For decades, the NOS has been the most important news source in the Netherlands. With the NOS app, the latest news is always at your fingertips. Whether it is domestic news, world news, sports or entertainment, the NOS app keeps you up to date with reliable journalism. In this article we explain how to install and configure the NOS app and get the most out of it for following news and liveblogs.

What does the NOS app offer?

The NOS app is the official mobile app of the Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (Dutch Broadcasting Foundation). The app gives you access to all the news you also find on nos.nl, but optimized for your smartphone or tablet. Its main features are:

Current news: The latest news from the Netherlands and the world, divided into clear categories such as Binnenland (Domestic), Buitenland (World), Politiek (Politics), Economie (Economy), Sport, Tech and Cultuur (Culture).

Liveblogs: When big news breaks, the NOS often starts a liveblog that tracks developments in real time. Think of elections, sporting events or breaking news situations.

Video and audio: Watch news broadcasts, reports and clips directly in the app. NOS Journaal and Nieuwsuur are available too.

Push notifications: Get alerts about important news, so you know right away when major events happen.

Downloading the NOS app

The NOS app is available for free on all common platforms:

iPhone and iPad

Open the App Store and search for 'NOS'. Download the app from the Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (recognizable by the orange NOS logo). The app is optimized for both iPhone and iPad.

Android

Go to the Google Play Store and search for 'NOS'. Install the official NOS app. The app works on almost all Android phones and tablets.

Tablet optimization

On tablets, the NOS app uses the larger screen to show more content side by side. This gives a pleasant reading experience comparable to a digital newspaper.

Exploring and using the app

After opening the NOS app, you see the home screen with the most important news stories of the moment. Navigation is intuitive and offers several ways to discover news:

Home page

The home page shows a mix of the most important news, featured stories and recent articles. The NOS editorial team decides which stories are at the top based on news value and relevance.

Categories

Through the menu or the tabs at the bottom, you can navigate to specific news categories. For example, you can go straight to Sport if you are only interested in sports news, or to Tech for the latest technology news.

With the search function you can look up specific topics, people or events. Handy if you want to read background on a particular news item.

Watching video

The NOS app has an extensive video section. Here you find the NOS Journaal, Nieuwsuur, clips from current affairs programs and in-depth reports. Videos can be played directly in the app.

Following liveblogs

One of the most valuable features of the NOS app is the ability to follow liveblogs. A liveblog is a continuously updated article in which the NOS editorial team reports on developments in real time.

When does the NOS start a liveblog?

Liveblogs are started for major news events such as:

  • Elections and political developments
  • Major sporting events (FIFA World Cup, Olympic Games, Formula 1)
  • Breaking news (disasters, attacks, major accidents)
  • Important court cases
  • Extreme weather conditions

Finding a liveblog

Active liveblogs are shown prominently on the app's home page, often with a red 'LIVE' badge. You can also search for the topic to find the liveblog.

Following updates

Open the liveblog to see all updates. New posts appear at the top, with a timestamp. The NOS regularly adds text, photos, videos and quotes. You can scroll down to read earlier updates.

Notifications for liveblogs

For some liveblogs, you can choose to receive notifications about important updates. This is especially useful for long-running events when you don't have the app open all the time.

Setting up push notifications

The NOS app can send you alerts about important news. Here is how to set this up:

Turning on notifications

The first time you open it, the app asks whether you want to receive notifications. Choose 'Allow' to activate push notifications. You can always change this later in the settings of the app or your phone.

Adjusting notification preferences

In the NOS app, under Instellingen (Settings), you can choose which categories you want to receive notifications for. Do you only want alerts for really important news? Or also for sports news and regional updates? Adjust your preferences to your interests.

Do not disturb

The NOS usually only sends notifications for truly important news, but if you don't want to be disturbed at night, you can set up a 'Do Not Disturb' schedule in your phone settings.

Reading offline

The NOS app offers limited offline options. Articles you have opened are stored temporarily, so you can reread them without an internet connection. Videos and liveblogs do require an active connection.

Comparing the NOS app with alternatives

Besides the NOS app, other news apps are available in the Netherlands:

RTL Nieuws: The RTL app offers similar news with its own editorial angle. A good alternative for a second perspective.

Nu.nl: One of the most popular news apps in the Netherlands, with fast reporting and an active community.

De Telegraaf / AD / Volkskrant: Newspaper apps that offer paid premium content in addition to free news.

Google News: Aggregates news from multiple sources, including the NOS.

The NOS stands out because of its public mission: independent, reliable journalism without commercial interests.

Tips for following the news effectively

It is easy to get lost in the constant stream of news. Here are tips to stay informed effectively:

Set fixed times: Check the news at fixed times, for example in the morning and in the evening, instead of refreshing constantly.

Use categories: Focus on the topics that are relevant to you instead of reading everything.

Read background stories: Besides short news items, the NOS offers background stories that give more context.

Be critical: Even with reliable sources, it is good to look for multiple perspectives on complex topics.

Frequently asked questions

Below you will find answers to frequently asked questions about the NOS app.

Frequently asked questions

Is the NOS app free?

Yes, the NOS app is completely free. The NOS is funded from public money and therefore offers free access to all news without a subscription.

Can I watch NOS Journaal again in the app?

Yes, in the video section of the NOS app you can watch recent broadcasts of the NOS Journaal and Nieuwsuur again.

How do I turn off NOS app notifications?

Go to Instellingen (Settings) in the NOS app or to Notifications in your phone settings. There you can turn notifications off or adjust them per category.

Does the NOS app work abroad?

Yes, the NOS app works worldwide for text news. Some videos may be blocked outside the Netherlands due to broadcasting rights.

Looking for an email address? See our plans.