If you're a fan of console gaming, you're probably familiar with PlayStation (PS). PlayStation is one of the most popular gaming consoles worldwide, offering an exceptional gaming experience with a wide variety of popular games. Listening to music while gaming can make the experience even better, and Pandora is a great music service for PS users. In this post, we'll show you how to get Pandora on PS3, PS4, and PS5, and answer some common questions about using Pandora on PlayStation. If you're interested in playing Pandora on your PlayStation while gaming, keep reading and start enjoying it right away!
Part 1. Can You Get Pandora on PlayStation?
Yes, you can access Pandora service on the older PlayStation 3 by using its web browser. But no on PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5. In Part 2, we'll provide a step-by-step guide on how to play Pandora on PS3, and in Part 3, we'll show a workaround for PS4 and PS5 to enjoy Pandora music while gaming.
You may be wondering why Pandora is available on the older PS3 but not on the newer consoles. Below, we reveal some possible reasons you might like to know:
Why Pandora Works on PS3?
Unfortunately, there is no dedicated Pandora PlayStation app. But, PlayStation 3 could access Pandora through its web browser. Pandora made a special website (tv.pandora.com) for TVs and game controllers. The PS3 browser could render it. So, if you are a PS3 user, you are able to stream Pandora directly from the console using the browser.
Why Pandora Doesn't Work on PS4 or PS5?
1. Official App Prioritization
Sony and Pandora prioritize official app partnerships over browser functionality. Spotify has an exclusive deal on PlayStation. It allows music streaming and background playback. Pandora has little incentive to join.
2. Pandora's Development Requirements
As early as 2014, Pandora stated that supporting PS4 would require additional development work from Sony. Since this development never happened, Pandora never became compatible with the newer consoles.
3. Gaming-Focused Console Design
Sony focuses on gaming and pre-approved media apps. Developing a fully-featured, desktop-class web browser is not a priority.
4. Incompatible Streaming Protocols
Pandora uses HTML5 and advanced JavaScript. PS4 and PS5 browsers are limited. They cannot handle the codecs or protocols needed for Pandora streams.
5. Limited Browser Features
Even if you open Pandora in the console browser:
- Audio cannot play in the background while gaming.
- Advanced features and extensions are missing.
- On PS5, the browser is hidden and has no full address bar.
Part 2. How to Play Pandora on PlayStation 3
You can play Pandora music on PS3 with its web browser. But note: this method will not let you play Pandora music in the background while gaming. If you want to listen to Pandora music while gaming, skip to Part 3 for another way.
What You'll Need:
- A PlayStation 3 console
- An internet connection
- A Free, Plus, Premium, or Family Pandora account
- A computer or mobile device to activate your PS3 if you're new to Pandora
Step 1Launch the PS3 web browser
- From the PS3 home screen (XMB), go to the Network category.
- Select Internet Browser and open it.
Step 2Navigate to the Pandora website
- Press Start on your controller to bring up the keyboard.
- Type www.pandora.com and press Select.
Step 3Log in or create an account
You'll be displayed with two choices: "I have a Pandora Account" and "I am new to Pandora."
- If you have an existing account:
- Select I have a Pandora Account. Enter your login details.
- Once signed in, you can browse and play your music stations.
- If you are a new user:
- Select I am new to Pandora.
- An activation code will appear on your PS3 screen.
- On your computer or mobile device, go to www.pandora.com/activate.
- Enter the activation code that appeared on your PS3.
- Choose Create a Pandora Account and finish registration.
- Once you've completed the setup, your station list will be available on your PS3 and you can start playing your Pandora music.
Part 3. How to Play Pandora on PlayStation 3/4/5
Pandora is not available on PS4 and PS5 currently. Is there a way which fits all kinds of PlayStations to play Pandora music? Sure. We've discovered an efficient method to easily access Pandora music, allowing you to play those songs on PS3, PS4 and PS5 in high quality while gaming.
The trick is to download Pandora tracks to your computer. Then move them to your PlayStation with a USB drive. But how do you download music from Pandora? The answer is ViWizard Pandora Music Converter (also named ViWizard Streaming Audio Recorder).
What is ViWizard Pandora Music Converter? It is a reliable third-party tool that lets all Pandora users download music for offline playback. It downloads songs, albums, playlists, podcasts, and radio stations from Pandora. It also works with eight other music services, including Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud. With ViWizard, you can save Pandora music as MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4A, or M4B in high audio quality. Luckily, most of these formats are compatible with PlayStation consoles.
