Apple News+ Food: A Fresh Take on Recipes and Culinary Content in iOS 18.4

Today, Apple took a delicious step forward in enhancing its Apple News+ service with the announcement of a new "Food" section, set to debut with the iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 updates in April. This latest addition promises to transform the way food enthusiasts engage with recipes, restaurant reviews, and culinary content—all within the sleek, distraction-free environment of the Apple News app. Let’s dig into what this new feature has on the menu.

Features

Apple News+ Food is poised to become a go-to hub for subscribers, offering access to tens of thousands of recipes curated from some of the most renowned names in food publishing. Think Allrecipes, Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, Good Food, and Serious Eats—a lineup that guarantees a diverse and high-quality selection. Beyond recipes, the section will serve up stories on restaurants, healthy eating tips, kitchen essentials, and more, all handpicked by Apple’s editorial team.

What sets this apart from the cluttered recipe websites we’ve all begrudgingly scrolled through? Apple is tackling the common pain points head-on. The recipes in News+ Food will be presented in a beautifully designed, ad-free format that prioritizes readability. No more wading through pop-ups or endless personal anecdotes to get to the ingredients list. Plus, a new "Cook Mode" will take step-by-step instructions to a full-screen view, making it easier to follow along while your hands are covered in flour.

Personalization and Discovery

The Food section isn’t just a static recipe book—it’s a dynamic experience. Users can browse, search, and filter through an expansive Recipe Catalog that grows daily with fresh additions. Whether you’re hunting for a quick weeknight dinner or a show-stopping dessert, the app’s personalization engine will refine its recommendations based on your engagement, ensuring the content stays relevant to your tastes.

In the app’s Today feed, iPhone and iPad users will find a featured recipe updated daily, followed by a collection of food-related stories and links to both the broader recipe catalog and their own saved recipes. It’s a seamless blend of inspiration and utility, designed to keep you coming back for seconds.

Availability and Accessibility

Apple News+ Food will roll out exclusively to News+ subscribers in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia as part of the iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 updates this April. While the full experience requires a subscription, Apple has hinted that select stories and recipes will be available to non-subscribers, offering a taste of what’s on offer. This move aligns with Apple’s broader strategy of enhancing its News platform, which already delivers quality journalism to millions across these regions.

Why This Matters

This isn’t just about recipes—it’s about Apple flexing its curation muscle and refining the digital experience. Recipe websites have long been a chaotic mess of ads and bloated interfaces, and Apple’s solution feels like a breath of fresh air. By integrating this into News+, the company is doubling down on its ecosystem approach, giving subscribers yet another reason to stay engaged with its services.

The timing is also notable. With iOS 18.4 already in its first beta as of today, according to 9to5Mac, Apple is clearly gearing up for a spring packed with updates. The Food section could be a sleeper hit, appealing not just to tech enthusiasts but to anyone who loves to cook or explore food culture—all while reinforcing Apple’s reputation for polished, user-centric design.

The Bigger Picture

While Apple News+ Food is a niche addition, it fits into a larger trend of Apple expanding its content offerings. From Apple Music to Apple TV+, the company has been steadily building out its subscription ecosystem, and News+ is no exception. This move might also signal future enhancements—could we see tie-ins with HomeKit for smart kitchen gadgets or deeper integration with Apple Fitness+ for nutrition tracking? For now, that’s speculation, but Apple’s track record suggests it’s always cooking up something new.