Start with the station's website player or its direct listening link. You can use Safari on an iPhone or iPad, or Chrome on Android, when the station's audio format is supported by that browser. You do not need a separate radio app to use a working browser player.
Choose the right link
A website player page contains a player with a Play button. A direct listener URL delivers the stream itself and may open the browser's own audio controls. A station homepage or server status page is not necessarily either of these; follow its Listen link rather than expecting the page address alone to play audio.
If you run the station, get the public listening address from your VosCast account. Share that address or your player page, without broadcasting or admin credentials. Use the supplied HTTPS listener address where available; do not guess a secure port by changing the URL yourself.
Listen on iPhone or iPad
- Open Safari and visit the station's player page.
- Tap Play on the player. Browsers restrict automatic sound, so opening the page may not start the station.
- While audio is playing, adjust the listening volume with the device's volume buttons. Check the player's own mute control if it has one.
- If the embedded player does not work, try the station's direct listening link in Safari and tap Play if audio controls appear.
If you opened the station inside a social or messaging app, try opening the same address directly in Safari. Keep the station page open while checking playback.
Listen on Android
- Open Chrome and visit the station's player page.
- Tap Play. If it stays silent, try the station's direct listening link in Chrome.
- Raise Media volume, rather than only the ringtone or notification volume. The names and position of sound controls vary by phone.
- Check that the player is not muted and that audio is going to the speaker or headphones you intend to use.
A downloaded playlist file is not the same as an audio stream. If a link downloads a playlist or opens a status page instead of providing playback, ask the station for its browser player or direct audio URL.
Headphones, Bluetooth and interrupted playback
If playback appears active but you hear nothing, check the selected audio output. Sound may be going to connected Bluetooth headphones, a speaker or a car stereo. Check the volume on that device too, or disconnect it to try the phone's speaker.
After starting the station, try switching apps or locking the screen if you want to listen in the background. Continued playback and lock-screen controls depend on the browser, website player, operating system and device settings. They are not guaranteed for every setup. If audio stops, return to the station tab and tap Play again. Calls, other audio and connection changes can also interrupt listening.
If the station still will not play
- Check the connection. Try a stable Wi-Fi connection, or check whether mobile data is available to the browser.
- Try the direct stream. If it works but the website player does not, tell the station which page, browser and device you used.
- Check whether the station is on air. If neither link works, the station may be offline or the listening address may have changed.
- Ask about the audio format. Not every browser plays every stream format. The station should provide a compatible stream or another listening option.
Station owners can use our HTML5 radio player guide to check the stream URL, HTTPS configuration and embedded player.