Hello! I understand you're having trouble updating the catalogue in the PressReader app on your Mac running OS X 10.15.7. Let's work through this together.

To clarify a bit: When you say "unable to update the catalogue," is the issue happening inside the PressReader app itself or on the PressReader website? Also, do you see any error messages when you try to update the catalogue?

In the meantime, here are some initial steps to try:

1. Check Your Internet Connection: Make sure your Mac is connected to a stable internet network, as catalogue updates require a good connection.

2. Restart the PressReader App: Completely quit the app and reopen it. Sometimes a fresh start resolves temporary glitches.

3. Sign Out and Sign Back In: Log out of your PressReader account within the app and then log back in. This can refresh your account status.

4. Clear App Cache: While the Mac app may not have a direct cache clearing option, quitting and restarting after some time could help.

5. Update the PressReader App: Ensure you have the latest version installed. You can check for updates via the App Store.

If you've tried these and the problem persists, we can dive deeper into network settings or check if there are any server-side issues.

Could you let me know which steps you've already tried and any specific messages you see? This way, I can better assist you.

I’ve tried everything except no. 4. It just endlessly circles when attempting to update the catalogue

Thanks for the update! Since the catalogue update just keeps loading endlessly, and you've already tried restarting the app and signing out/in, let's try a couple of additional steps to clear any possible app cache or stuck processes on your Mac:

1. Force Quit PressReader and Restart the Mac:
- Click the Apple menu (top-left corner) → choose “Force Quit…”
- Select PressReader from the list and click “Force Quit.”
- After quitting, restart your Mac to clear any lingering temporary files.

2. Clear Temporary Files for PressReader:
- While macOS apps usually don’t have an explicit cache clearing option, you can try removing cached data manually:
- Open Finder, then click on "Go" in the menu bar and select "Go to Folder..."
- Enter ~/Library/Caches/ and look for any folders named related to PressReader.
- If you find any, move them to Trash (don’t worry, this only removes temporary files).
- Then, open "Go to Folder..." again and enter ~/Library/Application Support/ and check for PressReader’s folder.
- If you see anything suspicious or large in there, you can back it up elsewhere and then delete it.

3. Check for macOS System Updates:
- Go to Apple menu → System Preferences → Software Update.
- Make sure your macOS version 10.15.7 is fully up to date with any minor patches.

4. Reinstall PressReader:
- If the above doesn’t help, uninstall PressReader by dragging it to Trash.
- Download the latest version from the official App Store.
- Reinstall it and log in again.

If none of these resolve the issue, the problem could potentially be server-side or related to your network settings (such as firewall or DNS blocking connections). In that case, you might want to try updating the catalogue while connected to a different network (like a mobile hotspot).

Would you like me to guide you through any of these steps in detail? Or have you already tried some of them?

Failing to update the catalogue

Thanks for letting me know you’re still facing issues updating the catalogue. Since we've already gone through some standard steps, and the app keeps endlessly loading, it’s good to double-check a few things based on the latest info.

Here’s what I suggest trying next on your Mac with OS X 10.15.7:

1. Network Check:
Sometimes firewall or DNS settings can block the app from properly connecting to PressReader’s servers. Try these steps:
- Temporarily disable any VPNs or firewall software you might be running.
- If possible, connect your Mac to a different network (such as a personal hotspot) and attempt the update again.
This will help isolate if it’s a network-related block.

2. Reinstall the PressReader App:
Based on reports from other users with similar issues after updates, completely uninstalling and reinstalling the app often resolves catalogue update problems. Here’s how:
- Quit PressReader.
- Drag the PressReader app from your Applications folder to the Trash.
- Empty Trash.
- Re-download the latest PressReader version from the Mac App Store and install it.
- Sign in and try updating the catalogue again.

3. Check for Known Server Issues or Ongoing Updates:
PressReader has been gradually updating their catalogue and resolving some backend bugs. This can sometimes cause temporary disruptions while the content is syncing or updating. You can monitor their official help center or social media (like their PressReaderCare Twitter/X account) for announcements regarding maintenance or outages.

4. Contacting Support:
If none of these steps work and the endless loading continues, it could be due to a bug or an account-specific issue that requires their backend team’s intervention. You can reach PressReader Support directly via:
- Email: [email protected]
- Help Center: https://help.pressreader.com/hc/en-us

Would you like me to guide you through the reinstallation process or help with checking your network settings? Also, just to confirm, are you using a library or institutional access, or a personal PressReader subscription? Sometimes access type can affect catalog updates too.

Let me know!

I deleted it and reinstalled it. I had updated the app today. The app size was 8.19gb

Thanks for the update! I see you’ve already deleted and reinstalled the app, and the app size is about 8.19 GB, which is normal since PressReader caches many publications for offline reading.

Since the app is still stuck updating the catalogue despite a fresh reinstall and update, let's try a few more focused steps:

1. Check Disk Space:
- Make sure your Mac has enough free disk space. Although the app takes up a lot of space, it needs room to write temporary files during updates. To check, click the Apple menu → About This Mac → Storage.

2. Reset Network Settings for the App:
- Sometimes PressReader needs a fresh network connection. Try this:
- Quit the app.
- Open System Preferences → Network → Advanced → DNS tab.
- Add a reliable DNS server like Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.
- Click OK and Apply.
- Try opening PressReader and updating the catalogue again.

3. Delete Application Support Files:
- Beyond just caches, some corrupted support files might block updates. You can manually delete these:
- In Finder, press Command + Shift + G and enter ~/Library/Application Support/
- Locate the PressReader folder and move it to Trash (you may want to back up first).
- Restart PressReader and sign in again.

