How can I stream music over Wi‑Fi or 5G without calls interrupting playback?

An old phone reset as a dedicated media player is a good low-cost solution. Keep it offline for downloaded playlists when possible, or connect it to your current phone’s hotspot for streaming. Turn off notifications and remove apps that could generate calls or interruptions.

A tablet with a data-only SIM may work, but check the carrier carefully. Some supposedly data-focused plans or tablets can still receive certain types of calls, while others block voice service completely. A device with no phone service and no WhatsApp account is safer if uninterrupted playback is essential.

On Android, airplane mode followed by manually turning Wi‑Fi back on can work well. Also disable Wi‑Fi calling and any calling or messaging apps on that device. This gives you Wi‑Fi streaming without cellular calls. The downside is that you’d need a hotspot or another connection if there’s no Wi‑Fi.

A dedicated music player avoids calls entirely, but many of them are mainly designed for locally stored music and may not support 4G/5G streaming. For streaming specifically, a spare Android phone or cellular tablet is likely more practical.

A spare phone or tablet is probably the simplest option. Don’t install WhatsApp, don’t give the device’s number to anyone, and use it only for music. You can connect it to Wi‑Fi or tether it to your main phone’s hotspot when you need mobile data. Since the second device isn’t receiving calls, playback shouldn’t be interrupted.