Chapter 1: Understanding the Medium App Experience

Have you ever wondered about the true challenges of the Medium app? It seems that a staggering 68% of users access Medium via their smartphones. This raises the question: Are they just reading articles, or are they attempting to write as well? If you’ve ever tried crafting an article using the Medium app from Google Play, you’ll understand my surprise at this statistic.

This article was initially published in The Shortform on December 14, 2021, and it sparked numerous discussions among writers and readers alike:

• Yana Bostongirl: "I only use the app for reading and commenting; my comments seem to disappear often."
• Jonas Itt: "I mainly read on the app and occasionally write comments. Writing isn’t ideal."
• Duvy McGirr: "I thought I was the only one! I only read on the app while away from my computer."
• Edie Postiglione: "I've given up trying to do anything but read on the app."
• Joanne Olivieri: "Let's focus on the positives; at least I don’t need to color my hair anymore due to app frustrations!"
• Danielle Hestand: "I imagine writing would be tough on the app. I mostly read and comment."
• Patricia Groshong: "Some tasks simply need a computer. This is one of them!"
• Jimmy Misner Jr.: "I’ve heard too many complaints about the app, so I’ve never tried it."

I appreciate all of your insights; your willingness to share means a lot to me.

In my piece published on October 26, 2022, I reflected on the difficulty of managing the writing process on the app. It’s a tool I find valuable, especially for reading stories from others and engaging with them at night. It’s so much easier to hold a phone while lying comfortably in bed than to balance a laptop on my lap!

One user, Mulan, echoed my sentiments: "I prefer reading at night, too, and I use the Medium app."

Later, in a May 18, 2024 article in The Shortform, I came across a quote from Richard Due that perfectly encapsulates the writer's struggle during editing: "I’ve reached that final moment of editing a book, the one where the text manifests as a living breathing person and starts slugging me in the face." This quote resonates with anyone who has faced the challenges of editing their work.

The Medium app can feel overwhelming, especially when searching for editing tools on a small phone screen. It’s like the app is giving you a metaphorical punch in the face while you try to make necessary adjustments!

If you haven't read my earlier discussion on the app's utility, you can find it here:

Is the Medium App Truly Helpful?

These reflections prompted various responses:

• Stephen Sovie: "I prefer writing on my laptop; the app is too confusing."
• Mawde Olssen: "I've found it frustrating and prefer my laptop. Maybe they’ll improve it?"
• Jasmine Aguilar: "The app isn’t effective for writing. I save that for my laptop and use the app for reading and replying."
• Rashida Beal: "The app drives me mad! It often fails to save my selections."
• David Weldy: "It’s good for reading and editing, but writing? No way."
• Vidya Sury: "I uninstalled the app after becoming frustrated. I’ll stick to my laptop."

It appears the primary flaw of the Medium app is its limited screen size. Smartphone screens range from 6.2 to 6.9 inches, while laptops provide an average screen size of 15 inches, which is significantly more accommodating for editing and writing.

While the app excels in reading, it falls short for drafting your next big project.

I’d love to hear thoughts from my friends Jan Sebastian and Lu Skerdoo about their experiences with the Medium app.

Thank you for reading! If you'd like to support my writing on Medium, consider buying me a coffee.

Jonathan D. Townend, RMN. Top Writer in Space. Subscribe to never miss a story!