BBC sounds going to be GEolocked

Manc-Red_ · 26-08-2025 08:05PM

Just checked myself and working without vpn as a startup without issues.

iPhone 14

Alun · 27-08-2025 08:08AM

This is strange.. mine was blocked a few days ago, but is working again without a VPN today, both on WiFi (Virgin) and mobile (Vodafone).

extra-ordinary_ · 04-09-2025 07:00AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123758228#Comment_123758228

I certainly was getting the "app is not available in your region etc" message up to a few days ago without a VPN. If I had the VPN connected at least at startup, I could disconnect it and still keep playing from the Android media controls for the rest of the day. Last few days I just noticed no VPN connection required at all.

Alun · 04-09-2025 07:40AM

Yes, its weird. I even signed out and force closed the app and it still started up and logged me in OK without a VPN.

moycullen14 · 04-09-2025 08:05AM

I've somehow managed to uninstall the BBC Sounds app from my android. Anyone know where I might get a copy of the apk? It's not available in the play store

EarWig · 04-09-2025 08:46AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123784198#Comment_123784198

You could try this.

https://bbc-sounds-radio-podcasts.en.softonic.com/android

Butson · 04-09-2025 09:40AM

Not showing up in the playstore for me, even with UK VPN on.

moycullen14 · 04-09-2025 09:55AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123784330#Comment_123784330

That worked, thanks. I downloaded it on my linux box and then accessed it via dropbox on the phone. After installation, it updated the app via the play store … even though I didn't have the vpn on. vpn on now and working fine.

I couldn't download directly onto the phone … all manner of junk required.

loyatemu · 04-09-2025 12:51PM

VPN plus a UK registered Google account should work - I've downloaded the iPlayer app that way. Once it's on your phone, it'll update as normal.

04-09-2025 06:56PM

Luxembourg v NI on R Ulster via the Sounds app not being geoblocked currently.

petejmk · 14-09-2025 09:44AM

Absolutely brilliant. Thanks a million. Worked perfectly. Not being able to listen back to Radcliffe and Maconie on the weekends was driving me mad. Sorted now. Thanks again!

RoryMurphyJnr · 14-09-2025 09:53AM

NordVPN working a treat for me

Manc-Red_ · 15-09-2025 05:39PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123814638#Comment_123814638

x 2 - no probs at all. I just use my VPN and turn on sounds once a month to get access even without the vpn for a month at least.

20-09-2025 07:32PM

Was listening to the World Service via the Sounds app this afternoon. Sportsday was on and they had the 3pm Premier League commentary that was on R5. No VPN needed to listen to it. Then switched to the WS that’s on the website at bbc.com/audio.

Surprised to find no football commentary but a science programme instead. Checked the listings and Sportsday was listed for all the regional variants of the WS. Puzzled as to why the website didn’t have the football when it was in the clear via the app.

Manc-Red_ · 21-09-2025 03:39PM

VPN and Radio 5 Live no probs for Arsenal v City comms

21-09-2025 04:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123835647#Comment_123835647

Same again today. The World Service via the Sounds app is carrying the R5 commentary of Arsenal v M City. No VPN needed. But the WS at bbc.com/audio has a documentary on currently. Odd.

Dinarius · 23-09-2025 02:50PM

I’ve been using the new BBC app for R4. It’s a news app with a link to R4 and WS bolted on. Total garbage.

I heard about a month ago (on Feedback) that listening on demand would be restored for R4 because ex-pats outside the UK time zone couldn’t access the news programs unless they set their alarms, in some cases. Makes total sense and shows how brainless this idea was in the first place. So, this must be what some of you have access to now.

I stupidly uninstalled BBC Sounds when I installed the new app. It’s not a download option in iPhone Apps now. How can I get it back, please?

Thanks.

D.

odyssey06 · 23-09-2025 02:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123843897#Comment_123843897

Sounds is still geo-locked, unless you pop up to the North once a month (or pretend to using a VPN).

What they've done is for Radio 4, for a limited selection of programmes, you can go back in the schedule and listen on demand. So e.g. for last Sunday, I can listen back to 'Opening Lines' but not the actual 3pm Drama on 4.

You can also go back 6 hours of today's broadcast.

https://www.bbc.com/audio/schedules/bbc_radio_fourfm

Dinarius · 23-09-2025 03:07PM

Thanks. And if I did download BBC Sounds somehow, does it work as before?

Thanks.

D.

odyssey06 · 23-09-2025 03:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123843950#Comment_123843950

If it thinks you are in Ireland - doesn't work at all.

If it thinks you are in UK - yes, works as before.

Dinarius · 24-09-2025 02:41PM

Thanks.
The new app works if you want to listen to R4 or the WS, so why are some posters above writing about using VPNs to listen to BBC radio?

D.

EarWig · 24-09-2025 02:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123847333#Comment_123847333

I rarely listen live and the new app is variable in terms of availability of previous shows.

swampy353 · 25-09-2025 05:57AM

Because they may want to listen to a bbc station which isn't WS or R4. Or they would like to have catchup available to them

bot43 · 25-09-2025 03:11PM

Working away fine for me in Alexa. Not using a VPN or anything. Im in Cork.

Stopped for a few days a month or so ago.

CalamariFritti · 06-10-2025 10:04PM

Just got into my car and typically tune-in comes straight back on off the phone only now it just went 'this station is not available in your country'.

Will try tomorrow again but dont like the sound of that.

Redsoxfan · 07-10-2025 06:06AM

Yeah, since gelocking came in had been able to use on TuenIn with no issues. This morning, all BBC stations gelocked on TuneIn, even with VPN. App still working with VPN though.

waywill1966 · 07-10-2025 07:27AM

it’s working for me on an iPhone. Are you in the Uk?

LLamachara · 07-10-2025 08:12AM

BBC Radio geoblocked on my TuneIn radio app on iPhone and also on Alexa.

Such a short sighted decision. Radio 2 were plugging their Taylor swift interview and were directing listeners to listen back on YouTube and causing presenter to comment “you know that YouTube channel we hardly ever use?”

CalamariFritti · 07-10-2025 09:19AM

it’s working for me on an iPhone. Are you in the Uk?

I'm in Ireland and the BBC Sounds app disappeared from my phone when it disappeared from the Appstore and there seems no easy way of reinstalling it. That change Appstore location isnt really an option since you need UK payment method and UK billing address etc.

So I dont have that BBC Sounds/VPN option anymore and TuneIn was my refuge.

You can still use the direct weblink from the BBC website but how I'm to integrate that somewhat seamlessly into my CarPlay I have no idea. I know you can add a URL to your phone's home screen but that doesnt translate into CarPlay. Adding other than the CarPlay approved apps to Carplay requires jailbreak and thats just a complete PITA.

*****, grrrrr

Edit: I can start the weblink from Safari on iPhone and it will play on CarPlay but easy app integration is gone. Not ideal but at least I can still listen.

waywill1966 · 07-10-2025 10:21AM

Just checked my TuneIn and the BBC’s are gone except for BBC Radio 3 Unwind

The BBC’s are working on the MyTuner Radio app if any of you use that.

BBC sounds going to be GEolocked

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