How to Get Zinio “Unofficially” Working on Your Android Device

Gear Diary is reader-supported. When you buy through links posted on our site, we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

You can learn more by clicking here.

If you’re like me, and you have been waiting for the official Zinio app for Android, then you’re going to have to wait a bit longer. I like to harass Zinio every once in a while on twitter about the Android app, and they usually tell me that it’s being worked on and to be patient. That’s all fine and well, but in the meantime, since I don’t have an apple device it’s really not worth buying any subscriptions because I have nothing to read them with. Some of the members of the XDA forums found that unacceptable, so they extracted the Zinio app from the European Samsung Galaxy Tab and were able to get it working on most of the devices that users have tested. I took a crack at it, and now have it successfully running on my Nook Color and HD2. It’s not working perfectly for everyone, but fortunately for me I don’t have any of the issues that others are experiencing.

If you have an Android device running 2.2 (Froyo) or higher, then it’s worth a shot. Here’s what to do.

Prerequisites:

  • Must have Android 2.2 or higher (Go to settings ->About phone->Android Version)
  • Must have flash installed (Market Link to Flash)
  • Must be able to sideload apps (most phones will work, phones on AT&T may have issues)

Download these 3 files:
PressReader.apk

ReadersHub.apk

Zinio.apk

Install the files in that order. If you’re not familiar with installing outside of the market, then all you need to do it download them, transfer them to your internal memory or SD card, then browse to those files in a file manager and click on them to install.

Once they are installed, find ReadersHub in your app drawer and open it (you will not see a Zinio app installed). Click magazines at the bottom and it should open up Zinio. Login, and enjoy your magazine subscriptions.

Some of the problems that others have been experiencing are:

  • Unable to login to Zinio account
  • program closes when in Landscape mode
  • does not work at all

I’ m running Android 2.3 on both of my devices and have not had an issue. Until we get the official Zinio App this is definitely worth a shot; this work-around  is good enough to hold me over until the real applications is released. Either way I’m glad I can finally get my subscriptions from Zinio and read them on my Android devices. I really am not sure why the official Zinio Android app is not completed yet, there are quite a bit of Android devices out in the wild and I’m sure there are plenty who would love to use their service.

*I take zero credit for any of this work, I simply got it from the forums and installed it.

Thanks to XDA member “hhspiny” for making this possible.

Via XDA (original thread)

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for your support!


About the Author

Gear Diary Staff
Gear Diary was founded on September 30, 2006, with the goal to create a website that would not easily be labeled. Everyone who is part of Gear Diary is a professional who uses technology in their work and daily lives. On this site, we share our enthusiasm while exploring the gear we use — the equipment that makes our lives easier, more entertaining, more productive, and more manageable. Our hope is that Gear Diary visitors find this site to be a welcoming, friendly, and accessible place to learn about and discuss interesting topics — and not only those that are tech-related! Gear Diary is a place to discover and explore all kinds of new gear, including smartphones, computers, kitchen gadgets, Toys, EDC, camping gear, or even your next new car! You can follow us on Twitter @GearDiarySite.

11 Comments on "How to Get Zinio “Unofficially” Working on Your Android Device"

  1. How to Get Zinio ?Unofficially? Working on Your Android Device #gadgets http://bit.ly/foQaIL

  2. RT @GearDiarySite: How to Get Zinio “Unofficially” Working on Your Android Device http://goo.gl/fb/YX7TL

  3. RT @GearDiarySite: How to Get Zinio “Unofficially” Working on Your Android Device http://goo.gl/fb/YX7TL

  4. How to Get Zinio “Unofficially” Working on Your Android Device | Gear Diary: http://bit.ly/ghGTVc

  5. staticsid | June 9, 2011 at 12:23 pm |

    This seems to be written for Samsung devices. It didn’t work on my HTC Desire

  6. Hello,

    I have a question. I’ll start by saying, I’ve never “programed” anything. So, I know not what I speak of. Given that, here goes…

    I have a Nook Color. It’s updated to the 1.2.0 version. I’ve read that is running Android 2.2 Froyo. I’m interested in getting the Zinio app for my Nook Color. Obviously, Barnes and Noble does not make the Zinio app available, nor do I think they ever will.

    I’ve visited the Zinio site and, as you mentioned above, until recently, they didn’t have an Andriod app to download. Now they do. But their requirements say you must be running Android 3.0 Honeycomb. I did notice a note on the Zinio site that they will have the Android 2.2 app out soon. But, who knows when that will take place.

    So, do you have a “recipe” that will get my coveted Zinio app on my Nook Color?

    Thank you, in advance, for the guidance!

  7. I haven’t been able to get it to work.  Got all three programs installed.  Zinio comes up and shuts down again.  Sometimes I’m able to go on the online Zinio website and begin looking at ordering magazines, but then Zinio shuts down.  Anything in the files I can edit?  It shows that it’s made for certain tablets – when it shuts down it says it’s for a specific tablet type.  Mine’s a generic one.   I’m running 2.2.  Any ideas?  I’m almost there…

  8. Hi almost the behaviour that you are describing is what I have with the official zinio from market with flash 11 on a generic tablet 2.2 !

  9. Magnus Kvant | March 18, 2012 at 4:12 am |

    I have the same problem- running Android 4.0- Zinio open and closes in a circle.

  10. Magnus Kvant | March 18, 2012 at 5:09 am |

    if this doesn’t work- try It works fine on my Hyundai A& Android 4

Comments are closed.