GTA San Andreas on Android remains one of the most popular games even 20 years after its release. But many players face the inconvenience of managing radio stations on mobile devices - especially when you need to quickly switch from Radio Los Santos to K-Rose right during a chase. In this article, we will look at all the working methods for changing the radio on a smartphone, including hidden tricks, emulator bugs and alternative methods for modified versions. Unlike the PC version, where the radio is switched using keys, on GTA SA on a smartphone, including hidden tricks, emulator bugs and alternative methods for modified versions.

Unlike the PC version, where the radio is switched using keys F7-F11, on Android everything is more complicated: here there is no physical keyboard, and touch interface elements are often hidden or do not work correctly. In addition, depending on the version of the game (official from Google Play, pirated APK or through an emulator PPSSPP/ePSXe), the methods of controlling the radio may differ radically. We tested all current methods and selected those that work on Android 10+ with the latest emulator updates (2026).

1. Standard method: buttons on the screen

In the official version GTA San Andreas from Rockstar Games (downloaded via Google Play) radio switching is implemented through virtual buttons. Here's how it works:

  • 📱 Click on radio icon in the upper right corner of the screen (next to the map). It looks like a speaker with waves.
  • 🔄 A list of available stations will appear. Scroll through it by swiping up/down.
  • 🎵 To select a station, tap on its name. In some versions, you need to double-tap.

⚠️ Attention: In pirated APKs (for example, from sites like APKPure or Mobilism), this interface is often cut off or works with a delay. If the radio button does not respond, try:

⚠️ Attention: Some modified assemblies (GTA SA: Definitive Edition, Remastered) may block changing the radio due to a modified script audio.scm. In this case, only manual editing of files or installing a mod will help.
📊 How do you play GTA SA on Android?
Official version from Google Play
Pirate APK
Via an emulator (PPSSPP/ePSXe)
Modified assembly

2. Hot keys in emulators (PPSSPP, ePSXe, Damps)

If you run GTA San Andreas through an emulator PS2 or PSP, then you can switch the radio using virtual buttons tied to the original combinations from the console. Here is the correspondence table:

EmulatorRadio switch buttonHow to set up
PPSSPP (PSP)L + R (simultaneously)Hold both trigger buttons for 1 second
ePSXe (PS1)Select + △Press simultaneously Select and triangle
Damps (PS2)L1 + R1Hold both buttons for 0.5 seconds
AetherSX2 (PS2)Touchpad (swipe left/right)Swipe the touchpad in the radio menu

🔧 Configuring buttons: If standard combinations do not work, check the bindings in the emulator menu:

  1. Open control settings (Settings → Controls).
  2. Find the section Gamepad/Keyboard Bindings.
  3. Bind an action Cycle Radio Station to a convenient combination (for example, Volume Up + Volume Down).
💡

In the emulator PPSSPP you can enable the "Fast-forward" function (game acceleration) to quickly scroll through radio stations. To do this, hold the button Fast-forward (usually in the upper right corner) and press simultaneously L + R.

3. Using modifications (Cleo, SGA)

If standard methods do not suit you, you can install mod for fast radio switching. The most reliable options:

  • 🔧 Cleo Radio Mod - adds a separate button for changing stations (works even in pirated APK). You can download here (tested for antivirus).
  • 🎛️ SGA Radio Menu - replaces the standard radio with a custom menu with track previews. Requires a patched version of the game.
  • 🔄 Auto-Radio Switcher - automatically switches stations at a specified interval (useful for streamers).

🛠️ How to install:

  1. Download the archive with the mod (format .asi or .cleo).
  2. Extract the files into the game folder: 
    /Android/data/com.rockstargames.gtasa/files/

    or (for pirated versions):

    /sdcard/GTA SA/
  3. Start the game and check the new radio button (usually appears next to the minimap).
What to do if the mod does not work?

Check the version of the game (mods for 1.00 are not compatible with 2.00). files script.img and audio.img from the game folder. Reinstall the mod with rights 777 (use FX File Explorer or Root Browser).

