Play radio stations via Siri and the Music app: this is how you do it

There are many radio apps available for the iPhone and iPad, but you actually don’t need them at all. Apple has partnered with TuneIn, iHeartRadio and Radio.com to play more than 100,000 radio stations worldwide, simply via Siri. You can also ask Siri to play your favorite radio station in the Netherlands. In addition to Siri, it also works in the standard Music app. This way you can play radio with Siri.

• Through Siri
• Via Music app

Play radio with Siri: this is how it works in the Netherlands

You don’t need much to use the function. Think about which radio you want to listen to and follow the steps below:

1. Activate Siri by pressing the side button or home button or using Hey Siri hands-free.
2. For example, say Play Kinkradio.
3. The radio station starts playing automatically.

You will see the relevant radio station in the media player in the Siri screen. Below you can also see which service is playing the channel. For Dutch and Belgian channels this is in most cases via TuneIn. In addition to the main channels, it also works with the various theme channels of Dutch radio stations.

For Dutch public radio stations, keep in mind that you use the full name (for example “NPO Radio 2”). Since there are many radio stations called Radio 2, this can confuse Siri. By pronouncing the full channel name, you can be sure you have the right one.

Play Dutch radio on the HomePod

You can also use the feature with the HomePod. You use this in the same way as on the iPhone: you just have to ask to play the radio station you want. If Siri doesn’t quite understand you or is playing the wrong station, you can also specify your command. To be clear: you do not need an iPhone for this, because it works directly on the HomePod. For example, use these commands:

• ‘Hey Siri, play NPO Radio 2’
• ‘Hey Siri, play Radio 538’
• ‘Hey Siri, play Radio 10 via TuneIn’

Play Dutch radio in Music app

If you would rather not play radio via Siri, there is an alternative way. You can also search for Dutch and Belgian radio stations in the Music app and play them from there. You do this as follows:

1. Open the Music app.
2. Tap the Search button at the bottom right and enter the name of the radio station you want to search for.
3. In the filters you can tap Stations to only see radio stations.
4. Tap it to play it.

Under the Radio heading you will find the stations that you have recently played. It is not necessary to be an Apple Music subscriber. Everyone can play Dutch, Belgian and international radio stations via the Music app or with Siri.

You can also play a station on the HomePod via the Music app on the iPhone. To do this, you do the following:

1. Open Control Center on your iPhone.
2. Press and hold the media play button.
3. Tap Control other speakers and TVs.
4. Choose the HomePod you want to play something on.
5. Tap one of the suggestions or close the Control Center and open the Music app. Then choose a radio station there.