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FM Radio on Verizon Phones

Can we please get FM radio support on at least some of the Verizon smart phones? Many of the same smart phones on Sprint have FM radio, and they offer the NextRadio app on these phones. Previous phones on Verizon supported this, but none of the newer phones support it.

Yes, I know there are streaming apps, but it's not the same and requires a cell signal to function. Some might think FM radio use is declining, but those users can leave it turned off. I think it would be a nice option to have with Verizon service.

Comments

Verizon_Support

bratch we want you to fully enjoy your device! We appreciate your feedback as we're continously offering new features for our customers to enjoy. In the mean time, as you mentioned, I would recommend checking Google Play http://bit.ly/1uBDuNb for an available app.

AshleyS_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

RushFan2112

As much as I'd like to see a Verizon phone with an FM radio that was not disabled, it's never going to happen! Verizon would rather you stream radio (or audio) and use your precious data, so you can go over your plan's data limit and they can charge you more.

bratch

The FM radio feature was included two of my previous Verizon smart phones, the Samsung Omnia and the Motorola Droid X, and I used it daily. Instead of offering a new feature to enjoy, this particular feature has been removed and/or disabled from all new smart phones on Verizon, but other carriers still offer the feature, even on the same model phones.

An app like iHeart, TuneIn, Pandora, or any other is NOT the same as an FM tuner. An FM tuner receives radio stations without a cellular or Wi-Fi signal. Search the forums or Google for "Verizon FM Radio" for more information, and to read about what others think of this. The latest I've heard is that the HTC One M8 has built-in tuner hardware, but the app to operate the tuner must be found and installed separately.

These phones contain advanced computer and communications technology. It should be nearly trivial to include an FM radio, preferable HD, and even easier to leave it enabled for use.

Lou_B2

I agree - turn on the FM tuner! As a Verizon customer I request that you activate the FM chips in all smartphones you sell. This is more than just a matter of music convenience but a matter of public safety as well. Think of disaster warnings like earthquakes, tornadoes, etc. Cell towers were not up during the last large earthquake in Los Angeles but a lot of the radio stations were. In an emergency, the first thing people grab after their loved ones is the cellphone! So please, turn on the FM tuner!

Also, in a day where carriers & cable companies are being pressured to open up more services & being accused of 'monopolistic actions,' Verizon could take a good step towards showing a consumer-friendly service at little cost to Verizon. I can't believe Internet music streaming is more than an insignificant part of your data bandwidth anyway - not with all the cat-videos being downloaded. So Please, turn on the FM tuner!

Thank you!

unknown

There was another forum user that had the APK file to activate on the HTC. You would have to search the forum for the link to activate the radio. The other carriers I believe have the FM Radio operational at time of purchase. Why Verizon has it disabled I cannot even guess.

Good Luck

RushFan2112

Only one reason to deactivate it...to force you to use your data plan. Tune In Radio will give you local stations, but at the cost of your precious data. Using the FM tuner does not use any data, therefore no gain for Verizon.

snakebite4767

It's unfortunate that Verizon blocks the FM Radio function and Bloats up the software on their phones..... or should I say OUR PHONES! There is no doubt at this point in time that Verizon has the best overall network coverage, but they are also fast becoming one of the worst offenders at bleeding their customers of precious purchased data. As the coverage of other providers continues to increase and the data plans offer more data at a lower cost, I expect to see folks move their service to a more economically affordable service. As soon as I have met all of my obligations to Verizon, I plan to check to see if any others have coverage in my remote area, and take a close look to see what they offer. I have a Hotspot,a home phone and 2 mobile phones. My bill is $200/mo as long as we stay under a 10 GB/mo data use. One of the Data Hogs turned out to be the Automatic Updates to 2 computers and 2 mobile phones!

AZSALUKI

RushFan2112 wrote:

Only one reason to deactivate it...to force you to use your data plan. Tune In Radio will give you local stations, but at the cost of your precious data. Using the FM tuner does not use any data, therefore no gain for Verizon.

this. rushfan2112 is right, in my opinion. why give you free content when they can block it on their devices so you have to use your data? my suggestion would be to see if any of the devices sold directly by google or motorola, but that would work on verizon, have a radio. i haven't worried about it since i had the htc thunderbolt because i thought it would be a great feature until i realized that these phones with radios can only utilize them with the headphones plugged in and i'm not much of a headphone guy. however.....if there's any unlocked phones out there with an fm tuner on google play or motorola, you could always get that and activate it on verizon. i know you'd have to pay retail price, but with the newer bring your own device type of discounts, you don't pay much more (sometimes less). with a 10 gig plan, if you bring your own device, you get a $25/month discount. over 2 years you could use that $25 to buy a $600 phone from a third party. i honestly don't know if any of these phones with radios are sold unlocked by a 3rd party, but if so, that's an option.

fezzik

I was a little surprised by this as well. On Sprint I had the NextRadio app to use the built in Radio to get local stations. It uses the headphones wire as an antennae and was better than the phones I used to have that had it built in. The "phone" I am using now has the ability. If I go into the hardware test it will ask me to plug in the headphones and when I do the test is performed successfully. I would say based on that the hardware isn't deactivated. However, NextRadio app says that, "FM Radio is unavailable. We'd Love to bring you local FM radio, but NextRadio doesn't have access to the FM radio receiver in your device. Let your wireless carrier know that you'd like to listen to free FM radio on your phone with NextRadio!". To me that doesn't make sense. A few attempts have been made to pass laws requiring mobile devices have a radio. I can only assume that has failed. Still if the hardware is there why not make it available.

bratch

Update 1/18/2015: I have 5 lines on Verizon and was considering switching to Sprint or T-Mobile, partly because of the FM radio blocking, and to maybe get a competitive plan. Two days ago a coworker with an HTC One M8 on Verizon downloaded the Next Radio app from the Play Store, plugged in headphones, and it worked right away. Samsung Note 2 and S5 both installed the app, but informed us that it could not access the FM tuner.

