How to set up a radio on a Xiaomi phone: FM-receiver and online station

Modern Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi line and POCO) frequently equipped with built-in FM-While listening to the radio over the phone can be useful when traveling, in nature or when mobile Internet is not available, in this article we will discuss how to activate the radio. FM-Radio on Xiaomi devices, what applications to use, and how to configure Internet radio through popular services.

It is important to understand that not all models support hardware. FM-For example, flagship devices (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Mix Fold 3) often lack this feature for the sake of other technologies, POCO X5, Redmi A2+) retain FM-You can check for support through the specifications of the model or by experimenting with the radio.

Verification of support FM-radio on your Xiaomi

Before you set up your radio, make sure your Xiaomi smartphone supports this feature at all. There are several ways to check:

  • πŸ” Official specifications: find your model on Xiaomi's website and check the "Wireless Technology" section if it says so "FM-radio - the chip is present.
  • πŸ“± Settings menu: Open Settings β†’ Connections and sharing β†’ FM-If there is no item, there is no support.
  • πŸ› οΈ Third-party apps: install NextRadio or Spirit FM β€” They will automatically detect the presence of the chip.

If your Xiaomi is not supported FM, Don't worry, you can listen to the radio over the Internet (we'll talk about this in one of the following sections). FM-module can be disabled at the software level - in this case, unlocking the bootloader or installing custom firmware will help (but this is already a topic for a separate article).

⚠️ Note: On devices with MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi) 10C or POCO M4 Pro) FM-Radio is often more stable than smartphones with Qualcomm Snapdragon chips, which may require headphones to be connected as an antenna.

Set-up of built-in FM-radio

If your smartphone supports FM, you can set it up in a few steps, in most cases, a standard Radio app that is pre-installed on the system is enough, and if it is not available, download it from Google Play (for example, Mi Radio for older models).

Step-by-step:

  1. Put your headphones on, which are antennas, and without them, the signal will be weak or nonexistent.
  2. Open the Radio (or FM Radio) app.
  3. Click Enable and wait for the frequency scan.
  4. Select your favorite station from the list or manually enter the frequency (e.g. 101.2 FM).
  5. To improve reception, try changing the position of the headphones or moving closer to the window.

If the radio doesn't catch the station, try:

  • πŸ”„ Update the station list (Scan or Update button").
  • 🎧 Use headphones with longer cable (they better pick up the signal).
  • πŸ“‘ Check the terrain: in mountainous areas or underground parking lots, reception may not be available.

Are the headphones connected (required!)

Whether it's on FM-module

Updated station list

Are you in the radio station coverage area?

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On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) The radio may work without headphones, but the reception will be much worse, and it's also worth noting that in the subway or elevators, the signal is likely to disappear, which is normal for people to use. FM-broadcasting.

The Best Radio Apps on Xiaomi

If the built-in radio is missing or not comfortable with the functionality, you can use third-party applications.

  1. FM-Applications – use a hardware chip (require support) FM).
  2. Internet radio – broadcast the station via mobile Internet or Wi-Fi.

Rating of the best applications for Xiaomi:

AnnexTypeFeaturesReference
NextRadioFMAutomatic chip definition, RDS support (song title display)Download
Spirit FMFMWorks without internet, manual frequency settingDownload
TuneIn RadioInternet100,000+ stations, podcasts, broadcast recordingDownload
Radio GardenInternetUnique interface with the "globus", station from anywhere in the worldDownload

To save traffic when listening to Internet radio, it is recommended:

  • πŸ“Ά Use Wi-Fi instead of mobile data.
  • 🎡 Select stations with a bitrate of 64-128 kbit / s (in the application settings).
  • πŸ”‹ Turn off background playback if you are not listening.

FM-radio (via chip)

Internet radio (via applications)

I don't listen to the radio on my phone.

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How to improve reception FM-radio

Weak signal is the most common problem when used FM-Here are a few ways to solve it:

  1. Use your headphones as an antenna: 🎧 Connect headphones with a metal plug (plastic does not work). πŸ”„ Place the cable vertically, which improves reception. πŸ“± Do not wind the wire around the phone (this causes interference).

Update the firmware

Sometimes radio issues are resolved after the MIUI update. Check the relevance of the version in Settings β†’ About Phone β†’ System Update.

Check the energy saving settings

Some modes (such as Ultra Mode) may disable FM-Add the radio app to the exceptions: Settings β†’ Battery β†’ Optimizing the battery.

On Xiaomi models with Snapdragon processor 4xx/6xx (For example, Redmi Note 11) For stable reception, you may need to disable the β€œWi-Fi Calling” function in the settings SIM-It's related to a conflict of radio modules.

