Yes—some phones still have FM radio. No - most modern flagships don’t.

Whether your phone can tune into local FM broadcasts depends on your brand, model, region, and carrier. Many Android phones still ship with FM hardware (especially budget and mid-range phones), but carriers or manufacturers often disable it. iPhones have never included FM radio—no exceptions.

Here’s what changed, which phones still support FM, and what to do if yours doesn’t.

Quick Answer

  • Many mid-range Android phones: FM radio still included (but may need an app + wired headphones).

  • Most flagship phones: FM radio removed.

  • iPhones: Never had FM hardware you could use.

  • Outside North America: FM is still standard on many phones.

Which Phones Have FM Radio Today?


Samsung: The Selective Reactivation

Samsung’s FM situation is inconsistent and varies by model and region.

Generally:

  • Galaxy A-Series (A15, A25, A05, etc.): FM radio available in many regions.

  • Galaxy S and Note flagships (S21 and newer): No FM radio in North America.

  • Older Galaxy S10 and earlier: Some models support FM; others don’t—depends on carrier + region.

Important: On Android 14+, Samsung removed some built-in FM app support. If you have FM today, a major system update may break it.

Motorola: Most Likely to Have It

Motorola consistently includes FM on budget and mid-range models:

If you’re buying Motorola under ~$400, FM is likely included.

Other Android Brands

Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO (common in budget models):

  • Redmi Note 14 series
  • Poco M7
  • Most Redmi budget and mid-range models

Alcatel/TCL: Feature phones and basic budget models commonly include FM.

OnePlus: Removed from premium models; not available in current lineup.

LG: Discontinued smartphone production, but older models had FM radio before the company exited the market.

Do iPhones Have FM Radio?

No. iPhones have never had FM radio, not even the oldest models.

This is a common misconception. Early iPhone models (iPhone 3GS through iPhone 6s) used WiFi/Bluetooth combo chips that technically included FM receiver circuitry as part of the chipset. But here's the thing: Apple never connected that circuitry to an antenna, tuning circuit, or audio pathways. It was unusable by design.

Starting with iPhone 7 (2016), Apple confirmed that newer models don't contain FM radio chips at all.

Why Apple Made This Choice

Apple's reasoning comes down to a few factors. First, design philosophy—Apple controls every feature end-to-end, and FM radio didn't meet their standards. Station availability varies by location. Audio quality is lower than streaming (128 kbps on FM versus 256+ kbps on Apple Music). And critically, Apple gets no revenue from free broadcast FM.

Second, there's the business reality: FM radio doesn't fit Apple's subscription-based ecosystem. Streaming services like Apple Music and Podcasts drive recurring revenue. Free broadcast FM does not.

Finally, FM requires an external antenna—traditionally wired headphones. Apple removed the headphone jack starting with iPhone 7, making FM integration impractical even if they'd wanted it.

Why Did Android Premium Phones Stop Including FM Radio?

The disappearance of FM from high-end Android phones didn't happen overnight. It was gradual, driven by a few converging pressures.

Cost savings was the first one. Removing the FM chip saved manufacturers $2–5 per device, which adds up dramatically across millions of phones. The industry shifted toward data-dependent services that generate revenue and user data.

There was market pressure too: premium phones reasoned that if Apple could cut FM and succeed, they should too.

For carriers, the logic was even clearer. Streaming services increase cellular data usage, which drives premium data plan revenue. FM uses zero data and generates zero revenue for them. Streaming apps can include ads, paywalls, and user tracking. FM radio can't be monetized in any of those ways.

The business case became obvious: streaming services generate billions annually in revenue, while terrestrial FM remained free and generated zero smartphone-related revenue. The decision was straightforward from a financial standpoint.

How to Check If Your Phone Has FM Radio

Start by checking your phone's settings for an "FM Radio" app—many phones have it pre-installed but hidden in the app drawer.

