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 combines articles from publishers such as Bloomberg, The Atlantic, and Reuters with expert curation, and it rewards readers with points redeemable for gift cards or charity donations. The app is free to download, requires Android 8.0 or higher, and has a download size of 80 MB.
- 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
Screenshots
SmartNews: Local Breaking News is a news and magazines app by SmartNews, Inc. that combines curated articles from thousands of trusted publishers with local, politics, entertainment, sports, and health coverage in one free feed. It is designed for readers who want a balanced mix of national headlines and hometown updates, with the ability to earn rewards for staying informed. The app pulls stories from premium sources such as Bloomberg, The Atlantic, USA Today, TIME, and Reuters, and lets you customize your feed around the topics you care about most, from election results and traffic alerts to movie releases and team notifications. For beginners, the layout is straightforward: you open the app, pick your interests, and scroll through a personalized stream of articles that update throughout the day. Beyond reading, SmartNews includes a rewards program where you earn points for daily reading missions and can redeem them for gift cards or charitable donations, though this program is limited to residents of the United States and may not be available in all areas. The app also offers location-based news for travel, so you can discover local stories, hidden gems, and flight deals wherever you go. With a content rating of Teen and support for Android 8.0 and up, it suits casual readers and news enthusiasts alike. The app is free to use, contains ads, and offers in-app purchases, making it accessible while still providing optional extras. Whether you are following a local school board meeting, a presidential debate, or your favorite football team, SmartNews aims to keep you informed without the clutter of traditional news apps.
Key features
- Earn points for reading articles and completing daily reading missions, redeemable for gift cards or charitable donations
- Get informative stories from premium publishers based on your location, including government, traffic, weather, politics, and school boards
- Discover local cultural events, hidden gems, restaurants, family-friendly activities, and summer farmer's markets
- Find location-based news and travel tips, including trending destinations, travel hacks, and flight deals
- Access political coverage across the spectrum, including candidates, ballot measures, debates, results, 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 favorite actors
- Set notifications for your favorite sports teams and see breaking news for football, basketball, golf, tennis, soccer, and more
- Read healthcare news on wellness, aging, mental health, pain relief, exercise trends, and home remedies
How to install
- Tap the download button on this page to get the APK file, which is about 80 MB in size.
- When your browser or file manager asks for permission to install apps, allow it by enabling the 'Install unknown apps' setting for that app.
- Open the downloaded APK file from your notifications or Downloads folder.
- Tap the Install button when prompted, and wait for the installation to complete.
- Open the SmartNews app from your app drawer and grant any permissions it requests to personalize your news feed.
- Ensure your device runs Android 8.0 or higher before starting the installation.
Pros
- Free to download and use, with a rewards program for reading
- Covers a wide range of topics, including local, politics, sports, and health
- Partners with well-known, trusted publishers for quality content
- Offers location-based news for travel and local updates
- Includes customizable notifications for favorite teams and topics
Cons
- Contains ads and offers in-app purchases, which may interrupt reading
- Requires access to many permissions, including location, camera, and microphone, which may raise privacy concerns
- Rewards program is limited to US residents and may not be available in all regions
- App size of 80 MB may be large for devices with limited storage
Recent updates
The latest update to SmartNews: Local Breaking News focuses on performance improvements and bug fixes to make your reading experience smoother and more reliable. While this release doesn't introduce new headline features, it aims to enhance overall app stability and responsiveness, ensuring you can stay informed without interruptions. If you've been following local news, politics, sports, or entertainment, this update helps keep your feed running efficiently.
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 beginners and casual readers who want a single app to stay updated on local news, national politics, entertainment, sports, and health, while also enjoying a rewards system that turns daily reading into redeemable points. It suits people who prefer a curated feed from trusted publishers and those who travel and want location-based stories.
To get the most out of SmartNews, start by selecting your favorite topics and local area during setup, so your feed is personalized from the beginning. Set notifications for your favorite sports teams to receive timely updates, and check the rewards section daily to complete reading missions and accumulate points. If you are concerned about privacy, review the app's permission requests and adjust them in your device settings, as the app asks for access to location, camera, and microphone.
Permissions
FAQ
How do I install the SmartNews APK on my Android device?
To install the APK, download it to your Android phone or tablet, then open the file. If prompted, allow installation from unknown sources in your device settings, and follow the on-screen instructions. The app requires Android 8.0 or higher and takes up about 80 MB of space.
What is the current version of SmartNews?
The latest version listed is 7.4.0, dated June 27, 2026. It includes performance improvements and bug fixes to enhance your reading experience.
Does SmartNews include ads or in-app purchases?
Yes, the app is free to download and use, but it contains ads. It also offers in-app purchases, which allow you to buy items or features within the app.
Can I read news offline with SmartNews?
Yes, SmartNews supports offline reading. You can browse headlines, customize your channels, and read the news even when you don't have an internet connection.
Are there other news apps similar to SmartNews?
Yes, there are other news aggregation apps in the News & Magazines category that offer personalized feeds and curated content. However, SmartNews stands out with its rewards program, local news focus, and offline reading capability.
What kind of content can I expect from SmartNews?
SmartNews covers politics, election results, entertainment, sports, health, and local stories. It partners with trusted publishers like Bloomberg, Reuters, and TIME to provide quality journalism, and you can customize your feed based on your interests.
Does SmartNews have a rewards program?
Yes, SmartNews rewards you with points for reading articles and completing daily missions. You can redeem these points for gift cards from retail brands or donate them to charities. The program is available to legal residents of the 50 US states or DC, and may be limited to certain regions.
SmartNews: Local Breaking News offers a beginner-friendly way to stay informed across local and national topics, with a rewards program that adds a fun incentive to daily reading. While it includes ads and requests several permissions, its broad coverage and trusted publisher partnerships make it a solid choice for anyone new to news apps. Download it to start earning points and reading stories tailored to your interests.
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Updated: Nov 4, 2026