AARP Now Reviews

‘Cuz AARPNow — the NEW app, replacing two no-longer-supported apps (AARP & AARP Member Benefits), looks like it was designed for iOS 3.
First of all, a non-Universal app that doesn’t even support landscape and must be viewed at 2X on an iPad is, IMO, pathetic. Who’s advising you on this stuff, some Windows programmer? And Universal is the minimum. No iPad version is just poor policy, especially for an app that wants to be as much as this one seems to.
But here is what really bugs me: If you are working in AARPNow , filling out a form or registering for something, and need to switch to another app for some reason (e.g., to look something up), when you switch back to AARP Now, it opens back to the home page, all entries one had made being lost in the process. That is completely unacceptable.
This happened to me just the other day, as I tried to sign up for the driver safety course thru AARPNow (my fundamental error, should have used a browser). I was almost all the way thru, then needed to check something in another app. When I switched back to AARP Now, I was backat the home page as described above. Meanwhile, my credit card was charged, but I cannot find any access to the course, and have not received a purchase confirmation. Because AARPNow reset to home before the process was complete.
Fix these please…🤔😉😊

TL;DR: Not optimized for iPad’s bigger screen real estate; Keychain functionality missing.

I really blame Apple for this. I’ve seen a lot of this; Apple allows a developer to say their app works on the iPad. Technically, this is true. But what that means to you and me and millions of other users is that we expect the darn thing to not be the iPhone app running on the iPad. We expect orientation modes to work, and the full screen to be utilized. Not a tiny window that renders your big, beautiful iPad into just a mirror of your iPhone screen. But Apple lets developers claim it works on the iPad when really it doesn’t. Next is Keychain, the super helpful iOS built-in password manager. This isn’t Apple’s fault, but the developers. A big, rich organization like AARP ought to support the automated filling in of login credentials on their app. I mean, AARP is constantly warning seniors about the dangers of weak passwords and phishing scams etc., yet they don’t even optimize their app to support using Keychain, which is a great way to create a really strong password without having to memorize (or write down!) a random string of characters! Do better Apple and AARP. We know you have the resources to manage that.

I had missed the deadline to renew, so as soon as I restarted my membership, I installed AARPNow. When I tried to set up AARPNow , it asked me to enter my membership number to “connect my membership with my AARP account.” That is confusing, as what would be the difference between my membership account and my membership?
AARPNow showed my membership as having expired, despite my logging in with the same credentials as on the web (where my membership was good and expiration was years in the future).
SOLUTION: I followed the activation link in the renewal-success email ON my iPhone. (I had already followed that link on desktop, but that didn’t activate my account on AARPNow .) That link in the email on my iPhone brought AARPNow up directly (no side trip to Mobile Safari!) and instantly activated my account on AARPNow . That’s actually very cool, as many developers don’t connect straight to their apps. Hopefully this helps others.

AARPNow doesn’t allow you to cancel your account! Oh it has the feature to do so but when you click cancel AARPNow pops up a “are you sure?” pop up that prevents you from canceling your account. Then to add insult to injury they show that their call center is open until 11pm EST, nope, closed before 8:15pm EST when I tried to call them.
Since they want to continue scamming me then I’m calling my bank in the morning to have any future charges denied! Guess that is the only way to stop them from scamming me further.
Why would anyone belong to AARP? I get better discounts from anyone else! As an example; Valvoline Oil Change, with AARP discount $146, even the dealership only charges $78! Spend a little time researching this company and whatever you do don’t believe these glowing reviews, they must be by fake bought and paid for shill’s.
Go ahead and keep my $16 you scammers, it’s a cheap education as I now know how you’re just another for profit company taking advantage of the elderly and not about helping protect the elderly.

I used the old app to read the magazine and newsletter. I downloaded the new app and see that it’s only available in portrait mode and is really a phone app, not an iPad app. I read reviews that are well over a year old and saw the same complaints I’m writing here. Developer responses said (back then) that they are always looking for ways to improve their app. Clearly no one on the developer’s team is actually listening because nothing has changed. AARP, as your members become more tech savvy and have greater expectations of tech products, why do you continue to ignore us? Don’t bother responding to this review with the same old “thank you for your opinion, we are always looking to improve our product.” No, you’re not. By the time you read this I’ll have already deleted your app. I’ll check back yearly from this date to see if you finally truly have listened to us and have improved your app.