4. Check Console Logs for Errors:
- Open Console.app (in Applications > Utilities), filter by "PressReader," and try updating the catalogue again to see if any error messages pop up. This can help pinpoint if there’s a specific crash or network timeout happening.

5. Try a Different User Account:
- Create a new user account on your Mac (System Preferences → Users & Groups → + button), log into that account, install PressReader, and see if the update works there. This can highlight whether the issue is specific to your current user profile.

If these steps don’t help, the issue may be more complex and could require a deeper look from PressReader’s technical team.

Would you like me to guide you step-by-step through any of these? Also, are you using a personal or institutional subscription? That sometimes impacts catalogue access.

Let me know how it goes!

It worked and the app size is now 181.7 Mb. How do I stop it from downloading vast quantities of unwanted data? None of my other apps come anywhere near 8 gigabytes

Great to hear that the app size dropped to about 181.7 MB after clearing the data! Large storage usage by PressReader is usually due to the app downloading and caching entire publications for offline reading, which can accumulate quickly.

To help you reduce PressReader’s data and storage usage on your iPhone (and similarly on your Mac), here are some practical tips:

1. Limit Offline Downloading:
PressReader caches content so you can read offline, but you can control what and how much it downloads:
- In the PressReader app settings, look for options like “Auto-download” or “Cache settings.”
- Set it to only download what you want to read, or disable auto-downloading completely.

2. Clear Cache Regularly:
Clearing the cache frees up space without deleting your account or downloaded articles:
- On iPhone, go to iPhone Settings > General > iPhone Storage > PressReader, then choose “Offload App” to remove the app but keep data, or “Delete App” to remove everything and reinstall.
- In the PressReader app, some versions offer an in-app cache clearing option under settings (you can check for this).

3. Manage Downloads Manually:
- After reading a title offline, delete it from your downloads so it doesn’t stay stored in the app.
- Regularly review and remove older publications you no longer need offline.

4. Disable Background App Refresh and Mobile Data (if wanted):
To stop PressReader from downloading content in the background:
- Go to iPhone Settings > General > Background App Refresh, and turn it off for PressReader.
- In Settings > Cellular (Mobile Data), you can turn off cellular data access for PressReader to restrict downloads to Wi-Fi only.

5. Use Data Saver Mode (if available):
PressReader or your device may offer data saver modes that reduce bandwidth and cache size during use.

By managing downloads and clearing cache regularly, you can keep the app’s storage use reasonable and avoid those gigabyte-sized builds1.

Would you like me to walk you through adjusting these settings on your Mac? Or do you have any specific questions about how to clear cache or manage downloads?

I have an iPad so it’s not that easy.

I understand managing PressReader storage and using the app smoothly on your iPad can feel tricky. I can guide you on how to use PressReader easily on your iPad while managing storage efficiently.

Here are some useful tips tailored for iPad PressReader use:

1. Browsing and Selecting Publications:
- Open the PressReader app and use the search or browse features to pick newspapers or magazines you want to read. Tap a cover to see details.
- When you tap "Read," it downloads just that publication for offline use, which helps avoid large automatic downloads.

2. Control Auto-Downloads and Cache:
- On iPad, go to PressReader settings (usually the gear icon or under your profile).
- Look for options like "Auto-download" or "Download settings." Disable auto-download to prevent large data usage.
- Manually download only titles you want, then remove them once finished to keep storage light.

3. Manage Storage on iPad:
- After reading, tap and hold a downloaded publication cover and select delete/remove to free space.
- Regularly check your iPad’s storage: Settings > General > iPad Storage > PressReader to see how much space it uses and clear data if needed.

4. Helpful Video Tutorials:
- This video walks you through getting started with PressReader on iPad and iPhone: Getting started with the PressReader app (for iPad and iPhone)
- For step-by-step visual guidance, this tutorial is great: Read newspapers and magazines using PressReader

5. Quick Start Guides:
- If you like PDFs, here’s a concise guide on navigating PressReader features on Apple devices, including iPad usage: Pressreader Quick Start Guide

By manually managing your downloads and disabling auto-downloads, you can enjoy PressReader on your iPad without it consuming excessive storage.

Would you like me to help you step-by-step to check these settings on your iPad?

Using PressReader on your iPad can be a smooth and enjoyable experience once you get familiar with its features. Here are some practical pointers to help you use the app easily:

1. Getting Started and Browsing:
- Open the PressReader app, and use the search or browse tools to find newspapers or magazines you like.
- Tap a cover to see more about a publication, then tap “Read” to open it. The app will download that publication for offline reading.

2. Manage Downloads to Save Space:
- Only download the titles you want to read, and after finishing, delete them by tapping and holding the cover and selecting remove or delete.
- This helps you avoid accumulating large amounts of cached data on your iPad.

3. Settings to Control Auto-Downloads:
- Check the app’s settings (look for a gear icon or tap your profile).
- Turn off “Auto-download” or similar options to prevent the app from downloading unwanted content automatically.

4. Helpful Visual Guides:
- This video tutorial is great for beginners and shows how to get started on iPad: Getting started with the PressReader app (for iPad and iPhone)
- Another tutorial explains reading newspapers and magazines in detail: Read newspapers and magazines using PressReader

5. Quick Start Guide PDF:
- For a concise guide with steps and tips for Apple devices, you might find this PDF handy: PressReader Quick Start Guide

Would you like me to help walk you through any specific steps or settings on your iPad to get started comfortably?