FM radio is one of the most popular ways to listen to music. It has existed for many years and still provides a great way to enjoy your favorite tunes.
However, how do you connect it with Bluetooth headphones? The answer is quite simple. You only need an adapter or FM transmitter to connect your FM radio to your Bluetooth headset.
What are your options when listening to the FM radio in your car or during work? You can purchase a new car with built-in Bluetooth technology or buy an FM transmitter. But how do these devices work?
An FM transmitter is designed for people who want to play stereo music through their vehicle’s speakers. However, this will only work if they have a wireless Bluetooth headset compatible with the device.
This article provides information on connect FM radio with Bluetooth headphones!
What Do You Need to Listen to FM Radio on Android?
To listen to FM radio on your Android smartphone, you only need a few things:
- An Android phone with an FM radio receiver – most have them built-in
- A pair of wired headphones – they act as the radio antenna
- An app like NextRadio to access the FM tuner
Optional:
- Bluetooth adapter or transmitter if using wireless headphones
So essentially, you need an Android phone with built-in FM radio capabilities, wired headphones to act as the antenna, and an app to access the radio. That’s it!
Many Android phones like Samsung, Motorola, LG, HTC, and other brands have FM receivers built into the chipset. They need headphones connected since most smartphones don’t have a radio antenna.
How Do Headphones Act as an FM Antenna?
You might wonder how simple headphones can act as an antenna for FM radio signals. Here’s a quick explanation:
The headphone cable acts as an aerial to receive FM radio waves. A small coil of wire inside headphone cables can pick up FM frequencies when you plug them into the 3.5mm headphone jack.
This wire coil converts the FM waves into an electrical audio signal your smartphone can interpret. Essentially, it turns your wired headphones into a makeshift radio antenna. Pretty cool!
So that’s why you need headphones plugged in – they become the antenna to receive FM radio signals. Next, let’s see how to enable FM radio on Android.
How to Activate FM Radio on Android Smartphones
Activating the FM radio tuner on Android devices only takes a few simple steps:
- First, install an FM radio app like NextRadio or Radio FM. These unlock the hardware tuner.
- Plug in a pair of wired headphones or earphones. They provide the antenna.
- Open the radio app and scan for local stations.
- Tune to a station and enjoy free FM radio!
The app uses your wired headphones as an aerial to receive FM signals. Then you can browse channels and listen to any station you like.
That’s really all there is to it! Having wired headphones is crucial since they act as the radio antenna.
Most Android phones automatically enable FM radio when you plug in headphones. But you need an app like NextRadio actually to access the tuner and listen to stations.
Listening to FM Radio on Android via Bluetooth
But what if you want to listen to FM radio using wireless Bluetooth headphones or earbuds? Can you still use FM radio on Android without wired headphones?
Absolutely! Here are a few different ways to listen to FM radio using Bluetooth:
- Use a Bluetooth transmitter – This converts FM radio into a Bluetooth audio signal for wireless headphones
- Connect wired headphones to a Bluetooth adapter – Plug in wired headphones with a Bluetooth adapter to receive FM signals.
- Some phones have built-in Bluetooth transmission – Select Sony, Samsung, and other models can transmit FM audio over Bluetooth.
So with the right gear, you can listen to FM radio on your Android smartphone with Bluetooth headphones or earbuds. Let’s look closer at how the options work.
Bluetooth Transmitters for FM Radio Listening
One good option is to use a Bluetooth transmitter designed for FM radio. Here are the basics:
- The transmitter plugs into your phone’s headphone jack
- It receives the FM signal from wired headphones
- Then it re-transmits the audio over Bluetooth
So you connect wired headphones to the transmitter as the antenna. It picks up the FM station and sends the audio wirelessly to your Bluetooth headphones or speakers.
You tune and listen to the FM radio using wired headphones connected to the transmitter. But you hear the audio through your Bluetooth earbuds or headset.
There are many Bluetooth FM transmitters available that work great for Android devices. Just plug in wired headphones for the antenna, pair your Bluetooth headphones, tune FM stations in an app, and enjoy radio anywhere!
Bluetooth Adapters for Wired Headphones
Another option is to use a Bluetooth adapter with your wired headphones. Here’s how it works:
- Plug wired headphones into the Bluetooth adapter as normal
- Pair the adapter with your phone like wireless headphones
Then your wired headphones connected to the adapter act as the antenna to receive FM signals. But the audio is transmitted wirelessly to your phone over Bluetooth.
This allows your wired headphones to function like Bluetooth headphones for listening to FM radio. The adapter receives the signal while your phone gets the audio wirelessly.
Again, use an app like NextRadio to access your phone’s FM tuner. Then tune to stations typically with your wired headphones plugged into the Bluetooth adapter.
Built-In Bluetooth Transmission on Select Phones
Some newer Android phones from manufacturers like Samsung and Sony have built-in support for transmitting FM audio over Bluetooth.
Here’s how it works on models with this feature:
- Plug in wired headphones to enable FM radio
- Pair Bluetooth headphones to your phone
- The phone transmits FM tuner audio wirelessly over Bluetooth
So you only need to connect wired headphones temporarily to activate the FM radio. Then the phone handles transmitting the audio to your Bluetooth device.
On Samsung phones, this feature may be called “Bluetooth FM Radio” or “FM Radio via Bluetooth.” Check if your Android device model supports transmitting FM radio over Bluetooth natively.
