CNN: Live & Breaking News for Android

CNN: Live & Breaking News is a news and magazines app from CNN for staying informed with breaking news, live updates, and headlines.

Download CNN · v26.21.0

CNN: Live & Breaking News is for people who want to follow politics, world news, climate, and entertainment as stories unfold. It is free to download, shows ads, and offers in-app subscriptions such as the All Access and Basic plans. The app requires Android 10 or higher, gives a 5-minute live preview, and plays video clips without requiring a login.

Version: 26.21.0
Requires Android: 10
Updated: Oct 22, 2026
Installs: 50M+
Rating: ★ 4.25 (587,197)
Category: News & Magazines
Developer: CNN
Content rating: Everyone 10+
Package: com.cnn.mobile.android.phone
Free: ✓ · Contains ads · In-app purchases

Screenshots

CNN: Live & Breaking News home screen showing top headlines and breaking news stories.

CNN: Live & Breaking News Magic Wall screen with interactive election maps and live results.

CNN: Live & Breaking News live video player streaming 24/7 global news coverage.

CNN: Live & Breaking News CNN Shorts screen with short-form video clips and stories.

CNN: Live & Breaking News alerts settings screen for custom notifications and live updates.

CNN: Live & Breaking News article view with personalized story recommendations and analysis.

CNN: Live & Breaking News podcast and live audio screen featuring the 1 Thing podcast.

CNN: Live & Breaking News subscription screen showing All Access and Basic plan options.

CNN: Live & Breaking News is a news and magazines application by CNN that delivers breaking news, live updates, and headlines alongside streaming video and audio content. It addresses the challenge of keeping up with fast-moving stories by combining short-form videos, interactive features, articles, podcasts, and live reporting in one place, with customizable alerts and evolving live-update articles so users can follow developments as they happen.

Key features

Live streaming of 24/7 global news and daily programs, with a 5-minute preview and unlimited viewing unlocked by logging into a TV provider
Interactive Magic Wall for tracking elections with live county-by-county results and comparison of 2026 data to past elections
Custom alerts and notifications for developing stories, plus live-update articles that evolve in real time
Short-form video clips (CNN Shorts) and full live video coverage
Live audio streams from CNN, CNN en Español, CNN International, and HLN, plus the '1 Thing' podcast
Personalized story recommendations based on your interests, covering politics, health, world news, climate, travel, style, and entertainment
Digital subscription options: an All Access plan with streaming, exclusive videos, original series, and unlimited articles, and a Basic plan with unlimited articles
In-app purchase for subscriptions with automatic renewal unless canceled at least 24 hours before renewal

How to install

Tap the download button on this page to get the APK file.
When Android prompts you, allow your browser or file manager to install apps by enabling the 'Install unknown apps' setting.
Open the downloaded APK file from your notifications or file manager.
Tap Install and wait for the installation to complete (file size is not specified).
Open the app from your home screen or app drawer; the minimum Android version required is 10.

Download CNN · v26.21.0

Pros

Comprehensive coverage across politics, health, world news, climate, and entertainment
Live streaming and audio from multiple CNN networks in one app
Interactive election tracking with the Magic Wall
Customizable alerts and live-update articles for breaking stories
Personalized story recommendations to quickly catch up on relevant news
Free to download with a range of content accessible without a subscription

Cons

Contains ads, which may interrupt the reading or viewing experience
In-app purchases are available, and subscriptions auto-renew unless canceled in advance
Requires a TV provider login for unlimited streaming, limiting access for some users
Requests access to Wi-Fi connection information, which may raise privacy considerations for sensitive users
Some premium features, such as exclusive videos and original series, are locked behind a paid subscription

Recent updates · 26.21.0

This update is focused on making it easier to follow the elections that are most important to you. With the enhanced Magic Wall, you can use interactive maps to see live, county-by-county results as they come in.

Version history

Version	Size	Requires Android	Updated
26.21.0	—	10	Oct 22, 2026
26.4.0	154 MB	8.1	Oct 3, 2026
24.21.0	130 MB	8.0	Jan 5, 2026
7.32.0	92 MB	7.0	Oct 18, 2025

This app is suited for people who want a single destination for breaking news, live election results, and streaming coverage from CNN’s networks, including those who follow politics closely and value real-time updates. It also appeals to users who enjoy short-form video, podcasts, and live audio while on the go, as well as subscribers who already have a TV provider and want to unlock the full streaming experience.

To avoid surprise charges, review the subscription terms and cancel at least 24 hours before renewal if you do not want to continue. You can also explore the free 5-minute live preview and video clips that require no login before deciding whether to subscribe.

Permissions

Wi-Fi connection information

FAQ

Is the CNN: Live & Breaking News app free to download and use?

Yes, the app is free to download. While the core app is free, it does include ads and offers optional in-app purchases for digital subscription plans.

What Android version do I need to run the app?

The app requires Android 10 or newer to install and run properly.

Does the app require an account to use?

No account is needed for basic news browsing and video clips. However, to unlock unlimited streaming and access certain premium features, you can log in with your TV provider or purchase a digital subscription.

What permissions does the app request?

The app requests access to Wi-Fi connection information. This permission is typically used to manage network connectivity and streaming performance.

How do I update the app to the latest version?

To update, simply download the newest version of the app from this page. The current version is 26.21.0, and it is recommended to install it to get the latest features and improvements.

Does the app include ads or in-app purchases?

Yes, the app contains ads and offers in-app purchases. These purchases are for subscription plans that provide access to premium content like unlimited articles and streaming.

CNN: Live & Breaking News offers a broad mix of live reporting, election tracking, and personalized content in a single app. It is a solid choice for staying informed, though the presence of ads and subscription-based premium features are worth considering.