How to listen to radio in Xiaomi wireless headphones: a step-by-step guide to 2026

Xiaomi wireless headphones have long ceased to be just an accessory for listening to music – they have become a full-fledged multimedia center. But while playlist tracks are intuitive, listening to radio through playlists raises questions even among experienced users, especially when it comes to playing playlist tracks. FM-radio (which requires antennas) or streaming services with thousands of stations.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to listen to the radio in Xiaomi headphones - from the classic version of the radio. FM You'll also learn which models support radio without a smartphone, and how to get around the restrictions if your headset doesn't have a built-in receiver.

Spoiler: For most modern models (such as the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro or Redmi Buds 5), a combination of the smartphone app and the right Bluetooth settings will work, but there are exceptions, and we'll talk about them.

Which Xiaomi headphones support radio?

Not all Xiaomi wireless headphones can work with radio – it all depends on the availability of the phone. FM-So, here's the key to the chip and the data protocols:

• 📻 FM-Smartphone-free radio: only models with built-in receiver (e.g. Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 Basic or Redmi AirDots 2) require wired antennas (which are used by the charging cable).
• 🌍 Internet radio: any headphones connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth. The sound is broadcast from the smartphone where the application is running (for example, Radio Garden or TuneIn).
• 🔊 Hybrid mode: Some models (such as the Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro) can use the smartphone as a “middleman” for the mobile device. FM-signal if it has a built-in receiver.

To check if your headphones are in. FM-chip, check the specifications on the official Xiaomi website or in the Mi Home application. FM Radio or Radio Frequency Module. If you don't have that option, you'll have Internet radio.

⚠️ Attention: In headphones Xiaomi with support LC3-codecs (e.g. Buds 4 Pro) may have a latency when listening to Internet radio through some applications, due to the peculiarities of processing the audio stream, the solution is to use applications with low latency support (e.g. RadioDroid).

Method 1: FM-Smartphone-free radio (for supported models)

If your headphones are equipped FM-You can listen to the radio without connecting to the phone. Here's how it works:

1. Activate radio mode: this is usually done by long pressing on the touchpad of one of the headphones (for example, 3 seconds).In some models, you need to pre-enable the function in the Mi Home app.
2. Connect the antenna: use a charging cable (if included) or any other wire at least 30 cm long.Without the antenna, reception will be extremely unstable or impossible - this is a physical limitation. FM-receiver.
3. Customize frequency: tap on the touchpad toggle stations. Some models have a voice assistant to find channels.

Important: in this mode, the headphones discharge faster than with normal listening to music, the average time is about 3-4 hours (versus 5-6 hours in standard mode).

Turn on the headphones in radio mode (long press)

Connect the antenna (charging cable)

Find a frequency with a good signal (87.5 to 108 MHz)

Adjust the volume (some models reset it after switching the station)-->

If the signal is constantly interrupted, try:

• 📍 Move closer to the window (especially if you are in town – buildings screen the signal).
• 🔄 Change the position of the antenna (sometimes it is enough to deploy the cable at a different angle).
• 🔋 Check the charge of the headphones (at a level below 20%, the receiver can turn off).

Method 2: Internet radio via smartphone

Most users listen to the radio via a smartphone connected to headphones via Bluetooth, which works on any Xiaomi model, including those that do not have a smartphone. FM-You're gonna need a chip:

1. Smartphone with Internet access (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
2. Radio listening app (for example, TuneIn Radio, Radio Garden or Radio Russia).
3. Headphones connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth.

Advantages of this method:

• 🌎 Access to thousands of stations from around the world (including niche genres – jazz, classics, podcasts).
• 📱 Ability to pause, rewind and record ether (in some applications).
• 🔊 Stable sound quality (no interference as with the sound) FM).

Disadvantages:

• 📶 Requires Internet connection (traffic consumption) ~60 MB/hour with average bitrate).
• 🔋 Additional consumption of the smartphone battery.
• ⏱ Possible delay of sound (latency) up to 1-2 seconds.

Recommended applications for Internet radio:

For minimum sound delay:

1. In the Bluetooth settings of the smartphone, select a profile AAC or aptX Low Latency (if the headphones support the).
2. In the radio app, turn off the equalizer and additional effects.
3. Use Wi-Fi instead of mobile internet (ping below).

