Recipe app developers are facing new competition as Apple announced a forthcoming feature for Apple News+ subscribers, called Apple News+ Food. This new section will enable users to search, discover, save, and cook recipes from numerous existing News+ publishing partners. The feature is scheduled to roll out as part of iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 in April, but will only be available in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia.
Unlike independent recipe applications that can aggregate content from various sources, including blogs or TikTok videos, Apple News+ Food will solely focus on recipes provided by Apple News+ publishers. At its launch, Apple intends to include over 30 publishers, up from the 20 it is currently testing. These partners comprise well-known brands such as Allrecipes, Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, Good Food, Serious Eats, Epicurious, Good Housekeeping, Better Homes & Gardens, and others. Apple reports tens of thousands of recipes will be accessible through the service.
This initiative provides Apple’s publishing partners with an opportunity to reach a broader audience during a time when Google’s traffic directing abilities to websites have diminished. iPhone and iPad users will be able to access a new Food section in the Apple News app’s Today feed, featuring a recipe curated by Apple’s editorial team, alongside a collection of food and dining-related stories.
Apple mentioned that some food stories and recipes will also be accessible to Apple News+ non-subscribers. The Apple News+ Food service can be reached by tapping the “More food” link in the Food section of the app’s Today tab or by selecting “Food” from the Following tab for a more direct route to the recipes.
Within the Food+ section, a featured recipe updated daily, along with a set of recommended stories based on user interests, will be presented. Personalization will improve the more users engage with the app. Additional curated sections include links to saved recipes and themed recipe collections, such as healthy eating or quick weeknight dinners.
Users will be able to save recipes directly to the News app for later reference. The app allows users to search the recipe catalog using filters like “dinner,” “easy,” “vegetarian,” and “under 30 minutes.” Recipes are designed to be ad-free and easy to read, providing key information in a clear format along with links back to the publisher’s site.
Additional features include tapping an ingredient to see the required amount, and tapping cooking times in recipes to automatically start a timer on a user’s device. A dedicated cooking mode is available to display recipes in full screen with larger text, ensuring the screen remains active.
However, the service does not currently allow users to add personal recipes or import recipes from other sources, including social media platforms like TikTok or Instagram Reels. Apple’s entry into this market adds to its growing list of apps and reinforces its influence in the mobile app ecosystem. Unlike independent developers who need sustainable business models, Apple can leverage its strength in continued iPhone sales.
For Apple News+ Food, publishers will not receive additional compensation for their recipes; rather, the service is an expansion of existing partnerships wherein Apple earns revenue through ad sales. The Apple News+ subscription, which includes access to more than 400 magazines, newspapers, and digital publishers, is priced at $12.99 per month in the U.S., £12.99 in the U.K., $16.99 in Canada, and $19.99 in Australia.
