Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Current and how it works.
General
What is Current?
Current is an RSS/Atom feed reader for iPhone, iPad, and Mac that takes a different approach to reading. Instead of treating feeds as an inbox to clear, Current presents them as a flowing river where you engage with what interests you and let the rest drift past.
How much does Current cost?
Current is a universal purchase for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, available for $9.99 as a one-time purchase. No ads, no tracking, no subscription.
Does Current require an account?
No. Current works entirely locally without any account. You can optionally connect a sync service (Feedbin, Newsblur, etc.) if you want to sync with other devices or apps.
What platforms does Current support?
Current is available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Each platform has a tailored experience: single-column river on iPhone, adaptive split-view on iPad, and a keyboard-first Flow mode plus Sift mode on macOS. There is no Android or web version.
What is Sift Mode?
Sift Mode is a macOS-only two-column triage interface. Toggle it with ⌘T. Articles appear on the left and the reader on the right. It is designed for quickly sorting through a large river.
What is the Command Palette?
On macOS, press ⌘K to open the Command Palette. It gives you quick access to navigation, actions, and settings from anywhere in the app, similar to command palettes in code editors.
Does Current sync across Apple devices?
Yes. Current uses iCloud to sync settings, preferences, custom Currents, and source customizations (names, person info) across all your Apple devices. For syncing article state and subscriptions, you can also connect a sync service like Feedbin or FreshRSS.
Feeds & Sources
How do I add feeds?
Go to Settings → Sources → Add Source. Enter any website URL and Current will automatically find the RSS/Atom feed. You can also add feeds by URL directly or import OPML files.
Can I import my feeds from another reader?
Yes. Export an OPML file from your current reader, then in Current go to Settings → Sources → Import OPML. All your subscriptions will be imported.
Does Current support newsletters?
Yes. Many newsletter services (Substack, Ghost, Buttondown, etc.) provide RSS feeds. Current handles newsletter content specially, preferring the full feed content for better reading.
Can I organize feeds into folders?
Current uses "Currents" instead of folders. A Current is a smart collection that filters your river to specific sources. See Currents for details.
Reading
Why don't I see unread counts?
Current intentionally avoids unread counts because they create anxiety and obligation. Instead, the Waterline shows where new content begins, and Ambient Closure tells you when you're caught up.
Where did my article go?
Articles naturally leave your river as they age or as new content arrives. This is intentional. It keeps your river fresh. If you want to keep an article, save it to Read Later.
Can I mark all as read?
There's no "mark all as read" because there's no concept of "read" vs "unread". Content flows through your river naturally. You can release articles individually by swiping left.
How do I save articles for later?
Swipe right on any article to save it (default short-right action), or press s on iPad/Mac. The article will be added to your Saved list with offline caching.
Can I undo a release?
Yes. When you release an article, a toast appears with a 5+ second undo window. Tap the undo button to bring the article back. This also works for batch releases.
Sync
Do I need a sync service?
No. Current works completely offline and locally. Sync services are optional if you want to sync with other devices or apps.
Which sync services are supported?
Current supports Feedbin, Newsblur, FreshRSS, The Old Reader, Miniflux, and any Google Reader-compatible service. See Sync Services for setup instructions.
Will my data sync to Current's servers?
No. Current has no servers. If you use a sync service, data syncs directly between Current and that service. Otherwise, everything stays on your device.
Features
What are Voices?
Voices lets you follow people, not just feeds. When you mark a source as a person, they join your inner or outer circle based on warmth, a measure of how often you engage with their writing. See Voices.
Can I search my articles?
Yes. Swipe from the left edge to open Search. You can search across all articles from all sources.
Privacy & Data
Does Current track me?
No. Current does not include any analytics, tracking, or telemetry. We don't know what you read, what feeds you follow, or how you use the app.
Where is my data stored?
All data is stored locally on your device. If you use a sync service, your subscriptions and read state are also stored with that service.
How do I export my data?
Go to Settings → Sources → Export OPML to export your subscriptions as an OPML file that works with any other RSS reader.
How do I delete all my data?
Go to Settings → Clear All Data. This removes all local data including sources, articles, and preferences. If you're using a sync service, this only affects local data. Your sync service will retain your subscriptions.
Troubleshooting
Articles aren't loading
Check your network connection and try pulling down to refresh. If specific sources fail repeatedly, they may have invalid feeds or be blocking requests.
Images aren't showing
Some feeds don't include images in their content. Current shows what the feed provides. Try tapping the article title to view the original web page.
Sync isn't working
Try disconnecting and reconnecting your sync service. If problems persist, check the service's status page. They may be experiencing issues.
The app feels slow
If you have many subscriptions, initial load can take a moment. Try creating Currents to filter content into smaller focused collections.
Contact
How do I get help?
For additional help, email us at support@currentreader.app or reach out on Mastodon.
How do I report a bug?
Use our bug report form to submit details directly. You can also email support@currentreader.app.
How do I request a feature?
We love hearing ideas! Email us at hello@currentreader.app.