How to listen to BBC 6 Music outside the UK

Looking to access BBC 6 Music – the dedicated alternative music station from the Beeb – from outside the UK? You can use a VPN – NordVPN works best – to unblock 6 Music via BBC Sounds and listen as normal, despite the international ban on the latter.

There's good reason you'd want to, as well. 6 Music is the UK's biggest digital-only radio station and has built up a dedicated following over the years. It even survived a proposed closure in 2010 and now boasts 2.7 million monthly listeners.

Though guitars feature prominently, there's no genre too out there that 6 Music won't touch – from folk, to jazz, dance, grime and beyond, they play anything alternative that gets the creative juices flowing from established acts or new artists.

You could get The Smiths, The Clash or Talking Heads, or it could be uber-hip Geese, Florence & the Machine or a bit of post-punk duo Sleaford Mods. Just don't expect much Coldplay because, well, they've got taste.

Starting on Friday, November 21 and continuing for the following five weeks, 6 Music will also be celebrating its Albums of 2025. On his weekly New Album Fix show, Matt Everitt will delve deeper into five of the best LPs from this year, each selected by a different 6 Music DJ, who will explain why that record means so much to them. From Sam Fender to Self Esteem, the aforementioned Geese and These New Puritans, there are some future classics to enjoy

But how can you access BBC 6 Music, and is it available in the US, Australia, and Canada too? Read on as our short guide explains how to listen to the UK's biggest digital-only radio station from anywhere in the world.

How to listen to BBC 6 Music

To access BBC 6 Music's eclectic output, you have a range of different options. A digital radio is, of course, one possibility, but if you don’t have one, BBC Sounds website, the BBC Sounds app (iOS/Android) and the BBC 6 Music website are also available.

To listen, you will need a BBC account — register here.

And if you miss your favorite show, don't worry. You can listen again via BBC Sounds, with the majority of shows available as podcasts. There are also specially curated BBC 6 Music playlists available on the BBC Sounds website and app.

Remember, though, that back in July 2025, international access to BBC Sounds was shut down. Though the decision was met with disbelief, there are still ways to access the platform if you're abroad. Read on to find out how.

Can I access BBC 6 Music on BBC Sounds from abroad or on holiday? 

Yes. UK residents looking to listen to BBC 6 Music while traveling abroad can still access the BBC Sounds app via a VPN. We recommend NordVPN, which comes with 75% off and 3 months extra free this Black Friday...

How to unblock BBC 6 Music on BBC Sounds with a VPN

If you're outside the UK at the moment and blocked from using BBC Sounds, you can still access the app thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network).

The software allows your devices to appear as if they're back in your home country regardless of where in the world you are. So ideal for listeners away for work or on vacation wanting a taste of home.

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BBC Sounds Troubleshooting Tips

If you still can't access BBC 6 Music via BBC Sounds, even with the aid of a VPN, there are a few more things you can try.

Make sure your BBC account is associated with a valid UK post code, such as W1A 1AA.

The BBC Sounds app (iOS / Android) won't appear in the Play Store or the App Store outside the UK, but you may be able to get around that by changing your phone's region in the settings menu.

The BBC, like most broadcasters and networks, is engaged in a never-ending cat-and-mouse battle with VPN providers.

Although we've ranked the best iPlayer VPNs, something we've worked out through thorough testing, if one of them works today there's no guarantee the same will be true tomorrow, in which case you can raise the issue with your VPN provider's customer support team, and ask them to recommend the best server to connect to.

Can I listen to BBC 6 Music from outside the UK without BBC Sounds?

You absolutely can. Listeners based outside the UK can now access a limited selection of BBC audio programming via the BBC.com website and the BBC app (iOS / Android). And the good news is BBC 6 Music is one of them!

Although you can listen via BBC.com and the BBC app without an account, you have to sign in if you want to download, follow and save shows.

Visit the website linked above directly through a web browser and it works. It's a crude workaround, and doesn't include key features available on BBC Sounds, but you can listen the BBC 6 Music.

Furthermore, only select radio content will be made available on-demand through the BBC 6 Music website.