# WNYC — Tap into the NY conversation

> New York public radio news, culture, and music streaming and podcasts. (iPhone/iPad app by New York Public Radio.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wnyc/id470219771 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [New York Public Radio](https://appshunter.io/developer/396530754)
- Category: News, Entertainment
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.50/5 from 793 App Store ratings · 249 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.6 · 95 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2011-10-13
- Data updated: 2026-08-27
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wnyc/id470219771/reviews.md

## What is WNYC?

Join the New York conversation wherever you are. Our app lets you hear the best live and on-demand news, commentary, culture reporting, storytelling and music. 

Listen to our live broadcast to get the latest from WNYC, NPR, the BBC and our partners in public media. Save podcasts for offline listening. Get easy access to the latest news updates and the most talked-about local and national headlines from Gothamist and NPR, so you can catch up quickly whenever you want. And listen to great music from the New Sounds and WQXR live streams.

WNYC is a listener-supported public radio station. Your financial support helps make possible our programming, broadcasting and digital innovation.

## Key features

- Live broadcast streaming
- On-demand news and commentary
- Podcast saving for offline listening
- Local and national headline updates
- Music live streams

## Chart rankings

- #204 in Top Free · News (US App Store)

## What do users think of WNYC?

Overall sentiment: neutral

**Pros**

- 🚀 Great station, great app
- 📻 Excellent content and programming
- 🌐 Access to WNYC anywhere
- 🔍 Helpful discovery features
- 🔊 Reliable live streaming

**Cons**

- 🐛 Glitchy, buggy, and unstable
- 🔇 Frequent audio issues and disconnects
- 🔁 Struggles to resume playback after interruptions
- 🔍 Confusing navigation and UI
- 🔋 Drains battery quickly

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes on launch
- Audio stream stops unexpectedly
- Playback controls not working
- Saved content disappearing
- Connectivity issues with cellular and WiFi

**Most requested features**

- Bring back sleep timer
- Improve podcast playback and resume functionality
- Add background audio support
- Optimize UI for newer iPhone models
- Implement better connectivity handling

## Recent user reviews (10 of 249)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wnyc/id470219771/reviews.md

### 2/5 — Very glitchy live stream

*2026-05-18, version v4.6.0*

The content on WNYC is A +. This review is specifically about the functionality of the app, which is poor. This has been true for previous versions and continues with the app overhaul that occurred and all updates. 

The issue is with the audio not restarting when there is some interruption to the feed. For example, if you lose connection to WiFi/cell, if you get a call or text, you pause the feed, you switch from phone speaker to headphones or headphones to car etc, or any other such disruption. 

Sometimes, you are lucky and the stream comes back on its own. Sometimes you are semi lucky and you just need to press play to continue. Routinely, you are unlucky and the audio won’t come back. You have to close the app and restart it. 

And even when it does come back, you often have to re-listen to the intro advertisement, which is obviously annoying. 

Honestly, no other audio app I use is this glitchy. I can only imagine that the generally high reviews are more so due to the content and perhaps other features, but the live stream is primarily what I use it for, and this type of glitch occurs every day, multiple times.

### 1/5 — The app no longer works

*2026-05-09, version v4.6.0*

The app has kicked the bucket. The main page opens but the programs won't load. It is no longer functional. Please fix!

### 1/5 — Archive broken

*2026-05-09, version v4.6.0*

When I go to page listing programs like BBC and Bruan Lehrer and others it is now blank. Can’t listen to my usual programs

### 3/5 — Dude, where’s my broadcast?

*2026-05-04, version v4.6.0*

I love the programming of course — but the app drives me crazy.

Every morning, as I’m listening, the app will just go silent — in the middle of a sentence — and nothing I can do will restore the sound. I need to turn off my cellphone, wait for it to restart, and then reopen the app.

Today the app reopened to the Holiday Channel, and wouldn’t budge. 

I finally gave up, discarded the app, and I have just downloaded it again from the App Store.

Very frustrating — to say the least.

