Listen to the Radio via Apple CarPlay
In this digital age, more and more of us are streaming our favourite radio stations via an app and with built-in Apple CarPlay, it is also possible to do this in your car.
Whilst DAB Radio is a huge improvement soundwise over the traditional FM stations when you live in the country the fizz of the old loss of signal is replaced by something digital sounding until you get absolutely nothing until signal is regained.
However, with more and more of our cars now including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, listening to the radio isn’t a chore, so long as your smartphone has a decent 3G, 4G or even 5G signal and with buffering, you might not miss those vital lyrics.
On top of this, if you’re a fan of listening to your local radio station, then Apple CarPlay offers you the ability to take it with you nationally or even internationally.
Best Radio Apple CarPlay Apps
So we’re going to have a quick look at some of the best apps to listen to your favourite radio station using Apple CarPlay.
Virgin Radio UK App
Virgin Radio UK’s latest app has brought back Apple CarPlay, something that we’re all pleased about in the Cocoon Vehicles office due to the sketchy reception we get on DAB Digital Radio.
It’s a pretty well put together app, with the ability to listen allows you to listen to all the Virgin Radio Stations available in the UK including Virgin Radio Chilled, Anthems and 80’s Plus.
There is also a schedule option to see what is on and when plus a tab for the Podcasts. This is the best app to enable you to listen to the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on weekday mornings or Leigh Francis or Tom Allen at the weekend.
Buffering can prove an issue, especially compared to using the BBC Sounds App, but just click restart if you get an issue and listen to your favourite DJ’s on Virgin Radio.
BBC Sounds
The BBC is renowned for its streaming services, just take a look at BBC iPlayer for example. The BBC Sounds app is no exception, giving you all of the BBC services and podcasts at your finger tips.
Not only can you listen to your favourite national or local BBC radio station, but you can also listen to a selection of music mixes or genres, directly from the app. Also, if you’re into listening to Desert Island Discs, then this is the place where you can hear it first before it is published on other platforms.
The show catchup feature is also brilliant along with the ability to rewind live shows as you’re listening to them. When the app drops data connection, it will pick up where it last was, so could throw you out when the hourly news comes on.
And of course, this easy-to-use layout transitions its way across to Apple CarPlay
Realplayer App
The RealPlayer app is a great app for those who like to include commercial radio stations, on top of this it’s great that you can actually listen to a local radio station anywhere in the UK via this app.
You can easily search for your favourite radio stations and add them to your list, making it easy to switch between radio stations. If you’re unsure what you want to listen to put fancy a particular genre, this can be used via the Shows button.
And one point, Realplayer was one of the few ways you can listen to Chris Evans or Graham Norton on Virgin Radio, since their app had lost its Apple CarPlay compatibility.
Another bonus is that you don’t need a login to use this app!
TuneIn Radio
This used to be one of our favourite apps, but the app has become very buggy and we had a lot of issues when using this app with our vehicle and our phone overheating.
However, when it does work, radio stations are easy to find and save, although it does require a login to save your favourites. Buffering is good but we found the sound quality wasn’t the best, even when set at the highest setting.
We would definitely stick with Realplayer or BBC Sounds.
Looking for a car with Apple CarPlay?
If you’re in the market for a vehicle with Apple CarPlay, give us a go! We offer short-term car leases, Car Subscriptions or long-term car leases from all the major manufacturers. Call the team on 01332 290173 or complete the ENQUIRY FORM below.
