SmartNews: Local Breaking News: News app
SmartNews: Local Breaking News is a news app by SmartNews, Inc. that curates political, local, entertainment, sports, and health stories from premium publishers.
Download SmartNewsSmartNews: Local Breaking News offers personalized news from publishers like Bloomberg, The Atlantic, and Reuters, with local coverage and a rewards program for daily reading. It is free to download, requires Android 8.0 or higher, and has a download size of 80 MB. The app includes ads and offers in-app purchases, and it has been installed over 50 million times.
- Size
- 80 MB
- Requires Android
- 8.0
- Updated
- Oct 27, 2026
- Installs
- 50M+
- Rating
- ★ 3.75 (701,991)
- Category
- News & Magazines
- Developer
- SmartNews, Inc.
- Content rating
- Teen
- Package
- jp.gocro.smartnews.android
- Free
- ✓ · Contains ads · In-app purchases
App screenshots
SmartNews: Local Breaking News is a news aggregator app by SmartNews, Inc. that combines curated articles from premium publishers with location-based local coverage, political reporting, and a rewards program for reading. It targets users who want a single feed of quality journalism across politics, entertainment, sports, health, and travel, with an emphasis on balanced sources and daily reading incentives. The app has been available since 2013 and has accumulated over 50 million installs, with a current rating of 3.75 from roughly 700,000 ratings, reflecting broad adoption but mixed user satisfaction. It requires Android 8.0 or higher and occupies about 80 MB of storage, making it accessible to most modern devices. The app is free to use, though it includes ads and in-app purchases, and it requests a wide range of permissions including location, phone, storage, camera, microphone, and device ID, which may raise privacy considerations for some users. The latest update from late October 2026 focuses on performance improvements and bug fixes to enhance the reading experience. For an experienced user comparing alternatives, SmartNews stands out for its curated feeds from well-known outlets like Bloomberg, Reuters, and The Verge, plus its unique points system that converts reading activity into gift cards or charitable donations. However, the breadth of permissions and the presence of ads mean it is not the most privacy-friendly or ad-free option available, and the rewards program is limited to US residents in certain regions. Overall, it is a feature-rich choice for those who value editorial curation and are willing to trade some privacy for a personalized, incentivized news experience.
Key features
- Earn points for reading articles and completing daily reading missions, redeemable for gift cards or charity donations
- Get location-based stories from premium publishers covering government, traffic, weather, politics, school boards, and local events
- Discover travel tips, trending destinations, flight deals, and vacation planning news from favorite publishers
- Access political coverage across the spectrum, including elections, polls, debates, candidates, ballot measures, and voter information
- Partner with thousands of trusted publishers for premium, balanced news, with content validated by award-winning journalists
- Follow entertainment topics for movies, TV shows, and actors, plus sports news with notifications for favorite teams
- Read health news on wellness, aging, mental health, pain relief, exercise trends, and home remedies from top publishers
How to install
- Tap the download button on this page to begin fetching the APK file, which is about 80 MB in size.
- When your browser or file manager prompts you, allow it to install apps by enabling the 'Install unknown apps' setting for that app.
- Open the downloaded APK file from your notifications or Downloads folder.
- Tap Install on the confirmation screen and wait for the installation to complete, which requires Android 8.0 or higher.
- Once installed, tap Open to launch SmartNews and set up your news preferences.
Pros
- Curated feeds from reputable publishers like Bloomberg, Reuters, and TIME, ensuring high-quality content
- Rewards system that incentivizes daily reading with gift cards or charitable donations
- Strong local news focus with location-based updates on government, traffic, and events
- Comprehensive political coverage including election results and voter information
- Free to use with no upfront cost, despite ads and in-app purchases
- Regular updates with performance improvements and bug fixes as of late October 2026
Cons
- Requests extensive permissions including location, phone, storage, camera, microphone, and device ID, which may deter privacy-conscious users
- Contains ads and in-app purchases, which can interrupt the reading experience
- Rewards program is restricted to US residents in certain regions and may be discontinued at any time
- Current rating of 3.75 suggests mixed user satisfaction, possibly due to ads or permission concerns
Latest changes
The latest update focuses on performance improvements and bug fixes to enhance the reading experience. No new features are mentioned in this release. The app continues to offer news aggregation from premium publishers, covering politics, local news, travel, entertainment, sports, and health. Users can earn points by reading articles and completing daily missions, redeemable for gift cards or charitable donations. The app includes location-based local stories, election coverage, team notifications, and health topics. It remains free with ads and in-app purchases, rated Teen, and requires Android 8.0 or higher. Current version is 7.4.0.
Version history
| Version | Size | Requires Android | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.4.0 | 17 MB | 4.4 | Jun 27, 2026 |
| 25.4.30 | 80 MB | 8.0 | Apr 23, 2025 |
| 24.8.35 | 62 MB | 8.0 | Aug 23, 2024 |
SmartNews is for experienced users who want a curated, multi-topic news feed with a local angle, and who are comfortable with ads and broad permissions in exchange for a rewards-based reading experience covering politics, sports, entertainment, and health.
To minimize data usage, consider downloading articles for offline reading, and adjust notification settings for your favorite teams or topics to avoid alert fatigue. Also, review the location permission settings if you prefer not to share your precise whereabouts for local news.
Permissions
FAQ
How do I install the SmartNews APK on an Android device?
Download the APK file from the download button on this page, then open it on your Android device. You may need to allow installation from unknown sources in your device settings before the installation can proceed.
What is the current version of SmartNews?
The most recent version listed is 7.4.0, which was released on June 27, 2026. Earlier versions include 25.4.30 and 24.8.35.
Does SmartNews contain ads or in-app purchases?
Yes, the app is free to download but includes ads and offers in-app purchases. The rewards program lets you earn points for reading articles, which you can redeem for gift cards or charitable donations.
Can I read news offline with SmartNews?
Yes, the app supports offline reading. You can browse headlines, customize your channels, and read articles even without an internet connection, as noted in press coverage.
What kind of news content does SmartNews cover?
SmartNews covers a wide range of topics including local news, politics, entertainment, sports, health, and travel. It aggregates articles from premium publishers and offers location-based stories.
Are there alternatives to SmartNews in the news and magazines category?
Yes, there are other news aggregator apps available that offer similar features like personalized feeds and offline reading. You can explore options within the same category on this platform to find one that suits your preferences.
What are the system requirements for SmartNews?
The app requires Android 8.0 or higher and has a file size of about 80 MB. It also requests various permissions such as location, phone, storage, and camera.
SmartNews offers a solid, feature-rich news aggregation experience with a unique rewards program, but its extensive permissions and ad-supported model mean it is best suited for users who prioritize curated content and incentives over strict privacy. For those willing to accept these trade-offs, it provides a comprehensive and engaging way to stay informed.
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Updated: Nov 6, 2026