SmartNews: Breaking News subscription: cost, reviews, how to cancel

• App Store rating4.6★ from 928,785 ratings
• Cheapest subscription$3.99 per month
• Reviews mentioning billing, last 12 months40 of 1,066 reviews

On this page: what it costs, how to cancel, what reviewers say.

What the data says

• Free trial converts to a paid plan1 month free trial, then $3.99 per month

What SmartNews: Breaking News costs

Download: Free. Subscriptions start at $3.99 per month.

• Ads-free SmartNews1 month free trial, then renews every month$3.99
• Ads-free SmartNews7 days free trial, then renews every month$4.99

How to cancel SmartNews: Breaking News

1. Open Settings on your iPhone and tap your name at the top.
2. Tap Subscriptions.
3. Select SmartNews: Breaking News (listed under a plan name such as Ads-free SmartNews).
4. Tap Cancel Subscription and confirm. You keep access until the end of the paid period.

If the app is not in that list, it was not billed through Apple. Cancel it with the developer instead: support page or website.

Charged after cancelling or during a trial? Request a refund at reportaproblem.apple.com within 90 days.

What reviewers say

Reported bugs

Notifications not working as expected; Articles not loading properly; Scrolling issues and lags; Inconsistent app behavior across devices.

Recent one-star reviews

UnusableIt has become impossible to browse the app on the newest iPhone without unintentionally clicking on adds. Too distracting. Looking elsewhere for news.

Pop-ups are backThis app is the best news aggregator out there. I have been using it for more than 5 years. They occasionally try to push out pop ups which ruins the user experience. Here we go again…. I guess I’ll have to delete the app soon if they don’t get it together. I don’t mind ads - I do mind pop ups with…

Overheats phoneIs this app mining bitcoin? If I have it open for more than 5 minutes my phone starts getting hot.

Recent five-star reviews

SmartnessThis app is very useful

WhyGreat news terrible terrible pictures terrible images or no images most of the time it’s the only deterrent

My me timeI like reading the articles it gives me time for me and some quite time.. I like how the writers don’t have you jumping forwards and backwards to understand the story

About the developer

SmartNews, Inc. has published on the App Store since Oct 1, 2014: 3 app(s), 1 of them no longer in the store.

• NewsArc4.5★
• Wanderland: Map for Explorers5.0★

Alternatives to SmartNews: Breaking News

• CNN: Live & Breaking News4.8★
• NewsBreak: Local News & Alerts4.8★
• USA TODAY: US & Breaking News4.5★
• NBC News: Breaking & US News4.7★

Also similar: FOX News: US & World Headlines (4.5★), Google News (4.6★)

Questions people ask

How much does SmartNews: Breaking News cost?

Download: Free. Subscriptions start at $3.99 per month.

How do I cancel SmartNews: Breaking News?

On your iPhone open Settings, tap your name, tap Subscriptions, select SmartNews: Breaking News and tap Cancel Subscription. You keep access until the end of the paid period.

Does SmartNews: Breaking News have a free trial?

Yes: Ads-free SmartNews offers a 1 month free trial, then $3.99 per month.

Is this app free to use?

Yes, the app offers trustworthy breaking coverage for your area for free. While the core news delivery is free, it does have in-app purchases, suggesting optional premium features or content may be available.

SmartNews: Breaking News in one paragraph

SmartNews: Breaking News by SmartNews, Inc. is a News app for iPhone. Download: Free. Subscriptions start at $3.99 per month across 2 plan(s). App Store rating 4.6 from 928,785 ratings. 40 of 1,066 reviews in the last 12 months mention charges, subscriptions, refunds or cancelling (4%). The developer has 3 app(s) on the App Store, 1 no longer listed. Cancel through Settings › Subscriptions on the iPhone. Data verified Sep 8, 2026 by AppsLupa.

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