Your guide to the BBC News Android app
How do I send feedback to the BBC about the BBC News app?
If you wish to raise a formal complaint about the app, please go to the BBC Complaints homepage.
How do I refresh the content in the app?
Press the refresh button in the top bar. The symbol is two arrows in the shape of a circle.
What are push notifications?
Push notifications are a new addition to the BBC News app, allowing you to be alerted to the biggest news stories as they break.
When a notification is received it will briefly be displayed in your device's status bar and may be accompanied by a sound depending on your settings.
Alerts can then be viewed within the Android notification area (accessed by dragging down the status bar).
The service is available to users with Android 2.3 and above running version 2.4 of the BBC News app or higher.
To download the latest version, visit the Play Store on your device.
How many push notifications will I receive?
The number of alerts we send out will vary according to the news agenda, however this will typically be between 1 and 3 notifications a day reflecting the highest profile stories
Will I be charged for push notifications?
Push notifications are free to receive, but may make minimal use of your data plan if delivered via your mobile network provider.
How can I subscribe/unsubscribe from push notifications?
When opening the app for the first time you will be presented with a message requesting permission to send you push notifications.
Tap 'Yes' to subscribe or 'No' to decline.
This preference can also be changed at any time from the app's settings screen:
- To turn notifications off
From the app home screen select 'Settings' from the menu (depending on your device this may be located in the red action bar overflow at the top of the screen, a hard key beneath the screen, or a soft key in the overflow menu at the foot of the screen).
Under 'Notifications' untick the box next to 'Breaking news notifications'.
- To turn notifications on
From the same screen ensure the box next to 'Breaking news notifications' is ticked.
How do I turn the push notification sound off?
By default the BBC News sound is played whenever an alert is received.
This can be turned off or re-enabled from the app's settings screen (see above).
If you choose to receive push notifications, a unique identifier relating to your device will be stored by ProcessOne on behalf of the BBC to provide you with the service.
No other personal data relating to you (such as a username or email address) is processed. The BBC will keep your information secure and not share it with anyone else in accordance with the BBC's Privacy and Cookies Policy, available at http://www.bbc.co.uk/privacy
You can choose to unsubscribe from push notifications from BBC News in your app's settings screen.
How do I change the font size on a story?
The font size controls can be found by tapping on the overflow button in the top right hand of your screen, represented by a symbol of three vertical dots.
On some phones you will need to tap the 'Menu' button to access the font controls.
How do I share a story?
The app gives you the option to post BBC News stories to Facebook, Twitter, e-mail or any other app on your device that supports sharing.
To access this feature, tap the Share button from any story page - styled as three dots in the shape of a triangle, with two of the three sides connected - and select your preferred means of sharing from the menu.
Please note that you may be asked to configure a Facebook, Twitter or e-mail account if your chosen sharing method has not already been set up on the device.
How can I personalise the app?
You can access the personalisation features by tapping the large 'Edit topics' button at the bottom of the main home screen or the 'Edit' button in your device's top bar or menu.
In the personalisation view you can tick or untick BBC News sections that you wish to view.
You can also re-order the news categories in Edit mode by tapping and holding the three-bar icon to the left-hand side of the category title and dragging the section up or down.
When you have finished, tap the 'OK' button to save your changes.
Can I watch live video?
Live video is available on devices running version 4.0 and above of the Android operating system. Older devices running version 2.3 of Android will be able to watch live video if they also have the Flash player installed.
Do I need a TV Licence to watch live TV on my mobile device?
You will need a TV licence to watch 'live' TV on your device, including the BBC News channel in the app.
A 'live' TV programme is a programme that is watched or recorded at the same time (or virtually the same time) as it is being broadcast or otherwise distributed to members of the public.
As a general rule, if a person is watching a programme on a computer or other device at the same time as it is being shown on TV then the programme is 'live'. This is sometimes known as simulcasting.
You do not need a TV licence if you only use BBC services to watch television programmes which are not 'live'.
What will happen if I don't have a TV licence?
It is a criminal offence to watch 'live' television without a TV licence or to possess or control a device which you know or reasonably believe will be used to watch 'live' TV without a TV licence. You could be prosecuted and fined up to £1000 (plus be ordered to pay legal costs) for these offences.
Where can I buy a TV licence or get more details?
To buy a TV licence or to obtain further information about licensing requirements call TV Licensing on 0870 241 5590 or visit www.tvlicensing.co.uk.
Can I save video to watch later?
No. Currently, the BBC offers video and audio clips as streams which are only available when your device has a network connection.
How can I use the BBC News app when not connected to the internet?
The app will automatically save stories on the device for reading when you don't have a network connection.
As video and audio clips are streamed to the device, these won't be available when you don't have a network connection.
How can I find the Settings menu for the app?
Settings are available in the app menu which is accessible via the menu button of your phone or in the overflow menu in the action bar depending on which device you own.
How do I change my automatic download and notification preferences?
The app allows you to specify whether or not it automatically downloads the latest news.
This option is available from the Settings screen which can be accessed as detailed above. To enable the app to automatically download the latest stories you should ensure the 'Automatic news updates' checkbox is ticked.
If automatic updates are chosen, the app will then allow you to specify the frequency of updates and the option to receive visual and/or audio notifications from the options underneath.
Can I send a story in to BBC News?
Stories can be sent to the BBC newsroom by tapping the 'Send to BBC News' button in the menu.
If you are happy to be contacted by a BBC journalist, please include a telephone number that we can contact you on.
In some cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name as you provide it and location, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published.
When sending us pictures at no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Please ensure you have read the terms and conditions.
How do I opt out of statistics collection?
We collect statistical data about how the application is used to help us learn what works and what's most useful to you.
The more data we can gather, the better, so that we know what people want from applications like this.
All data is collected anonymously (e.g. we won't know what pages a specific person visits, or their location, but we will be able to see general trends about which pages and areas are more popular). Naturally, if you'd prefer us not to collect this data, we won't.
To opt out of statistics collection, go to the Settings menu and untick the 'Share Statistics' option.