Frequently Asked Questions

Our mobile apps are ready to be downloaded to your tablet or smartphone from iTunes or Google Play. Mobile issues are included with a print+digital or digital-only subscription to Scientific American and with the digital subscription to Scientific American Mind. Mobile-only subscriptions are also available for in-app purchase. Our apps work best on an operating system that's up-to-date.

Download from iTunes here.

Download for Android here.

Subscriptions purchased in-app only include app issues.  Issues available from ScientificAmerican.com are not included in app-only subscription or app-only single-issue purchases.

If you purchased your subscription here on our website, your digital access was activated with your online purchase.  If you purchased your subscription over the phone or via an offer mailed to you, you can activate your access with the following instructions.  You will need your account number to complete these instructions; please call us at 800-333-1199 or email us if you do not have it handy:

If you do not have an account at ScientificAmerican.com already:
Go to www.ScientificAmerican.com and click on Register.
Click on the "I am already a subscriber" box.
Enter your account number.
Click on "Look up Account"
Complete the fields which were not populated by your account information.
Agree to our Terms of Use
Click Create My Account

You will need to verify your account with an email that will be automatically sent to you.  Check your spam folder for this email if you do not receive it right away.  When your account is verified, and you can see your subscription in My Account/Subscriptions, the same email and password you use for our website will now work in the app.

If you already have an account at ScientificAmerican.com, please sign in and then select My Subscriptions from the My Account menu.  If you do not see your subscription there, please click on "Don't see all your subscriptions?", enter your account number in the field that pops up, and click on Add.

When your subscription is visible in My Subscriptions, you can then sign into the App with the same email and password that you use to sign into ScientificAmerican.com.

If you purchased a subscription from within the app, you do not have to sign in.  In-app purchases are recognized by the GooglePlay or Apple account you used to purchase them.

Customers that purchased their subscription within the app do not need to sign in.  GooglePlay or Apple will recognize your purchase on your device.

Customers that purchased their subscription from Scientific American or from an authorized agency can sign into the app with the same email address and password that you use to sign into ScientificAmerican.com.  We no longer accept Screen Names to sign in to our website or apps.

If you still need help, please email customer service for assistance!

Please make sure that you completed all necessary steps for authentication, including verifying your online account.  The verification email is automated and is sometimes sent to your spam or junk folder.

If you still require assistance, please email your account details to customer service or call 1-800-333-1199.  We would be happy to assist you!

Customers that have purchased in-app subscriptions and issues do not need to sign into the app.  Customers who have made in-app purchases that need assistance should contact the support desk of iTunes or Google Play, depending on whom you purchased from.

For help with your iTunes in-app purchase or subscription, click here.

For help with your Google Play in-app purchase or subscription, click here.

Sharing of purchased Mobile Edition issues is not available.

The app itself is free to download from the App Store or GooglePlay. Once installed on your tablet or smartphone, issues from July 2014 forward are available.  The Mobile Edition is included for active US, Canadian, and International Scientific American print+digital and digital subscribers. Other subscribers may upgrade their current subscriptions by purchasing a print+digital or All Access subscription on our website.

The Mobile-only Scientific American subscription is $34.99, and single issues are $5.99.

The Mobile-only Scientific American Mind subscription is $19.99, and single issues are $5.99.

Unfortunately, subscriptions purchased from iTunes will only work in Apple devices.  Similarly, if you purchased your subscription from GooglePlay, then your app will only work in Android devices.

Only subscriptions purchased from Scientific American directly will allow you to access content on our apps, no matter what device you are using.

If you buy a subscription through iTunes or Google Play, your subscription will automatically renew until you cancel it.

For assistance with an in-app purchase, please contact iTunes or Google Play.

Your subscription will automatically renew until you cancel it through your iTunes or GooglePlay account.

For assistance with your iTunes purchase click here.

For assistance with your GooglePlay purchase click here.

You can contact customer service at 800-333-1199 or 001-1-515-248-7684.  You can also email us if you have app questions.