Hi! I understand you're having trouble with the Substack app on your iPad, where it won’t download or it just goes back to the homepage. I'd like to get a bit more information so I can help you better.

When you say "won’t download," do you mean the app isn’t installing from the App Store, or that it installs but won’t open properly and just sends you back to the app’s homepage? Also, are you running into this issue specifically within the app after launching it, or when trying to read/download posts?

Meanwhile, here are some initial steps you can try on your iPad (macOS 10.15.7 is your OS X version, which is for Mac—but since it’s an iPad, ensuring your iPad’s own iOS version is updated is important):

1. Check iPad iOS Version: On your iPad, go to Settings > General > Software Update and make sure it’s updated to the latest iPadOS version your device supports. Outdated systems can cause app issues.

2. Reinstall the App:
- Delete the Substack app from your iPad if it’s installed by holding the app icon and tapping "Remove App."
- Restart your iPad by powering it off and on again.
- Reinstall Substack from the App Store.

3. Clear App Cache and Data: Since the app itself doesn’t provide direct cache clearing on iOS, reinstalling is usually sufficient to clear the cache.

4. Check Network Connection: Confirm that your Wi-Fi or cellular connection is stable and not blocking the app’s access. Sometimes VPNs or restrictive network settings might cause redirect loops or prevent content from downloading.

5. Login Link Issues: If you’re experiencing login troubles where clicking on login emails just sends you back to the homepage, try to open the login link in Safari first and then open the Substack app.

If the app installs but then gets stuck or behaves unusually (like just bouncing back to the homepage after trying to open or download posts), this may be a glitch with the app version or compatibility problem.

Please try these and let me know what happens. Also, could you share the exact model and iOS version of your iPad? This will help me tailor the advice better.

If necessary, I can look into if there’s a known issue with the Substack app on your device model or system version1 3.

Looking forward to your reply!

Already deleted app,and reloaded. I have a iPhone 12

Thanks for the update and for letting me know you’re using an iPhone 12. Since you’ve already deleted and reinstalled the Substack app, but it still takes you back to the homepage or doesn’t work as expected, let’s try a few more focused steps:

1. Restart Your iPhone 12
Sometimes a simple restart can clear up temporary glitches. Hold the side button and either volume button until the slider appears, then slide to power off. After it turns off, press the side button again to turn it back on.

2. Check for iOS Updates
Ensure your iPhone 12 is running the latest iOS version:
Settings > General > Software Update. Some app issues stem from OS version incompatibilities.

3. Network and VPN Settings
If you use a VPN or any network filtering apps, try disabling them temporarily. Substack sometimes fails to load content correctly if VPNs interfere with its network requests.

4. Login Links and Account Check
If you’re trying to login through email links and getting sent back to the homepage, try opening the link first in Safari, then open the Substack app manually. This can help ensure the login session is correctly initiated.

5. Clear Website Data for Safari
Even though you’re using the app, Substack uses web resources internally. Clearing Safari cache might help:
Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data.

6. Contact Support / Check for Known Issues
There have been some reports on Reddit about similar app crashes or redirects on iPhones after reinstalling the Substack app1. If none of the above steps solve it, it might be a bug with the current app version or account-related glitches.
- You can reach out via Substack support at [email protected] for specialized help.
- Meanwhile, checking Substack's status pages or forums might reveal if they are experiencing any downtime or issues.

If you want, I can guide you through each step or help draft a message to support. Just let me know!

Are you satisfied with these suggestions so far?

Says website not allowed how to fix

Thanks for sharing that the Substack app is showing a "website not allowed" error. This kind of message usually points to some kind of restriction that’s blocking the app from accessing the Substack website or its resources.

Here’s what you can try to fix this issue on your iPhone 12:

1. Check for Firewall, Security, or Network Restrictions
Make sure your iPhone or your Wi-Fi network isn’t blocking Substack’s domain. If you have any firewall, security, or parental control apps installed, check their settings to ensure that "substack.com" is allowed or whitelisted. Sometimes these settings block certain websites or app servers, causing errors like "website not allowed."1

2. Disable VPN or Proxy Connections
If you use a VPN or proxy service on your iPhone, try disabling it temporarily. VPNs can interfere with app network connections, causing access errors.

