How can I stream audio from PC to Android without Bluetooth?
Streaming audio from a PC to an Android device allows you to play music, podcasts, and other audio content from your computer on your phone or tablet. With the right apps and connections, you can wirelessly transmit audio in real time over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Streaming audio to Android comes in handy when you want to listen to audio from your PC on different devices around your home or take it on the go.
There are several methods available to stream audio from a PC to Android. The most common options include using Wi-Fi/network connections, USB tethering, DLNA streaming, AirPlay, Chromecast, third-party streaming apps, cloud storage services, or remote desktop apps. Each method has its own pros and cons depending on your setup and preferences.
This guide will provide an overview of the main techniques available to wirelessly stream audio from a Windows or Mac computer to an Android smartphone or tablet. It will cover how each method works, what you need to get started, and some of the benefits and limitations of each approach.
Wi-Fi/Network Connections
One way to stream audio from your PC to an Android device is by using your home Wi-Fi network. Both your computer and Android device need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. This allows you to stream the audio over the local network without needing any cables.
On Windows 10, you can use the built-in “Cast to Device” feature to stream audio to an Android device. Go to the Windows volume icon in the taskbar, click the “Cast” button and select your Android device. This will stream your PC’s audio to the device. Make sure the Android device supports Cast streaming.
You can also use third-party apps like AudioRelay which let you stream audio over Wi-Fi between PC and Android. Install the AudioRelay server on your Windows PC and the client app on your Android. Now you can select your PC as the audio source in the Android app.
For the best audio quality and latency when streaming over Wi-Fi, both devices should be connected to the 5GHz band if available. Reduce interference by moving closer to the wireless router. Wired Ethernet connections can provide more reliable streaming.
USB Tethering
USB tethering allows you to share your Android device’s internet connection with your PC via a USB cable. Here are the steps to enable USB tethering to stream audio from your PC to Android:
First, connect your Android device to your PC using a USB cable. Make sure USB debugging mode is enabled on your Android device – this allows your PC to interface with your phone over USB. On Android, go to Settings > About Phone and tap Build Number 7 times to enable Developer options. Then go to Settings > Developer options and enable USB debugging.
Next, enable USB tethering on your Android device. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Hotspot & Tethering and enable USB tethering. Your device may prompt you to confirm the connection.
Once USB tethering is active, your PC can access the internet through your Android device’s mobile data connection. This allows apps and services like Audio Relay to stream audio directly from your PC to your Android device over USB.
The main advantage of USB tethering is that it provides a direct wired connection, which is generally faster and lower latency than wireless options like Bluetooth. The drawback is that your Android device must be tethered to your PC via USB cable.
DLNA
One way to stream audio from a PC to an Android device without Bluetooth is by using the DLNA standard. DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) allows devices on the same local network to discover and share media with each other. To use DLNA for audio streaming:
Set up a DLNA server app on your PC such as MediaTomb or Serviio. Configure the server to share your music files and folders. On the Android device, install a DLNA client app such as BubbleUPnP, Skifta, or AllCast. Use the client app to discover and connect to the DLNA server on your PC. You should then be able to browse and play your PC’s audio files over Wi-Fi.
The advantage of DLNA is that it works on your existing home Wi-Fi network. No internet connection, pairing, or cables required. The drawback is that both the server and client apps must support the DLNA standards. Performance and stability can vary across different app combinations.
For more details, see this guide on setting up DLNA media sharing between PCs and Android.
AirPlay
AirPlay allows you to wirelessly stream audio from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac to AirPlay-enabled speakers or devices like Apple TV. Since AirPlay is an Apple proprietary protocol, it does not natively work with Android devices. However, there are some third-party apps like AirMusic that can enable AirPlay functionality on Android.
To use AirPlay from an Android device, you first need to download and install the AirMusic app from the Google Play Store. Once installed, open the app and it will search and show you any available AirPlay devices on your network. Select the device you want to stream to and then you can start playing audio from your Android device, like music or podcasts. The audio will now stream from your Android phone or tablet to the AirPlay destination.
AirMusic works by creating an AirPlay server on your Android device. It streams the audio over Wi-Fi to the AirPlay hardware. The app has to be running in the background on your Android phone to maintain the connection. While there is some latency, the ability to wirelessly stream audio to AirPlay devices like Apple TVs makes it a handy option if you have an Android phone and AirPlay speakers on the same Wi-Fi network.
