*Piaohong*
--
Remove numerics from my email address.

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.12
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

Maria Sophia wrote:
PSA: What is the current state of Android Usenet nntp newsreaders?

Yes. I know. It's been asked a million times prior.
This is posted so that we can all have the latest updates together.
If I missed anything important (& I probably did), please add value.

In a separate thread, AJL asked about newsreaders, where, from my notes,
this is what I have, but others may have better information than I do.

There never really was a great mobile Usenet newsreader, but here is a reference list of what has existed on Android, along with the PiaHong
mod builds that some of us still use.

PLAY STORE LINKS (historical; many abandoned)

PhoNews
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=at.cmg.android.phonews https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cmgapps.android.phonewspro

Groundhog Reader https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.almarsoft.GroundhogReader

PiaHong NewsGroups https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.piaohong.newsgroup

NNTPReader (Ken)
Demo: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ken.android.nntpreader Pro: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ken.android.nntpreader.pro

Noasy Newsreader https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.noasy.newsreader

Usenet Reader (sinaapp) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=usenet.sinaapp.com

PIAHONG MOD BUILDS (M16 and M17)
These are the community-modified versions. M16 is generally preferred.
M17 adds an X-Face header option but changes behavior some people do not want.
a. If you like the original colors, use the OC versions.
b. If you want different colors, use the MC versions.

Mod16 - Original Colors https://mega.nz/file/DdQyVBgY#jq7uq7r4e8waidolLyvLgD_G_Rc82_FURYxaak7NUCI Name: OC-ModNewsReader 2.02.M16.apk
Size: 3922831 bytes (3830 KiB)
SHA256: 97B27E062306C9D6FEA9FC6EA49FEA7D920FF7C0CB05AAFBBEB9C96758A68C97

Mod16 - Modified Colors https://mega.nz/file/GAwnTAaI#CshrBLtSl2smdcmHiBD0wdj-V409CJyq9nJ7IpQ0ooY Name: MC-ModNewsReader 2.02.M16.apk
Size: 3935119 bytes (3842 KiB)
SHA256: 010AAF7EFF0ABBE040E66BE0486F6D32936432EC16C8F2FB56717479C76F4CDA

Mod17 - Original Colors (Alfio) https://mega.nz/file/uYJSwBJD#3Ya4p0HpSczyt95c_MnXjyBXYqP5J_Phkz0gZ9RbkCI Name: OC-ModNewsReader 2.02.M17.apk
Size: 3926860 bytes (3834 KiB)
SHA256: BB05B9FD454AD8D38047484FEA338DE9FDAB056F56B66D39C114162A53883815

Mod17 - Modified Colors (Alfio) https://mega.nz/file/CIhiFKDT#H4FvPyZ_SIWKitPvaUxjKstjNmgPJhyMqwZxI4VkWVE Name: MC-ModNewsReader 2.02.M17.apk
Size: 3935052 bytes (3842 KiB)
SHA256: DA8C8DF91DFAA68047F58A3339B6D5B91857185623CB7F386B74F9DFE84D5B03

Caveat:
PhoNews appears to break on Android 16 but still works on older devices. PiaHong appears to remain usable thanks to the modded builds above.
Most of the other apps are long abandoned but still installable (AFAIK).
--
Had I tested them recently, I would have written up a tutorial instead
since I'm a rare person who delights in edifying everyone around me.

Nice roundup. Two bits that might be worth adding for "current state" context.

Groundhog is effectively dead as a Play Store era app, but it isn't totally gone. There's a community fork on GitHub that's been doing cleanup work, so if someone wants a path that isn't just hunting old APKs, that repo is probably the closest thing to "alive" in 2026, even if it's not a polished consumer release. (Related: a bunch of older references still note that the original project hasn't seen real maintenance in ages and isn't findable on Play anymore.)

Also, it may be worth linking to an "index thread" for people who land on this later. There's an XDA thread that's basically a living reference list of Android Usenet newsreaders and related searching tips, and it's newer than most of the usual "asked a million times" answers.