Now I'm considering remaining with Verizon, but not getting new Samsung phones. I'll switch to the HTC One M8, or the new version coming in March if the FM tuner works in it. I want to see it working on a store model before making a purchase. I'll have to let Samsung know why I'm not staying with their phones. For some reason I don't think they'll care with so many millions of customers. Samsung needs to tell Verizon to stop disabling their hardware features.

Tidbits

Manufacturers disable it themselves and charges carriers to have the features. So its because manufacturers don't want to pay extra time and cost for FCC testing they'll make carriers pay for it. Since Verizon has to pay for more spectrum support they'll probably don't want to pay more than they already do. T-Mobile devices support the least spectrum followed by Sprint. Just some things to consider. Convince Qualcomm to have one fee and not for each spectrum for their radios.

bratch

Interesting information! It's incredibly difficult to get good information from Verizon or Samsung, or Qualcomm, if you can even reach the right person. As a customer, I am buying the phone from Verizon, for a price that should include all features, and most of us don't understand the complex fee requirements for FCC testing. Many smart phones have very similar specs, so if Samsung is disabling the feature, I'll just get the HTC on Verizon, since they left the FM receiver functional. Someone paid these fees in the past because it worked on a Samsung Omnia II and a Motorola Droid X, both on Verizon. Without the FCC involved, it would explain why the same models have the feature working in phones outside of the USA.

Tidbits

The Omnia II and the Droid X don't support spectrum like let's use the G3 for example. Now how much do you think cost more to license and test when looking at it. It's more than just FCC testing. Qualcomm for example the two device below for licensing of use for the radio the G3 cost more in licensing fees. Then on top of that you have FCC testing requirements and fees. If you added a FM radio that's an additional charge and also additional testing.

Droid X supports.

CDMA 850 / 1900

G3 supports

LTE 750 / 1700 / 2600

WCDMA 850 / 1900 / 2100

CDMA 800 / 850 / 1900

GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900

Now I would like to add something. Europe doesn't pay the same price we do. If you look at release of the G3 and compare prices. We paid $650ish with what we have. In the UK AFTER conversion they pay $752.77, and that doesn't include VAT(17.5%). The only difference they get is wireless charging(we pay between $40-60 for an addon), and FM radio. So do you think those two items in the phone are worth the $880? Don't let the recent price drop fool you.

bratch

Very good additional information about the spectrums and European prices. I understand what you are saying about the spectrum, FM, and FCC, but most consumers are not going to know or care about the technical explanation, or bureaucratic process involved. They go into a store, compare features and prices, and make a choice. Having a working FM radio seems simple, until you really dig into the issue.

I've decided to stay with Verizon for another term. I saw a working FM receiver on a Verizon HTC One (M8), using the NextRadio app, and have not seen it work on any other recent Verizon phone. I don't know the details about how HTC and Verizon made this work, but it does. It's enough to get me to select the HTC over a Samsung, or other manufacturer, when most features are similar enough to not make a real difference. I'll wait until after March to see if the M9 still has the FM working, or maybe check if Samsung figured it out with the S6 or a Note.

The M8 is $99 on contract and will be getting Android 5 Lollipop. If I'm usually paying about $100 - $200 for a phone on contract, I don't really see the total costs. I don't care much about wireless charging, since I usually just swap batteries from a charger (I know, it's not possible with the M8).

This really helped clear up the incorrect idea that "Verizon is blocking the FM radio to make us use more data." Thanks.

bizzareone

The only "active" device (not retired) that has the FM RADIO in the features and specs is the HTC ONE REMIX.

gcrowell

Verizon customer support had no knowledge of this! I'm switching carriers to one that is less greedy.

JonBoy07

I and several hundred others in Missouri are in complete agreement! I'm going to try and get them all to start contacting Verizon. Start blowing up the phones with 500+ calls a day and Itime won't be long..

JonBoy07

Ma'am, finding an app is not the issue. Verizon activating the FM receiver features on their smartphones is. The next radio app allows you to listen to FM radio locally through your phone without using data. Myself and many others are wondering why Verizon has not gotten on the ball to allow this free service to their customers wow so the other larger companies have made it more convenient. I can't make it through the work day without my music so being able to listen to how to use it without it costing me money is a tempting reason for me to switch companies..

Momma23dogs

You can complain, but it will be for nothing. Verizon has to have phone made for its network. Because only Verizon and Sprint are CDMA and the rest of the world and USA use GSM. Phone made is Asia have to add CDMA for Verizon. They don't add the HARDWARE for FM radio.

Even if Verizon supports it tomorrow, your Verizon phone is not capable of getting FM radio.

JonBoy07

I've looked up the specifics for my galaxy note 5. It does have an FM receiver.

Momma23dogs

Post your link for specs for the Verizon variant, that shows FM radio chip is included.

Momma23dogs

This phone....

HTC One M9 - Full phone specifications

AS opposed to the Note 5

Samsung Galaxy Note5 - Full phone specifications

THe original Samsung Note had FM radio. It has not been included in the specs for any of the subsequent Note Phones. The Samsung S 5 had FM radio, but the hardware was not active for the Verizon variant..

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