TuneIn is piping FEMA alerts into your car, but radio still matters

If you have given up on AM and FM in favor of streaming in the car, there is some good news. TuneIn is now delivering real-time emergency alerts inside its automotive app, thanks to a partnership with FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert & Warning System, better known as IPAWS.

Android Automotive Alert Integration

As Radio World explains, the alerts work on Android Automotive, the built-in dashboard OS running in cars from Volvo, GM, and Polestar. This is different from Android Auto, even though the names often get mixed. The effect is the same: you are streaming music, talk radio, or a podcast, and then a banner or an audio interruption tells you something serious is happening nearby.

Severity-Based Alert Scaling

Inside Radio adds that the system scales by severity. A minor advisory might just appear on screen. A tornado warning can actually pause the audio and read the alert out loud. It is geo-targeted, smart, and feels like the kind of safety net that should have existed years ago.

Broadcast Radio Remains Essential

This is not a replacement for traditional alerts. AM, FM, and NOAA Weather Radio still carry the load when everything else fails. Broadcast does not depend on your cell network, your app updates, or whether your carmaker pushes a software patch. When things get rough, radio is still the backbone.

Streaming Supplements Traditional EAS

What TuneIn has done is fill in the gaps. Think of it as a supplement to the EAS ecosystem. It keeps people informed who never touch terrestrial radio, especially younger drivers who spend their entire commute inside streaming apps and smartphone projection systems.

CarPlay Integration Still Missing

CarPlay is the missing piece. There is no word yet on when, or if, Apple will get the same treatment. That leaves millions of drivers without this feature, and that feels like a major miss. Android drivers can now get emergency alerts while streaming. Apple drivers are still waiting.

Expanding Alerts Beyond Streaming

Looking ahead, the same logic applies to other platforms. If TuneIn can integrate IPAWS, why not Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, or YouTube Music? Imagine a quiet, verified alert overlay during your show or playlist. Not the jarring tones of legacy EAS, just a clear local message that keeps you in the know.

For now, TuneIn’s move is one of the clearest examples of what a modern emergency alert system should look like. Radio remains the backbone. Streaming finally joins as backup.