Chromecast
Chromecast is an easy way to stream audio from your PC browser directly to your speakers. To get started, first make sure you have a Chromecast device connected to your speaker setup and configured on the same WiFi network as your computer.
Then open the Chrome browser on your PC and navigate to the site or service you want to play audio from. Click on the Chrome menu in the top right and select “Cast.” This will allow you to select your Chromecast device and begin streaming audio.
Chromecast will mirror the audio playing in your Chrome browser tab. You can continue to use your computer normally while the audio streams in the background. The streaming is done directly between Chrome and the Chromecast, allowing high quality audio without draining your computer’s resources.
One tip is to go to the Chrome browser settings and enable the “Cast media router” flag under “Privacy and security.” This will ensure Chrome can discover and connect to your Chromecast device automatically without any extra setup. Then casting audio to your speakers is as simple as clicking the Cast button.
Overall Chromecast provides an easy and affordable way to send audio from your PC to your home speaker system. With just a simple device plugged into your speakers, you can enjoy high quality streaming audio played from your computer’s browser.
Third-Party Apps
There are some great third-party apps that allow you to easily stream audio from a PC to an Android device over Wi-Fi. Popular apps for this include:
Airmore – This app allows you to stream audio, video, photos and files from PC to Android. It works over Wi-Fi and has low latency for streaming audio. One downside is it has a time limit for the free version. Learn more at https://letsview.com/stream-audio-pc-to-android.html
AllConnect – An all-in-one app to stream media and mirror screens between devices. It’s easy to set up and has good audio quality. The main limitation is you can’t play DRM protected content. More details at https://audiorelay.net/
AudioRelay – This app is designed just for streaming audio. It can transmit high quality lossless audio with low latency. The main drawback is you need to keep the app open at all times on both devices. Learn more at https://audiomovers.com/how-to-stream-audio-from-pc-to-android/
Overall, apps like Airmore, AllConnect and AudioRelay provide easy streaming solutions between PC and Android over Wi-Fi without the need for cables. They offer low latency audio and some extra features like mirroring and file transfers.
Cloud Storage
One way to stream audio from a PC to an Android device without using Bluetooth is through a cloud storage service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. You can upload the audio files from your computer to the cloud storage platform. Then on your Android device, install the app for that cloud service and login to your account. You’ll be able to access and stream the uploaded audio files through the app (Soundcloud).
The advantages of using cloud storage are that it doesn’t require any special software or hardware. As long as you have internet access on both devices, you can stream the audio files. The cloud storage also acts as a backup of your audio collection. The downside is you need an active internet connection to stream, so it may not work well if you have limited data or a spotty connection. There may also be storage limits on free cloud storage accounts.
Remote Desktop
One of the most popular ways to control your Android device remotely, including streaming audio, is through remote desktop apps like Chrome Remote Desktop or Microsoft Remote Desktop. These apps allow you to access your Android device’s screen, apps, and audio from a computer by connecting both devices through the internet.
Remote desktop apps work by installing a host app on your Android device and a client app on your computer. Once connected, the computer can fully control the Android device and stream any audio playing on it. This is an easy and convenient way to remotely access media files, music apps, videos, and more on an Android phone or tablet.
The main benefits of using remote desktop apps for streaming Android audio are convenience, low latency, and reliability. As long as both devices are connected to the internet, the audio quality is excellent. Remote desktop apps also grant full control over the Android device for easy navigation and playback.
Conclusion
In summary, there are several methods to stream audio from a PC to an Android device without using Bluetooth. The main options are:
- Connecting devices via Wi-Fi or Ethernet and using a media server or remote desktop app.
- Using USB tethering to create a direct connection.
- Streaming over DLNA or Chromecast devices.
- Using third party apps like Airdroid or Pushbullet to send files and audio.
- Uploading audio files to cloud storage and streaming from there.
The best method will depend on your specific devices, network setup, and audio streaming needs. Wi-Fi and USB tethering provide simple and direct streaming, while DLNA, Chromecast and cloud storage give more flexibility. Overall, with the right app or setup, streaming audio from a PC to Android device without Bluetooth is definitely achievable.