How to Subscribe to a Magazine or Newspaper on the iPad

Download your favorite content and read it anywhere and on any device

The iPad has been touted as a great e-book reader, but it may be even better at viewing magazines. The spirit of a magazine is often the art of photography combined with the talent of writing, which makes for a perfect pairing with a Retina Display. If you like reading magazines, here's how to subscribe to magazines on the iPad.

Instructions in this article apply to iPads with iOS 11 or later.

How to Subscribe to Magazines and Newspapers in the App Store

Magazines and newspapers are available in the App Store and function like any other app downloaded to an iPad. This includes the ability to use in-app purchases to subscribe to a magazine or newspaper.

Once you download a magazine from the App Store, you can subscribe to it in the magazine's app. Most magazines and newspapers offer limited free content, so you can check out what you're getting before you make a purchase.

  1. Launch the App Store.

    iPad screen with the App Store highlighted
  2. Tap Apps.

    iPad App Store screen with Apps highlighted
  3. Scroll down to Top Categories, then tap See All.

    iPad App Store Screen with Top Categories and See All highlighted
  4. Tap Magazines and Newspapers.

    Apple iPad App Store categories with "Magazines & Newspapers" highlighted
  5. Browse and download magazines just as you would with apps. Tap a magazine to see more details, including user reviews.

    iPad App Store app National Geographic magazine open to its download page
  6. Tap Get to download the magazine or newspaper.

    iPad App Store magazine app with Get highlighted
  7. If prompted, sign in with your Apple ID.

    iPad App Store download screen with Apple ID input box
  8. Once the magazine is downloaded, tap Open.

    iPad App Store downloaded magazine app with Open highlighted
  9. Depending on the magazine, you'll likely be able to access some content for free, and you'll be offered a Subscribe option for unlimited access.

    iPad Magazine download with the Subscribe option highlighted

Where Do the Magazines and Newspapers Go?

Newspapers and magazines you download and subscribe to appear on the iPad Home screen, where you can manage them like any other app. Organize them into folders, place them in the dock, or delete them without doing anything differently. You can also use Spotlight Search to find your magazine or newspaper.

As an alternative to subscribing to newspapers through the App Store, use the Apple News app or its premium Apple News Plus service.

How to Use Apple News

Apple introduced the Apple News app as a centralized way to read the news. It aggregates articles from various newspapers and magazines and presents them based on your interest.

Apple News includes free-to-read content from newspapers around the web organized into interests. News Plus also provides access to magazines for a single, monthly fee. It works similar to an Apple Music subscription. As long as your subscription is current, you can read as much as you want.

Here's how to get started with Apple News:

Apple News is available in iOS 12.2 and later.

  1. Open Apple News.

    iPad with Apple News icon highlighted

    Apple News was part of the iOS 12.2 update. If it isn't on your iPad, download it from the App Store.

  2. In the Channels, Topics, & Stories pane, select a category to browse news topics, channels (specific publications), and stories.

    iPad News app screen with Channels, Topics, & Stories" highlighted
  3. Select Edit to customize the Channels & Topics list.

    iPad News app with Edit highlighted by Channels and Topics list
  4. Tap News+ to browse the available premium magazines and periodicals.

    iPad News app with News+ highlighted
  5. Browse magazines alphabetically by name or by subject matter.

    iPad News app News+ page with browsing options highlighted
  6. Tap Try 1 Month Free to start a News+ free trial before the monthly charge starts.

    iPad News App with News + service "Try 1 Month Free" highlighted

    With an active News+ subscription, you have full access to everything available on the service.

How to Cancel a Subscription

Whether you have a single magazine subscription, pay monthly for News+, or have another kind of subscription on your iPad, you unsubscribe in the same way. To unsubscribe from a magazine, app, or service:

  1. Open Settings and tap your name.

    iPad settings with profile name highlighted
  2. Tap Subscriptions.

    iPad account settings with Subscriptions highlighted
  3. Select a magazine, app, or service, then select Cancel Subscription.

    iPad account subscription settings with Cancel Subscription highlighted

Most magazines and newspapers allow you to buy a single issue without a subscription.

How to Read Newspapers and Magazines on Your iPhone

If your iPhone and iPad are connected to the same account, purchase a magazine or Apple News+ subscription on your iPad and read the content you download on your iPhone. You can also turn on auto-downloads, and the magazine will be there waiting for you.

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