# WXPN 88.5 — XPN Concert Calendar App

> Music discovery app with curated playlists, live broadcasts, and artist interviews. (iPhone/iPad app by University of Pennsylvania.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wxpn-885/id304658861 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [University of Pennsylvania](https://appshunter.io/developer/437910363)
- Category: Music
- Price: Free
- Rating: 3.58/5 from 67 App Store ratings · 77 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 9+
- Requires: iOS 15.6 · 23 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2009-02-13
- Data updated: 2026-07-20
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wxpn-885/id304658861/reviews.md

## What is WXPN 88.5?

The  WXPN app is your home for music discovery and an unparalleled listening experience featuring emerging and heritage artists.

Programmed by music fans for music fans, our playlists are handcrafted. Driven by a mission to connect artists and audiences, WXPN is where many first heard artists like Brandi Carlile, Hozier, Leon Bridges, and boygenius before they became well-known.

Enjoy a vast mix of both classic and lesser-known tracks from artists like Bruce Springsteen, Adele, Radiohead, The Rolling Stones, Talking Heads, The Pretenders, Janelle Monae, and so much more.  Live concert broadcasts, themed music programs, and artist interviews are also a part of the mix; reflecting a range of diverse genres including rock, blues, roots, and folk.

As a non-profit, member-supported radio programming service, everything we offer is fueled by the backing of music lovers like you.

To explore more and become a part of this vibrant music community visit xpn.org.

## Key features

- Music discovery
- Handcrafted playlists
- Live concert broadcasts
- Artist interviews
- Diverse music genres
- Emerging and heritage artists

## What do users think of WXPN 88.5?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 🎶 Great music selection
- 🏠 Access from anywhere
- 📱 Easy to use interface
- 🎵 Recently played songs displayed
- 👍 Reliable streaming (for some)
- 📻 Good alternative to FM radio
- 💡 Brilliant auto-play feature
- ✅ Works well on Mac
- 🌟 Favorite station
- 📻 Access to archives (previously)
- 👍 Good for XPN information and streaming

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes
- 🔌 Connection drops/buffering
- 🚗 No more CarPlay support
- 🔋 Battery drain issues
- 🔄 App restarts or plays twice
- 🪞 Archives have limited history
- 🪞 Archives stop or randomly pop back to live
- 🚫 Concert calendar not working
- 🚫 XPN2 stream not found
- 🚫 iPad optimization needed
- 🚫 Older UI/UX
- 🚫 Audio download errors
- 🚫 Inconsistent performance
- 🚫 App doesn't open
- 🚫 Background activity issues
- 🚫 Limited functionality
- 🚫 Awkward startup page
- 🚫 Poor performance on older iPhones
- 🚫 No stream selection (24k/128k)
- 🚫 No donation/request feature in-app

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App often cuts off or restarts
- App plays twice or reopens on its own
- No longer compatible with Apple CarPlay
- Skips and buffers endlessly
- Archives stop after an hour and don't save progress
- Concert calendar not working
- Problem downloading audio
- App crashes on launch or after a few seconds
- Update loop in App Store
- App crashes after iOS update
- Battery drain issues
- XPN2 stream not found or not working
- Switching streams turns the app off
- Menu for switching streams vanished
- Cannot listen to live stream when plugged into car
- App freezes then crashes on launch
- App won't load on older iPhones
- App crashes and reverts to update queue
- App crashes after updating iOS
- App crashes consistently after software update
- App crashes today
- App doesn't work after reloading
- App crashes when opening or configuring
- App crashes after a few seconds of streaming
- App crashes when changing volume
- App crashes frequently, sometimes every 10-15 minutes
- Podcasts, archives, etc. show 'Error Can Not Load Player'
- Concert calendar shows nothing
- App kicks out to home screen after clicking LISTEN
- App cuts out and doesn't come back automatically
- App doesn't buffer, just cuts out
- App is worse than ever, constantly loses feed
- App loses feed after 10 seconds
- App shuts down every few minutes
- App doesn't work on Wi-Fi or 3G, crash city
- App crashes when trying to do anything
- App requires Flash on website, but app is an alternative
- App times out on Wi-Fi and 3G
- App loses signal often
- App cuts out after a minute or doesn't play at all
- Links to website don't play within the app
- App has awkward startup page
- App has compatibility issues, connection dropped after a second

