How Can You Turn Brave Browser Into Your Personal RSS Reader Without Installing Extra Software?

Why Should You Transform Brave's New Tab Into a Powerful RSS Feed Reader Today?

I've been using Brave browser for months now, and I discovered something amazing that changed how I consume content daily. You can turn Brave into your personal RSS reader without downloading any extra apps or extensions. This feature saves me hours each week by bringing all my favorite content directly to my new tab page.

Let me walk you through exactly how I set this up and why it's become an essential part of my daily routine.

What Makes Brave's RSS Feature Special

Brave calls their RSS reader "Brave News," and it's completely free. Instead of staring at a blank new tab, you get a customized feed of stories from your favorite websites and blogs. I love this because it eliminates the need to visit multiple sites throughout the day.

The best part? It respects your privacy. Unlike other news aggregators that track your reading habits, Brave News keeps your data private while delivering the content you actually want to read.

Setting Up Your RSS Reader in Minutes

For Desktop Users

I start by opening a new tab in Brave. If you can only scroll down to the search box, you need to enable the feature first.

1. Click "Customize" in the bottom right corner.
2. Select "Brave News" from the left panel.
3. Click "Turn on Brave News" and you're ready to go.

For Mobile Users

1. Open a new tab and tap the three-dot settings button at the bottom right.
2. Select "Brave News" and tap "Turn on Brave News." The mobile setup takes less than 30 seconds.

Customizing Your Content Feed

Once activated, I recommend customizing your sources immediately. You have three main options for adding content:

Following Channels

Channels are pre-curated topic categories like technology, sports, or business news. I started with a few channels to get familiar with the interface. To add channels on desktop, scroll to the Channels section and click the plus sign next to any topic that interests you.

On mobile, tap "Channels" in the settings and select "Follow" next to your preferred topics.

Adding Custom Sources

This is where the real power lies. I can add any website or RSS feed directly. In the search box within Brave News settings, I type either the website name or paste the RSS feed URL. This works identically on both desktop and mobile devices.

For example, when I wanted to follow a specific tech blog, I simply entered their RSS feed address and clicked follow. Now their latest articles appear in my feed automatically.

Using Suggested Sources

Brave learns from your reading habits and suggests new sources. Initially, these suggestions might seem generic, but after using the feed for a week, the recommendations become surprisingly accurate. I've discovered several excellent blogs through Brave's suggestion system.

Managing Your Content Sources

Removing sources is just as simple as adding them. I hover over any source name on desktop to see the "Unfollow" option, or tap "Unfollow" on mobile. This flexibility lets me constantly refine my feed based on changing interests.

I regularly review my sources monthly, removing ones that no longer provide value and adding new discoveries. This keeps my feed fresh and relevant.

Understanding the Limitations

While I love using Brave as my RSS reader, it has some drawbacks worth mentioning:

Organization Challenges

You cannot organize feeds into folders or categories. All sources appear in one continuous list, which becomes unwieldy with many subscriptions. However, you can click individual sources to view only their content.

Device Synchronization

Brave News doesn't sync between devices. My desktop and mobile feeds remain separate, requiring manual setup on each device. This limitation frustrated me initially, but I've adapted by primarily using it on desktop.

Mobile Navigation Restrictions

The mobile app lacks the ability to jump directly to specific sources. You must scroll through the entire feed, making it less efficient for users following numerous sources.

Advertisement Presence

The feed includes clearly labeled ads from Brave's private advertising program. While these ads don't track you, they do interrupt the reading experience occasionally. I noticed only a few ads while scrolling through dozens of articles, so the impact remains minimal.

Why This Matters for Your Daily Routine

Using Brave as an RSS reader has streamlined my content consumption significantly. Instead of bookmarking dozens of websites and remembering to check them regularly, everything appears automatically in my new tab. This passive approach to content discovery has introduced me to articles and perspectives I would have missed otherwise.

The privacy-focused approach aligns with my values, knowing that my reading habits aren't being tracked or sold to advertisers. For anyone seeking a simple, integrated solution for following their favorite content sources, Brave News provides an excellent starting point.

While it may not replace dedicated RSS readers for power users, it offers enough functionality for most people's needs without requiring additional software installations or account registrations.