Beyond that, I think your implied conclusion is the right one: if you want a native, decent mobile NNTP experience, the PiaHong mod builds are still what many people end up on, and everything else is either abandoned, broken on newer Android, or relegated to niche workflows like running a terminal reader in Termux instead of a dedicated Android app.


This is a response to the post seen at: http://www.jlaforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=701913361#701913361

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.12
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On 2/25/26 12:40 PM, Maria Sophia wrote:

PSA: What is the current state of Android Usenet nntp newsreaders?

Yes. I know. It's been asked a million times prior.
This is posted so that we can all have the latest updates together.
If I missed anything important (& I probably did), please add value.

In a separate thread, AJL asked about newsreaders, where, from my notes, >this is what I have, but others may have better information than I do.

There never really was a great mobile Usenet newsreader, but here is a >reference list of what has existed on Android, along with the PiaHong
mod builds that some of us still use.

PLAY STORE LINKS (historical; many abandoned)

PhoNews
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=at.cmg.android.phonews https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cmgapps.android.phonewspro

Groundhog Reader
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.almarsoft.GroundhogReader

PiaHong NewsGroups
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.piaohong.newsgroup

NNTPReader (Ken)
Demo: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ken.android.nntpreader
Pro: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ken.android.nntpreader.pro

Noasy Newsreader
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.noasy.newsreader

Usenet Reader (sinaapp)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=usenet.sinaapp.com

All above except PhoNews are gone from the Play Store.

Caveat:
PhoNews appears to break on Android 16 but still works on older devices. >PiaHong appears to remain usable thanks to the modded builds above.
Most of the other apps are long abandoned but still installable (AFAIK).

On my new Android 16 Tablet PhoNews does partially work if you have
patience. It will pull up a post but takes 15 to 30 seconds. Then sometimes
it says the WiFi is down when it isn't requiring a reboot of the app.
Basically unusable though.

On my Android 12 Tablet the wait is around 5 seconds to open a post, still
annoying. But on this Chromebook it's down to around 1 or 2 seconds. I
imagine as Google updates the Chromebook's Android its PhoNews will also
get worse. I'm currently Windowless again so if I disappear you'll know
why. Quit clapping...

BTW I bought this PhoNews Pro app around 7 years ago for 2 bucks so guess I
got my money's worth...


--- PyGate Linux v1.5.12
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

If you have a tablet you can install Termux, then install Emacs and use
Gnus. This also works on Amazon tablets. But you'll need to know the keystrokes. You can do this on the phone too if you have small fingers.

Maybe other terminal based options are there, e.g. slrn?

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.12
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On 25/02/2026 20:42, Dave Royal wrote:

*Piaohong*

Are you still using Alfio's version?

--
Jeff

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.12
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

Jeff Layman <Jeff@invalid.invalid> Wrote in message:

On 25/02/2026 20:42, Dave Royal wrote:

*Piaohong*

Are you still using Alfio's version?

Yes. This is a slightly modified version of Alfio's M17OC on an
Android 13 tablet.
--
Remove numerics from my email address.

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.12
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> writes:

If you have a tablet you can install Termux, then install Emacs and use
Gnus. This also works on Amazon tablets. But you'll need to know the keystrokes. You can do this on the phone too if you have small fingers.

As I understand it, Termux can no longer work, let alone any other app
using external binaries, starting since Android 10 or whenever target
API greater than 28 is required. Or was that solved somehow?

I used to use a similar if simpler terminal thing called sshelper but
the dev pulled the plug on that, stating this as a reason.

OTOH, there's a native port of Emacs available now (from F-Droid) so
Gnus is a possibility there. I haven't tried it though.

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.12
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

Anssi Saari <anssi.saari@usenet.mail.kapsi.fi> writes:

Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> writes:

If you have a tablet you can install Termux, then install Emacs and
use Gnus. This also works on Amazon tablets. But you'll need to know
the keystrokes. You can do this on the phone too if you have small
fingers.

As I understand it, Termux can no longer work, let alone any other app
using external binaries, starting since Android 10 or whenever target
API greater than 28 is required. Or was that solved somehow?

I used to use a similar if simpler terminal thing called sshelper but
the dev pulled the plug on that, stating this as a reason.