If you can't find it, download an FM radio app for your phone's brand:

Launch the app. If your phone has FM hardware, the app will detect it and walk you through activation. If the app can't find FM hardware, your phone doesn't have it.

Important caveat: Having FM hardware doesn't guarantee it's enabled. Carriers often disable FM chips in software even when the hardware exists. The app will tell you whether activation is possible.

How to Use FM Radio on Your Phone

If Your Phone Has Built-In FM Radio

Download an FM radio app and connect wired headphones—they're required as the antenna. Bluetooth headphones won't work; the FM signal needs to run through a physical wire to receive properly.

Launch the app and follow the setup prompts; most apps walk you through activation automatically. Once enabled, FM works completely offline without using any data. You're receiving broadcast signals directly from towers, not streaming over your cellular connection.

That's the main benefit: FM works offline with zero data usage. Listen as long as your battery lasts, and you'll never see a data charge or deal with buffering.

If Your Phone Doesn't Have FM Hardware

You have two practical options.

Option 1: FM Radio Apps (Free, Internet Required)

Apps like TuneIn, Simple Radio, iHeartRadio, and Radio Garden let you download and listen to stations worldwide. They're free or cheap to download, and you get access to stations globally—not just local FM frequencies.

The appeal is obvious: variety, discovery features, and better recommendations than broadcast FM. If you already subscribe to Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube Music, they all include radio features built in.

The trade-off is that these apps require internet. They use significant data (50–100 MB per hour of listening) and drain battery roughly 3–5 times faster than offline FM radio. Some also require premium subscriptions for ad-free listening.

These work best if you listen casually, have unlimited data, and don't mind ads. If you're serious about radio listening or want offline access, the costs get expensive fast.

Option 2: Streaming Services with Radio Features

Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music all include radio features. If you already subscribe to one, you don't need anything else. The radio function usually comes with your subscription.

The trade-off is that this isn't traditional FM radio. These services use algorithms to curate recommendations based on your listening history. That's great for discovery and personalization, but it's a different experience than tuning a live local station.

Why Do Feature Phones Still Have FM Radio?

Interestingly, feature phones and basic "dumb phones" still universally include FM radio. This is a standard, expected feature—nearly 100% of models have it.

Why?

The answer is simple: simpler hardware, lower cost, and no need for a data connection. FM is standard, not a selling point.

For these devices, the feature has never disappeared.


Popular models with FM include the Nokia 6310 (2024 refresh) with a 27-day battery, the Nokia 3210 (modern relaunch with 4G and FM), and the Alcatel Go Flip 4 (flip phone with FM radio and large keypad).

There's even a small trend of people intentionally choosing feature phones for digital detox—and FM radio is one of the reasons. It works offline, uses zero data, and you're not tempted to scroll social media.

The Bottom Line

FM radio isn’t gone—it just moved to budget and mid-range Android phones while flagship phones and all iPhones rely on streaming.

  • If your phone supports FM → use wired headphones + an FM app.

  • If not → choose between offline hardware receivers or streaming radio apps depending on your data plan and listening habits.

    • Next step:

    Download your brand’s FM app and see whether your device detects FM hardware. It takes 15 seconds and gives you a definitive answer.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is FM radio on phones free?

    It depends. Built-in FM radio is completely free (no data needed). FM apps range from free to premium subscription. Streaming services with radio features typically require an existing subscription. No ongoing costs with built-in FM.

    Does FM radio work without internet?

    Built-in FM radio works completely offline. FM apps and streaming services require a constant internet connection.

    What's the difference between FM radio and streaming radio apps?

    FM is local broadcast signals that work offline and use minimal battery. Apps and streaming services require internet, so they need data and drain battery roughly 3–5 times faster. FM works great for emergencies and data-free listening; apps are better if you want global access and discovery features.

    Can I get FM radio if my phone doesn't have it?

    Not through software alone. If your phone lacks FM hardware, your best options are FM apps (free but require internet) or streaming services you might already subscribe to (Spotify, Apple Music). Both require data and internet connection to use.