ABC News
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Analysis by LookedApp · Published · Updated
The ABC News app offers live breaking news and continuous coverage from various ABC programs, including Good Morning America and World News Tonight. It caters to users seeking up-to-date information, including dedicated coverage for the 2026 midterm elections, and features a new vertical video experience. The app is available at no cost on both Google Play and the App Store, providing a comprehensive news resource.
What is ABC News?
The ABC News app is designed to provide live breaking news and nonstop coverage from popular ABC programs. These include Good Morning America, World News Tonight with David Muir, Nightline, 20/20, and This Week. The app also incorporates a vertical video experience called Verts, which presents a continuous stream of news and exclusive reporting.
Disney is the developer of the ABC News app. It is accessible on Google Play under the title "ABC News: Breaking News Live" and on the App Store as "ABC News: Live & Breaking".
The Google Play version is 8.95.0, last updated on 2026-09-08, and was initially released on 2011-07-06. The App Store version is 8.98.0, with an update date of 2026-10-07, and its initial release was on 2008-12-23.
Latest on ABC News
Is this the real ABC News app?
- Verified publisher infoSame developer on Google Play and the App Store (Disney), and the developer website abcnews.com matches the publisher.
- Established since 2008Listed since Dec 23, 2008, 5,000,000+ installs on Google Play.
| Developer on Google Play | Disney |
|---|---|
| Developer on the App Store | Disney |
| Same developer on both stores | Yes |
| Android package name | com.abc.abcnews |
| iOS bundle ID | com.abcnews.ABCNews |
| On the stores since | Dec 23, 2008 |
| Installs on Google Play | 5,000,000+ |
| Developer website | abcnews.com |
| Content rating | Google Play: Everyone 10+ / App Store: 12+ |
These details come from the public store listings. LookedApp doesn't host downloads: install from the Google Play or App Store buttons on this page.
Key features
- Live breaking news and continuous coverage from ABC programs are provided.
- A vertical video experience, Verts, offers a stream of news and exclusive reporting.
- Users can receive customizable push alerts for various topics, including politics, weather, health, and business news.
- The app delivers live results, analysis, and on-the-ground reporting for the 2026 midterm elections.
- Full episodes and clips from shows like Good Morning America and World News Tonight are available for viewing.
- ABC News Podcasts, including the 'Start Here' daily show, can be accessed within the app.
- A dark mode is an available feature for user interface preference.
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Privacy and permissions
The Google Play listing indicates that the ABC News app requests access to permission groups such as Location, Phone, Wi-Fi connection information, and Device ID & call information. The App Store listing does not specify the particular permission groups the app may access.
The developer provides links related to user privacy, including "Your California Privacy Rights" and "Do Not Sell My Information" on its website. The app also integrates Nielsen's proprietary measurement software, which contributes to market research, with information and an opt-out link available for users.
Disney publishes its privacy policy at corporate.disney.go.com.
ABC News permissions in plain English
The Google Play listing shows 4 permission groups. Google Play also lists 4 other permissions, such as “view network connections”. That is fewer than most streaming, tv & news apps LookedApp reviews (typical: 5).
- Device ID & call informationCan read your device ID and call status
- LocationCan use your approximate location
- PhoneCan read phone status or make calls
- Wi-Fi connection informationCan see Wi-Fi connection details
The App Store privacy label lists these data types:
- Used to track you: Identifiers
- Linked to you: Location, Contact Info, User Content, Identifiers, Usage Data
- Not linked to you: Location, Diagnostics
Permission names come from Google Play; the plain-English lines describe what each permission group allows, not how this app uses it.
ABC News at a glance
| Developer | Disney |
|---|---|
| Category | News |
| Rating on App Store | 4.0 out of 5 (6K ratings) |
| Rating on Google Play | 3.3 out of 5 (26K ratings) |
| Price | Free |
| Age rating | 12+ |
What changed in the latest ABC News version
App Store and Google Play · Version 8.98.0, released Oct 7, 2026; Google Play listing updated Oct 6, 2026
The release notes are general and don't list specific changes:
“Live coverage of the 2026 midterm elections: results, analysis and on-the-ground reporting as races unfold. Plus performance improvements and bug fixes.”
Quoted from the store listings' release notes.
Pricing
The ABC News app is available for no cost on both the Google Play Store and the App Store. The Google Play listing indicates a price of 0, and the App Store listing specifies "Free".
The developer does not mention any in-app purchases or additional costs within the provided store descriptions.
