Bronco Nation

Tunes in the Bronco

Thomas McClintock
Apr 10, 2026

Rank II

Apr 10, 2026

Tried Sirius for a while, was ok, but repeats a lot and costs. Local radio is really bad. I'm a bit old school and like my CD's but of course no factory player these days. What do all of you do? I would love to be able to play my CD's and have thought about Amazon music subscription.
Heitz

Rank 0

Fri at 1:16 pm

#20
Try the free FairStars CD Ripper 2.01, download it from the Fairstars website. Rip all Cd's to FLAC format which is a lossless format. FLAC compresses audio data without removing any information, ensuring that the decompressed file is a bit-for-bit, identical copy of the original source (like a CD).

Then organize your tunes in folders on your phone, or your phones SD card. For example have an 80's or 90's folder, Fav Tunes folder and so on.

For playback use the free VLC media player app which can be found on Google Play, or the Apple Store. With VLC you can easily Que up your favorite folder and even create custom playlists.

The VLC app will show up on your Bronco screen. And while playing music with VLC you can pause, change and skip songs on the touch screen or use the forward/backward buttons on your steering wheel. So no need to mess with phone while driving once a folder/playlist is que'd up in VLC.

Another option is a standalone SiriusXM app-only streaming subscription which is generally cheaper than a full car stereo subscription. This can also be used through Bluetooth or USB-C direct connection with full controls also on the screen and steering wheel. The SiriusXM app is available on both Google Play and the Apple Store.

The added benefit of the SiriusXM app subscription is you will have music where ever you go besides the car. Like the beach with a Bluetooth boombox, a second car with Bluetooth options, camping or home stereo with Bluetooth capabilities and so on.

And with the SiriusXM app on your phone you will not experience dead zones under bridges or in cities with tall buildings when using a cellular connection.

You can log in and use your SiriusXM app subscription on multiple phones, but generally only one device can stream at a time. Attempting to stream simultaneously on two phones usually triggers a "too many devices" message, interrupting one of the users.

Rank IV

Fri at 2:20 pm

#21
86Isuzu
What?!?

I could have sworn when the Bronco released the USB was power only. Was there a software update? Or do you have a later model?

I have a loaded USB drive somewhere I'll have to plug in and try.

The front USB is for data and power. Been that way since MY 2021.
No salt tram towers were harmed in the making of this post...

Rank IV

Fri at 2:39 pm

#22
redwards
I have hundreds of CDs I've ripped and stored on my computer and phone. I've also done the Sony Walkman thing but the new version of the walkman is just a phone operating system that can't make phone calls. Unfortunately like Eninty mentioned I cannot connect my phone and the walkman at the same time and I need access to my OnX OffRoad maps.
I also beat my Badlands to death so a disk player is not really an option.

I use Android Auto (or Apple CarPlay) and a music app on my phone to control the music. There are a few music apps that play nice with Android auto but I think the one I like the most is 'Musicolet' because it does not require any kind of connectivity to the internet. It's a 100% local application for the phone. This means no adds, no updates, it just works (AND IT'S FREE).
I also have a Pandora account that I've curated over 20 or so years that works great if I need to mix it up a bit.

Both Pandora, Amazon Music (my wife's preference) and Musicolet all play nice with Android Auto (AND OnX OffRoad) and I can control everything from the infotainment system or the steering wheel controls. If my wife's riding shotgun, she can DJ right from the phone. If I'm riding with her in her Jeep (bleh..) it connects right into her Stinger system.

The online music players are nice but I won't pay for Sirius for the reasons others have mentioned but if you do any 'wheelin' you're also going to want some locally sourced tunes that you can listen to when you have no signal on your phone.

The Android Auto photo is from the Stinger in my wife's Jeep, but it looks even better (and bigger) in the Bronco.
The other photo is the Musicolet App as it's displayed on my phone and is a VERY close resemblance to what it looks like in the Bronco Infotainment system.
That third photo is a decent example of when you might not have a signal on your phone (Hot Springs, AR)
Your options are really fairly limitless.

Yeah, I have a Sony NW-A50 (with no wifi), so it is just a music player.
No salt tram towers were harmed in the making of this post...

Rank 0

Fri at 2:57 pm

#23
Eninty
The front USB is for data and power. Been that way since MY 2021.

Oh that's awesome.
I will be loading up a flash drive for sure.
Eninty

Rank IV

Fri at 4:10 pm

#24
86Isuzu
What?!?

I could have sworn when the Bronco released the USB was power only. Was there a software update? Or do you have a later model?

I have a loaded USB drive somewhere I'll have to plug in and try.

Only one of the USB connections attaches directly to the infotainment system... There are two under the screen in the tray and one in the center consul... I believe it is the one in the lower tray on the right side (passenger side).... the rest are power for charging. I assume this is all Broncos, I could be wrong. I have the Lux package from 2023. They have made so many changes (often without saying anything) I can not guarantee anything only that this is how it operates in my specific vehicle.
Eninty

Rank 0

Fri at 4:54 pm

#25
Unicorn
Only one of the USB connections attaches directly to the infotainment system... There are two under the screen in the tray and one in the center consul... I believe it is the one in the lower tray on the right side (passenger side).... the rest are power for charging. I assume this is all Broncos, I could be wrong. I have the Lux package from 2023. They have made so many changes (often without saying anything) I can not guarantee anything only that this is how it operates in my specific vehicle.

I only have 2 in my tray. USB-C and an oldie. I'll give it a shot
22 Base
Unicorn

EVs are the blood diamonds of the car world

Sat at 4:37 am

#26
86Isuzu
What?!?

I could have sworn when the Bronco released the USB was power only. Was there a software update? Or do you have a later model?

I have a loaded USB drive somewhere I'll have to plug in and try.
That was my thought. My USB drives did not work but if someone else says there's works who am I to argue. There have been so many changes, updates, incorrect press and Ford releases combined with anomalies throughout the Bronco launch and production that I suppose anything is possible.
Supreme Leader of the Wandering but NOT Lost
2022 OBX Cyber Orange Metallic with random acutriments.
Unicorn

Rank IV

Mon at 1:35 pm

#27
86Isuzu
I only have 2 in my tray. USB-C and an oldie. I'll give it a shot
22 Base

I have a '22 Black Diamond, which is the Base with a few extras. The USB A port in the front cubby under the screen is a data port, which is where I plug my USB drive into.


No salt tram towers were harmed in the making of this post...
Stryf, Unicorn

Rank III

Yesterday at 8:37 pm

#28
USB port above wireless charger plays my CD Player.Dash USB is power only on my 2022WT.

Mountain & Beach Trial Commander

Today at 1:50 am

#29
I have in both cars memory sticks with my music in FLAC format (lossless audio) vice mp3 and it sounds great on the 12 speaker B&O.
John "JFScheck" Scheck
Bronco 60th Anniversary Edition
Mountains to sand - enjoy the trails, tread light, leave it better!
Unicorn

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