CNN: Live & Breaking News - News and Live Updates

CNN: Live & Breaking News is a news and magazines application by CNN that delivers breaking news, live updates, and headlines across politics, health, world news, climate, and more. The app solves the problem of keeping users informed in real time by combining short-form videos, interactives, articles, podcasts, live audio, and streaming into a single destination. It addresses the need for timely, fact-based reporting and in-depth context, letting users track developing stories through live update articles, custom alerts, and interactive election maps. With a version 26.21.0 update released on 2026-10-22, the app has been installed over 50 million times and carries a rating of 4.25 from more than 587,000 reviews, reflecting its broad adoption and steady evolution since its initial release in 2011. The app is free to download, includes ads, and offers in-app purchases for subscription plans, while requiring Android 10 or higher and using Wi-Fi connection information permission.

Key features

• Streaming access to 24/7 global news, daily programs, award-winning shows, and films, with a 5-minute live preview and unlimited viewing unlocked by logging into a TV provider
• Interactive Magic Wall for tracking elections with live county-by-county results and the ability to compare incoming 2026 data to past elections
• Custom alerts and notifications for following developing stories, with live update articles that evolve as news arrives
• Live video coverage and CNN Shorts for quick visual updates on unfolding events
• In-depth analysis and context from award-winning journalists, plus a library of original series and documentaries
• Live audio streams from CNN, CNN en Español, CNN International, and HLN, along with the '1 Thing' podcast for weekly highlights
• Personalized story recommendations based on user interests, and feel-good stories covering travel, style, and entertainment
• Digital subscription options including an All Access plan with unlimited articles and exclusive content, and a Basic plan with unlimited articles only

How to install

1. Tap the download button on this page to obtain the APK file for CNN: Live & Breaking News; the file size is not specified in the available data.
2. When Android prompts, allow your browser or file manager to install apps by enabling the 'Install unknown apps' setting for that source.
3. Open the downloaded APK file from your notifications or file manager.
4. Tap Install on the installation screen and wait for the process to complete; the app requires Android 10 or higher.
5. Open the app from your home screen or app drawer, then sign in or start browsing the news.
6. If you have a TV provider, log in within the app to unlock unlimited streaming and additional content.

Latest changes · 26.21.0

Version 26.21.0 focuses on election coverage. The Magic Wall now offers interactive maps with live, county-by-county results as races are reported.

This app is designed for experienced users who want a single, reliable source for breaking news and live coverage across multiple topics. It suits news enthusiasts who value real-time updates, such as election trackers, policy watchers, and those following global events closely. The streaming and podcast features appeal to users who prefer audio or video formats over text, while the personalized recommendations help busy readers catch up quickly. It is particularly useful for people in the United States who can take advantage of the digital subscription plans and TV provider login for unlimited streaming. However, users who are sensitive to ads or prefer a completely ad-free experience may find the advertising disruptive, and those on older Android versions will need to upgrade their device. Overall, it targets individuals who want both breaking news and in-depth analysis in one app, with the flexibility to choose between free and premium access levels.

To get the most out of the app, set custom alerts for the specific topics or races you care about so you receive timely notifications without being overwhelmed. If you subscribe, remember that your plan auto-renews unless you cancel at least 24 hours before the renewal date, so keep track of your billing cycle. For election night, use the Magic Wall to compare live results with past data for better context. You can also explore the 5-minute live preview to sample streaming before deciding on a TV provider login or subscription. Finally, personalize your story feed to focus on your preferred news categories and reduce time spent scrolling through less relevant content.

CNN: Live & Breaking News is a robust news application that combines real-time updates, streaming, and analysis into a single platform, making it a strong choice for users who want comprehensive coverage. Its ads and subscription model may be a drawback for some, but the feature set and interactive tools offer substantial value for those who follow news closely.