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Guide · Open source

How to use NetNewsWire: set up feeds and read news on Mac and iOS

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

NetNewsWire is a free, open-source feed reader for macOS and iOS. A feed reader gathers new posts from blogs and news sites into one place, so you can read them without visiting each site. This guide explains what the app supports, how to get it, and how to build it yourself if you are a developer working in Swift and Xcode.

NetNewsWireRanchero-Software/NetNewsWire · ★ 10.5k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Check your platform. NetNewsWire is for macOS and iOS. The README does not mention Windows, Android, or Linux.
  2. 2Get the app. Download NetNewsWire from the project homepage at netnewswire.com, or build it from source if you are a developer.
  3. 3Clone the source if building. Run git clone https://github.com/Ranchero-Software/NetNewsWire.git to get the code.
  4. 4Create DeveloperSettings.xcconfig. Use setup.sh or create the file by hand in a SharedXcodeSettings folder next to the repository.
  5. 5Open and build in Xcode. Open NetNewsWire.xcodeproj in Xcode and build without code signing errors.
  6. 6Add your feeds. Subscribe to the RSS, Atom, JSON Feed, or RSS-in-JSON feeds of the blogs and news sites you follow.

What NetNewsWire does and which feed formats it supports

NetNewsWire reads news feeds. Feeds are published by websites and blogs and list their latest posts. Instead of checking each site, you subscribe to its feed and read new items in the app.

NetNewsWire supports four formats: RSS, Atom, JSON Feed, and RSS-in-JSON. Most blogs and news sites publish at least one of these.

  • RSS
  • Atom
  • JSON Feed
  • RSS-in-JSON

Install NetNewsWire on macOS or iOS

The project describes NetNewsWire as an app for macOS and iOS. The source README does not list installation steps for the packaged app, so check the project homepage at netnewswire.com for how to get the app.

If you want to build the app from source, you need Xcode. The README does not name a required Xcode version. Clone the repository with the command below.

git clone https://github.com/Ranchero-Software/NetNewsWire.git

Build NetNewsWire from source with a developer settings file

You can build and test NetNewsWire without a paid developer account. To handle code signing without changing the project, create a local file named DeveloperSettings.xcconfig. The README offers two ways: running the included setup.sh script, or creating the folder structure by hand.

With the manual method, place a SharedXcodeSettings folder next to the NetNewsWire repository and put DeveloperSettings.xcconfig inside it. Set DEVELOPMENT_TEAM to your Apple-supplied team ID, which you can find with Keychain Access. Set ORGANIZATION_IDENTIFIER to a reversed domain name you control or have made up. Leave PROVISIONING_PROFILE_SPECIFIER empty.

  • Open Terminal and cd into the NetNewsWire directory.
  • Run chmod +x setup.sh to make the script executable.
  • Run ./setup.sh and answer the prompts.
  • Open NetNewsWire.xcodeproj in Xcode and build.
CODE_SIGN_IDENTITY = Mac Developer DEVELOPMENT_TEAM = <Your Team ID> CODE_SIGN_STYLE = Automatic ORGANIZATION_IDENTIFIER = <Your Domain Name Reversed> DEVELOPER_ENTITLEMENTS = -dev PROVISIONING_PROFILE_SPECIFIER =

Know what is disabled in a self-built copy

The README says this is a special build with some functionality disabled. The project keeps API keys out of the repository, so certain account types are not enabled in builds made without them. According to the README, iCloud and Feedly accounts are not enabled, and Reader View is not enabled either.

If you run into problems building, the README points to the project forum, where the maintainers say they will help.

  • iCloud account sync is disabled in self-built copies.
  • Feedly account sync is disabled in self-built copies.
  • Reader View is disabled in self-built copies.

Report bugs, request features and read release notes

Bugs and feature requests go to the GitHub issues page. Release notes for current and previous releases are on the project's releases page.

The README asks contributors to ask before opening a pull request, and before starting work on one. The Contributing page explains the process.

  • Report bugs and request features: github.com/Ranchero-Software/NetNewsWire/issues
  • Read change notes: github.com/Ranchero-Software/NetNewsWire/releases
  • Discuss with users: discourse.netnewswire.com

What people use it for

  • Following several blogs and news sites in one app on a Mac
  • Reading the same feeds on an iPhone
  • Studying a feed reader written in Swift as a reference project
  • Modifying the source in Xcode to test changes to a feed reader

Frequently asked questions

Is NetNewsWire free?

Yes. The README describes NetNewsWire as a free and open-source feed reader for macOS and iOS. The project is released under the MIT licence.

Does NetNewsWire work on Windows, Android or Linux?

The README only names macOS and iOS as supported platforms. If you need Windows, Android, or Linux, this source does not say the app supports them.

What feed formats does NetNewsWire support?

It supports RSS, Atom, JSON Feed, and RSS-in-JSON. These cover most blogs and news sites.

Do I need a paid developer account to build NetNewsWire?

No. The README says you can build and test NetNewsWire without a paid developer account. You will need Xcode, and a DeveloperSettings.xcconfig file for code signing.

Why are iCloud, Feedly and Reader View missing in my build?

The README says the project's API keys are not stored in the repository, so builds made without them disable iCloud and Feedly accounts and Reader View. This applies to self-built copies.

Where do I report a bug in NetNewsWire?

Report bugs and feature requests on the GitHub issues page at github.com/Ranchero-Software/NetNewsWire/issues. You can also ask questions on the community forum.

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Our verdict

NetNewsWire suits people who want a free, open-source feed reader on a Mac or iPhone, and developers who want to study or change a Swift reader. If you need Windows, Android, or Linux, or need iCloud, Feedly sync or Reader View in a self-built copy, pick a different reader or use the official builds.

Install options & downloads