Many Android smartphones have a built-in FM radio chip, but it’s often disabled by manufacturers and service providers. A free app can activate this feature, allowing users to listen to local radio stations without mobile data.
Before activating the FM radio, users need a pair of wired headphones, as the wire acts as an antenna to receive the FM radio signal; wireless or Bluetooth headphones won’t work for this purpose.
This guide walks users through installing the NextRadio app and using it to scan for and play local FM radio stations directly on their compatible smartphone. To start, users need to open the Google Play Store app, which has a colorful triangle icon. They should type “NextRadio” in the search bar at the top and press search. From the search results, they should tap on the app named NextRadio Free Live FM Radio, identified by a blue radio icon, and then tap the green Install button to download and install the app on their device.
Once installed, users should open NextRadio, either by tapping the Open button in the Google Play Store or by finding the new blue radio icon on their home screen or in their apps drawer. If their device is compatible, a message will appear saying, “Lucky You! Your device is FM enabled so you can enjoy live, local FM radio.”
Users are then required to plug in their wired headphones, which act as an antenna. After connecting the headphones, they should swipe left on the screen to continue. Next, they should tap the white button at the bottom of the screen that says I’m Ready!. The app will begin searching for local stations. If a pop-up appears, users should tap Allow to grant NextRadio permission to access their device’s location to find nearby stations.
At the top of the screen, users can choose between Local FM Radio or Local Streams to see the list of available stations. They can tap on any station in the list to begin playback, which may take a few moments to load and start playing through their headphones. To play the audio through their phone’s speaker instead, users should tap the button with three vertical dots ( ⋮ ) in the upper-right corner and select Output to Speaker.
Once users have tuned into a local FM station, they no longer need an internet connection to listen, making it a great way to save mobile data and listen to music or news when they have a poor or nonexistent internet signal. Activating their phone’s dormant FM chip provides a reliable, data-free source of entertainment and information, which is much more efficient than streaming apps that consume their data plan and battery life.
This feature can be particularly useful when trying to conserve data or in areas with poor cellular service. Moreover, the FM radio can be a critical tool during emergencies, as FM broadcasts often remain operational when cellular networks are congested or down, providing vital news, weather alerts, and instructions from local authorities. Having access to this feature ensures users stay connected and informed when it matters most.
