Looking for a FM radio application, Part 2

[harry2024]

Hello from Aotearoa New Zealand,
New posted here.
Following on from this thread:

Looking for a FM radio application

Hello, I’m looking for a FM radio application for my Samsung Galaxy A5. I didn’t find any application neither on the App Lounge, nor somewhere else. Do you know a FM radio application (using tuner FM, without using internet) ? -I checked the Samsung Galaxy A5 has a tuner FM inside. -I installed the “NextRadio” application but it is not compatible : “the necessary software is not downloaded”. I don’t really understand this message, perhaps it is due to /e/OS. Thank you for your answer,

Sadly this thread was closed before I got the chance to post my phone specs. I have a (refurbished) Samsung Galaxy S20 5G handset, and I believe it’s the US model (it came with AT&T software installed).

I understand this handset has an FM radio capability, as long as the correct chipset is installed. My A41 (and A3 and XCover4S beforehand all had FM radios built in, something I use quite often).

Happy to post my phone specs if anyone can give me a quick guide on how to find the information needed.

Thanks in advance

[harry2024]

Anyone? I read this thing can get FM radio, would love to get it working

[aibd]

@Looking for a FM radio application

Samsung Galaxy A5

You mention several devices in you posts … both A5s are now legacy … the work done on FM radio for /e/OS can be checked out here Files · v1-s · e / os / android_packages_apps_FMRadio · GitLab. The link is intended to point to Android 12 (S).

It seems that the current progress (that is having FM radio “system installed” on some devices including my Moto G7 Power - ocean – listening now thanks to /e/ devs ) will not include any legacy devices.

As regards third party installable apps, I think the previous thread covers the ground. I never succeeded, nor to build FM Radio into Android 11(R) – when attempting use of GitHub - LineageOS/android_packages_apps_FMRadio at lineage-18.0.

[AnotherElk]

@harry2024

I understand this handset has an FM radio capability, as long as the correct chipset is installed.

Looking for a FM radio application

Probably it would still need additional wiring to support FM radio. Does your phone have it? (The Fairphone 3/3+, for instance, has not while using a chipset theoretically capable … so no FM radio.)

[harry2024]

Sorry I should clarify - I was quoting someone else’s post previously.

My phone is a Samsung Galaxy S20 5G - this one here:

Samsung Galaxy S20 5G - Full phone specifications

According to this page it has an FM radio (market dependent). Mine is the US variant with the Snapdragon processor.

[harry2024]

Yes I’m using a wired headset, I understand the cable serves as the aerial for the FM radio.

I guess I’m just looking for a package (maybe similar to a .zip file) I can download, install and it unlocks the FM radio feature, letting me listen to the radio on my phone.

[AnotherElk]

@harry2024

Yes I’m using a wired headset, I understand the cable serves as the aerial for the FM radio.

This is not enough.
The phone vendor still would have needed to supply the necessary wiring on the mainboard of the phone to enable the chipset to use the headset cable as an antenna.

@harry2024

According to this page it has an FM radio (market dependent). Mine is the US variant with the Snapdragon processor.

Looks promising. Good luck then!

[harry2024]

@AnotherElk

This is not enough.
The phone vendor still would have needed to supply the necessary wiring on the mainboard of the phone to enable the chipset to use the headset cable as an antenna.

That’s what I’m not sure of. Like I said, happy to post my phone specs if someone can point me in the right direction of finding them to see it’s actually supported on this handset (or not).

Do you need the software version? Firmware version? Or…?

[aibd]

How To Ask Questions The Smart Way.

[AnotherElk]

@harry2024

That’s what I’m not sure of.

If the specs are correct in listing FM radio capability for your phone (ideally if the vendor themselves list it), and only market and/or carrier restrictions would be in the way supposedly, then the necessary wiring should be there.

I guess in the end getting it to work successfully would be the only way to be really sure.
I just wanted to point out that the chipset supporting FM radio would not be enough by itself to get it to work.

[harry2024]

Is this helpful?

I note that this has the Snapdragon chip, which should be partially helpful with getting the radio working, at least (or I would hope). I know the version Vodafone NZ sold here wasn’t this one.

[aibd]

Are you running a regular Samsung ROM rather than a Custom ROM such as /e/OS?

Your link to the phone says that FMRadio is Vendor or Carrier dependant. I suggest that you should speak to them.

[harry2024]

I think I’m using a custom ROM. This phone was purchased in NZ but was parallel imported and (I believe) was originally an AT&T handset in the US - so it’s not really possible to speak to them, sadly.

[aibd]

@harry2024

AT&T handset in the US

Well they are the ones who will know. I suggest you search their support pages.

@harry2024

I think I’m using a custom ROM

If you want help, PLEASE, give some sort of evidence, “I think” does not move us on!

“I am running this …” with a screenshot from Settings > About phone might be more informative.

[harry2024]

Do you mean from here?

Any specific part after this? Software information?

Note that I did install a custom ROM from AT&T but can provide confirmation if that’s any help.

[aibd]

@harry2024

Software information?

Yes please

@harry2024

a custom ROM from AT&T but can provide confirmation if that’s any help

Whatever you can provide … don’t need any personal stuff of course, just to know what are you running ?

[harry2024]

How’s about this?

[aibd]

I think One UI version 5.1, https://www.androidpolice.com/samsung-one-ui-5/, is a straightforward Samsung ROM … if supplied especially by the carrier they might well have crippled the FM Radio because they would rather collect on your data bandwidth than having you freeload on FM signals.

I would contact their support pages, I see a support tab off this link: https://www.att.com/buy/phones/samsung-galaxy-s20-5g.html. Alternatively the Samsung USA support forum, perhaps you can make contact via Contact Us | Official Samsung Support US.