3. Check Screen Time and Content Restrictions
Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. See if there’s anything enabled that might restrict websites or apps. If so, either adjust the settings or turn off restrictions temporarily.

4. Reset Network Settings
Sometimes network configuration glitches on iOS cause access issues. You can reset network settings by going to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. (Note: This will remove saved Wi-Fi passwords, so make sure you know them before doing this.)

5. Try Logging in Through Safari First
If the issue happens during login, open the login link in the Safari browser first. Successfully logging in on Safari may help establish a session that the app can then use.

After trying these, restart your iPhone and open the Substack app to see if the "website not allowed" error is resolved.

If none of these steps work, it could be a more specific issue related to the app or your account, and contacting Substack support at [email protected] is a good next step.

Would you like me to help walk you through any of these steps? Are you currently using any VPNs or security apps on your iPhone?

Worked fine last night powered down my iPad now won’t work I don’t use safari how to log in to it

Thanks for explaining that your Substack app on your iPad worked fine last night but after powering down, you can’t log in and don’t use Safari. Let’s work through how to get you logged in without relying on Safari specifically.

Substack’s login process often sends a magic login link via email, which typically opens in a browser (Safari on iOS). Since you prefer not to use Safari, here are some options to try:

1. Use Another Browser on Your iPad
If you have a different browser installed—like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge—you can open the login email link in that browser instead. After logging in there once, try opening the Substack app again; sometimes the session carries over.

2. Copy-Paste the Login Link
Open your email app on the iPad where you get the Substack login emails. Instead of tapping directly on the login link, press and hold on the link and choose “Copy.” Then open your preferred browser, paste the link into the address bar, and go to it.

3. Temporarily Use Safari for Login
If no other browser is installed or doesn’t work, you might need to allow Safari just this one time to open the link to establish a login session. You can then switch back to your preferred browser or app. This is because Substack uses the system browser to authenticate, which is usually Safari on iPads.

4. Check Mail App Settings
Some mail apps allow you to choose which browser opens links by default. You can check your mail app settings to set your preferred browser instead of Safari.

5. Update iPadOS and Substack App
Ensure your iPad’s software and the Substack app are fully updated, as sometimes login issues happen due to version mismatches.

Since you mentioned it was working before powering down, sometimes authentication sessions expire when the device restarts, prompting a fresh login that relies on opening the link in a browser at least once.

If using a browser for the initial login link really isn’t an option for you, or these steps don’t help, contacting Substack support at [email protected] might be the next best step so they can offer further account-specific assistance3 4.

Would you like me to guide you through setting up another browser or configuring your mail app to open login links differently?

I had a private tab open and removed it would this be a issue

Thanks for asking about the private tab you had open and then removed on your iPad—wondering if that could be causing your Substack login issues. Let me clarify how this might affect your experience.

When you mention a "private tab," I’m assuming you mean a private or incognito browsing window within a browser like Safari or another browser on your iPad. Private tabs don’t save cookies, login sessions, or site data once closed. So if you were logged into Substack or had a login link open in a private tab, closing that tab can clear the session data needed to keep you logged in.

This means:

- If you had a Substack login link opened in a private tab and you closed it before completing login or before the session was established in the Substack app, it could explain why you’re being sent back to the homepage or having trouble logging in now.

- The private tab’s temporary session data being removed would require you to initiate the login flow again, typically by opening the login link in a regular (non-private) browser tab.

Private mode itself is a browser feature and doesn’t impact the app’s own internal data or account status directly—unless you were relying on private tab sessions to log in.

So yes, removing a private tab with an active or pending login session can disrupt the login flow and cause issues like the ones you’re experiencing.

What I recommend now is:

1. Try to open your Substack login email link using a normal browser tab (not private) on your iPad, or even another device. This will help establish a persistent login session.

2. Then open the Substack app and see if you remain logged in or can proceed without redirection to the homepage.

3. If you don’t want to use Safari, you can try installing another browser and open the login link there as I mentioned before.

If you want, I can guide you through opening the login link in a regular browser or help with any other step.

Let me know if this explains the issue or if you'd like help with the next steps!

