How to set up Google News on Android: a complete guide with pictures and tips

Feed Google News (previously Google News & Weather) is a powerful tool for those who want to keep up with the latest events without switching between dozens of sites. The app aggregates content from trusted sources, tailors it to your interests, and even suggests local news based on your location. However, many users Android face a problem: how to configure it correctly if the application is not displayed on the main screen or does not update the content?

In this article we will look at all the activation methods Google News —from basic installation to fine-tuning notifications and themes. We will pay special attention to typical errors (for example, why the tape may be empty after resetting the settings) and alternative methods for devices without Google Play Services. If you use a smartphone Huawei, Xiaomi with a proprietary shell or Android Go —you will also find a solution here.

Important: news personalization algorithms in Google are regularly updated. If after reading the article you still have questions about a specific phone model, specify the version Android and shell (for example, MIUI 14 or One UI 6) in the comments. This will help diagnose the problem more accurately.

1. Checking your device's compatibility with Google News

Before installing the application, make sure that your smartphone supports Google News. The service officially works on devices with:

• 📱 Android 5.0 Lollipop and later (for the full version)
• 🌍 Google Play Services version 22.0+ (checked in Settings → Applications → Google Play Services)
• 📡 Stable Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data)
• 📍 Included geolocation services (for local news)

On devices without Google Services (for example, some models Huawei after 2019 or Androidsmartphones for the Chinese market) application will not workIn this case, consider alternatives like Microsoft Start or Feedly.

⚠️ Attention: On smartphones with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), manual installation may be required Google Apps (GApps) via TWRP. Without this Google News will not start.

Manufacturer	Google News support	Features
Samsung	Yes (via Galaxy Store or Play Market)	Can be duplicated from Samsung Free
Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco	Yes, but requires disabling battery optimization	B MIUI background activity may be blocked
Huawei (since 2019)	No (without Google Services)	Alternative: Huawei Today or APK version with risks
Google Pixel	Yes (pre-installed)	Integration with Google Assistant

2. Installing Google News: 3 proven methods

If the application is not preinstalled, you can add it in several ways. Choose a method depending on your phone model and region.

Method 1: Through the Google Play Store. (recommended)

1. Open Play Market and enter in search "Google News".
2. Make sure the developer is Google LLC (avoid clones!).
3. Click "Install" and wait for the download to complete.
4. After installation, launch the application and complete the initial setup.

Method 2: Via APK file (for devices without Play Store)

If you have a smartphone without Google Services (for example, Huawei Mate 50 Pro), you can try installing APK manually:

1. Download the current version Google News from a trusted source (for example, APKMirror).
2. Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Security → Unknown sources.
3. Run the downloaded file and follow the instructions.

⚠️ Attention: Installing APKs from unverified sources may lead to data leaks or viruses. Before installation, check the file hash (MD5/SHA-1) on the developer's website.

Method 3: Through alternative stores (for China and Iran)

In some regions Play Market blocked. In this case:

• 📱 Use Aurora Store (requires registration through an anonymous account).
• 🌐 Download the application via APKPure (check reviews!).
• 🔄 If the application is not updated, turn on auto-update in the store settings.

3. Initial setup of Google News

After installation, the application will prompt you to select topics and sources. This step is critical - it determines how relevant the content will be.

Step 1: Select interests

When you first launch:

1. Click "Next" on the welcome screen.
2. Select 3–5 topicsthat are interesting to you (for example, "Technology", "Sports", "Finance").
3. Confirm your choice with the button "Done".

If you skip this step, the feed will be filled with random news, and the algorithm will take longer to learn your preferences.

Step 2: Setting up notifications

To receive notifications about important events:

1. Tap on your profile avatar in the upper right corner.
2. Select "Notification settings".
3. Enable the switches for topics for which you want to receive push notifications.
4. Configure delivery time (for example, only from 8:00 to 22:00).

3+ topics of interest selected|

Notifications for important topics are enabled|

Battery optimization for the application is disabled (for Xiaomi)|

Google account synchronized|-->

Step 3: Synchronization with Google account

If you want settings and favorite sources to be saved when changing device:

1. Open your profile in the application.
2. Select "Manage Google Account".
3. Make sure synchronization is enabled for "News".

4. Why Google News doesn't work: 7 common problems and solutions

Even after installation, the application may behave incorrectly. Here are typical scenarios and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: The feed is empty or not updated

Possible causes and solutions:

• 📶 No Internet —check your Wi-Fi or mobile network connection.
• 🔄 Application cache — clear it in Settings → Applications → Google News → Storage → Clear cache.
• 📍 Geolocation disabled —enable it in the phone settings.
• 🔒 Background activity restrictions (relevant for Xiaomi/Redmi) - add the application to "No restrictions".

Problem 2: The application constantly crashes

If Google News closes immediately after opening:

1. Update the application to the latest version.
2. Check the free space on your device (minimum required 500 MB).
3. Disable VPN or proxy - they can block access to servers Google.
4. Reinstall application.

