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FM radio for iPhone!, FM radio for iPhone!

Update that gets a FM radio for iPhone!

iPhone 4S, iOS 5.1.1

Posted on Jul 4, 2012 2:27 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 4, 2012 3:07 AM

Well, no update on an existing phone can do that. It's a hardware issue.


I believe that Griffin make a FM radio that plugs into the iPhone and can be controlled through an app. But the latest reviews are not positive.


Be aware that FM reception on a phone can be very hit and miss......

362 replies

Feb 5, 2013 6:16 AM in response to Jeff_B_

Believe me, Jeff, I'm hardly offended. And I fully understand that a few people may have a need for this feature. And I have no problem debating it either. The issue we have, which a couple people can't seem to understand, is that this feature will never be available in any previous or current iPhone. Period. The chances of it every being added to a future iPhone is almost non-existant.


If this is a requirement for an individual, then looking for a device that fits their needs should have been done BEFORE their purchase. Coming here to complain and rant about a missing feature that was never stated or implied that it would be included ( and which is also being removed by other device manufacturers ) serves no purpose. They can go to their local convenience store and pick up a $10 radio. It'll have better signal quality, won't drain the battery of the phone, and is a lot smaller and lighter than the phone. And it may even have AM radio also. It's a very simple solution to what is a percieved problem.


And you mentioned earlier: "It's disapointing to see Samsung latest model getting the radio while the iPhone doesn't."

This is incorrect. The latest Samsung model does not have it. At least for the US model. It is there for the Asian and European markets. But the Galaxy S III LTE and Note does not have a radio available to use, without hacking the phone.


Message was edited by: MLadd - Added the last paragraph

Mar 9, 2013 4:59 AM in response to MLadd

I think that having an am/fm transmitter in a device that countless millioins of people have, that is not dependant on cellular data is a great idea. The cell phone is the outlet to the world and all it's information but it relies on data. During an emergency cellular service may be over whelmed or off line. You may or may not have your $10 radio but you will have your Android or Apple....maybe?

Mar 10, 2013 2:28 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

If you are out and about, what are the odds that you will have your hand cranked radio with you. As far as reception, the wire for the ear buds will act as the antenna. I apologize for starting a sentence wilth a prepositional phrase but we're talking survival. I guess the the wise thing would be to have a hand cranked radio in your home, car and having one in the cell phone. This would't be a feature you would use often but if your out of your home and your car and something catestrophic happens where would you to turn for information. Where to find food, shelter and evacuation routes.

Mar 10, 2013 3:15 PM in response to 1eonardo

For survival, you would want a WX Radio (which also plays FM *AND* AM radio). I would hardly put my life and especially my family's lives in the hands of any cell phone. Being out and about in an emergency situation would be a little irresponsible also.


These exaggerated reasons aside, it does not change the fact that most manufacturers are REMOVING FM radio from their devices. Again, if it's that critical to you 1) buy a smaller, cheaper, longer lasting, $10 device that will suit your needs. 2) you should do more due diligence before you spend money on a device that doesn't suit your needs, or was ever implied that it would.

Mar 10, 2013 6:10 PM in response to 1eonardo

You want to argue that YOU are right and everyone else is wrong, so have at it. I have absolutely no need for a radio on my phone. So your requirement of having a radio tuner (and yes, I am fully aware of how broadcast signals are transmitted, thank you) on your phone is an issue only for you and the handful of others who complain about it. Even though third party adapters have been made to do exactly what you are asking for, that's not good enough. Or, perhaps you didn't bother to look into what your options, if any, were. For example, what phones currently do ship with radio tuners built in that you would switch to? I think this last should be the question you ask yourself.


I'm sorry you did not have the common sense to do any research before buying your first iPhone. Hopefully you have learned a lesson.


Have a day.

Mar 18, 2013 11:16 AM in response to akopac

What is a "driven" FM radio as opposed to "true". I've never heard these term.


An FM receiver chip will draw as much power as any other band with the usual caveats of signal strength, etc. "Android" doesn't make phones, I have known people with smartphones that have enabled FM receivers but those are less and less common.

Mar 18, 2013 7:29 PM in response to 1eonardo

Where I'm from we still use 2G (Edge) data and it is expensive. FM radio signal strength on other devices are good so I'm guessing it won't be no different on the iphone if that feature is enabled. Radio (FM) is still the number one source for local information and It would make my iphone much more useful with that added feature.


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FM radio for iPhone!, FM radio for iPhone!

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