The San Francisco Chronicle v202511.51

Hearst Newspapers - LLC

Contains ads • In-app purchases

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About this app

The San Francisco Chronicle app solves the problem of staying up-to-date with local Bay Area news, sports, and weather for residents and visitors alike, benefiting those who want a reliable and comprehensive source of information on the go. Compared to other news apps in the News And Magazines category, it stands out with its focus on local content and puzzles, but may fall short in terms of a cluttered interface due to the presence of ads. The app's well-received user rating of 4.1/5 suggests a generally positive experience, but the limited download numbers indicate a potentially niche audience. Overall, it's a solid choice for those seeking Bay Area-specific news and entertainment.

Pros

The app's high user rating of 4.1/5 indicates a well-designed and functional experience, with users appreciating the app's ability to deliver timely and relevant local news and information.
The presence of puzzles and games adds a unique entertainment value to the app, setting it apart from more straightforward news apps and making it a great option for users seeking a break from traditional news content.
The developer, Hearst Newspapers, is a reputable and established media company, which lends credibility to the app's content and suggests a commitment to quality journalism.
The app's small size and minimal permissions request suggest a lightweight and efficient design, making it a good choice for users with limited storage space or concerns about data privacy.
The option for in-app purchases provides users with the ability to access premium content or subscribe to the newspaper, offering a convenient way to support quality journalism and access additional features.

Cons

The presence of ads may detract from the user experience, potentially leading to a cluttered interface and slower load times, which could be a concern for users seeking a seamless and ad-free experience.
The limited download numbers and lack of detailed user reviews make it difficult to gauge the app's overall performance and identify potential issues, which may be a concern for users seeking a widely-used and well-tested app.
The app's requirement for Android 9 or higher may limit its compatibility with older devices, potentially excluding some users from accessing the app's content and features.
The in-app purchase model, with prices ranging from $5.99 to $14.99 per item, may be perceived as expensive by some users, particularly those who are accustomed to free or low-cost news apps.

Best for: The ideal user for The San Francisco Chronicle app is likely a tech-savvy individual, aged 25-55, who is interested in staying up-to-date with local Bay Area news, sports, and weather, and is willing to tolerate some ads in exchange for a free and comprehensive news source, with a moderate level of technical expertise and a desire for a reliable and user-friendly news app.

Developer Description

Bay Area news, SF sports, weather, alerts, puzzles, food, newspaper

Know more about San Francisco and the Bay Area with the San Francisco Chronicle app. Stay informed with trusted journalism wherever you are.
- Get San Francisco news alerts and notifications, customized by preferred topics
- Catch college sports and Giants, 49ers and Warriors coverage
- Explore food coverage: reviews, local spots, Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants
- Stay on top of Bay Area news, California politics, business, food and development stories
- Page through the e-Edition, a digital replica of the newspaper
- Stay sharp with Puzzmo’s reimagined favorites and brand-new puzzles
- Listen to Chronicle stories with Everlit, a text-to-audio tool
- Check out exclusive guides and compelling columns and commentary

SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS:
Subscribe for unlimited digital access to the app, SFChronicle.com, e-Edition and newsletters. Get 1 month free, then $14.99 per month. Cancel anytime.

Current digital and print subscribers have unlimited access to the app.

- Digital subscribers: Sign in to the app to access your benefit.
- Print subscribers: If you haven’t activated your digital access yet, look for “Activate Access” at the bottom of the app welcome screen.

PAYMENT: Payment will be charged to your account with the confirmation of your purchase and will automatically renew each month unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of your monthly period.

Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable.

PRIVACY POLICY: https://www.SFChronicle.com/privacy_policy/
TERMS OF SERVICE: https://www.SFChronicle.com/terms_of_use/

FEEDBACK: We want to hear from you! Let us know if you have questions or suggestions: appsupport@sfchronicle.com.

Privacy

Given the app's minimal permissions request, users can be relatively confident that their data is not being excessively collected or shared, but it's still important to be aware of the potential for data collection through ads and in-app purchases. To minimize potential risks, users should review the app's terms of service and privacy policy, and consider using a VPN or ad blocker to further protect their data.

Tips

To get the most out of the app, users should take the time to customize their news feed and notification settings, allowing them to prioritize the content that's most relevant to their interests. Additionally, users can take advantage of the app's offline capability to access news and puzzles even without an internet connection, making it a great option for commuters or those in areas with limited connectivity. By regularly updating the app, users can also ensure they have access to the latest features and security patches.

In-app purchases

$5.99 - $14.99 per item

Version Information

Version: 202511.51
Downloads: 50K+
Updated on: Dec 4, 2025
Released: Oct 23, 2018
Requires: Android 9

Statistics

Google Play Rating History

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The San Francisco Chronicle has been downloaded times.

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The San Francisco Chronicle - Google Play Rankings

Rank	Country	Category	List	Change
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No ranking data available yet. Rankings are updated daily.

#33 in Top Grossing News And Magazines in United States

#32

The Minnesota Star Tribune

#33

The San Francisco Chronicle

#34

The Philadelphia Inquirer

The San Francisco Chronicle users say on Google Play

★★★★★

Linda Lee

I enjoy reading and using this app. it is easy to use and updates regularly. Really enjoy the interactive articles. Notifications of breaking news is helpful too. Lots of photos, maps and charts. The additional interactive features are great. There are many restaurant reviews for locally owned businesses. They've added a food search tool. Regular columnists contribute insights and opinions on life in the Bay Area, politics, culture and racial equity.

★★★★

Luna Salaver

This app keeps me "in the news" .

★★★

Michael Sweeney

new update is GARBAGE. Who likes clicking on an article only to read the bio of the journalist who wrote the piece? I know I do! Garbage.

★★

James H Esser

Often have to re-log-in to start service, especially on Windows devices. Android device does not load full stories, so if an internet connection isn't available, only the first part of the stories is available on a phone device. NYT and Washington Post apps make full stories available on a device loaded, but not currently connected to the internet.

★

C Keady

The "e-reader" has problems viewing the actual newspaper. It's not possible to view most of the page when zooming in, because it snaps back to the upper left corner. Can't view photos, ads, comics, or puzzles. And the bottom 1/4 of each article is unreadable when I open them. I've emailed multiple support addresses found here and there, and no response. I'm not interested the clickbaity news "feed" (no temporal context) in the app, which works fine but is an irritating reading experience.