ABC News compared with similar apps
| App | Rating | Installs | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 ABC News | 3.3 | – | Free |
 YouTube | 3.8 | 10B+ | Free |
 Tubi | 4.9 | 100M+ | Free |
 YouTube Music | 4.5 | 5B+ | Free |
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How to get ABC News safely
To acquire the ABC News app, users should only download it from the Google Play platform or the App Store. It is important to verify that the app is published by Disney, as stated in the store listings.
Users are advised to avoid downloading the app from unofficial sources, such as third-party websites or APK mirrors, which may offer modified versions. Before installation, reviewing the requested permissions, such as those for Location and Phone access on Google Play, is recommended.
How to install ABC News
On Android (Google Play)
- Open the Google Play Store app on your Android phone or tablet.
- Search for ABC News, or use the Google Play button on this page to open the listing directly.
- Check that the developer under the app name is Disney.
- Tap Install (or the price, for a paid app) and wait for the download to finish, then open the app from your home screen.
On iPhone and iPad (App Store)
- Open the App Store on your iPhone or iPad.
- Search for ABC News, or use the App Store button on this page to open the listing directly.
- Check that the developer under the app name is Disney.
- Make sure your device has iOS 17.0 or later and about 141 MB of free space, as the listing states.
- Tap Get (or the price), confirm the download, then open the app from your home screen.
ABC News version and app details
| Google Play | App Store | |
|---|---|---|
| Latest version | – | 8.98.0 |
| Last updated | Oct 6, 2026 | Oct 7, 2026 |
| First released | Jul 6, 2011 | Dec 23, 2008 |
| Package name | com.abc.abcnews | – |
| Bundle ID | – | com.abcnews.ABCNews |
| Requires | – | iOS 17.0 or later |
| Download size | – | 141 MB |
| Content rating | Everyone 10+ | 12+ (Infrequent/Mild Mature/Suggestive Themes; Infrequent/Mild Alcohol, Tobacco, or Drug Use or References; Infrequent/Mild Medical/Treatment Information; Infrequent/Mild Realistic Violence) |
| In-app purchases | No | – |
| Contains ads | Yes | – |
| Languages | – | 1 (including English) |
| Developer | Disney | Disney |
Who ABC News is for
The ABC News app is intended for individuals who want to stay informed with live breaking news and in-depth coverage of current events. It is suitable for those interested in political news, especially regarding the 2026 midterm elections, and users who appreciate varied news formats, including vertical videos and traditional program content.
This app benefits viewers of ABC news programs like Good Morning America and World News Tonight, as it offers access to full episodes and clips. It is also for users who prefer customizable news alerts to keep track of specific topics like health, business, and weather.
ABC News for kids and families
Pros
- Provides extensive live breaking news and continuous event coverage.
- Features the innovative Verts vertical video experience for news consumption.
- Delivers comprehensive coverage and analysis of the 2026 midterm elections.
- Offers customizable push alerts for personalized news updates.
- Includes access to full episodes and clips from popular ABC news programs.
Cons
- The Google Play rating of 3.2 is lower compared to the App Store rating of 4.0.
- The Google Play listing indicates the app requests access to multiple permission groups, including Location and Phone.
- The App Store listing does not explicitly detail the requested permission groups.
- The app incorporates Nielsen's measurement software, which collects data for market research purposes.
ABC News: frequently asked questions
Is the ABC News app available for no cost?
Yes, the ABC News app is available for no cost on both Google Play and the App Store.
Who developed the ABC News app?
The ABC News app was developed by Disney.
On which platforms can the ABC News app be installed?
The ABC News app can be installed on devices compatible with Google Play and the App Store.
What kind of content does the ABC News app offer?
The ABC News app offers live breaking news, coverage from ABC programs like Good Morning America, vertical videos, and analysis of events such as the 2026 midterm elections.
Does the app include podcasts?
Yes, the app allows users to listen to ABC News Podcasts, including the 'Start Here' daily show.
What is the content rating for the app?
On Google Play, the content rating is "Everyone 10+", and on the App Store, it is "12+".
ABC News
- Category
- News
- Version
- 8.98.0
Download
Looking for the ABC News website or sign-in? Go to abcnews.com →The developer's website, as given on the store listing.
ABC News ratings breakdown
Google Play 3.3 average from 26,057 ratings
- 532%
- 428%
- 36%
- 25%
- 129%
App Store 4.0 average from 6,032 ratings
- 560%
- 416%
- 35%
- 25%
- 115%
Share of ratings for each star level, as shown on the listings, as of Oct 12, 2026.
