Inside Apple News - How to get the most out of your curated news, sports, & puzzles feed

The appeal of Apple News lies in its approach to delivering content that matters. With a mix of algorithmic curation and human editorial input, Apple News aims to provide a balanced news experience.

Apple News isn't just another news app. It's designed to help users stay informed, entertained, and engaged. Whether you casually browse headlines or seek in-depth reporting, the app delivers tailored content that aligns with your interests.

From customizable feeds to premium articles through Apple News+, the platform offers a dynamic experience beyond traditional news consumption. Features like audio stories, puzzles, recipes, and local news integration ensure you're always connected to the stories that matter anytime, anywhere.

Apple News - a brief history

Apple News debuted in 2015 as part of iOS 9. Upon its September launch, the app received praise for its clean design and ease of use. However, it wasn't without criticism.

Limited publishers at launch and concerns over its ability to deliver personalized content effectively raised eyebrows.

Apple News expanded to the UK and Australia in October 2015. The expansion brought local content to these regions by partnering with local publishers.

Apple News+ was launched in March 2019, following Apple's acquisition of Texture in 2018. The subscription service offered access to premium content from over 300 magazines. It marked a significant upgrade to the app by providing a digital newsstand with a wide range of high-quality journalism.

Apple News on iPad

Shortly after its launch on iPhone, Apple News+ expanded to macOS and iPadOS in March 2019, reinforcing Apple's push toward cross-device synchronization within its ecosystem.

In July 2020, Apple introduced audio stories, allowing subscribers to listen to narrated versions of articles. At the same time, Apple added a local news feature, delivering region-specific content, starting in major US cities like Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco.

Core features

Apple News has a personalized news feed, which uses a combination of machine learning and user input to curate a selection of stories tailored to individual preferences. When users open the app, they are prompted to select their favorite topics and news sources.

The personalization engine behind Apple News uses machine learning algorithms to analyze which stories a user reads, likes, or saves, continuously adjusting the content it recommends.

Along with personalized content, Apple News features sections like Top Stories and Spotlight, curated by Apple's editorial team. These sections highlight the day's most important news and feature stories that delve into deeper topics.

Core features of Apple News

The editorial team selects stories based on relevance, importance, and potential impact, offering users a balanced view of current events. Top Stories typically include major headlines from trusted sources, so users stay informed about the most significant developments.

The Spotlight section, on the other hand, often features in-depth pieces on subjects ranging from politics and social issues to technology and culture. Spotlight curation adds a human touch to the app.

Apple News also offers a Saved Stories feature, allowing users to bookmark articles they want to read later. Saved stories are accessible across all devices linked to the same Apple ID, making it easy to pick up where you left off.

The app also supports offline reading, puzzles, and audio stories. Offline access is convenient for those who want to catch up on their reading during commutes or in areas with limited connectivity.

The next major feature coming to the app is Apple News+ Food in iOS 18.4. It contains a catalog with thousands of recipes and a way for users to save their favorite recipes.

News+ subscription service

Apple News+ is the premium tier of the Apple News app, offering access to a vast library of magazines, newspapers, and premium online content. For a monthly subscription fee of $12.99 per month, users can access complete issues of popular magazines like The New Yorker and Time, as well as premium articles from major newspapers like The Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times.

One key benefit of Apple News+ is the all-you-can-read model. This model allows you to explore a wide range of content without encountering paywalls or additional charges.

The service particularly appeals to avid readers who read content from multiple publications, as it offers a cost-effective way to access premium journalism. Apple News+ also includes features like puzzles, audio stories, and curated magazine collections.

Finding news channels to follow

Apple News offers customizable notifications and alerts to inform users about breaking news and essential updates. Users can receive notifications for specific topics, channels, or general news updates.

The notification system is designed to be nonintrusive, and users have complete control over the frequency and type of alerts they receive. For example, you can receive breaking news alerts only for critical events or select specific publications to follow.

User data management

Apple has designed Apple News with privacy in mind, ensuring user data is handled securely and transparently. The app doesn't track users' reading habits across the web or share personal information with third-party advertisers.

Apple's commitment to privacy also extends to how it handles ads within the app. Ad personalization is based on general categories like location or the topics a user follows without using specific user data.

Maximizing your Apple News experience

Apple News is a powerful tool designed to keep you informed, entertained, and engaged in the stories that matter to you. Whether you're a casual reader or a news junkie, numerous features can significantly enhance your experience.

Personalizing your feed ensures that the news you see is relevant to you. You save time by avoiding irrelevant or less exciting stories.

