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Question

Mobile Phone FM Broadcast Feature Query

Sep 19, 2018 11:30AM PDT

Have the AT&T 5044R which has been confirmed to have FM radio circuitry. One confirmation from CNET...
https://www.cnet.com/products/alcatel-cameox-arctic-white-4g-lte-16-gb-gsm-smartphone/specs/

https://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=5097
https://www.pdevice.com/product/alcatel-idealxcite-price-specs
https://forums.att.com/t5/Device-Features/fm-radio-on-my-phone/td-p/4339829


For several days was able to get local FM broadcasting without WiFi enabled. Next attempt… Icon would not launch. Second FM Broadcast app installed… no reception. Second FM broadcast app installed with no reception. Possibilities that come to mind are:

-AT&T might disable the feature without a contract
- In WiFi configuraton the SIM card was removed. Opted not to place it before posting to forum
- Some system setting that disabled the FM Circuitry

Hoping for informed guidance from the membership as I await a reply.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
This model appears to be rare.
Sep 19, 2018 12:20PM PDT
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New Post
Sep 19, 2018 12:57PM PDT

There was a prior posting about rooting this phone but today's posting is about restoring the FM radio that existed in the 5044R which has built in FM radio circuitry. Phone was never rooted. The question posed this day still remains...

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I wonder.
Sep 19, 2018 1:17PM PDT

There's a requirement for the FM to work that you plug in your headphones. I note this because some tell me the FM doesn't work and I pick up the phone, fish around for headphones and the owner asks me "What are you doing?" Read https://www.cnet.com/how-to/unlock-the-secret-fm-tuner-in-your-android-phone/

So with that out of the way, any progress?

The model is as I noted rare and the XDA discussion about it kicks it back into ATT's court.

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Earbuds Always
Sep 19, 2018 1:36PM PDT

This phone has never been used without earbuds. The posting was specifically authored in the hope of and to eliminate items that could not possibly interfere with reception and to refine future posting to other forums

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Unsolved it seems.
Sep 19, 2018 1:52PM PDT

Good way to learn about why I buy unlocked phones or get into rooting.

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Follow up
Dec 5, 2018 6:40AM PST

Just saw this... FM worked right out of the box for a week... then would not launch. Was looking for ways to get error logs, etc. to get a clue on what might have happened. Has never been dropped or damaged.

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Android application
Dec 5, 2018 10:14AM PST

There is an application called NextRadio on the Android application site that does not use any wireless data. It does require a wired headset to work and there is a free version. It operates on regular FM signals over the air just like with a car radio.