Note: Sadly, as far as I can tell it’s impossible to get this to work at this time. Apparently the app is no longer being updated by its creators and will not work with recent versions of cell phone operating systems. I’m leaving this post here just to let people know that there was a time when it was possible to listen to over-the-air broadcast FM radio on cell phones. In fact, early cell phones had built in FM radio tuners. This is something that can still be done in many other countries. In fact, it’s often seen as the central part of an emergency broadcast system. (10 December 2023).
We’ve gotten so used to paying for things like cable and streaming television services with a subscription that many people just assume you can’t listen to or watch anything without paying for it.
If you’re into using money efficiently, then you probably know that you can watch television for free with an old-fashioned TV antenna. Similarly, by using a radio you can listen to music and radio programs (for the younger generation, these “radio programs” are similar to podcasts). I’ve always loved listening to radio. I love clock radios so much, I have one in my bedroom, another in the bathroom, and yet another in the kitchen. Plus one at the desk I’m sitting at as I write this with my Dvorak keyboard. It’s very convenient to just switch on clock radio when I’m getting up in the morning or doing something in the kitchen and just hear some music, news, or talk radio programming. Where I live, I’ve got my choice of a couple dozen local FM stations, broadcasting a variety of music, news, and talk programming. (In fact, I count myself very lucky to like where I can tune in to 2 classical music stations.)
Years ago, when cell phones were first becoming common, an FM radio that could receive local broadcast stations was often a feature on even the most basic phones. As WiFi and wireless internet service became available, cell phone providers quietly dropped the FM radio — all the better to sell wireless data plans, subscription streaming services, and downloadable music files to the cell phone customer.
But the secret that a lot of cell phone service providers don’t want you to know is that many cell phones are still capable of receiving an FM radio signal from local broadcasters and playing it through headphones or the phone’s speaker. Somewhere inside many (most?) phones, the same electronic circuits that receive phone calls, text messages, and internet service can also receive FM radio. But, this FM service is probably not accessible from the phone’s operating system. (After all, an mentioned above, your phone’s service provider wants to sell music and podcasts to you.)
To make use of the FM radio in your phone, you need to install an app and plug in your headphones, earphones, or speaker (the cable acts as an antenna and the phone can’t receive a signal without it). The app will immediately tell you whether it’s detected and is able to use your phone’s FM receiver. If it can, then you’re in business … you’re ready to get music, news, and talk radio completely for free, without the need for any streaming or using any data. You can listen to all your local FM radio stations anywhere you can take your phone — and did I mention it’s all free! The app works just like a normal radio, like the one you have in your car. You tune the radio dial to the local stations and save your favorites for immediate access.
A few more points: Your FM radio app might use a small amount of data to get images and program listings from your local stations. Also, if no local stations are available over-the-air, it might automatically switch to streaming content (and using the data you’re paying for) over the internet. Check the app’s settings to turn this off if you want to only listen for free. Furthermore, the word “radio” is often applied to streaming services and apps that provide access to thousands of radio stations via the internet, so watch out for that when you look for the app you need. The free radio I’m talking about is over-the-air broadcasts from local (within about ~30 miles from your location) radio stations. To make sure you’re listening to free broadcast radio, listen to the app while you WiFi and mobile data are turned off. If you can still hear it, then you’re getting it over the air and for free.
Here’s one more reason you might want to have an FM radio app on your phone. In case of a large-scale emergency (such as a flood, hurricane, snowstorm, or tornado), cell phone service, meaning phone calls, texts, and internet service, might all be unavailable. Cell phone towers might be damaged, electricity might be off, or whatever. Also, networks might be over-strained if everyone tries to use wireless internet at the same time. The way the internet works, each additional user requires additional network capacity. The more users there are, the more likely there will be interruptions. What’s likely to happen during an emergency when everyone tries to get connected at the same time?
Broadcast radio works on a different model. Once a broadcast station makes its signal available over the air, it’s available to everyone at the same time. It doesn’t matter if the number of persons listening is one dozen or one million. Additional listeners can tune in without the broadcaster needing any additional capacity and without affecting other listeners. In an emergency, broadcast radio is likely to be the best and most reliable way to get needed information.
Last thing (I promise): It appears that the app I use, Nextradio, might be on its way out. The Nextradio website needs updating. The app itself doesn’t have some of the features it once had (such as being able to download station listings for your location). It once had station streaming over Wifi, which you might want to use if you want to listen to far-away stations. Still, the basic tuner works, and that’s all you need if you just want to listen to your local over-the-air broadcast stations, for free!
