FM-Radio on Xiaomi: hidden features of the standard application

Many owners of Xiaomi smartphones accidentally find a mysterious “Service” in the list of installed applications FM-radio» (FM Radio Service is a system component that is not removed or labeled on the desktop, but it is not in the standard app menu, and attempts to run through the settings often end in error. So what is this program, why is it needed and why Xiaomi hides it from users?

It is actually about the built-in FM-A tuner that allows you to listen to analog radio stations without an internet connection, a feature that was popular in the era of button phones, but has been gradually replaced by streaming services in smartphones. However, Xiaomi continues to integrate the chip into some models — especially budget and mid-budget lines.The problem is that the manufacturer does not always activate it out of the box, and the application interface leaves much to be desired.

If you want to listen to the radio without traffic consumption or in conditions of poor Internet coverage, this article will help you understand how to make the radio work. FM-We will tell you which devices support the feature, how to turn it on (including on models where it is hidden), and why sometimes the radio refuses to catch the station even with the right settings.

What is "Service" FM-Radio in Xiaomi and why you need it

«Service FM-radio (com.miui.fm) is a system application that is responsible for the operation of the built-in radio. FM-Unlike online radio (such as Yandex Music or Radio Record), it catches the analog signal of terrestrial radio stations through an antenna that acts as a connected wired headset:

• 📶 Working without the Internet – no mobile traffic is spent, and radio is available even in the subway or outside the city where there is no network.
• 🔋 Minimum battery consumption — FM-chip consumes several times less energy than streaming 4G/5G.
• 🎧 Ease of use – no need to register, pay for a subscription or download playlists.
• 🚫 Limited choice of stations – only radio frequencies that broadcast in your area are available.

It is important to understand that not all Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with FM-The manufacturer often saves on this component in flagship models (for example, in the Xiaomi 13 or Mix 4 series), but leaves it in the budget and mid-budget lines – Redmi Note, POCO, Redmi A. Even if there is a chip, the application can be disabled at the software level.

Why Xiaomi is hiding FM-There are several reasons:

1. Marketing: The company promotes its own services (for example, Mi Music) and affiliate streaming platforms.
2. Regional restrictions: In some countries, terrestrial radio is not popular and manufacturers prefer not to spend resources on supporting the feature.
3. Legal nuances: for broadcasting FM-Radio in some regions requires licenses that Xiaomi may not have.

What Xiaomi models support FM-radio

To check if there is in your smartphone FM-Tuner, you can use several ways:

1. Check through Settings: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management and find in the list "Service" FM-radio» (FM If you don't have one, there's no chip in the device.
2. Search by model: Below is a table with popular Xiaomi devices that have confirmed support FM-radio.
3. Technical specifications: on sites like GSMArena or 4PDA In the “Communications” section, the presence of FM-chip.

⚠️ Note: Even if your model is on the list, it does not guarantee performance. FM-For example, in some regions (e.g. the EU) the function may be blocked at the software level due to legal restrictions.

How to turn it on FM-Radio on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

If your smartphone supports you FM-radio, but the application does not start or is not on the menu, follow this instruction:

Method 1: Standard start (for models with activated function)

1. Connect the wired headset (it acts as an antenna) wireless headphones will not work!
2. Open the Radio app (if it's on the menu), usually hidden in the Tools or Others folder.
3. Click Scan - the smartphone will automatically find the available stations.

Method 2: Run through a hidden menu (for models with a hidden function)

If the Radio app is not on the menu, but there is a Service in the settings FM-radio, try it out:

1. Install a third-party application for FM-radio, such as NextRadio or Spirit FM (available on Google Play).
2. Launch the application and allow access to FM Radio Service.
3. Connect the headset and perform an automatic scan.

Method 3: Activate through the Engineering Menu (for advanced users)

⚠️ Warning: This method requires caution and can cause malfunctions in the smartphone.

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code ##3644633## (for some models, ##36446333##).
2. In the engineering menu, find the section "Hardware Testing" → FM Radio».
3. Activate the option “Enable” FM» and reboot the device.

