Does Apple News Include New York Times? The Truth About That Missing Paywall

You’re scrolling through your morning feed. You see a headline about a global crisis or a quirky trend in Brooklyn. You tap it. Suddenly, you’re staring at a "Subscribe Now" screen or, worse, a "Page Not Found" loop. If you’ve been hunting for the Grey Lady inside your favorite aggregator, you’ve probably asked: does apple news include new york times?

Honestly, the answer is a bit of a "no, but also yes" situation. It's complicated.

Back in 2020, The New York Times made a massive power move. They packed their bags and walked away from the Apple News partnership. It wasn't a quiet exit either. They basically told the world that being a tiny cog in Apple’s machine didn’t fit their vibe.

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Why You Can’t Find the Times on Apple News+

If you’re paying for Apple News+, you might feel a little cheated. You get The Wall Street Journal. You get The Atlantic. You even get The Athletic now. But the NYT is nowhere to be found in that premium bundle.

The reason is simple: money and data. Meredith Kopit Levien, the CEO of the Times, has been very vocal about this. She wants you on their app. She wants your email address. She wants to know if you like Wordle or if you’re more of a "Cooking" section person.

When you read a story on Apple News, Apple keeps the data. They also keep a fat 30% cut of any subscription sold through the app. The Times looked at that math and said, "Thanks, but no thanks." They want the direct relationship. They want to be the destination, not just a passenger on the Apple bus.

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The Loophole: How You Can Still See NYT Content

Wait. Don’t delete the app just yet.

You’ll still see New York Times stories pop up in your "Today" feed occasionally. How? Well, if you have a standalone subscription to the Times, you can actually link it.

1. Open the Apple News app.
2. Search for The New York Times channel.
3. If you’re a subscriber, there’s usually a prompt to "Link Account."
4. Boom. Now those paywalled stories open for you.

But let’s be real. It’s not the same. You aren't getting the full, curated "Daily" experience or the deep-dive interactive graphics the way they look in the native NYT app. It’s a diluted version. Kinda like drinking a Diet Coke when you really wanted the real thing.

The Competition: Who Stayed?

While the Times fled for the hills, other giants stayed put.

• The Wall Street Journal: They are the crown jewel of Apple News+. They provide a huge chunk of their daily reporting, though some of the super-niche "Pro" business stuff is still held back.
• The Washington Post: They have a weird "frenemy" relationship with Apple. You can follow them, but they aren't fully integrated into the "Plus" subscription the way the Journal is.
• The Athletic: Since the New York Times actually bought The Athletic, people thought it would vanish from Apple News. Surprisingly, it’s still there. It’s like the one child who stayed in the divorce.

Is It Worth It Without the Times?

Does Apple News include New York Times content enough to justify the $12.99 a month? That depends on how much you value the Times specifically. If you are a die-hard fan of their investigative reporting, you’re going to end up paying for two subscriptions.

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Basically, the Times is betting on itself. They have over 10 million subscribers now. They don't need Apple's "discovery" engine anymore. They are the engine.

What You Should Do Next

If you’re tired of the "Does Apple News include New York Times" guessing game, here is the most efficient way to handle your news diet:

• Audit your reading: If you only read the Times once a week, just use the free articles on their website or the occasional link in Apple News.
• The Bundle Strategy: If you want it all, get the NYT All Access bundle directly from them. It includes Games, Cooking, and Wirecutter.
• Link Your Accounts: If you already pay for both, make sure you go into the "Following" tab in Apple News and sign in to your NYT account. It saves you from that annoying "Subscribe" pop-up.
• Explore the Alternatives: If you're strictly an Apple News+ user, give The Los Angeles Times or The Guardian a fair shake. They are fully included and often cover the same ground without the extra fee.

The bottom line? The divorce between these two tech giants is final. Don't expect a reconciliation anytime soon. Both companies are far too successful—and far too stubborn—to cave now.