# WGN News - Chicago

> Local Chicago news, live broadcasts, weather, and traffic updates. (iPhone/iPad app by Tribune Broadcasting Company.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wgn-news-chicago/id586937701 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Tribune Broadcasting Company](https://appshunter.io/developer/586932834)
- Category: News, Entertainment
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.60/5 from 3,242 App Store ratings · 109 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 17+
- Requires: iOS 15.1 · 76 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2012-12-20
- Data updated: 2026-08-26
- Monetization: ad-supported
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wgn-news-chicago/id586937701/reviews.md

## What is WGN News?

News has never been more local than in the palm of your hand. The WGN mobile app brings you all the top stories from our daily broadcasts, as well as stories developing in real time.

Get local news and breaking notifications, and watch live newscasts from Chicago’s Very Own WGN-TV. Watch and read stories from across the nation and Chicagoland. You can livestream our newscasts right from your phone or tablet. Be the first to know with breaking news alerts. Get a head start on your day with WGN-TV traffic and weather maps plus full forecast details from Tom Skilling and the WGN weather team.

FEATURES:
• Watch video of your trusted reporters on the scene, and read revealing articles on what's going on in your community.
• Plan your day and week with detailed weather reports, live alerts of severe conditions, and an interactive radar map.
• Optional alerts on breaking news keep you in the know.
• On the go? Save stories for later to access at your convenience.

## Key features

- Local news and breaking notifications
- Watch live newscasts
- Traffic and weather maps
- Full forecast details
- Save stories for later

## Chart rankings

- #204 in Top Free · News (US App Store)

## What do users think of WGN News?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- 👍 Entertaining and informative news team
- 🚀 Convenient live streaming
- 💡 Useful weather and breaking news alerts

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezing issues
- 🔍 Difficulty navigating and finding content
- 📺 Live stream playback problems
- 💤 Inability to multitask or use in background
- 📢 Excessive and intrusive advertisements

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Audio/video desynchronization
- Full-screen mode issues on iPad
- Stuck on customization screen
- Inability to access main content

**Most requested features**

- Improved notification management
- Rewind/fast-forward functionality
- Picture-in-picture mode
- Severe weather alerts and push notifications
- Smoother integration with Apple TV

## Recent user reviews (10 of 109)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wgn-news-chicago/id586937701/reviews.md

### 2/5 — Nothing else to do

*2026-07-20, version 509.0.0*

Other news apps allow me to listen and minimize so I can check my email or do other stuff. This on shuts off completely, then have to listen to commercials again. Also, it does glitch for no reason. So I sent other news apps unless I have nothing else to do but watch news.

### 4/5 — Nextstar each time?

*2026-06-24, version 508.0.0*

Why do I have to keep signing up with Nextdoor EACH time to be able to watch it on my iPhone? It’s annoying!!! I LOVE WGN and want to take it with me wherever I travel.

### 1/5 — Needs a lot of work

*2026-06-10, version 508.0.0*

I have no trouble signing up so I can watch live news while at work.  But when I click on link in my email it takes me to a browser and the app never refreshes, so it still tells me to sign up.

### 3/5 — This could be so much better

*2026-06-09*

I Like the app, I like having the access to the information, but I can’t take it on the go! If I want to listen to the broadcast while I walk my dog, there’s no way to minimize it because it just shuts off. Can you fix that? And also any little thing will cause it to crash or stop and then in order to get the stream back I have to close the app altogether swipe up and reload the entire app in order to get back to the video. Can you fix that?

### 1/5 — No stars should be given

*2026-05-06, version 507.0.0*

Fix the app! It either freezes or plays and the sound goes in and out! It’s very annoying. Whoever the developer is must hate Chicagoans.

### 1/5 — Awful

*2026-04-09, version 505.0.0*

Buggy app. Keeps asking for email sign up. Only get 5 min stream preview. Nextstar is lame.

### 1/5 — Terrible inconsistency

*2026-03-23, version 505.0.0*

News outlet app and web stream are terrible and inconsistent 
Useless

### 4/5 — random crashes

*2026-03-13, version 505.0.0*

Love that I can get local news, but the app can randomly crash after 1-2minutes. No idea why!

### 1/5 — Spoils Olympic events before you can watch them

*2026-02-22, version 504.0.0*

I just got a nice alert on my watch from WGN News that told me who won the USA v Canada gold medal hockey game airing in a few hours, right in the headline! Thanks, guys!

### 1/5 — Crash Crash

*2025-12-19, version 503.0.1*

This is the only app that requires you to sign up each use!!! Then crash in 4 minutes! Nexstar is a joke…ruined a great thing & they know it.

## Frequently asked questions about WGN News

### What kind of news does the WGN News app provide?

The app provides local news specifically for the Chicago area, covering top stories from daily broadcasts and real-time developing events. You can watch video reports from trusted reporters and read articles about what's happening in your community.

### Can I watch live news on the app?

Yes, you can watch live newscasts directly from your phone or tablet. This allows you to stay informed with the latest broadcasts from WGN-TV as they happen.

### What are the weather features?

The app offers detailed weather reports, including live alerts for severe conditions and an interactive radar map. You can also get full forecast details from the WGN weather team to plan your day and week.

### Is the app free to use?

The app is free to use, but it does display advertisements. There are no in-app purchases mentioned.

### What are the main benefits of using this app?

The main benefits include staying up-to-date with local Chicago news, receiving breaking news alerts, watching live newscasts, and accessing detailed weather and traffic information to plan your day.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 510.0.1 — 2026-08-11

We've fixed some bugs and improved general performance.

### 509.0.0 — 2026-07-08

We've fixed some bugs and improved general performance.

### 508.0.0 — 2026-05-21

We've fixed some bugs and improved general performance.

### 507.0.0 — 2026-04-22

We've fixed some bugs and improved general performance.

### 505.0.0 — 2026-03-09

We've fixed some bugs and improved general performance.

## Apps similar to WGN News

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [KSL.com News Utah](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kslcom-news-utah/id363278608) | 4.7 (58,057) | Free | News |
| [NewsBreak: Local News & Alerts](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/newsbreak-local-news-and-alerts/id1132762804) | 4.8 (1,379,475) | Free | News |
| [NBC News: Breaking & US News](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nbc-news-breaking-and-us-news/id319740707) | 4.7 (150,700) | Free | News |
| [CNN: Live & Breaking News](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cnn-live-and-breaking-news/id331786748) | 4.8 (1,664,114) | Free | News |
| [Le Monde, Live News](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/le-monde-live-news/id294047850) | 4.7 (5,153) | Free | News |
| [FOX News: US & World Headlines](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fox-news-us-and-world-headlines/id367623543) | 4.5 (534,805) | Free | News |

## More apps by Tribune Broadcasting Company

- [Pinpoint Weather \| FOX31 & CW2](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pinpoint-weather-fox31-and-cw2/id366796676)
- [FOX8 Cleveland Weather](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fox8-cleveland-weather/id368193439)
- [KPLR News 11 St Louis Weather](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kplr-news-11-st-louis-weather/id368497100)
- [Fox8 Max Weather](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fox8-max-weather/id368497281)
- [Fox 2 St Louis Weather](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fox-2-st-louis-weather/id368499632)
- [WDAF Fox 4 Kansas City Weather](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wdaf-fox-4-kansas-city-weather/id368684456)

All apps by Tribune Broadcasting Company: https://appshunter.io/developer/586932834

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-26.*