Why not internet radio on your phone, using the same streams?
this post was submitted on 13 Dec 2025
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OP didn't say if they're on Android but RadioDroid is an amazing internet radio client. The original version doesn't get updated anymore, but there's a maintained fork. You'll have to install it via Obtainium or directly download the APK: https://github.com/morckx/RadioDroid/releases
That's why they're asking here.
First of all, most media players are streaming/network capable, they don't even advertise it. Just feed it the URL.
You can even integrate user/password combos for http simple auth into a direct link. Not the safest; just to avoid people getting wind of a free radio station and overloading your server. Unless that's you want, but then you should be aware of legal stuff.
On the server side, you can run your own radio station with something like Icecast. That's its own topic.
If you want to choose what you listen to remotely, you are most likely looking at something Subsonic-compatible (apps exist). People say Navidrome is good. I am currently running jellyfin, it's not subsonic compatible but apps exist, too.
You can control the mpd stream remotely via malp: https://gitlab.com/gateship-one/malp
If you can connect to your home network via VPN you could also try to play from the remote music library via Samba share. This will not give you offline playback support though, which most Subsonic compatible clients support.
I never used it but if you're willing to pay for Symfonium you can directly connect it to a Samba share. Or WebDAV, if you're running Nextcloud anyways. This will give you offline caching as well. Don't have any personal experience, but sounds convenient. Wish there was a FOSS music player with such a broad cloud storage support. Not having to run a dedicated music streaming service sounds great.
I've looked at jellyfin a while ago, it's not my thing. Ran a quick install of navidrome, Looks like that could be a way to go, Especially if I connect my raspi's to that. It would mean 1 machine indexing instead of three+. Also getting rid of favorite syncing. Promising. Thnx for the tip.
I run Navidrome and it meets all the requirements I have for a streaming music platform, plus there are a good handful of mobile apps that will connect you to your Navidrome instance with ease. I was worried that it wouldn't handle large collections, but it rocks along without any issues.
Is a dedicated mp3 player out of the question? Would be a simple solution that doesn't require any internet access for when you're in areas with poor reception.
I (still) have and use one, but it has it's limitations. (t.ex. usage in the car)
Can you use an aux cable? Just thinking of old school solutions
In the German Ubuntu Wiki there's a list of many streaming URLs of (local) radio stations ordered by country: https://wiki.ubuntuusers.de/Internetradio/Stationen/
Then they also have this list of online only radio stations, but those are heavily skewed towards German stations: https://wiki.ubuntuusers.de/Internetradio/Internetradio-Stationen/
Just plug those URLs into VLC or any other app of your choice (heck, even the browser should work) and you're good to go.
For internet radio on android I use Demodulate from f-droid. The interface is a bit weird (to add to favorites you have to search for a station and then go to the favorites tap) but it works well.
Oversized music library + Navidrome with a few playlists that build as you go. There are apps for most clients i would guess.
I might be thinking in too simple terms but... Vlc (on android) can do everything and has no ads?