FM-Xiaomi Redmi 5 radio: how to turn on, configure and listen without the Internet

Xiaomi Redmi 5, released in 2017, is still a popular budget smartphone due to its reliability and functionality. FM-receiver, which allows you to listen to the radio without using mobile traffic and battery, but many users have difficulty configuring it: where to find the application, why not catch stations or why the radio refuses to work without headphones.

In this article, we will discuss all ways to activate the radio on Redmi 5 (including the versions with the radio). MIUI 10–14), explain how to connect the headphones to operate the antenna, and give tips for improving the reception quality, and you will learn what to do if the radio disappears after the upgrade or does not find any stations. 5A, Redmi 5 Plus and the standard version.

Before you go to setup, make sure your smartphone supports FM-In Redmi 5, the receiver chip is built into the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 processor, but it depends on the firmware. If you use custom firmware (like LineageOS), the radio can be turned off at the core level.

Verification of support FM-Radio on Xiaomi Redmi 5

Not all Redmi 5 versions are working. FM-To avoid wasting effort, first check for it:

Open Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on the kernel line to activate Developer Mode.
Go back to Settings → More → For developers and find the Debugging by USB (enable it).
Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line: adb shell dumpsys radio If the answer has a line FM Radio: supported, your device is ready to configure.

An alternative way is to use the RadioInfo app from Google Play, which will show you whether your chip supports FM, and even determine the frequency range (for example, 87.5-108 MHz for Europe).

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi 5s with firmware for India or China FM-The radio can be blocked regionally, and then only the global version can be reflashed. MIUI.

Where to find the Radio app on Xiaomi Redmi 5

In standard MIUI, the radio app is hidden deep in the menu, and here are all the possible ways to access it:

📱 Through the Notification Panel: Swipe down from the top edge of the screen and find the Radio tile (if not, tap Edit and add manually).
🔍 Search by system: Swipe down the main screen and type "radio" in the search bar. FM Radio.
📂 In the Tools folder: On some versions MIUI radio hidden in a folder with utilities (for example, Calculator, Recorder).
🛠️ Through Settings: Go to Settings → Annexes → All the apps and find FM Radio on the list.

If the app is missing, you can install it manually. APK-file of official radio for Xiaomi from APKCombo (look for com.miui.fm version). note that third-party radio applications (e.g. Spirit) FM) Redmi 5 is not working properly due to restrictions MIUI.

📊 You're using it. FM-smartphone?

Yeah, regularly.

Sometimes, on the road.

No, I prefer streaming.

I didn't know it was possible.

Turn-based radio setup on Redmi 5

When you find the app, you start setting up, and you're going to need wired headphones, which are the antenna, and wireless headphones (including Bluetooth) for the device. FM-radio won't do!

Connect the wired headphones to the 3.5mm connector

Close all background applications to save battery

Make sure you are in the coverage area. FM-stationery

Turn off In-Aircraft mode.

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Now follow the instructions:

Open the FM Radio app. When you first start up, the system will request permission to access the microphone and location (required for station search).
Press the Scan button, the smartphone will start scanning the airwaves for stations, and it will take 10 to 30 seconds.
Once you've finished scanning, you'll see a list of the stations you found.
To manually adjust the frequency, use the slider at the bottom of the screen or enter the frequency manually (for example, 103.4 for Radio Maximum in Moscow).

On Redmi 5 with MIUI 12+, the background recording function is disabled by default. To activate it, go to Radio Settings → Additional → Background recording and switch on.

Problem.	Possible cause	Decision
Radio's off.	Headphones not connected or damaged	Check the 3.5mm jack, try the other headphones
No sound.	Loudness at a minimum or headphones are not recognized	Increase the volume with buttons on the body, clean the connector
Can't find the station.	Weak signal or incorrect range	Move closer to the window or manually specify the range (87.5-108 MHz)
App flies out	Conflict with other applications or cache damaged	Clear the radio cache in Settings → Apps

How to improve the quality of reception FM-radio

If the stations are caught with interference or interrupted, try these methods:

📡 Use headphones as an antenna: Unwind the wire and position it vertically, which will amplify the signal. The optimal length of the wire for receiving is 50-70 cm.
🏙️ Change location: In cities, the signal is better caught by the window or on the balcony. In rural areas, try going outside.
🔋 Turn off energy saving: Go to Settings → Battery → Energy saving mode and add FM Radio excepted.
🛠️ Update the firmware: In older versions MIUI (11 below) the radio was unstable. Update via Settings → Updating the system.

For advanced users, if you're willing to sacrifice the warranty, you can strengthen the signal hardware. Connect to the 3.5 mm connector. FM-antenna with amplifier (sold on AliExpress for 200-500) ₽). The antenna is connected via an adapter and increases the reception radius to 50 km.

