How to Read News, Books, and Magazines on a Smartphone
A 6.1-inch phone screen sounds like a poor substitute for a newspaper or a paperback. In practice, with the right settings and the right apps, a smartphone is the best reading device most seniors will ever own — large adjustable text, instant access to your local newspaper, your favourite magazines, and the library's entire e-book collection, all for either free or a small monthly fee. Here's how to set it up.
First: the reading-comfort setup
Three settings make any reading task on a phone dramatically more comfortable. We cover the details in our text-size guide, but in summary: turn the text size up to position 5 of 7 or higher, turn on Bold Text, and turn on "Night Shift" (iPhone) or "Night Light" (Android) to warm the screen after sunset. Those three changes can turn a phone that hurts your eyes into one that doesn't.
News — local and national
The easiest way to read your local newspaper is usually through its own app. Search the App Store or Play Store for the paper's name (e.g., "Denver Post", "Boston Globe"). Most major US newspapers have an app with the same subscription as the print edition. If you already subscribe to print, you can often link your subscription to the digital app at no extra cost — call the paper's circulation department if it isn't obvious.
For national and international news, three options work well:
- Apple News+ (iPhone) — US$13/month. Gets you hundreds of magazines and newspapers, including the LA Times, Wall Street Journal, and most national magazines, in a single app.
- Google News (Android & iPhone) — free, with a mix of free articles and links to subscribed publications.
- Individual app subscriptions — The New York Times, Washington Post, and BBC each cost roughly US$5–15/month. Better value than Apple News+ if you only read one or two.
Books — three good options
Borrow from your library for free (Libby). Libby is a free app that lets anyone with a library card borrow e-books and audiobooks from their public library. The selection is excellent — usually the same books on the bestseller list, with a wait for popular titles. Setup: install Libby, tap "Sign up with my library card," type in your library card number. Free, forever, with no subscription.
Buy from Amazon Kindle. The Kindle app on iPhone or Android lets you buy books directly. Selection is the broadest; prices on most e-books are US$10–15. A Kindle Unlimited subscription (US$12/month) gives you unlimited access to a rotating catalogue, though the catalogue isn't comprehensive.
Borrow from your library on Kindle. Many libraries also lend through Amazon's system — in Libby, when you borrow a book, you can choose to send it to your Kindle app instead of reading inside Libby.
Magazines — also free at the library
Libby and a similar app called Flipster (also a library service in many regions) both lend magazines — usually including current issues of the New Yorker, the Economist, Time, National Geographic, Better Homes & Gardens, and most major UK and US titles. Free with a library card.
If your library doesn't offer Flipster or Libby magazines, Readly (US$10/month) gives you several hundred magazines as a paid subscription.
When listening beats reading
If your eyes tire quickly, the audiobook is your friend. Same Libby app, same library card — audiobooks borrow alongside e-books. For commercial audiobooks, Audible (Amazon) is the largest service at US$15/month for one credit. Most readers we work with prefer Libby for fiction and Audible for current bestsellers.
Built into both iPhone and Android: an accessibility feature called "Spoken Content" (iPhone) or "Select to Speak" (Android) that reads any text on the screen aloud — articles, books, anything. Turn it on under Settings → Accessibility. Useful for a quick news article while doing something with your hands.
Reading in bed without ruining sleep
Reading on a phone at night has a real downside: bright blue-tinted light tells your brain it's daytime. Two fixes:
- Schedule Night Shift / Night Light to turn on automatically at sunset (Settings → Display).
- Drop screen brightness to about 20% in the bedroom — your eyes will adjust quickly to the dimmer screen, and you'll fall asleep more easily.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a library card?
Visit your nearest public library with a piece of mail showing your home address and a photo ID. Most libraries issue a card on the spot, free of charge.
Can I read a Kindle book without owning a Kindle?
Yes — the free Kindle app on iPhone or Android works exactly like a Kindle device. You don't need to own the physical device.
What if a book is "checked out" at the library?
Libby lets you place a hold, just like a physical book. You'll get a notification when it's your turn — typically 1–8 weeks for popular new titles.
Will reading on a phone hurt my eyes?
If you keep the text large, the screen at a comfortable brightness, and take breaks every 20 minutes to look at something far away, no. Eye strain is reversible. Real damage requires sustained extreme exposure that ordinary reading doesn't approach.
Can I print articles or send them to my computer?
Most news apps have a Share button (square with up-arrow) that lets you email an article to yourself or print to a wireless printer.
Written by Margaret Holloway. Last verified 12 June 2026.