iHeartRadio Launches Lite Mode for Simplified Listening

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, October 29, 2026 | 12:44pm CT

iHeartRadio

iHeartRadio has launched "Lite Mode," a feature that lets listeners switch between the app's full functionality and a simplified interface focused on their current listening and frequently used content.

Available on iOS and Android, Lite Mode can be activated through a toggle at the top of the mobile app's homepage. The interface provides access to Presets, Recently Played and Local Radio without requiring listeners to leave the screen, alongside a simplified Now Playing experience.

"Radio is uniquely personal - it's about companionship. Our listeners sometimes want to browse and discover, and at other times they simply want to go directly to what they're looking for," said Conal Byrne, CEO of the iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group. "This new ability to toggle between full functionality and Lite Mode, which has just the essentials, gives them the opportunity to make every experience the right one for them."

iHeartMedia Chief Programming Officer Tom Poleman said the feature is designed to accommodate listeners who want quick access to favorite stations and personalities.

"Lite Mode serves a real purpose when listeners are trying to quickly get to the shows and personalities they're passionate about and aren't looking to browse the entire service," Poleman said. "We know that people use the iHeartRadio service at different times for different reasons, and the ability to seamlessly switch between those two functionalities serves that need."

Users can turn Lite Mode on or off with a single tap, allowing them to return to the full app when they want to browse or discover additional content.