### 3/5 — Sleep doesn’t work

*2026-03-04, version v4.6.0*

Sleep doesn’t  work, the app just blacks out.  Disappointing

### 2/5 — Images No Longer Opening 👀

*2026-01-28, version v4.6.0*

The WNYC app has always been a bit glitchy, but after the most recent update over half of the included images don’t open.

### 5/5 — The app is very amazing

*2026-01-24, version v4.5.0*

I get to know what’s going on the world while having to do busy stuff and the app has the schedule to know what’s on now.

### 1/5 — Couldn’t even find the am station

*2025-12-15, version v4.5.0*

Pointless and disappointing

### 1/5 — Terrible continuity

*2025-12-11, version v4.5.0*

This App has gotten worse on iPhone with regular breakup/ dropouts. I am now using WMAU’s DC NPR app. No issues.

### 3/5 — Glitchy

*2025-11-18, version v4.5.0*

This new version is glitchy: lose the signal 2x or more an hour, have to reboot app if it stays open but unplayed, sometimes the sound bars indicate its playing, yet no sound comes out (yes, my volume is up). Please fix.

## Frequently asked questions about WNYC

### What does the WNYC app do?

The app allows you to listen to live broadcasts from WNYC, NPR, and BBC, as well as on-demand news, commentary, culture reporting, storytelling, and music. You can also save podcasts for offline listening and access the latest news headlines.

### What are the key features of the WNYC app?

Key features include live streaming of public radio broadcasts, access to a library of on-demand content like news and podcasts, the ability to save podcasts for offline playback, and real-time updates on local and national news headlines.

### Is the WNYC app free to use?

Yes, the app is free to download and use. As a listener-supported public radio station, WNYC relies on financial support from its audience to fund its programming and operations.

### What kind of content can I find on the WNYC app?

You can find a diverse range of content including news from WNYC, NPR, and BBC, in-depth commentary, cultural reporting, compelling storytelling, and music from live streams like New Sounds and WQXR.

### Can I listen to WNYC offline?

Yes, you can save podcasts from the app for offline listening. This allows you to enjoy your favorite shows even when you don't have an internet connection.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### v4.6.0 — 2026-01-27

We've made changes to make audio playback more reliable. We've also made a series of small changes to make the app more stable and to prepare for future projects.

### v4.5.0 — 2025-11-10

This version updates the "Latest News Updates" section so that it displays the local newscast throughout the day. You can find NYC Now on the Browse page or featured on the homepage.

We've also fixed a number of small bugs throughout the app to make audio playback more reliable and to make it easier to find the shows you follow.

### v4.4.4 — 2025-06-30

This version updates how people can get support from our Listener Services team. It also includes routine updates and bug fixes to keep improving the app.

### v4.4.3 — 2025-06-04

This version improves the performance of push notifications and deep-linking within the app.

We are constantly trying to add features and fix bugs to deliver the best experience possible.

### v4.4.2 — 2025-05-01

This version improves the performance of push notifications.

We are constantly trying to add features and fix bugs to deliver the best experience possible.

## Apps similar to WNYC

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [NPR: National & Local News](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/npr-national-and-local-news/id324906251) | 4.6 (70,229) | Free | News |
| [New York Daily News](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/new-york-daily-news/id354730788) | 4.6 (11,762) | Free | News |
| [WBUR](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wbur/id379690847) | 4.9 (4,020) | Free | News |
| [WHYY Listen: News & Podcasts](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/whyy-listen-news-and-podcasts/id1246315452) | 4.9 (2,843) | Free | News |
| [WBEZ](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wbez/id587477231) | 4.7 (623) | Free | News |
| [KQED: Bay Area Culture & News](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kqed-bay-area-culture-and-news/id466558955) | 4.9 (9,418) | Free | News |

## More apps by New York Public Radio

- [Classical Music Radio WQXR](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/classical-music-radio-wqxr/id464130298)

All apps by New York Public Radio: https://appshunter.io/developer/396530754

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-27.*