💡

If the radio is constantly interrupted, try to turn off Wi-Fi and mobile data – they can interfere at frequencies close to the radio. FM-range.

Problem Solutions: Radio is not working or is gone

The most common faults and their solutions:

It was probably disabled or deleted to get back:

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show all apps.
Find FM Radio, click Enable and Show on the home screen.

2.Radio does not catch station after MIUI update

Updates often reset the radio settings. Try:

Reset your radio settings to Settings → Applications → FM Radio → Storage → Clear the data.
Set a manual frequency range (for example, for Russia: 87.5-108 MHz).
Reverse to the previous version of MIUI via Fastboot (instructions on xiaomi.eu).

3.The radio only works with original headphones

This is a MIUI limitation for some regions.

Install Magisk and FM Radio Unlocker.
Or edit the file /system/build.prop by adding the string ro.fmradio.enable=true.

⚠️ Note: Editing system files without root rights can cause a device to blink.Before making changes, back up through TWRP Recovery.

Alternative ways to listen to the radio on Redmi 5

If the built-in radio doesn’t work or you’re not happy with its functionality, consider alternatives:

🌍 Online radio: Apps like Radio Garden or TuneIn Radio offer thousands of stations from around the world, but require the Internet.
📻 DAB-Radio: Digital radio (where available) requires external radio DAB-adapter (e.g, XORO HRS 8670) connected by USB-C.
🎧 Bluetooth receivers: Devices like the Tronsmart Apollo Bold catch FM-signal and transmit it to the phone over Bluetooth.

Comparison of methods:

Method	Pluses	Cons	Internet is required
Built-in FM-radio	Without internet, low battery consumption	Limited set of stations, need headphones	No.
Online radio (TuneIn)	Large selection of stations, good quality	Traffic consumption, dependence on communication	Yes.
DAB-adapter	Digital quality, more stations	Additional costs are not available everywhere	No.

For travelers: If you travel abroad a lot, check out NextRadio. RDS (transferring song titles and news stories and working with most FM-Qualcomm chips, including the one installed in Redmi 5.

Hidden radio features on Xiaomi Redmi 5

Few people know, but the built-in radio on MIUI has hidden features:

🎵 Recording of the air: During the listening, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Record.The file will be saved to Mi Music → Radio recordings.
⏰ Sleep timer: In the radio settings there is a timer option - you can set an automatic shutdown after 15-120 minutes.
📌 Favorite stations: Long-clicking station on list adds it to Favorites for quick access.
🔊 Equator: In some versions MIUI Built-in equalizer is available (open radio settings) → Sound).

How to turn on RDS on Redmi 5

To activate the function RDS (displaying the names of songs and newsletters, you need to edit the file /system/etc/audio_platform_info.xml root access. Find a line. <fm rds="false"> And you can replace false with true. RDS.

Another life hack: if you listen to the radio through the speaker (without headphones), connect an empty audio cable 3.5 mm in the connector - it will act as an antenna, and the sound will go to the external speaker.

💡

Xiaomi Redmi 5 on the phone FM-radio works only with wired headphones connected – this is a hardware limitation, which is impossible to circumvent without an external antenna.

FAQ: Frequent questions about radio on Xiaomi Redmi 5

Can I listen to the Redmi 5 radio without a headphone?

No, headphones are mandatory, they act as an antenna, but you can use a 3.5 mm adapter. → USB-C It's an external antenna (e.g., from an old radio), and some users are also successfully connected. FM-transmitter to audio input, but the signal quality will be worse.

Why is Redmi 5 only catching a few stations?

It depends on: your location (there are more stations in the city than in the countryside); local transmitter capacity (some stations only broadcast at 1-2 kW); range settings (the European band 87.5-108 MHz can be set by default in MIUI, and other frequencies are used in your region); Try manually entering the frequencies of popular stations in your city (you can find them on the FMScan website).

How to save a radio station in a favorite on Redmi 5?

Open the FM Radio app, find the station you want, and make a long press on the name on the list. In the menu that appears, select Add to your favorites. You can also tap the heart next to the frequency.

Radio on Redmi 5 is jammed – how to fix it?

Interference occurs because: Weak signal — try to move closer to the window or use headphones with a longer wire. Electromagnetic tips — turn off nearby devices (router, microwave). Damaged audio jack — clean the socket 3.5 mm alcohol and cotton swab. If there is interference in the form of hiss, try to enable the radio option in the settings of noise reduction (if available in your version of MIUI).

Can I listen to the Redmi 5 radio via Bluetooth?

Live broadcast FM-There's no signal on the Bluetooth device, but there's a workaround: Connect the wired headphones to the phone (to run the antenna), turn on the radio and start listening. Activate Bluetooth audio in your radio settings (if available) or use the SoundWire app to stream audio to the speaker. Note that there will be a double delay: first the signal goes to the headphones, then relayed over Bluetooth.