NewsBreak: Local News & Alerts for Android
NewsBreak is a news app from Particle Media Inc. for getting daily local headlines, weather alerts, and community updates.
Download NewsBreak · v26.45.1NewsBreak is for US readers who want neighborhood-level news, traffic, events, and weather alerts alongside national and world headlines. The app is free with ads and in-app purchases, requires Android 8.0 or newer, and its latest version is 26.44.0. NewsBreak aggregates stories from over 10,000 trusted sources and includes a safety map for local crime updates.
- Version
- 26.45.1
- Requires Android
- 8.0
- Updated
- Nov 6, 2026
- Installs
- 50M+
- Rating
- ★ 4.62 (642,765)
- Category
- News & Magazines
- Developer
- Particle Media Inc.
- Content rating
- Teen
- Package
- com.particlenews.newsbreak
- Free
- ✓ · Contains ads · In-app purchases
Screenshots
NewsBreak: Local News & Alerts is a news and magazines app by Particle Media Inc. that aggregates local, national, and international headlines into a personalized feed with alerts. It addresses the gap between broad national coverage and the hyper-local stories that affect daily decisions, such as weather, traffic, crime, and community events. The app solves this by combining a discovery engine that pulls from over 10,000 trusted sources with user-driven topic following and blocking, delivering a curated daily briefing and live streams from local channels, all while supporting small US publishers through its ecosystem.
Key features
- Curated daily briefing combining local news, traffic, nearby events, weather alerts, and a news widget
- Live stream news from local channels, covering events, newspapers, and community activities
- Personalized news feed with a discovery engine sourcing stories from over 10,000 trusted outlets
- Topic follow and block controls to tailor headlines, including sports, business, tech, health, and finance
- Local safety map for neighborhood crime updates and community awareness
- Comment, upvote, downvote, share, and reply to engage with stories and other readers
- Support for small US news publishers by increasing local story volume and geographic coverage
- Aggregated national and international breaking news alongside comprehensive in-depth stories
How to install
- Tap the download button on this page to get the APK file for NewsBreak: Local News & Alerts.
- When Android prompts, 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 process to complete; the app requires Android 8.0 or higher.
- Open the app from your home screen or app drawer after installation finishes.
- The file size is not specified, so ensure sufficient free storage on your device before installing.
Pros
- Highly personalized feed with granular topic following and blocking
- Covers hyper-local content like weather, traffic, crime, and community events
- Large source base of over 10,000 outlets for diverse perspectives
- Free to download and use with no upfront cost
- Supports local journalism and small publishers through its ecosystem
- Includes live stream options from local channels
Cons
- Contains ads within the app experience
- Offers in-app purchases, which may unlock additional features
- Requests broad permissions including Contacts, Location, Camera, Microphone, and Storage
- Location and storage permissions may raise privacy concerns for some users
- Content rating of Teen may not suit all audiences looking for strictly family-friendly news
Version history
| Version | Size | Requires Android | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26.45.1 | — | 8.0 | Nov 6, 2026 |
| 26.44.0 | — | 8.0 | Oct 30, 2026 |
| 26.43.1 | — | 8.0 | Oct 23, 2026 |
| 26.42.0 | — | 8.0 | Oct 16, 2026 |
| 13.0.2 | 18 MB | 5.0 | Jul 1, 2026 |
This app is suited for experienced users who want a single aggregator for both national headlines and deeply local updates, such as weather alerts, traffic, crime maps, and community events. It appeals to those who prefer controlling their feed by following or blocking specific topics, and who value supporting independent local journalism. Privacy-conscious users should weigh the extensive permissions, while those comfortable with ads and in-app purchases will find a robust, customizable news reader that goes beyond simple headline browsing.
Spend time initially setting up your topic preferences and blocking unwanted categories to refine the feed. Enable location access for accurate local weather and traffic alerts, but review your privacy settings regularly. Use the safety map and community features to stay informed about neighborhood conditions, and explore live streams for real-time local coverage.
Permissions
FAQ
How do I install the APK on Android?
Save the APK to your device, enable installs from unknown sources in your security or settings menu, then open the file and follow the prompts. Confirm any permission requests, and make sure your device runs Android 8.0 or newer.
What is the current version of NewsBreak?
The current version is 26.44.0, released on October 30, 2026. The app originally launched on June 17, 2016, and requires Android 8.0 or later.
Does NewsBreak cost money or show ads?
NewsBreak is free to download (price $0.00), but it contains ads and offers optional in-app purchases.
Can I use NewsBreak offline?
The app's listing does not describe offline reading. Since it delivers daily news, weather alerts and traffic updates, an internet connection is generally needed to receive live information.
What data and permissions does the app request?
It requests access to location, contacts, camera, microphone, storage and photos/media/files, along with Wi-Fi connection information. These are used for personalized feeds, local alerts and community features.
Are there alternatives in the News & Magazines category?
Yes, other news apps provide local and national headlines. NewsBreak stands out with hyperlocal coverage, a neighborhood crime map and stories drawn from over 10,000 trusted sources.
Which Android versions are supported?
NewsBreak requires Android 8.0 or higher. The latest update, version 26.44.0, was released on October 30, 2026.
NewsBreak delivers a comprehensive and customizable news experience that bridges local and national coverage effectively. It is a solid choice for users seeking depth and personalization, provided they accept the ads, in-app purchases, and broad permission requests.
Similar apps
Updated: Nov 9, 2026