Have always liked AARP ever since I joined this great organization. Also love the way this organization has a supplemental medical plan after retirement. I checked into so many plans till I found AARP Plan. I’ve been so happy with this plan I signed up for 7 years ago. They’ve been very go to me and sure they will when my wife retires in December 2022. Check out AARP and there retirement medical plan compared to all those other companies out there. You’ll find out what I found out how they charge for there medical retirement plan. I owe them so much. THANKS

I can’t rate it because I just downloaded AARPNow today. But there are a few differences from the website you might fix.
AARPNow profile doesn’t show my spouse as secondary member even though the .org website does.
AARPNow also doesn’t show auto renewal but the website does.
I don’t see a way to give feedback about AARPNow except in this review. You might add app feedback in the contacts section.

The functionality of the collection of iOS apps with AARP in the name is not apparent to the naked observer. What do each of them do, except demand different orientations which are mostly at odds with different devices? I’m sure there is actual good intent behind the various offerings, but I’ll admit to my mystification.

Perhaps a one page roadmap or just a chart: Name of app : intended information for the member : target device : which way to hold the device? Or a list of all official AARP apps with an estimated time to grasp the functionality and links to explanations of why they exist?

I gave AARPNow a middling rating because I can’t figure out what it’s supposed to do, or if it wants me to do something, but it does have an entertaining collection of endlessly spinning beach balls.

I don’t know. I don’t usually think of myself as tech challenged. I could be wrong about that. Please tell us where the clues are hidden.

I like that your articles are short into the point.I just read the article about five items that will be scarce at the grocery stores this year. I like that I could read it and not have to go around the history of the world before you got to the point. Sometimes I don’t have time to read a long article or I have some health problems and I can’t read for a long time .thank you

It is hard to find good info for health and general upkeep of a senior lifestyle. ASRP provides good updates and clear easy to read info on much of what you should or want to know.
They also offer great discounts. We just saved a ton of money on our rental car from our just passed 2 week vacation.
I am glad to be a AARP member and will continue to do so.

When I searched for AARPNow and saw one for an iPad, I happily downloaded it. I figured, like many of the Apps, it would just ‘accommodate’ to whichever position in which the iPad was being used. I, like many, have a keyboard attached to my iPad. It’s very inconvenient, as well as uncomfortable to attempt to position my iPad for viewing in the portrait position while everything is in the landscape position! Please! These reviews read as if many others have the same issue that I do! Please upgrade your App to be able to be used either in portrait OR landscape modes! If you do, I’d give you a 5.0, just for the relief of my neck and shoulder pain from trying to work with AARPNow in portrait mode!

Absolutely the worst app I have for any org. It’s not even optimized for iPads so you get a tiny phone sized screen in the middle of a big black, wasted screen. Your are then limited to the few icons at the bottom to navigate the few things Aarp allows. There is no linkage to the Medicare advantage plan, not sure I’ve found how to get into staying sharp. It’s an abysmal app that they dumbed down way too much, I guess they think seniors are too to be able to a full featured app. This is really sad. If not for the Medicare advantage plan I’d probably cancel my Aarp membership. I really get very little from it because it is so user unfriendly.

I went on to book a trip for the first time on the AARP website and spent over 20 minutes just trying to get a hotel which I already knew which one I wanted and a flight. It took forever because you couldn’t find things and a lot of places after entering the information there was no done or enter button so you had to figure it out yourself. It also was about $600 more than the other sites I went to. My first and last time using it. I hope the rest the website is not as bad and if it is, I’m just going to get on the phone instead.

I cannot view either copies of the current or past AARPBulletins or AARP Magazines. Previously, there was a AARP Publications app that gave access to these issues, are you going to give that access to these publications? AARPNow is a step backwards for those of us that have difficulty reading the small pint in the hard copy publications I receive. I believe many people would prefer to read theses publications online and cancel the hard copy issues. You could save a lot by providing digital versions rather than sending print versions that many probably discard without reading.

Haven’t been able to sign in since joining. Looking at reviews, it looks like it hasn’t worked in a long time! What the heck are we paying for???

Also, always a canned “so sorry, we’re fixing it” or no response at all. Looks like one guy running this out of his shed (can’t even afford a garage to run it from, despite all the paid members).