Problem 3: News in an unknown language

If the content is not displayed in your language:

1. Open the application settings.
2. Select "Language and region".
3. Set the desired language (for example, "Russian (Russia)").
4. Restart the application.

What to do if the news is duplicated?

Duplicates appear if you subscribe to the same sources in several categories. To fix:

1. Open the application settings.

2. Select "Manage sources".

3. Remove duplicate publications from the favorites list.

4. Refresh the feed (pull down). data-i="214">5. Personalization of the feed: how to make news as relevant as possible

5. Feed personalization: how to make news as relevant as possible

The algorithm Google News is trained by your preferences, but it can be “nudged” in the right direction.

Method 1: Manual source management

To add or remove specific publications:

1. Open any news from the source you want to change.
2. Tap on the name of the media at the top of the article.
3. Select "Add to favorites" or "Hide source".

Method 2: Feedback on news

The more often you interact with content, the more accurate the recommendations become:

• 👍 "Like" — bet on interesting ones materials.
• 👎 "Not interesting" - removes similar news from the feed.
• 🔍 "More news like this" - strengthens the topic in recommendations.
• 🚫 "Hide topic" — completely excludes it from displays.

Method 3: Setting up dark mode

If you prefer a dark interface:

1. Open the application settings.
2. Select "Dark theme".
3. Set "Enabled" or "Scheduled" (for example, from 20:00 to 7:00).

6. Alternative ways to read news on Android

If Google News for some reason are not suitable for you, consider these options:

App	Pros	Cons
Microsoft Start	Integration with Windows, minimalistic design	Fewer sources in Russian
Feedly	RSS support, deep customization	Paid functions in the Pro version
SmartNews	Offline mode, compact reports	Advertising in the free version
Yandex News	Good localization for the CIS	Fewer international sources

How to transfer selected sources from Google News to another application

If you decide to change the aggregator, but want to keep the list of media:

1. Export the list of selected sources via Settings → Export data (if the function is available).
2. Import the file into the new application (for example, Feedly supports OPML).
3. Manually add missing sources through search in the new aggregator.

7. Google News on the main screen: widget and quick access

To always be up to date, add the widget Google News to the main screen:

Add widget

1. Tap and hold an empty space on the home screen.
2. Select "Widgets" in the menu that appears.
3. Find widget "Google News" (commonly called "News" or "Google App Widget").
4. Drag it onto the screen and select a size (for example 4×2 for compact type).

Setting up the displayed content

The widget can be customized:

• 📰 Select which topics to display (for example, only "Technologies" and "Business").
• 🔄 Set the refresh frequency (from "1 hour" to "Manual").
• 🌓 Customize the appearance (light/dark theme, font size).

8. Security and privacy in Google News

Like any application Google, Google News collects data about your interests. Here's how to manage these settings:

Privacy Control

To limit the collection of information:

1. Open Settings → Privacy.
2. Disable "Personalization of news" (but this will reduce the relevance of the content).
3. Clear your browsing history in the section "Your activity".

How to disable geolocation for news

If you do not want to receive local news:

1. Go to the application settings.
2. Select "Location".
3. Disable the option "Use exact location".

⚠️ Attention: Disabling geolocation may lead to the fact that you will see news from other regions or countries. For example, instead of Moscow events, materials from New York may be shown.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Google News on Android

Can I use Google News without a Google account?

Technically yes, but the functionality will be limited limited. Without an account, you will not be able to:

• Synchronize settings between devices.
• Save your favorite sources.
• Receive personalized recommendations.

At the same time, the basic feed with popular news will be available.

Why is my favorite publication not in Google News?

Possible reasons:

1. The publication has not been moderated Google (for example, if it distributes fakes).
2. The site does not support the format RSS or AMP.
3. Regional restrictions (some media are available only in certain countries).

Solution: add the site manually via Settings → Manage sources → Add manually (if the function is available).

How to disable video in the news feed?

You can hide the video:

1. Open the application settings.
2. Go in "Content settings".
3. Disable the option "Show video".

This will also speed up the loading of the feed on a slow Internet.

How much traffic Google consumes News?

Traffic consumption depends on the settings:

• Text news only: ~5–10 MB per day.
• With with images: ~20–50 MB per day.
• With video: up to 100+ MB (depending on the duration of the videos).

To reduce consumption:

• Disable autoplay of videos.
• Use the mode "Save traffic" in the settings.
• Update the feed only via Wi-Fi.

Can I use Google News on an Android tablet?

Yes, the application is fully adapted for tablets. Moreover, on larger screens (for example Samsung Galaxy Tab S8), additional features are available:

• Split window for simultaneous reading and watching videos.
• Responsive layout with multiple columns.
• Support DeX Mode (for Samsung) for working in desktop mode.