A radio app for the Pixel 4 can be an excellent addition to your array of favorite mobile apps. Unfortunately, you have to settle for a radio-style app, instead of a full-blown radio app, since the Pixel 4 doesn’t come with an enabled FM chip. Radio style apps still provide you access to all sorts of stations, genres, and talk shows across the country, but again, it all happens over your data plan.
Not sure what the best radio apps are for the Pixel 4? Here are our favorites.
TuneIn Radio
TuneIn Radio is one of our favorites for the Google Pixel 4 because they broadcast over 100,000 radio stations. There are millions of on-demand programs and podcasts that you can listen to, whether you’re on the Pixel 4 or an iOS device.
If you’re looking for new content to listen to, you can easily use TuneIn to find exciting and unique stations, shows, and podcasts. You can even bookmark them for future use. Thanks to support for your voice assistant, accessing content is as simple as saying “OK Google, listen to ESPN Radio,” or another station.
Download it now: Google Play
iHeartRadio
iHeartRadio is another must-have for the Pixel 4. That’s because it puts you in touch with over 800 local stations across the United States. But on top of radio listening, there are two subscription-based services to go with it, if you want to sign-up — iHeartRadio Plus and iHeartRadio All Access. With these services, subscribers can enjoy more content and features such as offline use, replay, playlists, and others.
iHeartRadio lets you listen to personalized music station based on previously liked songs, sort of like Pandora. The app also features podcasts from personalities like Ryan Seacrest, Joe Rogan, Sean Hannity, and more.
Download it now: Google Play
NextRadio
NextRadio might be the only application that works without a data connection. That’s because it uses the cord from your headphones as an antenna to receive local FM radio signals. That lets you tune in to local radio stations without using your precious data. But thee are other bonuses as well — like using 75% less battery and 92% less data than regular streaming apps. Not every device will work with the headphone this way.
There are still some pretty cool features here, such as showing you the artwork and song information while you listen, the ability to rate which songs you like and which you would rather not listen to again, and share what you’re listening to on social media sites.
Download it now: Google Play
Radio.com
Radio.com is one of our favorite alternatives to radio streaming. Whether you’re looking for sports, music, or talk radio, the Radio.com can provide that to you live, anytime, and anywhere in the world — so long as you have a WiFi or data connection. It’s not going to work over FM, just because that FM radio chip isn’t enabled on your phone.
That said, Radio.com will allow you to stream over 300 radio stations and 1,100 podcasts. And worry not — new content is being added to Radio.com on the regular, so content always stays fresh!
If you’re a sports fan, Radio.com will allow you to even listen to commentary content from MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA, and even college teams!
Download it now: Google Play
Pandora
Coming up last on our countdown, we’re looking at the Pandora music streaming service. Pandora streams over WiFi or through your data connection but gives you a radio-style experience. You can create your radio stations, all based off of a song, genre, or favorite artist. Pandora will then personally curate that station’s songs to what you initially chose.
You can further customize the station by pressing the thumbs up or thumbs down button to indicate your like or dislike of a song. Dislike a song, and the station will never play that again!
Download it now: Google Play
Verdict
As you can see, there are a lot fo great radio apps for the Google’s Pixel 4. None of these will work offline, since the FM chip inside our smartphones are disabled by default, and there is no way to turn that on as far as the user-end goes. That said, you’ll still have to settle for streaming, but you can still use radio-style apps, like iHeartRadio or Pandora.
Do you have a favorite radio app for the Pixel 4? Let us know in the comments section below, and you may see your suggestion added to our list!