How to set up a radio on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: The Complete Guide

Xiaomi smartphone owners often wonder how to activate the built-in FM-The receiver, which is a standard feature for many of the brand's models.Redmi Note 9 is no exception, and its hardware features a quality chip for receiving radio waves. However, many users are faced with a situation where the usual icon on the desktop is not, or the application does not start without meeting certain conditions.

The challenge is that today's smartphones are increasingly losing their analog tuner to digital streaming services, but the Redmi Note 9 has retained this useful feature. It requires a connected headset that acts as an antenna. Without it, the software simply won't be able to pick up the signal, no matter what you do on the menu.

In this guide, we will take a look at all the stages of setup, from physical accessory connection to fine frequency calibration. You will learn why a standard application can be hidden, how to find it through system search and what alternative solutions exist for listening to air stations.

Technical requirements and preparation of the device

Before you start software setup, you need to make sure that your device is physically ready to work with radio signals. The key element here is a wired headset, since the built-in speakers of the smartphone can not perform the function of the antenna. The headphone cable contains special veins that trap waves. FM-range and transmit them to the decoder inside the phone.

Make sure the headphone jack (mini-Jack 3.5mm) is clean and free of dust or oxidation that can disrupt contact.If you use a Type-C adapter, it should support analog audio, not just digital audio, otherwise the radio will not work. In some cases, cheap adapters can block the work. FM-module.

⚠️ Attention: Using Bluetooth headphones to work with built-in FM-radio is not possible because they do not function as an antenna and do not transmit an analog signal directly to the receiver chip.

It’s also worth checking the version of the MIUI operating system installed on your Redmi Note 9. In some firmware regions (e.g. Global or European), the Radio app may be pre-installed by default, while in others (e.g. Indian or Russian), it may be hidden or replaced with an online radio aggregator. Updating the system to the latest available version often solves driver compatibility issues.

Search and installation of the Radio application

The standard application you need to work with is usually simply called Radio or FM Radio, and has an orange antenna icon. In the MIUI shell, it often hides in the Tools folder on your desktop. If you don't see it there, use the search function by swiping down the home screen and typing the word "Radio" into the search bar.

If you don’t have a system app, you can find it in the GetApps store (Mi Store) or Google Play. However, be careful: many third-party apps are just shells for Internet radio and do not have access to hardware. FM-You need programs that explicitly claim hardware support. FM.

• 📱 Check the Tools folder for a standard orange icon.
• 🔍 Use a global search by system by entering a query «FM» or radio».
• 📥 Download only verified applications that have access to device drivers.
• ⚙️ Make sure the app has permissions to use the microphone and storage (for recording).

If a standard application has been removed, it can be restored by resetting the application settings through the recovery menu or reflashing the device, but this is an extreme measure. Most often, it is enough to simply find a hidden icon in the menu of all applications, scrolling through the list to the end or sorting them alphabetically. Sometimes the application can be turned off in the power settings, which also requires re-activation.

Step-by-step instructions for starting and setting up

Once all the preparations are complete, you can proceed to the receiver's immediate start, connect the headset to your smartphone, display a notification about the audio device's connection, and then open the Radio app, and when you first start, the system can request permission to access the microphone and memory, which is necessary for dynamic noise reduction and settings.

Xiaomi’s application interface is minimalistic and intuitive. The current frequency is usually displayed in the center of the screen, and control buttons are located on the sides or bottom. To get started, click the on button (usually the power icon or the Play button).

Sequence of action:


1. Connect the headphones.




2. Launch the Radio app.




2. Press the "Scan" or "Scan" button.




3. Wait for the scan to be completed.

In the scanning process, the algorithm checks the entire range from 87.5 to 108.0 MHz (or 64.0-108.0 MHz in some regions) and saves the stations found. This process can take from 30 seconds to 2 minutes depending on the quality of the signal in the room. Do not interrupt the scan to keep the list of stations correctly.

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For a more accurate search for stations during the scan, keep the smartphone still and lift it above head level to improve antenna reception in the headphone wires.

Frequency management and station preservation

Once you've done the automatic search, you'll see a list of the stations you've found, you'll see the app's swipe and tap control, you'll see left or right swipe between the stored stations, and you'll see vertical scrolling of the list giving you access to all the frequencies you've found, and you can use a slider or "+" and "-" buttons to manually adjust the frequency.

Function RDS (Radio Data System allows you to display the name of the radio station and information about the current song or transmission, if the station broadcasts this data. RDS-tags, which makes navigation on the air much easier. If the tag is not displayed, it is possible that the station does not transmit this information or the signal is too weak.

To easily access your favorite channels, you should create a list of favorite stations. Click on the star icon or select Add to Favorites from a specific frequency menu. This will allow you to quickly switch between them without flipping through the entire list of dozens of noisy frequencies. Redmi Note 9 allows you to create multiple lists if the application supports this feature in your version of MIUI.

Improved signal reception

Sound quality in FM-The range depends on the reception conditions, and because the antenna is the headphone wire, the position of the headphone is critical, and untangle the wire completely, because the tangle of wires can interfere and reduce the antenna efficiency. Try not to lie on metal surfaces or near sources of strong electromagnetic fields.

In low-signal environments, like in rural areas or in buildings with thick walls, use an external antenna. There are special adapters that connect to a 3.5 mm connector and have a connector for connecting an external telescopic antenna, which can dramatically improve the situation by turning hissing into pure sound.

⚠️ Warning: Avoid using cheap headphone extension cables, as they often don’t have shielding and make significant distortions to the radio signal, impairing speech intelligibility.

The quality of reception is also affected by battery charge. At low charge, some components of the smartphone can work unstable, which affects the sensitivity of the tuner. If you notice a sharp deterioration in quality, try connecting the smartphone to the charger, but make sure that the power supply does not cause severe interference (use the original adapter).

Ether recording and additional functions

One of the useful features of the built-in app is the ability to record broadcasts, which allows you to save interviews, music tracks or news for listening offline. To start recording, you need to press the corresponding button in the player interface. Files are saved in.mp3 or.m4a format in the internal memory of the device.

You can find the recorded files in a standard conductor along the way. MIUI/sound_recorder/radio Or just in the audio folder, the quality of the recording depends on the quality of the signal received: if there was interference on the air, they will also be recorded.

• 🎙️ Recorded with a button with a microphone image.
• 💾 Files are automatically numbered and dated.
• ⏱️ You can set a time limit for recording in the settings.
• 📂 The folder with records is available through any file manager.

In addition to recording, the app allows you to set a sleep timer. This is convenient if you like to fall asleep under the radio. Go to the settings (cog icon), select "Switch off timer" and set the desired time. At a given interval, the app will automatically stop playback, which will help save the battery of the Redmi Note 9.

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Using a sleep timer and recording function turns a smartphone into a full-fledged digital voice recorder and alarm clock that does not require an Internet connection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)