What Apple News+ is and who it's for
Apple News+ is a paid subscription service that gives you access to articles, magazines, and newspapers through Apple's News app on iPhones, iPads, and Macs. You pay a monthly fee and can read content from hundreds of publications without seeing ads on most articles. It is not a news service that Apple produces itself — it is a bundle of content from other publishers.
The service is designed for people who read news regularly across multiple sources and want to avoid ads while doing it. If you read one or two publications consistently, a direct subscription to those outlets might cost less. If you rarely read news, the subscription may not be worth the cost.
Apple News+ is separate from Apple News, which is the free version of the app. The free version shows headlines and some articles, but you see ads and have limits on how many paywalled articles you can read per month from some publishers.
Key Takeaways
- Apple News+ costs a monthly fee (the exact amount varies by country and changes over time) and includes access to hundreds of publications on your Apple device.
- The subscription removes most ads from articles and unlocks paywalled content from participating publishers, but not all outlets participate.
- You can share one subscription with up to six family members through Apple's Family Sharing feature, which may reduce the per-person cost.
- The service works only on Apple devices — iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch — and requires an active internet connection to read articles.
- You can cancel at any time, and your access ends at the end of your billing cycle rather than immediately.
Current pricing and what's included
Apple News+ costs a set monthly amount that varies depending on your country and region. In the United States, the price has changed more than once since the service launched. Check the News app itself or Apple's official website to see the current price for your location, because rates differ by country and Apple updates them periodically.
Your subscription includes access to articles and full issues of magazines and newspapers available through the app. You can read content from publications like The Wall Street Journal, The Athletic, Wired, Vogue, and hundreds of others. However, not every publication participates — some major outlets like The New York Times and The Washington Post require separate subscriptions.
The subscription removes ads from most articles within the News app. Some publishers still show ads even with Apple News+, but the number is reduced compared to the free version. Articles you read on a publisher's own website or app are not covered by Apple News+ — the subscription only works within Apple's News app.
How to set up and manage your subscription
To start an Apple News+ subscription, open the News app on any Apple device where you are signed into your Apple ID. Tap the menu icon (usually three horizontal lines) and look for the option to upgrade to Apple News+. You will be asked to confirm your payment method — Apple will charge your Apple ID account on the same date each month.
Once you subscribe, you can read on any Apple device signed into the same Apple ID. Your reading history and saved articles sync across devices, so you can start reading on your iPhone and continue on your iPad.
To cancel, go to Settings on your Apple device, tap your name at the top, select Subscriptions, find Apple News+, and choose Cancel Subscription. Your access continues until the end of your current billing period — you are not cut off immediately. If you change your mind before the cancellation takes effect, you can reactivate the subscription.
Family Sharing and cost per person
Apple News+ works with Apple's Family Sharing feature, which lets up to six family members share one subscription. The person who pays for the subscription sets it up, and other family members can access it on their own devices without paying separately.
To add family members, the account holder goes to Settings, taps their name, selects Family Sharing, and invites people by email or phone number. Family members must accept the invitation and be signed into their own Apple ID on their device. Once they are part of the family group, they automatically have access to Apple News+.
This feature can significantly reduce the cost per person if you split it among family members. For example, if six people share one subscription, each person's share is one-sixth of the monthly fee. However, all family members share the same subscription — you cannot customize which publications each person sees or set individual preferences.
What publications are included and what are not
Apple News+ includes hundreds of publications, but the list changes as publishers join or leave the service. Major magazines like National Geographic, Wired, The Economist, and Architectural Digest are included. Many regional newspapers and trade publications also participate.
Some of the largest news outlets do not participate in Apple News+. The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal require separate subscriptions if you want full access to their content. You can read limited free articles from these outlets through Apple News, but Apple News+ does not unlock their paywalls.
To see the full current list of publications included in your region, open the News app and look for the section that shows available sources. You can also search for a specific publication within the app to see whether it is included.
Device requirements and limitations
Apple News+ works only on Apple devices: iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. It does not work on Android phones, Windows computers, or web browsers. If you use multiple types of devices, you can only read Apple News+ content on Apple hardware.
You need an active internet connection to read articles. The News app does not have a built-in offline reading feature, so you cannot download articles to read later without internet access. Some third-party apps allow you to save articles, but that is separate from the Apple News+ subscription.
The subscription is tied to your Apple ID, not to a specific device. If you get a new iPhone or iPad, you can sign in with the same Apple ID and immediately access your subscription on the new device.
How Apple News+ compares to other news subscriptions
Apple News+ is a bundle of many publications, while direct subscriptions to individual outlets give you access to just one. If you read primarily from one or two sources, subscribing directly to those outlets might be cheaper than paying for Apple News+. If you read across many different publications, a bundle subscription can save money.
Some publications offer their own subscription apps or websites that may have features Apple News+ does not — for example, offline reading, customizable newsletters, or podcasts. Checking what each outlet offers directly can help you decide whether a bundle or individual subscriptions work better for you.
Apple News+ also differs from news aggregator apps like Flipboard or Google News, which are free but show ads and may have paywalls on some articles. Apple News+ removes ads and unlocks paywalled content for participating publishers, but you pay a monthly fee for that access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read Apple News+ articles on my Android phone?
No. Apple News+ only works on Apple devices — iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. If you use an Android phone, you cannot access your subscription on that device. You would need to use an Apple device to read Apple News+ content.
What happens to my subscription if I cancel my Apple ID?
If you delete your Apple ID, your Apple News+ subscription ends immediately and you lose access to the service. If you simply cancel the subscription but keep your Apple ID active, you can reactivate the subscription later by going to the News app and selecting the upgrade option again.
Do I get access to The New York Times or The Washington Post with Apple News+?
No. Those publications do not participate in Apple News+, so you would need to subscribe to them separately if you want full access to their content. You can read a limited number of free articles from them through the free Apple News app each month, but Apple News+ does not unlock their full paywalls.
Can I share my Apple News+ subscription with someone outside my family?
Not through the official Family Sharing feature. Family Sharing is designed for people in the same household or family group. If you want to share access with someone else, they would need to be added to your Family Sharing group, which requires setting up a family account through Apple's system.
Does Apple News+ work offline?
No. You need an active internet connection to read articles in the News app. The app does not have a download or offline reading feature built in, so you cannot save articles to read later without internet access.