For the first time ever, radio and music lovers will be able to download BBC Proms and BBC radio programmes in full to their smartphone or tablet for free, listen to them offline, and keep them to enjoy for up to 30 days on the BBC iPlayer Radio app. The update, rolling out this week, means fans can listen to BBC radio programmes even when out-of-range of a wi-fi or cellular 3G/4G signal. Programmes downloaded in the UK can be enjoyed for up to 30 days.

To download and enjoy radio offline, install the latest BBC iPlayer Radio app on your iOS, Android or Kindle smartphone or tablet. Tap the ‘Download’ option on the programme you want to save. The programme will be added to your download queue and downloaded whenever the device is connected to wi-fi. Then simply listen and enjoy. Radio listeners can add multiple programmes to download. Once downloaded, programmes can then be accessed from the Downloads option within the menu.

“With over 860m requests for radio streams across all devices on BBC iPlayer Radio in 2014, we’re thrilled to bring offline listening to our audiences,” said Andrew Scott, general manager of product, radio and music at BBC Digital. “We know this is something they’ve been asking for and we have been working hard to make it possible. Now they will have more choice than ever to listen to their favourite programmes, with all downloads available for 30 days and no need to worry about mobile data limits.”

Mobile downloads launches for the start of the world’s largest classical music festival, the BBC Proms, where almost all the Radio 3 broadcasts of the eight week festival, featuring the world’s greatest orchestras, conductors and soloists, will be available to download and enjoy for up to 30 days.