Can I use the iOS Shortcuts app to wake up to BBC Sounds?

With iOS 13.1 and above, you can use Apple's Shortcuts app to set your favourite BBC radio station to play via BBC Sounds when you switch off your alarm in the morning. 

The iOS alarm is guaranteed to go off and wake you up with the sound you set in the Alarm app, even if the BBC Sounds app isn't open and your device's display is switched off. This wasn't the case with the iPlayer Radio app. 

How can I wake up to BBC Sounds?

  1. Open the Shortcuts app
  2. Select the Automation tab
  3. Tap Create Personal Automation
  4. Under Events, select Alarm

    Three screenshots on an iPhone showing the Shortcuts app and the next two steps needed to be taken
     
  5. Make sure Is Stopped is ticked and then select the alarm you want BBC Sounds to start playing after
  6. Tap Next
  7. Select Add Action
  8. In the list of suggestions offered, scroll down to see the stations from BBC Sounds that you usually play, then select what you'd like to wake up to

    Three screenshots of Apple's Shortcuts app showing how to create an Automation
     
  9. Leave Show when run toggled off, then tap Next
  10. Switch Ask Before Running off, then tap Done

    Two screenshots of Apple's Shortcuts app showing how to finalise setting up an Automation


Now when you switch off your alarm in the morning, your favourite station will start to play via BBC Sounds.