CharlesRfromBryanTX

Q: Can i get local FM radio on iphone 6  without using data?

Can i get local FM radio on iphone 6  without using data?

iPhone 6 Plus, iOS 8.4

Posted on Jul 21, 2015 8:45 AM

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Q: Can i get local FM radio on iphone 6  without using data?

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  • by AKRBTN,Apple recommended

    AKRBTN AKRBTN Jul 21, 2015 8:49 AM in response to CharlesRfromBryanTX
    Level 4 (1,608 points)
    Jul 21, 2015 8:49 AM in response to CharlesRfromBryanTX

    To stream radio you need either data or wifi.

     

    There is no other way to get radio - there is no FM radio built into the iPhone hardware.

  • by anypats,Apple recommended

    anypats anypats Jul 21, 2015 8:50 AM in response to CharlesRfromBryanTX
    Level 4 (1,791 points)
    Jul 21, 2015 8:50 AM in response to CharlesRfromBryanTX

    The iPhone does not have a built-in FM tuner so it's not possible to tune into local stations without an app or through the station's website.

    '

  • by billnola,

    billnola billnola Jul 8, 2016 2:41 PM in response to CharlesRfromBryanTX
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jul 8, 2016 2:41 PM in response to CharlesRfromBryanTX
  • by billnola,

    billnola billnola Jul 8, 2016 2:43 PM in response to billnola
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jul 8, 2016 2:43 PM in response to billnola

    Apparently all cell phones have an fm receiver built in. Most carriers deactivate it b/c they make money streaming; some will activate if requested. Apple has refused to comment, apparently, and does not allow the fm receiver to be activated.

  • by KiltedTim,

    KiltedTim KiltedTim Jul 8, 2016 4:42 PM in response to billnola
    Level 9 (54,935 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 8, 2016 4:42 PM in response to billnola

    You are mistaken.

  • by Meg St._Clair,

    Meg St._Clair Meg St._Clair Jul 8, 2016 4:54 PM in response to billnola
    Level 9 (58,397 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 8, 2016 4:54 PM in response to billnola

    billnola wrote:

     

    Apparently all cell phones have an fm receiver built in. Most carriers deactivate it b/c they make money streaming; some will activate if requested. Apple has refused to comment, apparently, and does not allow the fm receiver to be activated.

    It's the aliens in charge of the new campus at Apple who are forbidding it. FM signals interfere with their telepathy.

     

    Seriously, no. As has been explained, ad nauseum.

  • by Lawrence Finch,

    Lawrence Finch Lawrence Finch Jul 8, 2016 5:07 PM in response to billnola
    Level 8 (37,842 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 8, 2016 5:07 PM in response to billnola

    billnola wrote:

     

    Apparently all cell phones have an fm receiver built in. Most carriers deactivate it b/c they make money streaming; some will activate if requested. Apple has refused to comment, apparently, and does not allow the fm receiver to be activated.

    It has nothing to do with "allowing." The chip that handles WiFi and BlueTooth also includes FM receiver capabilities. However, just having a chip that can process an FM signal does you no good if you can't get an FM signal into the chip from the ether, can't control the tuning of the processor on the chip, and can't connect an audio output to the chip. So it's not as if Apple can flip a switch and magically your iPhone can receive FM stations. They would need to add a connection to the chip for the antenna, another connection for audio output, and a 3rd connection for tuning. The antenna is a real issue; FM receivers need an external antenna. Portable FM radios use the headset cord for the antenna. But that means FM won't work if you use BlueTooth headsets. They would need to provide  hardware capability for tuning, and added software for controlling the tuning.

     

    It's always tempting to blame any capability that you want that isn't there on greed, but real life is much more complicated. How many more phones would Apple, or Samsung, or whomever sell if their phones had FM reception capabilities? How much more would users be willing to pay for a phone that has FM reception? Considering that you can buy an FM radio for about $10. Cell phone manufacturers (all of them) are businesses whose primary goal is to make money. So they make decisions based on profitability. This is called "capitalism."

  • by Meg St._Clair,

    Meg St._Clair Meg St._Clair Jul 8, 2016 5:12 PM in response to Lawrence Finch
    Level 9 (58,397 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 8, 2016 5:12 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

    Lawrence Finch wrote:

     

    It's always tempting to blame any capability that you want that isn't there on greed, but real life is much more complicated. How many more phones would Apple, or Samsung, or whomever sell if their phones had FM reception capabilities? How much more would users be willing to pay for a phone that has FM reception? Considering that you can buy an FM radio for about $10. Cell phone manufacturers (all of them) are businesses whose primary goal is to make money. So they make decisions based on profitability. This is called "capitalism."

    And then there is the space issue. It's my understanding that space is at a premium on the inside of an iPhone, that the change to the lightning port was, in part, a way to eke out a little bit more. Wouldn't the additional "stuff" take up room?

  • by fserranomon,

    fserranomon fserranomon Sep 7, 2016 7:18 AM in response to Meg St._Clair
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 7, 2016 7:18 AM in response to Meg St._Clair

    Is there any accesroy that you can by to be able to listen to the radio with your iphone without using data?

  • by Meg St._Clair,

    Meg St._Clair Meg St._Clair Sep 7, 2016 7:26 AM in response to fserranomon
    Level 9 (58,397 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 7, 2016 7:26 AM in response to fserranomon


    Griffin Technologies used to make one, as I recall. You'd need to do an internet search, though. I stopped listening to FM radio over a decade ago so I haven't checked lately.

  • by Lawrence Finch,

    Lawrence Finch Lawrence Finch Sep 7, 2016 7:37 AM in response to fserranomon
    Level 8 (37,842 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 7, 2016 7:37 AM in response to fserranomon