πŸ’‘

If you listen to the radio in your car often, buy a cheap one. FM-transmitter (around 500–1000) β‚½). It connects to the phone via Bluetooth and transmits the sound to the car tape recorder through a free phone. FM-frequency (e.g. 87.5) FM).

Set up Internet radio on Xiaomi

If your smartphone doesn't support FM, or if you want to listen to stations from other countries, Internet radio is a great alternative.

  • 🌍 Access to stations from around the world (BBC, Radio France, Deutsche Welle).
  • 🎢 Ability to listen to specific genres (jazz, rock, electronic music).
  • πŸ“± It works without headphones (sound goes through speakers).

Instructions for setting up via TuneIn Radio (one of the best internet radio apps):

  1. Download and install TuneIn Radio.
  2. Register (optional, but gives access to selected stations).
  3. In the search box, type the name of the station (for example, Europe Plus) or genre (classical music).
  4. Click on the station to play. If the connection is poor, select a lower quality (icon) βš™οΈ player).

To save traffic in TuneIn, go to Settings β†’ Sound Quality and select Low (32 kbps). You can also download podcasts for offline listening (available in the premium version).

⚠️ Note: Some Internet stations may be blocked in Russia at the request of Roskomnadzor. VPN (For example, ProtonVPN or Windscribe, connect to a server in the country of broadcasting (for example, for the purpose of using the server). BBC Radio 1 choose UK).

Solving Radio Problems on Xiaomi

If the radio is not working or is not working properly, use this troubleshooting instruction:

Problem.Possible causeDecision
FM-radio outThere is no chip supportCheck the model specifications or use internet radio
Stations are not locatedWeak signal.Connect the headphones, move closer to the window
The radio turns off by itself.Energy conservationAdd an app to battery exclusions
Internet radio is slowing downLow Internet speedSwitch to Wi-Fi or select a smaller bitrate

If the problem is not solved, try:

  • πŸ”„ Reboot your phone (sometimes helps with module failures).
  • πŸ› οΈ Clear the app cache: Settings β†’ Annexes β†’ Radio. β†’ Warehouse β†’ Clear the cache.
  • πŸ“± Reset network settings: Settings β†’ SIM-maps and mobile networks β†’ Reset network settings (will not delete data, but reset radio modules).
What if the radio only works with headphones?
Most of the Xiaomi smartphones FM-The chip is connected to a 3.5 mm connector, so without headphones it can't pick up the signal. It's a hardware constraint, and you can't get around it. But some models, like the Redmi Note 10 Pro, have a separate antenna, so the radio can also work through the speakers, but the reception quality will be worse.

Comparison of FM and Internet Radio on Xiaomi

Which option is hardware FM or Internet broadcasting? It depends on your tasks:

CriteriaFM-radioInternet radio
AvailabilityOnly if there's a chip.On any smartphone.
Sound qualityDepends on the signal (may be with interference)Stable (depending on bitrate)
Traffic.Doesn't require the Internet.Consumes ~60 MB/hour (at 128 kbit/s)
Geography of stationsOnly locals.Any station in the world
Additional functionsNo (only audition)Ether recording, podcasts, selected

Travel outside the city or when the Internet is not available, FM-If you want foreign stations or additional features (such as pause and rewind), you should use Internet radio.

πŸ’‘

On Xiaomi devices with a MediaTek Helio processor (e.g. Redmi 9, POCO M2) FM-Radio is often more stable than Snapdragon, thanks to better driver optimization.

FAQ: Frequent questions about radio on Xiaomi

Can I listen to the radio on Xiaomi without headphones?
Most models don't, because the headphones are the antenna, except for some flagships (like the Xiaomi 12T), which have a separate antenna, but the reception will be worse, and in the case of Internet radio, headphones are not necessary.
Why does Xiaomi only catch some stations?
It depends on the radio station's transmitter power and your location. There are usually more stations available in cities than in rural areas, and check if interference from other electronic devices (such as a microwave or router) interferes.
How to record a radio broadcast on Xiaomi?
Built-in FM-The application does not support recording, but you can use it: 🎀 Recorder (records sound from the speaker, but the quality will be mediocre). πŸ“± Internet radio applications (e.g. TuneIn Pro allows you to save airwaves).
Does Xiaomi radio work with wireless headphones?
No, for FM-radio requires a wired connection (a 3.5 mm plug) because wireless headphones cannot act as antennas, but you can output sound to them via Bluetooth if the radio is already on and catches the station.
How to listen to the radio on Xiaomi in the background?
To do this, you need to: Open the radio and start listening. Press Home (don't close the app!) A player with control buttons will appear in the notification panel. If the radio turns off, add it to the battery optimization exceptions: Settings β†’ Battery β†’ Battery Optimization β†’ All applications β†’ Find Radio β†’ No restrictions.