Update Sparks BacklashLead
Spiritual Nebula Limited's June 8 update to Nebula: Spiritual Guidance, version 6.40.0, has triggered a severe user backlash over aggressive and allegedly unauthorized charges. This has caused the app's average rating to drop sharply from 4.48 to 3.54 stars.
Opaque Release NotesRelease Summary
The official release notes for version 6.40.0 on the App Store were generic, promising only "Enhanced application stability" and "Minor bug fixes." Spiritual Nebula Limited provided no transparency about changes to the app's payment systems or trial mechanics, which became the central point of user complaints after the update.[2]
Billing and Trial FailuresBreaking Changes
The most serious complaints concern monetization. Users on version 6.40.0 report being charged without consent and encountering broken trial features. One 1-star reviewer stated, "They just charged me $70 without me every agreeing to any of the purchases."
Another critical bug appears to be trial features failing to progress after payment. A user wrote, "I paid for the trial and after several days the free aura color is at 5% and the Free Palmistry reading is at 18%... Seems like a scam." A secondary issue emerged with an age gate discrepancy, where users under 18 could not use the app despite its 16+ rating on the App Store. These issues have led to direct accusations of deceptive practices.
Another critical bug appears to be trial features failing to progress after payment. A user wrote, "I paid for the trial and after several days the free aura color is at 5% and the Free Palmistry reading is at 18%... Seems like a scam." A secondary issue emerged with an age gate discrepancy, where users under 18 could not use the app despite its 16+ rating on the App Store. These issues have led to direct accusations of deceptive practices.
Sentiment ReversalUser Reception
The sentiment shift is stark when compared to feedback on the previous version, 6.39.0. Before the update, reviews were largely positive, with users praising the app's value. Typical 5-star comments included, "I love nebula it’s the best app for astrology" and "The accuracy seems spot on it’s uncanny."
After the v6.40.0 release, the tone changed to warnings and frustration. A 1-star review on the new version reads, "They try to take money from your account constantly! And you never get anywhere you have to buy so much just to get one answer! Scam app."
After the v6.40.0 release, the tone changed to warnings and frustration. A 1-star review on the new version reads, "They try to take money from your account constantly! And you never get anywhere you have to buy so much just to get one answer! Scam app."
A Pattern of ComplaintsRoot Cause
While the v6.40.0 update brought these issues to a head, evidence from community forums suggests a history of problematic billing practices. Complaints on Google and Apple help forums dating back to 2024 describe unauthorized recurring charges and difficulty canceling subscriptions.
A thread on the r/ScamCenter subreddit claims the app's fine print admits its readings are algorithm-generated, not from live psychics as marketing suggests, further fueling user distrust. Archived.
A thread on the r/ScamCenter subreddit claims the app's fine print admits its readings are algorithm-generated, not from live psychics as marketing suggests, further fueling user distrust. Archived.
VerdictExpert Verdict
With nearly 95,000 downloads in the last 30 days on US iOS alone, the damage to Nebula's reputation could have a lasting financial impact. The publisher faces a critical choice: issue a transparent fix addressing the billing and trial bugs, or risk permanent brand damage and potential action from app store operators.
The lack of disclosure in the release notes, combined with the severity of the new complaints, suggests a fundamental breach of user trust. The company's next steps will determine if it can recover or will be defined by these accusations.
The lack of disclosure in the release notes, combined with the severity of the new complaints, suggests a fundamental breach of user trust. The company's next steps will determine if it can recover or will be defined by these accusations.