**Most requested features**

- Bring back CarPlay support
- Optimize for iPad landscape mode
- Add XPN2 stream access
- Improve archive listening (longer history, resume playback)
- Fix concert calendar
- Add dark mode
- Allow stream selection (24k/128k)
- Implement in-app requests and donations
- Update UI for Retina displays and Apple guidelines

## Recent user reviews (10 of 77)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wxpn-885/id304658861/reviews.md

### 2/5 — Often cuts off

*2026-05-25, version 3.2.7*

Usually works well, I’ve streamed from my car in far places but on the iphone even in my house or yard it often stops or restarts with the thanks for streaming messages. Then it often plays twice at almost the same time or it reopens on its own after you close it. Wbgo (with Felix Hernandez’ funky Rhythm Review on weekends) has a great app that never does this. Ive deleted and reinstalled to no avail.

### 4/5 — Heart smiles.

*2024-08-06, version 3.2.6*

I moved out of the Philly area into the Poconos. I have been trying to find what WXPN’s FM channel was to have access to it. Couldn’t find it anywhere. I finally found the app and downloaded it. Excited and looking forward to having Echoes and so many other genre shows back. Grateful.

### 1/5 — No more CarPlay

*2024-06-30, version 3.2.5*

Love XPN but can no longer listen in the car. Please bring back CarPlay

### 2/5 — Very disappointed in this version of the app.

*2024-06-24, version 3.2.5*

I have been using the XPN for a couple of years now. It is no longer compatible with Apple Car Play, I can’t listen to the live stream when I want to. I still love listening to Xponential when driving, but I used to be able to listen to Sleepy Hallow on weekends when I am away. Now I have to choose the app on my phone before plugging into my car to get it to work when before I just clicked on the icon in the apps section of CarPlay. Why the downgrade????

### 3/5 — Car play

*2024-05-30, version 3.2.5*

It’s now missing from apple car play

### 5/5 — Works fine on my MacBook Air M1

*2024-05-27, version 3.2.5*

I stream XPN often, but lately have had trouble loading the website on my Mac. I downloaded the IOS app, which I routinely use on my iPad and iPhone. It seems to work just as well on my M1 laptop, I'm happy to report.. 

John

### 3/5 — CarPlay gone?

*2024-05-16, version 3.2.5*

I used to have this app appear on my VW CarPlay list but now it's gone. Is that feature coming back?

### 3/5 — Update version 3.2.5 (April 2024) without CarPlay support

*2024-05-15, version 3.2.5*

The current version no longer supports Apple CarPlay. Please fix so it works like the prior April 2024 “upgrade”/“downgrade”

### 4/5 — Stopped appearing in Apple CarPlay.

*2024-05-03, version 3.2.5*

Can’t add it either. Been using it for years now it disappeared.

### 4/5 — CarPlay

*2024-05-01, version 3.2.5*

What happened to the CarPlay App?
I used it last week and it seems to have disappeared.

## Frequently asked questions about WXPN 88.5

### What does the WXPN 88.5 app do?

The WXPN 88.5 app provides a platform for music discovery and an enhanced listening experience. It features handcrafted playlists curated by music fans, live concert broadcasts, themed music programs, and artist interviews across a variety of genres.

### What kind of music can I find on the app?

The app offers a vast mix of both classic and lesser-known tracks from a wide range of artists. You can explore diverse genres including rock, blues, roots, and folk music, featuring both emerging and established artists.

### Is the WXPN 88.5 app free to use?

Yes, the WXPN 88.5 app is free to use. As a non-profit, member-supported radio programming service, its offerings are fueled by the backing of music lovers.

### What are the main benefits of using the app?

The app's main benefits include discovering new and heritage artists, enjoying expertly curated playlists, accessing live concert broadcasts, and engaging with artist interviews. It aims to connect artists and audiences through a shared passion for music.

### Where can I learn more about the music community?

To explore more and become a part of the vibrant music community, you can visit xpn.org. This website provides further information about the station's mission, programming, and how to get involved.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.2.7 — 2026-05-07

Performance improvements

### 3.2.6 — 2024-07-10

Updated performance and carplay

### 3.2.5 — 2024-04-24

Updated for the latest version of iOS

### 3.2.3 — 2018-10-19

Updated for optimization with the latest version of iOS 
CarPlay Added

### 3.2.2 — 2017-12-14

Updated for optimization with the latest version of iOS.

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| --- | --- | --- | --- |
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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 2026-07-20.*