• Select your favorite topics & channels: When you first open Apple News, you're prompted to select topics and news sources that interest you. If your interests evolve, you can add new channels or topics anytime to the "Following" tab.
• Fine-tune your preferences: As you use the app, Apple News will learn from what you read and make recommendations. You can hide stories or mute certain sources by swiping left on a story in your feed.

While personalization ensures you see content you enjoy, exploring recommended articles outside your usual interests is essential. Apple News's editorial team highlights important stories that might not be directly within your preferred topics, helping you stay well-rounded and informed on global events.

The Saved Stories feature in Apple News is a convenient tool for bookmarking articles for later reading. This feature makes it easy to revisit articles across all your Apple devices.

To save a story, tap the ellipsis on the article and select "Save Story" or tap the bookmark icon.

Once a story is saved, it's stored under the Saved Stories tab, which can be found in the sidebar or under the "Following" tab on iPhones and iPads. You can manage the list by removing articles you no longer need, or you can return to your saved list to continue reading from where you left off.

Stay updated with customizable notifications

Apple News offers a notification system that allows users to receive timely updates on breaking news or specific topics. The key is to customize notifications to fit your needs.

The app allows you to decide what notifications you want. These can include general breaking news, updates from favorite channels, or stories related to particular topics.

Customize your notifications

Set alerts for specific channels or topics: Go to the settings in the "Following" tab to enable notifications for channels you follow or topics you care about, such as sports, politics, or finance.

Control frequency: Adjust the frequency of notifications to match your preference, such as real-time updates or occasional summaries.

Navigating the Tab Bar

The Today tab is Apple News's central hub, offering a curated mix of top stories, personalized recommendations, and editor-selected content. It combines algorithmic curation with human editorial input.

The tab saves time by gathering significant and personalized news in one place.

Next, for Apple News+ subscribers, the News+ tab opens up access to a wealth of premium content, including entire issues of various magazines. It also includes interactive features like animated covers and audio stories.

Navigating the tab bar

Third, the Sports tab lets you follow your favorite sports, teams, and leagues, offering real-time updates such as scores, schedules, and standings. It includes stories from top sports publications and local newspapers, delivering in-depth coverage and quick access to highlights and match reports.

Introduced with a focus on Apple News+ subscribers, the Audio tab includes professionally narrated versions of feature articles from top publications. The Apple News Today podcast also provides daily audio briefings hosted by Apple News editors, available to all users for free.

Finally, the Following tab in Apple News is a central hub for managing and accessing various features. Here, you can find a list of the topics and channels you follow and tools for organizing your reading and engagement.

• Saved Stories: Articles you've bookmarked for later reading are stored here, making it easy to access anytime, even offline.
• Reading History: This section keeps track of articles you've read recently, allowing you to revisit stories quickly.
• Puzzles: If you're a News+ subscriber, you can access crossword puzzles and other games, like Quartiles, directly from this tab.
• Search: The search field at this tab's top lets you quickly find specific articles, topics, or channels.

Audio stories & puzzles

Apple has steadily introduced various unique features within the Apple News app. Two features, Audio Stories and Puzzles, enhance users' engagement with content.

Apple News launched Audio Stories in 2020 as part of a broader effort to make the app more accessible to users. The feature caters to commuters, multitaskers, and those who enjoy podcasts or audiobooks.

Audio Stories are professionally narrated versions of selected articles from Apple News+. They allow users to listen to in-depth journalism while on the go, staying informed without needing to read the articles themselves.

Audio Stories and Puzzles

Professional voice actors narrate the stories. Apple's approach emphasizes clarity, tone, and pacing.

Apple News+ subscribers in the US can also enjoy interactive puzzles, a feature introduced to add a fun, casual, and stimulating element to the app. Apple integrated crossword puzzles and a word game called Quartiles.

These puzzles are updated daily, giving users access to a new set of challenges each day. For subscribers of Apple News+, puzzles are included as part of their monthly subscription, adding extra value beyond traditional news content.

Hints and progress-saving features make the puzzles accessible to novices and experienced solvers. Users can pause and return to a puzzle later, automatically saving their progress across all devices. The puzzles can also be played offline.

Use Audio Stories for hands-free news

Many people struggle to find time to sit down and read lengthy articles. Audio Stories provide a hands-free way to engage with in-depth journalism, narrated by professional voice actors, without sacrificing content quality.

As you browse articles in Apple News+ on iPhone, you'll see a headphone icon next to stories available as audio versions. Tap the icon to start listening. Or, tap the Audio icon in the tab bar.

Audio Stories

You can find Editor's Picks, For You suggestions here or browse by categories. Categories include News & Politics, Money & Business, Arts & Entertainment, Science & Nature, Mind & Body, Sports, Race in America, Our Planet, and True Crime.