Batch download Pandora playlists, songs, podcasts as MP3, FLAC, WAV, and more. You will get the original audio quality and full metadata, with download speeds averaging up to 36x faster.
Now, let's follow the steps below to get Pandora music via ViWizard Pandora Music Converter. We will take the PS4 device as an example.
Step 1 Set Output Format for PlayStation
Open ViWizard Pandora Music Converter on your computer. Click the Menu icon > Preferences. Choose an output format supported by your console, such as MP3 (works on PS3/PS4/PS5) or FLAC (for PS4/PS5). You can also adjust bitrate and sample rate for better sound. We recommend 192 kbps, which is the highest quality available on Pandora. Click OK to save.
Supported Audio Formats on PS3/PS4/PS5
- PS3 Supported Formats: MP3, AAC, WMA, WAVE
- PS4 Supported Formats: FLAC, MP3, AAC, WAVE
- PS5 Supported Formats: FLAC, MP3, AAC, Opus
Step 2 Log In to Pandora
On the main screen, click the Pandora icon. This will open Pandora's built-in web player inside ViWizard. Sign in to your account and browse for albums, playlists, or podcasts you'd like to download.
Step 3 Choose the Music
When you open a playlist, album, or podcast, click the Plus (+) button in the bottom-right corner. ViWizard will detect all tracks on the page and show them in a pop-up window. Select the songs you want, then click Add to List.
Step 4 Download and Convert
Click the Convert button. ViWizard will download and convert the selected tracks at high speed (up to 36x faster). The tool keeps the original audio quality and metadata, including titles, artists, and album covers. When the download is done, click the folder icon next to the track title.
Step 5Transfer Your Pandora Downloads to PlayStation via USB
- Insert your USB drive to your computer, and you will see it pop up on the left side of your File Explorer.
- To check the file system, right-click on the inserted USB drive bar and select Format.
- Select FAT or exFAT format which PS4 supports and click on Start. To double-check the format, you can right-click on USB drive and select Properties.
- Create a new folder on your USB drive and name it "Music" (for your PS4 system to recognize them).
- Drag your Pandora downloads to this folder and eject your USB drive safely.
- Connect your USB drive to your PS4, and open up your Media Player. If there is no one, go to the PlayStation Store to download it.
- Select Device Storage and click on the Music folder. Then you will see the Pandora downloads on the screen.
Since formatting will erase everything on this USB, you should keep a backup if you have any important data on it.
Now you can start a game on your PS3, PS4, or PS5. The Pandora music will keep playing in the background.
Part 4. FAQs about Pandora on PlayStation
How do I download and install Pandora on my PlayStation?
You cannot install a Pandora app on any PlayStation because it does not exist. The only way to access Pandora was through the web browser on the old PS3. On PS4 and PS5, you have two choices. Use Spotify or Apple Music. Or download Pandora songs as MP3, put them on a USB drive, and play them with the Media Player on PlayStation.
How to fix Pandora failing to load after I open it on my PS3?
Try refreshing the page by pressing the "Start" button on your controller twice. You should then see a pop-up asking if you'd like to use a plug-in, please select "Yes." If the message doesn't appear after refreshing, close your browser completely. Then, reopen it and go to www.pandora.com again. Finally, consider shutting down your PS3 entirely by unplugging it from the wall, waiting for about 10 seconds, and then plugging it back in before trying again.
Is there a subscription fee for using Pandora on PlayStation?
Pandora offers a free version with ads, as well as a premium subscription that provides an ad-free experience and additional features. However, if you are unwilling to subscribe to the Premium, just use ViWizard Pandora Music Converter to download your Pandora music without premium and transfer them to your PlayStation with a USB drive, then you are able to listen to them offline without the interruption of ads.
Conclusion
With these simple steps, you can effortlessly enjoy the musical magic of Pandora on your PlayStation devices. Whether you want to listen to Pandora music while gaming or play Pandora songs as background music when holding a party, ViWizard Pandora Music Converter will bring you the most wonderful and enjoyable music experience.
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Matt Smith, a digital entertainment industry enthusiast at ViWizard, is dedicated to providing insightful commentary and solutions for music and media-related topics, including industry trends, analysis, and recommendations.
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