What a Des Moines Register subscription gives you
A Des Moines Register subscription is a paid membership to read news, sports, and opinion content from Iowa's largest newspaper. The Register offers both print editions delivered to your home and digital access through their website and mobile app. Which option you choose depends on whether you want the physical paper, online reading, or both.
The Register is owned by Gannett and covers Iowa politics, local news, high school and college sports, and agriculture. A subscription removes the paywall that limits how many articles you can read free each month, and it gives you access to their full archive of past reporting.
Key Takeaways
- The Des Moines Register offers digital-only, print-only, and print-plus-digital subscription plans at different price points.
- You can start a subscription through their website at desmoinesregister.com or by calling their customer service line.
- Digital subscriptions let you read on any device with a web browser or the Register's mobile app.
- Print subscriptions are delivered seven days a week, and you can pause or resume delivery through your account.
- The Register frequently offers introductory rates for new subscribers that are lower than the standard renewal price.
Digital-only subscriptions and what they include
A digital subscription gives you unlimited access to desmoinesregister.com and the Des Moines Register mobile app for iOS and Android. You can read on your phone, tablet, or computer, and your login works across all devices. Digital subscribers also get access to the e-Edition, which is a digital replica of the printed newspaper that you can read on a schedule that matches print delivery.
Digital subscriptions do not include a printed newspaper. If you want to read the physical paper, you need either a print-only plan or a print-plus-digital plan. The digital-only option is the least expensive tier and renews monthly or annually depending on which plan you choose at sign-up.
Print subscriptions and delivery options
A print subscription delivers the physical Des Moines Register to your address seven days a week. Print-only subscribers do not automatically get digital access, though the Register sometimes bundles it in. If you want both print and digital, you need to choose the print-plus-digital plan rather than adding digital to a print-only subscription.
Print delivery starts within a few business days of your order. You can pause delivery for vacations or resume it at any time through your online account. If you do not receive your paper on a particular morning, you can report it through the website or by phone, and customer service can redeliver it or credit your account.
How to start a subscription on the website
Go to desmoinesregister.com and look for the "Subscribe" button, usually located at the top of the page or in the menu. Click it and you will see the available plans: digital-only, print-only, and print-plus-digital. Each plan shows the introductory price (if one is running) and the renewal price after the introductory period ends.
Select the plan you want and enter your email address, payment method, and delivery address if you are ordering print. The Register accepts major credit cards and debit cards. After you complete the order, you will receive a confirmation email with your account details and instructions for downloading the mobile app if you chose a digital plan.
Subscribing by phone or mail
You can also start a subscription by calling the Des Moines Register customer service line. The phone number is listed on their website under "Contact Us." A representative can walk you through the available plans, answer questions about pricing, and process your payment over the phone. This route is useful if you have questions about your address, delivery timing, or which plan fits your needs.
The Register also accepts mail-in subscription orders, though this is slower than online or phone sign-up. You can request a subscription form through their website or by calling customer service. Mail orders typically take longer to process because the form has to arrive and be entered into their system manually.
Managing your account and making changes
Once you have a subscription, you can log into your account at desmoinesregister.com to pause delivery, change your payment method, update your address, or upgrade to a different plan. Your login is the email address you provided when you subscribed. If you forget your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset it.
If you have a print subscription and want to add digital access, or if you have digital and want to add print, you can upgrade through your account settings. The cost difference will be prorated based on your current billing cycle. Changes to your subscription usually take effect within one business day.
Canceling or pausing your subscription
You can pause your print delivery for up to 30 days at a time through your online account without canceling your subscription. This is useful for vacations or temporary absences. To pause, log in, go to your subscription settings, and select the dates you want delivery stopped. Delivery will resume automatically on the date you specify.
To cancel a subscription entirely, log into your account and select the cancellation option, or call customer service. The Register may offer you a discount to stay subscribed, but you are not required to accept it. After cancellation, you lose access to digital content when ready, and print delivery stops after your current billing period ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the e-Edition and the website?
The e-Edition is a page-by-page digital copy of the printed newspaper that looks like the physical paper. The website is organized by topic and updated throughout the day with breaking news. Both are included with digital subscriptions, and you can read whichever format you prefer.
Can I give someone else access to my subscription?
Digital subscriptions are for personal use only and tied to your login. You cannot share your password with household members or friends. If multiple people in your home want access, each person needs their own subscription or you need to contact customer service about household sharing options, which may be available depending on your plan.
Do I get a discount if I subscribe for a full year instead of monthly?
Yes. Annual subscriptions are usually cheaper per month than paying month-to-month. The exact savings depend on current promotions, but the Register typically offers a lower per-month rate if you commit to a full year upfront.
What happens if I move out of the Des Moines Register delivery area?
If you have a print subscription and move outside the delivery zone, you can keep your digital subscription but print delivery will stop. Contact customer service with your new address and they can tell you whether print delivery is available there or help you switch to digital-only.
Can I change my subscription plan without canceling?
Yes. You can upgrade or downgrade your plan through your account settings or by calling customer service. Changes take effect on your next billing date, and any price difference is prorated based on the days remaining in your current cycle.