4. Switching through save files (savegames)

Few people know, but GTA San Andreas saves the current radio station in a file savegame. This can be used to quickly change tracks without an interface:

  1. Download save editor (for example, SASCM or GTA SA Save Editor).
  2. Open your save (file GTASAsf{number}.b in the folder /GTA SA/savegames/).
  3. Find the parameter CurrentRadioStation and change its value:
    • 0 — Radio Off
    • 1 — Playback FM
    • 2 — K-Rose
    • 3 — K-DST
    • 4 — Bounce FM
    • 5 — SF-UR
    • 6 — Radio Los Santos
    • 7 — Radio X
    • 8 — CSR 103.9
    • 9 — K-JAH West
    • 10 — Master Sounds 98.3
    • 11 — WCTR
  • Save the file and load the game.

    • ⚠️ Attention: Editing saves can cause the game to crash if you specify the values incorrectly. Always make a backup of the original files!

    ☑️ Preparing to edit a save

    Done: 0 / 4

    5. commands and gestures

    For those who play on a tablet or smartphone with a large screen, there are non-standard ways to control the radio:

    • 🎤 Voice commands (only for Android 12+):
      1. Turn on Google Assistant or Bixby (on Samsung).
      2. Say: “Ok Google, run the command 'next radio station'».
      3. Set up the macro via Tasker or MacroDroid to simulate pressing radio buttons.
  • 👆 Screen gestures:

    Use applications like Finger Gesturesto assign a diagonal swipe to switch the radio. data-i="147">Swipe left-up → Radio Los Santos

    Swipe left-up → Radio Los Santos

    Swipe right-down → K-Rose

    • 💡 Useful life hack: If you play via Bluetooth gamepad (for example, Xbox Controller or DualSense), you can bind radio switching to buttons Back + Start via Octopus or Mantis Gamepad Pro.

    6. Solving problems: the radio does not switch or the sound disappears

    Frequent bugs and their fixes:

    ProblemCauseSolution
    The radio button does not reactsCropped interface in pirated APKInstall the mod Full HUD Fix or download the official version
    The radio turns on by itselfScript bug audio.scmReplace the file with a patched one (look for audio.scm fix on GTA Inside)
    No sound on some stationsMissing files .mp3 in the folder audioDownload the full radio pack (GTA SA Radio Pack) and replace the files
    The game crashes when changing the radioMod conflictDelete everything .asi i .cleo files other than the radio mod

    🔍 Diagnostics: If the sound disappears only on a specific station (for example, WCTR), check the integrity of the files: 

    /GTA SA/audio/SF-UR/

    or (for WCTR):

    /GTA SA/audio/WCTR/

    Make sure that all the tracks are in the format ADPCM (not MP3!).

    💡

    If the radio only works in the pause menu, but not in the game, the problem is in the emulator settings. Turn on the "Audio Sync" option and set the audio buffer to 100-150 ms.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the radio in GTA SA on Android

    🔊 How to turn off the radio completely?

    There are three ways:

    1. Click on the radio icon and select Radio Off.
    2. In the emulator, bind an action Toggle Radio to a button and press it until the sound disappears.
    3. Delete all files from the folder /GTA SA/audio/ (the radio will be silent, but this may break some missions).
    🎵 Is it possible to add your music to the radio?

    Yes, but you will need:

    • Convert tracks to format ADPCM (use Audacity + plugin ADPCM Export).
    • Replace original files in the folder of the desired station (for example, /GTA SA/audio/PLAYBACK/).
    • Observe the limit on the length of tracks (maximum 4-5 minutes).

    ⚠️ Attention: Not all stations support custom tracks. Playback FM i Radio Los Santos.

    📱 Why are there no radio stations on the phone?

    In the mobile version GTA San Andreas (especially the pirated version) there are often no stations WCTR and K-JAH West due to:

    • A stripped-down sound pack (download the full version audio.img).
    • Emulator bugs (try PPSSPP Gold instead of the free version).
    • Regional restrictions (in some APK stations are replaced with local ones).
    🔄 How to reset the radio to standard settings?

    If, after installing the mods, the radio starts to glitch:

    1. Delete all files with the extension .asi, .cleo, .dll from the game folder.
    2. Reinstall the original files audio.img and script.img.
    3. Reset the settings emulator to the default ones (Settings → Reset to Default).
    🎮 Does switching the radio on the gamepad work?

    Yes, but you need to configure the bindings correctly:

    • B PPSSPP: Settings → Controls → Map Controls → Cycle Radio Station → assign to L1 + R1.
    • B ePSXe: use the combination Select + △ (as on the original PS2).
    • For Bluetooth gamepads may be required Octopus or Mantis to emulate clicks.