OTOH, there's a native port of Emacs available now (from F-Droid) so
Gnus is a possibility there. I haven't tried it though.

It is working currently on my Amazon tablet, but that is FireOS which is
based on Android 11. I installed it from F-droid I think.

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.12
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> writes:

It is working currently on my Amazon tablet, but that is FireOS which is based on Android 11. I installed it from F-droid I think.

OK, thanks. I installed Emacs on my phone but, well, it's Emacs and
pretty hard to use on a phone's touch screen. But then I thought of
Samsung's DeX and plugged in my 32" display. Unfortunately Emacs didn't
seem to scale its UI, fonts and the toolbar were huge. Other than that,
DeX was great, I had no idea. It really turns a phone into a desktop but
then I only tried Brave and settings.

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.12
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

Anssi Saari <anssi.saari@usenet.mail.kapsi.fi> writes:

Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> writes:

It is working currently on my Amazon tablet, but that is FireOS which
is based on Android 11. I installed it from F-droid I think.

OK, thanks. I installed Emacs on my phone but, well, it's Emacs and
pretty hard to use on a phone's touch screen. But then I thought of
Samsung's DeX and plugged in my 32" display. Unfortunately Emacs
didn't seem to scale its UI, fonts and the toolbar were huge. Other
than that, DeX was great, I had no idea. It really turns a phone into
a desktop but then I only tried Brave and settings.

Having started gnus from the command line with:

emacs -f gnus

I find I can select a group and select a message with the touch screen,
so it's not as bad as one might think. Also touch the message window
then drag up and down to scroll it. I expect these are functions of
Termux.

If I had the patience I would set up the necessary key bindings to make
it easier.

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.12
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On 2026-02-26, Anssi Saari <anssi.saari@usenet.mail.kapsi.fi> wrote:

Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> writes:

If you have a tablet you can install Termux, then install Emacs and use
Gnus. This also works on Amazon tablets. But you'll need to know the
keystrokes. You can do this on the phone too if you have small fingers.

As I understand it, Termux can no longer work, let alone any other app
using external binaries, starting since Android 10 or whenever target
API greater than 28 is required. Or was that solved somehow?

I used to use a similar if simpler terminal thing called sshelper but
the dev pulled the plug on that, stating this as a reason.

OTOH, there's a native port of Emacs available now (from F-Droid) so
Gnus is a possibility there. I haven't tried it though.

I use termux no problems.

Android Version 15 on a FairPhone 5


--- PyGate Linux v1.5.12
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

Anssi Saari, 2026-02-26 15:38:

Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> writes:

If you have a tablet you can install Termux, then install Emacs and use
Gnus. This also works on Amazon tablets. But you'll need to know the
keystrokes. You can do this on the phone too if you have small fingers.

As I understand it, Termux can no longer work, let alone any other app
using external binaries, starting since Android 10 or whenever target
API greater than 28 is required. Or was that solved somehow?

Termux works just fine here with Android 16 and it is also still offered
on Google Play but also on F-Droid:

<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.termux> <https://f-droid.org/packages/com.termux/>

I used to use a similar if simpler terminal thing called sshelper but
the dev pulled the plug on that, stating this as a reason.

If you refer to Termbot - this is also still available on F-Droid and
also works with Android 16:

<https://f-droid.org/packages/org.sufficientlysecure.termbot/>

--
Arno Welzel
https://arnowelzel.de

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.12
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> wrote:

If you have a tablet you can install Termux, then install Emacs and use
Gnus. This also works on Amazon tablets. But you'll need to know the keystrokes. You can do this on the phone too if you have small fingers.

Maybe other terminal based options are there, e.g. slrn?

Other CUI (Character/'Console' UI) newsreader options (for use 'on'
Termux) are trn and, my favourite, The Ideal Newsreader :-) 'tin'.

FWIW, I don't bother using Usenet/NetNews on a smartphone/tablet, but
others do, so it's good to have options, especially having a non-broken newsreader like the ones mentioned above.

As my 'User-Agent:' shows, one can run good software on a 'bad' OS, so
no reason why one can't do the same on Android! :-)

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.12
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)