How to Play FM Radio on Amazon Echo

Using an Alexa-enabled device like Amazon Echo, you can tap into various radio stations and let you enjoy your favorite local or international stations without needing a separate radio device.

Setting up an FM radio on Amazon Echo is straightforward. You simply enable and launch specific skills tailored for radio stations.

Once enabled, you can use voice commands to ask Alexa to play radio stations of your choice.

Play FM Radio on Amazon Echo Station Skill

You must find the relevant Alexa skill to enable a specific FM radio on your Amazon Echo. Skills can be found in the Alexa app under More, Skills & Games. To use a skill, it has to be enabled and sometimes linked with the service account if there is a paid subscription.

Here are some examples of Alexa skills that can be used to play different radio stations.

Radioplayer – With Radioplayer Skill, you can stream from over 500 UK radio stations and some selected podcasts.
MyTuner Radio—With MyTuner Radio skill, you can listen to 50,000 free radio stations from more than 200 countries and territories.
Simple Radio – It can be used in routines and alarms as it plays upon launch, but it currently only supports BBC Radio 4.
Radio Paradise – Official skill for the Paradise Radio.
Radio D-Day —Listen to Radio D-Day for the broadcast of D-Day programs in the golden age of radio from Archive.org.
Vintage Radio – This skill enabled the world of old-time radio broadcasting to your Alexa device.

Set Radio Alarms With Alexa

You can wake up to your favorite radio stations by setting alarms with Amazon Echo. With this feature, you can easily use Alexa to play and set alarms to specific radio stations, enhancing your morning routine with the music or talk shows you love most. Here’s how I do it:

Open the Alexa app on your phone and tap on More and then Routines, followed by the “+” to add a new routine.

To add a new alarm event, tap Add Event followed by Alarms.

Create a new alarm, set the date on which smart speaker device it should play on, and click Save.

To complete our Alexa routine, we must add an action: what will happen when the alarm is switched off? In this case, we will use a radio skill to start playing music.

Navigate to skills and select the radio skill from your existing skills, or search the popular skills for the one you want.

Integrating Alexa into radio alarms ensures that my Echo’s alarm function is more than a simple buzzer. I relish starting my day with the music or talk shows I love, and it’s as simple as configuring a few settings. Once everything is set up, it’s all about saying the correct voice command, and Alexa takes care of the rest. Smart speakers like Echo make mornings much more enjoyable.

Leverage Multi-Room Audio for FM Radio with Amazon Echo Devices

Leveraging multi-room audio with Amazon Echo devices is a great way to enjoy FM radio throughout your home, including playing local radio stations from anywhere in the country. Here’s how you can set up multi-room audio to play FM radio:

Open the Alexa app on your mobile device and select the Devices tab. Tap the ‘+’ icon in the top right, choose Combine Speakers, and select Multi-room Music.

Once your speaker group is set up, you can ask Alexa to play the desired FM radio station on your speaker group by saying, “Alexa, play [FM station name] on [speaker group name].” Ask Alexa to play local radio stations on your speaker group to enjoy regional content throughout your home.

Remember, the quality of the stream will depend on your internet connection, as Echo devices stream radio stations over Wi-Fi. If you experience any issues, ensure all devices in the group are online and within range of your wireless router. Also, ensure you have enabled the necessary skills for the FM stations you wish to listen to.

Why Has My Alexa Stopped Playing the Radio?

When Alexa suddenly stops playing the radio, there could be various reasons. Here are some possible causes:

Wi-Fi Connectivity: If your Echo Dot loses connection to Wi-Fi, it won’t be able to stream anything, including radio. Alexa requires a stable internet connection from the router, so it’s worth checking if your device is connected to the 2.4GHz band or the 5GHz band, as the former often provides better range.
Device Glitches: Sometimes, simply restarting your Echo device can resolve glitches. Unplug the power cord or adapter for a few seconds, then plug it back in. In some cases, a factory reset might be necessary, but this should be a last resort as it will erase all settings on your device.
Voice Command Recognition: Alexa might misunderstand your voice commands at times. When that happens, try to speak more clearly and keep the device close to you to avoid miscommunication.
Skill Issues: Radio on Alexa operates through skills. Sometimes, if there is an issue with the radio skill I’m using, it may need to be disabled and re-enabled or updated to restore functionality.
Service Outages: Occasionally, there may be outages with the service providing the radio station. Check the service provider’s website or social media channels for any announcements.

Can I Improve FM Radio Reception on My Echo Device?

Improving FM radio reception on an Amazon Echo device can be tricky, as these devices primarily rely on internet streaming for radio stations and do not have a built-in FM tuner. However, if you are using a third-party skill to access FM radio, there are a few general tips you can try to improve reception:

Internet Connection: Ensure you have a strong and stable Wi-Fi connection since streaming FM radio through an Echo device would depend on internet connectivity rather than traditional radio signals.
Use a Reliable Streaming Service: Choose a streaming service or skill with a reputation for reliability and quality streams.
Update Your Echo Device: Ensure your Echo device’s firmware is current. Updates can improve functionality and fix bugs related to streaming.

Do I Need a VPN to Explore Global FM Stations?

Using a VPN with your Amazon Echo is generally unnecessary for accessing international radio stations, as these are streamed over the internet and are usually not region-locked. However, suppose you encounter an unavailable station due to location restrictions. In that case, a VPN might be a solution, but this would require configuring the VPN on your network router or using a VPN-enabled device as a Wi-Fi hotspot for your Echo.

Please note that Amazon does not officially support using a VPN with your Echo device, which could potentially violate the radio station’s or streaming service terms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is playing local FM radio stations on an Amazon Echo without any subscription possible?

You can play local FM radio stations on your Amazon Echo without a subscription. Simply enable a relevant Alexa skill and ask Alexa to play a specific local station.

How can I stream BBC radio on my Amazon Echo using Alexa?

To stream BBC radio on my Amazon Echo, I activate the BBC skill in the Alexa app. Then, I can ask Alexa to play any BBC station by saying, “Alexa, play BBC Radio 2.”

How can I ensure Alexa plays a particular radio station all day long?

To have a particular radio station play all day on my Amazon Echo, I usually ensure it’s streaming from an Alexa-compatible service or skill. Then, I say, “Alexa, play [radio station name].”

There’s no built-in timer for how long Alexa plays, so the station should continue until I choose to stop it.