updates. Do NOT buy this app and do NOT update. Reprehensible treatment of longtime customers. Shameful! Charlatans!.LoRobVersion: 13.1

Yup. I was robbed, too.Like others, I bought this app in good faith and appreciated the information the app provided. Now I can’t get into it without buying a subscription. I’m appalled by this, and therefore would dissuade anyone from subscribing to any of apps made by these developers. This is akin to buying a bird book from a store, then having to pay again to open it up. Simply unconscionable..Shmc66Version: 13.1

Thiefs!!!I paid the the book over $40. Now they change the rules and request a subscription.RochMtlVersion: 13.0

ThievesI had a paid for app. These people are taking it back without my consent. I’m pretty sure that’s stealing..Clumsy65Version: 13.0

Real greasyI had the pro now there making me switch to a subscription. Say the least I don’t like being scammed so I’m deleting this app!!!.THE ORIGINAL MR KIM BECKVersion: 13.0

Still screwing customers I seeWho wants in on the class-action lawsuit? Filing against these developers for selling us a product advertised as “free updates for life” and then turning around and blocking access to what we paid for unless we pay for a recurring subscription. I’m utterly shocked at Apple, as well, for allowing this to happen. This is criminal behaviour..J-WolfVersion: 12.7.3

So disappointed – UpdatedWhat I love is that after moving to a subscription model, ostensibly to allow for more continuous development, this dev has not updated the app for 6 months. Classic. Another tone deaf switch to the subscription model that could have been handled so much better. The core of iBird is a reference text, which doesn’t have ongoing costs (my 30 year old Peterson’s still works). The need to support development is real, but if the dev respected their (long-time) users, they would offer the subscription content as an add-on, with the core information remaining useful, or offer a separate app for new users and call this one “Classic” or something. Some of the problem is App Store restrictions, to be sure, but locking out existing users of a premium app is just gross..MrpommerVersion: 12.7.3

Purchased for full price, now it says I won’t be able to use it without a subscriptionAbsolutely outrageous that it cost $30 and now they decide it will be a subscription service only. Well, no way they can stuff it. Don’t get ripped off. The information in here isn’t anything you can’t get free on the web. I’ll be moving permanently to other non rip off products..LeastweaselVersion: 12.7.3

Money grabBought the app in good faith, now they convert to a subscription model. Any reputable developer would grandfather the original purchases, but not this one. Don’t trust them….they will be back to pick your pocket. Class action suit anyone?.Meadowman40Version: 12.7.3

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