Challenge your mind with puzzles

Puzzles, especially crosswords, improve problem-solving skills, memory, and vocabulary. Incorporating them into your daily routine provides a relaxing activity.

New puzzles are updated daily and available to all News+ subscribers. They can be completed within the app, and you can save your progress and finish later.

Like articles, puzzles can be accessed offline, allowing users to enjoy them anytime.

There are two types of crosswords — a short one and a longer, full-length one. The difficulty mode of the short puzzle is always Easy, while the app cycles through Easy, Moderate, and Challenging for the long crossword.

Puzzles for Apple News+ subscribers

Next, Quartiles is one of the latest Apple News+ Puzzles collection additions, introduced alongside iOS 17.5. The spelling game challenges players to form words by selecting tiles containing two to four letters to create longer, higher-scoring words.

Players earn bonus points for forming four-tile words, where the game's name, "Quartiles," comes from. The game offers daily puzzles, encouraging users to come back regularly, and it includes features like a streak tracker and a leaderboard that tracks your stats and progress over time.

Keep up on your teams with Sports

The Sports tab in Apple News+ provides users a dedicated space to follow their favorite teams, leagues, and athletes. Introduced with iOS 16.5, the feature enhances the user experience by making it easier to access sports-related content. Previously, sports stories were mixed in with general news in the Today tab, but now all sports content, including live scores, schedules, standings, and highlights, is neatly organized in its section.

The Sports tab offers coverage of major professional and college leagues and also includes:

• Stories from top sports publications like The Athletic.
• Giving subscribers in-depth coverage of teams.
• Players.
• Breaking sports news.
• Users can personalize the tab by selecting their preferred leagues and teams, ensuring they get timely updates and relevant news stories tailored to their interests.

Sports for Apple News+ subscribers

For sports enthusiasts, the integration of The Athletic adds significant value, offering high-quality journalism covering leagues such as the NFL, NBA, and Premier League. The Sports tab in Apple News+ offers a comprehensive way to stay updated on the latest in the sports world.

Cook along with Food

In April 2025, Apple expanded its Apple News+ service by introducing Apple News+ Food, a dedicated section offering subscribers access to a vast collection of culinary content. Launched alongside iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 updates, the features includes tens of thousands of recipes, restaurant reviews, kitchen tips, and more from food publishers such as Allrecipes, Bon Appetit, Food & Wine, and Serious Eats.

The Recipe Catalog includes buttons to tap such as recipes under 30 minutes, lunch, dinner, drinks, and more. That helps you quickly drill down to what you're looking for without having to browse the entire catalog.

A recipe within Apple News+ Food

The best part of News+ Food is the lack of a huge introduction by the author detailing their inspirations and so forth before they finally get to the recipe. While most recipes in News+ Food do include a link to the original story, the recipe itself is free of such clutter.

• Extensive Recipe Catalog: Subscribers can browse, search, and filter a wide array of recipes, with new additions daily. The catalog covers various cuisines and dietary preferences, ensuring a diverse selection for all users.
• Cook Mode: A user-friendly "cook mode" presents step-by-step instructions in a full-screen format, making it convenient to follow recipes while cooking.
• Curated Content: Apple News editors provide curated stories on topics like healthy eating, kitchen essentials, and culinary techniques, enhancing the overall food exploration experience.
• Offline Access and Saved Recipes: Users can save their favorite recipes for later use and access them offline, ensuring convenience even without an internet connection.

While Apple News+ Food is primarily available to subscribers, select stories and recipes are accessible to non-subscribers, allowing a broader audience to sample the offerings. The addition of a Food section enriches the Apple News+ service, providing food enthusiasts with a centralized platform for culinary inspiration and information.

The monetary value of Apple News+

Apple News+ is a solid choice for anyone who regularly reads digital news and magazines. At $12.99 per month, it offers access to over 300 magazines, top newspapers, and exclusive online articles that would otherwise sit behind a paywall.

Given that individual subscriptions to some of these publications can run anywhere from $10 to $40 a month, Apple News+ delivers real savings for avid readers.

That said, not everything hits the mark. It's a bit of a letdown that even paying subscribers still see ads in some articles. Compared to other premium services that eliminate ads entirely for their customers, this feels like a missed opportunity.

Despite this drawback, Apple News+ provides a well-rounded package with offline reading, personalized feeds, and the option to save articles for later. These features make it especially appealing to those who value convenience and flexibility.

Extras like recipes, puzzles and audio stories push the service beyond being just another news app — it's more of a multimedia hub. And if you're already deep into the Apple ecosystem, the seamless cross-device syncing is a bonus.

Overall, Apple News+ is a strong contender for anyone looking for a broad, curated mix of news and entertainment in one place.