That way, you won’t need any extra transmitter or adapter gear. The phone broadcasts FM stations directly to your Bluetooth headphones. It’s the most convenient option if your device includes this feature.
My Recommended App and Bluetooth Gear
After testing many options, here are my top app and Bluetooth accessory recommendations:
- App – NextRadio or Radio FM work great
- Bluetooth Transmitter – Art+Sound FM-Bluetooth transmitter
- Bluetooth Adapter – TaoTronics Bluetooth 5.0 adapter for wired headphones
I prefer NextRadio as the best free Android app for accessing FM radio. For Bluetooth, the small Art+Sound transmitter is fantastic for enabling wireless listening.
The TaoTronics Bluetooth adapter also works perfectly for making wired headphones wireless. Just pair it to your phone like regular Bluetooth headphones.
So that covers my app and gear picks if you want to listen to FM radio using Bluetooth headphones or earbuds with your Android device.
Troubleshooting FM Radio Listening Issues
Sometimes you may run into issues getting FM radio to work correctly on your Android phone. Here are some common problems and solutions:
- No sound when tuning stations – Ensure wired headphones are fully inserted in the jack since they act as the antenna. Also, try a different headset in case the cable is defective.
- Radio doesn’t activate – Your phone may not have an FM tuner built-in. Try an app like NextRadio which can activate FM radio if available.
- Bluetooth headphones not pairing – First, put the Bluetooth transmitter or headphones adapter into pairing mode. Then open Bluetooth settings on your phone to connect.
- No antenna detected – Double-check that wired headphones are physically plugged in completely. They must make a solid connection to act as the antenna.
- Poor station reception – FM reception can vary by location. Try moving your phone around or closer to a window for better signal strength. An external antenna can also help.
So those are some standard troubleshooting tips if the FM radio isn’t working right. The most likely issues are antennas not being detected or connected. Just double-check your wired connections first.
FAQs
Q: How can I listen to FM radio with Bluetooth headphones?
A: To listen to FM radio with Bluetooth headphones, you will need a smartphone or a device that supports FM radio and Bluetooth connectivity.
Q: Can I use Bluetooth headphones to listen to the radio?
A: Yes, it is possible to listen to FM radio with Bluetooth headphones. Connecting your Bluetooth headphones to a device that supports FM radio lets you enjoy wireless listening to your favorite radio stations.
Q: Do I need a particular radio app to listen to the radio with Bluetooth headphones?
A: No, you do not need a particular radio app. Most smartphones have a built-in FM radio function that allows you to listen to local radio stations. Simply open the radio application on your phone and pair your Bluetooth headphones to start listening.
Q: Can I use wireless headphones to listen to the radio?
A: Yes, you can use wireless headphones, including Bluetooth headphones, to listen to the radio. Pair your wireless headphones with a device that offers FM radio functionality, and you can enjoy the sound of your favorite radio programs without the hassle of wired headsets.
Q: How do Bluetooth headphones work with FM radio?
A: Bluetooth headphones work with FM radio by pairing them with a device that supports its functionality. Once the pairing is complete, the Bluetooth headphones serve as an antenna, allowing you to listen to the sound of the radio program wirelessly.
Q: Can you listen to the radio with Bluetooth headphones?
A: If your phone doesn’t have an FM radio, you can still listen to the radio with Bluetooth headphones by using radio apps or streaming platforms such as TuneIn. These apps allow you to listen to various radio stations worldwide using an internet connection.
Q: Can I use Bluetooth speakers to listen to the radio?
A: Yes, you can use Bluetooth speakers to listen to the radio. Like Bluetooth headphones, you can pair your Bluetooth speakers with a device that supports FM radio functionality and enjoy the program wirelessly.
Q: Is it possible to listen to the radio without connecting headphones to the device?
A: Yes, it is possible to listen to the radio without connecting headphones to the device. If your device has built-in speakers or external speakers connected via Bluetooth or wired, you can listen to the radio program without using headphones.
Q: How can I improve the FM radio experience with Bluetooth headphones?
A: To improve the FM radio experience with Bluetooth headphones, ensure you have a good signal reception. Position your device in an area with a strong FM radio signal, as Bluetooth headphones rely on the device’s audio output. Ensure that your Bluetooth headphones are fully charged for optimal sound quality.
Q: My phone doesn’t pick up the radio signal. What should I do?
A: If your phone doesn’t pick up the radio signal, try the following troubleshooting steps:
– Make sure your headphones are correctly connected to the device.
– Check if your device’s antenna is properly extended (if applicable).
– Move to a different location for better FM radio signal reception.
– Reset the FM radio settings on your device.
If the issue persists, it could be a compatibility issue or a hardware limitation of your device.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, now you understand exactly how to listen to FM radio stations on your Android phone using either wired or wireless Bluetooth headphones:
- Nearly all Android phones have built-in FM radio receivers
- You need wired headphones plugged in to act as the radio antenna
- Apps like NextRadio or Radio FM unlock the hardware tuner
- For Bluetooth listening, use a transmitter or adapter accessory
- Some phones can transmit FM audio directly over Bluetooth
With the right app and gear, you can listen to FM radio on Android using wireless Bluetooth headphones or earbuds. It’s a great way to enjoy local radio without using mobile data.
I recommend NextRadio as the best app option, along with small Bluetooth adapters or transmitters if needed. That will get you listening to FM radio anywhere with your favorite wireless earbuds.
So grab an app, plug in some headphones (wired or Bluetooth), and start tuning into local FM stations on your Android phone today!