More about Substack’s private mode and login processes 1

I use duckduckgo

Thanks for letting me know you use DuckDuckGo as your browser on your iPad. That’s a great privacy-focused choice! Since you prefer using DuckDuckGo instead of Safari, here’s how you can handle logging into Substack with your DuckDuckGo browser and avoid issues like the "website not allowed" or being bounced back to the homepage:

1. Open the Substack Login Email Link in DuckDuckGo Browser
When you get a Substack login email, instead of tapping the link directly (which might default to Safari), press and hold the login link in your email app, then choose “Copy.” Open your DuckDuckGo browser, paste the link into the address bar, and go from there. This ensures the login flow happens entirely in DuckDuckGo.

2. Set DuckDuckGo as Default Browser
On iPadOS, you can set DuckDuckGo browser as your default browser so all links open there automatically. Go to Settings > DuckDuckGo > Default Browser App and select DuckDuckGo. This helps the magic login links open in your preferred browser instead of Safari.

3. After Successful Login in DuckDuckGo, Open Substack App
Once your login session is successfully established in DuckDuckGo, try opening the Substack app again. The app can usually detect your logged-in status and will let you access your content without bouncing you back.

4. Disable Any Content Blockers in DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo’s browser blocks trackers and some scripts by default. Sometimes, these protections can interfere with login flows on some websites. Temporarily disable any privacy protections or content blockers in DuckDuckGo for Substack.com to ensure a smooth login.

5. Update DuckDuckGo Browser and Substack App
Make sure both your DuckDuckGo browser and Substack app are fully updated on your iPad. Updates often fix bugs related to authentication and compatibility.

If you continue having trouble, sometimes the app’s login system is tightly integrated with iOS’s system browser (Safari), which can complicate things when using third-party browsers. In that case, temporarily allowing Safari to open the login link might be necessary, even if you don’t use it regularly.

Would you like me to walk you through setting DuckDuckGo as the default browser or adjusting its privacy settings for Substack? Let me know how you’d like to proceed!

Should I contact apple support

Thanks for asking whether to contact Apple Support for your Substack app issue. Since this seems to be about logging in or accessing content within the Substack app—and not a broader device or iOS system problem—it’s usually best to first work with Substack’s own support team. They specialize in app-specific issues, account authentication, and potential bugs in their app.

Apple Support typically handles hardware problems, iOS system issues, or problems with the App Store itself (like purchases or downloads). Because your Substack app is installed but not working as expected, and especially since this involves login links and website access, the root cause is likely related to the app or your Substack account.

I recommend contacting Substack at [email protected] with details about your issue, the device (iPad, iPhone 12), your iOS version, and the problem you’re facing. They might have seen this before and can offer targeted help.

If you notice other unusual behavior on your device beyond Substack (like app crashes across many apps, network problems, or system instability), then Apple Support would be a good next step.

Does that make sense? Would you like help drafting a message to Substack support to explain your problem clearly?

Thanks

Great question! Using the Substack app effectively can really enhance your experience whether you’re reading or writing newsletters. Here are some friendly tips to help you get the most out of the app:

1. Subscribe to Interests
Use the app to find and subscribe to newsletters that match your interests or niche. Substack’s strength is its diverse community of writers, so explore different creators to find content you love.

2. Read and Listen
The app allows you to read newsletters conveniently, and some creators offer audio versions you can listen to. This is great for multitasking or when you’re on the go.

3. Engage with Comments and Community
If available, check out and participate in comments on posts. Substack creates a space for readers and writers to interact, so engaging can deepen your experience and build connections.

4. Use Notes and Social Features
Some recent versions introduce features like Notes, where you can share quick thoughts or highlight parts of newsletters. This helps you engage socially and discover related content.

5. Manage Your Subscriptions
Keep an eye on your subscriptions in the app—manage which newsletters you follow, mark posts as read, and adjust notification settings so you get updates in a way that fits your routine.

6. Explore Monetization Options if You’re a Creator
If you write newsletters, Substack lets you set up paid subscriptions, offer free and paid content, and grow your audience using built-in tools. Learning these features can help you use the app more strategically.

If you’d like a more in-depth beginner’s overview or visual walkthroughs, there are some helpful guides and tutorials online, like this beginner's guide to Substack1 or Reddit discussions where users share practical tips about using the app effectively2. Also, YouTube tutorials provide great step-by-step help if you prefer video demonstrations3.

Would you like me to walk you through any specific part of the app or how to set something up?