Is the wired headset connected (required!)

Is there an app in the settings "Service" FM-radio"?

Is a third-party application installed for FM (if the standard is not)

Are you in the air radio coverage area (check on another device)-->

Why? FM-Xiaomi radio is not working: common problems

Even if you did everything according to the instructions, FM-The radio may not start. Here are the most common causes and ways to fix them:

🔹 If the radio is working but the sound quality is poor, try it:

• 🎛️ Set up manual station search (instead of automatic station search).
• 🔌 Use a headset with a longer wire (improves reception).
• 📍 Move closer to the window or to the upper floors (signal) FM better).

💡

If your smartphone is not catching your favorite station, try manually entering its frequency (for example, 103.5). FM) You can find the frequencies of popular stations on their official websites.

Alternatives FM-Xiaomi radio: what to do if there is no chip

If your Xiaomi model doesn’t support you FM-radio, this is not a reason to stop listening to air stations:

• 📻 Online radio: apps like Radio Garden, TuneIn Radio or Yandex Music offer thousands of stations from all over the world.
• 🔗 DAB-Radio: Some modern smartphones (such as Sony Xperia) support digital radio DAB+, But Xiaomi doesn’t have this feature.
• 🎧 External FM-← Tuners: You can buy compact USB- Bluetooth receiver (for example, Sony) ICF-P26 Sangean DT-400W) And plug it into a smartphone.
• 📱 Emulation through TV-The Quote: If you have Xiaomi TV Box, some models support FM antennae-entry.

💡 Interesting fact: in some countries (for example, in the United States) the law requires smartphone manufacturers to activate the device. FM-So on the American versions of Xiaomi radio can work, even if in European - no.

Security and legal nuances of use FM-radio

Thought FM-Radio seems like a harmless feature, there are a few things to be aware of:

⚠️ Note: in some countries (e.g. North Korea or Iran), listening to foreign radio stations may be illegal.

• 📜 Station licensing: not all radio stations are eligible to broadcast; listening to pirated frequencies may be illegal.
• 🔒 Privacy: Some applications for FM-Radios (like NextRadio) request access to location and contacts.
• 📡 Interferences for other devices: powerful FM-Transmitters (not receivers!) can interfere with medical equipment. Xiaomi smartphones only use a receiver, so the risk is minimal.

🔎 How to check the legality of the station:

1. Check the frequency on the radio station’s official website.
2. Use services like Radio-Locator (radio-locator.com) that list licensed broadcasters.
3. Pay attention to the sound quality: pirate stations often broadcast with interference.

The future FM-Radio in smartphones: is it worth waiting for the return of the function

Every year, fewer manufacturers are integrating. FM-Xiaomi is no exception: if in 2019-2020 the radio was in almost all budget Redmi, then in 2023-2026 it can be found only in basic models like Redmi. 12C or POCO M5. The reasons are obvious:

• 📉 Falling popularity: young people prefer streaming services.
• 💰 Constituent savings: FM-chip costs a penny, but integration requires testing.
• 📱 Moving away from the 3.5 mm connector: without a wired headset, the antenna loses its meaning.

However, there are factors that can bring back FM-smartphone-radio:

• 🚨 Emergency situations: During natural disasters or wars, radio remains the most reliable source of information.
• 🌍 Emerging Markets: Africa and Asia FM Still more popular than the Internet.
• 🔋 Energy efficiency: for regions with unstable power supply, radio is a way to save charge.

🔮 Forecast: most likely, Xiaomi will completely abandon the FM-And for those who value radio, alternatives like radio should be considered for those who value radio, leaving it only in the most budget devices in emerging markets after 2026. DAB+ (Digital radio, which is already supported by some smartphones Sony and Samsung.

💡

FM-The radio in Xiaomi smartphones is a dying feature, but it's still useful in the absence of internet or with limited battery life. If your model supports radio, it makes sense to set it up before the feature disappears completely.

FAQ: Frequent questions about FM-radio