BBC iPlayer Radio app now supports downloads

The updated iPlayer Radio app is now available to download from the Apple App Store for iOS devices and the Google Play Store for Android.

It's the first time users will have been able to download BBC radio shows for offline listening, with the feature being added to the app in time for the start of the BBC Proms 2015 this Friday.

Having been teased back in May last year, iPlayer downloads have arrived in an update to the iPlayer Radio apps for Android, iOS and Kindle that went live Wednesday.

The update allows you to download multiple shows at the same time over wi-fi, though not over 3G/4G at launch, with shows being stored on your tablet or smartphone for up to 30 days.

The "world's largest classical music festival", the BBC Proms, starts this Friday 17th July, with almost all the Radio 3 broadcasts from the eight-week festival set to be available for download via iPlayer Radio.

Other shows now available to download include the Live Lounge, Annie Mac show and the Essential Mix on Radio 1, Radio 2 shows from Jamie Cullum, David Rodigan and Jo Whiley, World on 3 from Radio 3, almost all of Radio 4's programmes, and Mayo and Kermode's Film Review on 5 Live.

Various shows across 1Xtra, 6 Music, BBC Asian Network and the BBC's Local and Nations radio shows are also available for offline listening.

"We know this is something they’ve been asking for and we have been working hard to make it possible. Now they will have more choice than ever to listen to their favourite programmes, with all downloads available for 30 days and no need to worry about mobile data limits.”

MORE: Best apps 2015

MORE: Catching up on iPlayer could soon require a TV licence

Joe Cox
Content Director

Joe is the Content Director for What Hi-Fi? and Future’s Product Testing, having previously been the Global Editor-in-Chief of What Hi-Fi?. He has worked on What Hi-Fi? across the print magazine and website for almost 20 years, writing news, reviews and features on everything from turntables to TVs, headphones to hi-fi separates. He has covered product launch events across the world, from Apple to Technics, Sony and Samsung; reported from CES, the Bristol Show, and Munich High End for many years; and written for sites such as the BBC, Stuff and The Guardian. In his spare time, he enjoys expanding his vinyl collection and cycling (not at the same time).

Latest in Radio
Roberts Rambler Classic in duck egg blue
Roberts' versatile new radio blends retro looks with handy modern tech
Ruark Audio R1S DAB radio
What Hi-Fi? Awards 2024: revitalised radio category has never looked so good
Two Pure Classic Minis, in white and in brown
Pure adds to its Classic range of radios with the versatile, portable Mini
Ruark Audio R1S DAB radio
Best radios 2024
Ruark Audio R1S DAB radio on white shelf next to globe
Ruark Audio R1S
Majority Petersfield Go DAB radio held in hand with garden and wooden table in background
Majority Petersfield Go
Latest in News
Sony WF-C710N earbuds lined up in different finishes
They’re official! Sony finally takes the wraps off its WF-C710N budget wireless earbuds
A flower on a TV screen with a gem in the middle.
TCL's new Mini LED TV range comes with huge brightness gains, reduced blooming and souped-up sound
Sony WH-1000XM4 on a table with a plant
Some of our favourite-ever five-star wireless headphones have plummeted to nearly half price – £172 off!
RCA Roku TV 24-inch (RK24HF1) small TV
My favourite kitchen TV has dropped to under £100 for Amazon Spring Deal Days
Sony XR-48A90K
Amazon has slashed the price of this five-star Sony OLED, but we have found an even better deal
Fiio FX17 in-ear headphones
Fiio's flagship in-ear headphones are packed full of drivers to put your music in pole position