I think I’m more angry that this is a long time unaddressed problem, than I am that we just wasted money on it. You have a lot of seniors you are taking advantage of by not fixing the problems. You owe every one of them their money back!!!

If it wasn’t for AARP I’d never know of the “news” that’s solely available for Seniors. I’m a former journalist and informative news for Seniors is essential. It can be a life time to the “time” left and how to make the most of it. I’m not trying to be dramatic just a realist. Thank you…

I recently joined AARP. I downloaded AARPNow and during the 2-3 weeks I’ve been a member I’ve only been able to access AARPNow once. I am constantly receiving an error message “Sorry. Something went wrong on our end. Please try again in a few moments.” I’ve deleted/re-downloaded a handful of times. I’ve reached out on AARP website to an AARP member over chat without resolution to the login problem. If I cannot access the mobile app, I cannot access the deals my membership offers. Defeats the purpose of being a member. Please fix AARPNow .

I just received my packet with my cards. In the packet, underneath the new cards, it shows two ways to access your membership. One is to log on the website. The other is to text a word to the number listed and it’s supposed to give you a link so that you can download AARPNow . I did that… And got a message telling me that I should call the 800 number.

Additionally, I have used AARPNow before and found it deeply lacking. News articles are somewhat helpful but there’s not a whole lot else. I see the discount section, but it’s really not impressive. From other reviews I’ve read, it would appear that iOS is not supported or the developers are not focused on AARPNow.

It doesn’t appear at this time that the developers are interacting at all with those who write reviews. This is an obvious clue that the user is on their own.

Disappointing at best.

I just downloaded AARPNow and all the events are basically listed in the middle of the night. Just thought you might want to fix that. Also when I clicked on “get tickets,” nothing happens. Hope to see this stuff fixed, so that AARPNow becomes more useable. Thank you!

Every senior should be sure they get AARP . They offer us so much in the ways we need to be involved and informed on all issues pertaining to our age group! They advocate for us. They bring us much needed discounts for so many services! I am thankful for you ! I give you a trillion stars !

This is awesome! I get points for my Apple Watch workouts! I’ve wanted this for a long time since I’ve never had a Fitbit. Now everyone can be happy. Looks like the rewards program changed for the better too.

I am having difficulty downloading to register AARPNow . My membership is good through Sept 10 th . I need this resolved before my trip as you cannot seen me a replacement card to use in time for my trip . I have never used this card for any discounts but does not seem user friendly when I do want to use it

Great app providing easy access to my AARP membership card, plus news relevant to me and useful info events and discounts.

AARPNow is useless, because it’s difficult to see in portrait. Older people, who you represent can see better if the screen can rotate. (Or perhaps it’s the advertisers) Please do not respond with your usual “landscape is not available at this time.” JUST FIX IT. If you can’t then get a more qualified IT team.

The new app looks great but the maps for our events is the same map for each event. Please fix this. It would be nice to have the correct map for each event. Thank you.

I noticed the aarp app on my iPad didn’t update, and the message was it was discontinued and to load the new aarp now app. The AppStore shows it as an iPad app, but the download is an iPhone version, portrait mode only, and shrunk to fit iPhone form.
Is there an iPad version?

I just purchased the 2 year membership for 20 dollars. Including a gift wireless speaker. Email saying thank you. And you’re membership will renewal at 16 dollars the following year. Should be after 2 years. Correct ?

I've just downloaded the new app & it seems to only open on Portrait format. I use Landscape so find this very bothersome...a royal pain. Soooooo...unless that changes I’ll use the internet. Why in blazes do you & others assume everyone uses the same tilt? Grrrrrr!

I was hoping to find broader information, tap into past articles relevant to me. Maybe some planning information or tools.

On the website to add your activity tracker (Apple Watch) it says I need to install the AARP Now app, I did and there is nothing here to sync the watch to my AARP acct to start earning the 150 points a day.

I’ve downloaded AARPNow . Where are the directions for linking to my Apple Watch Health?

In order to sync my apple health to my account you need to have version 2.0. I have checked my iPhone and iPad and both only have version 2.19 available.

I downloaded his for my iPhone then for the iPad. It’s not an iPad formatted version. Can you create this for the iPad please. Thanks.

I renewed my membership online and yet AARPNow does not renew the virtual card.