Method 3: Hybrid mode (FM smartphone)

Some Xiaomi smartphones (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ or POCO X5 Pro) have built-in FM-It's a receiver, but it doesn't have an antenna connector, so in this case, you can use the headphones as an antenna, and the smartphone as a receiver. Here's how it works:

1. Connect the headphones to the smartphone via Bluetooth.
2. Install an application for FM-radio (e.g. NextRadio) – it supports the use of headphones as antennas).
3. Turn it on. FM-The mode in the application and wait for the search stations.

Important: This method only works on smartphones with hardware FM-You can check for it in the specifications of the device or using the application. CPU-Z (sensors).

⚠️ Note: In Xiaomi smartphones on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro) FM-The chip is often disabled at the software level, even if it's physically present, in which case the hybrid mode won't work.

Advantages of hybrid mode:

• 📶 No Internet traffic consumption.
• 🔋 Lower battery consumption compared to internet radio.
• 🎵 More stable reception in the coverage area FM-network.

Disadvantages:

• 📱 Requires a supported smartphone.
• 🔌 Headphones must be wired (Bluetooth is not suitable for antennas).
• 📡 Limited choice of stations (local only) FM-frequency).

Customization of sound for radio in Xiaomi headphones

The sound quality of listening to the radio depends not only on the source of the signal, but also on the settings of the headphones and smartphone.

1.Equalizer and sound effects

In the Mi Home app (Settings of Sound) preset equalizer settings are available:

• 🎶 Bass.+ — It is suitable for stations with modern music.
• 🎤 Voice – amplifies the average frequencies (ideal for talk shows and news).
• 🎻 Classics – a balanced profile for orchestral music.

For manual adjustment, use third-party equalizers, such as Wavelet or Poweramp Equalizer.

• Reduce frequencies below 100Hz (to remove background noise) FM-air).
• Raise the range of 2-5 kHz (for better legibility of voice).
• Turn it off. 3D-effects – they add artificial reverb that distorts speech.

2. Bluetooth codecs

The selected codec depends on the quality of sound transmission and latency. Xiaomi headphones are usually available:

• SBC — basic, works always, but compression is noticeable.
• AAC — Better for radio (less artifacts on voices).
• aptX/LDAC — High quality, but not all smartphones support.

To change the codec:

1. Open the settings → Bluetooth on your smartphone.
2. Find the connected headphones and tap the icon ⚙️.
3. Select the Audio Codec and install it AAC.

💡

If your headphones have a function ANC (active noise reduction, turn it off when listening to the radio - this will reduce the load on the battery and improve the quality of reception FM-signal.

3. Mono/stereo mode

Some of them FM-The stations broadcast in mono mode to avoid sound imbalance:

1. In the headphone settings (Mi Home), turn on the option Mono-sound.
2. Or manually align the left/right channel balance in the equalizer.

Typical problem solving

When listening to the radio through Xiaomi headphones, users often face typical problems.

1. No sound in FM-mode

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔌 Not connected antenna – use a charging cable (even if the headphones are wireless, for example, for the purpose of using the FM wire).
• 📵 Weak signal – Move closer to the window or try an external antenna (e.g. from an old radio).
• 🔋 Low charge - some models are switched off FM-receiver at battery level below 15%.
• 🔄 Firmware failure – reset the headphone settings (in Mi Home, select Reset to factory).

2. Interrupting sound in Internet radio

If the sound "breaks" or stutters:

• 📶 Check the Internet speed (need at least 1 Mbps for a stable stream).
• 🔄 Switch from mobile data to Wi-Fi (or vice versa).
• 📱 Close background apps that consume traffic (such as downloads or cloud services).
• 🔊 In the radio application settings, reduce the bitrate (for example, from 320 kbit / s to 128 kbit / s).

3.The headphones discharge quickly

FM-The mode and the Internet radio use up the battery more than just passing music to extend the time:

• 🔋 Turn it off. ANC and Transparent mode.
• 📴 Turn down the volume (each one) +10 dB reduces the working time by ~20%).
• 🔄 Use one headphone (some models have mono mode).
• 🔌 Connect the headphones to powerbank via an adapter (if the model supports charging while running).

The Best Radio Apps on Xiaomi

The choice of app depends on your preferences: local stations, international radio or podcasts, we tested the top options and compiled a rating.

For fans of podcasts, we recommend Podcast Addict or Google Podcasts – they have sections with radio archives (for example, transmission records). BBC Or Echo of Moscow).

💡

If you want to keep your connection stable, choose buffering apps (for example, TuneIn Radio allows you to adjust the buffer size to 60 seconds), which will help you avoid cliffs when the Internet is weak.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the radio in headphones Xiaomi