How to turn on and configure the radio on Xiaomi Redmi 9: all ways 2026

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, which is still actively used in the 2026 year. Despite the modest price, the device supports FM-radio, but not all users know how to set it up. Unlike streaming services, the radio on the smartphone works without the Internet, does not consume mobile traffic and is ideal for traveling out of town or on the subway.

The main problem is that the manufacturer does not always install the standard radio application by default, and the FM- module requires wired headphones (they act as an antenna) to work. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to set up radio on the Redmi 9, including the use of built-in tools and third-party applications, as well as solve common errors such as no sound or poor signal reception.

Check support for FM-radio on Xiaomi Redmi 9

Before you start setting up, make sure your smartphone does support FM-radio. In the Redmi 9 (M2003J15SC models, M2004J19G and other modifications), the hardware FM- module is present, but its operation depends on firmware and regional restrictions.

To check for the module:

• 🔍 Go to Settings → About Phone → Full Specification and find the item "FM-radio." If it's not there, it doesn't mean there's no module, it's just the manufacturer hasn't displayed the information.
• 🎧 Connect wired headphones (required to have a 3.5mm connector!) and try running the standard Radio app.
• 📱 Install a third-party verification app, such as FM Radio from Simple Radio (available on Google Play).

If the radio is not working after you connect the headphones and start the app, the problem may be in the firmware. On some custom ROM (for example, LineageOS), the FM- module is disabled by default, in which case you will need manual activation through an engineering menu or flashing.

Configure the radio through the standard Mi Radio app

If your Xiaomi Redmi 9 has a Mi Radio app pre-installed, you can set up the radio in a few steps. This app is designed specifically for Xiaomi devices and optimized for their hardware platform.

Instructions for setting:

1. Connect the wired headphones to the 3.5mm jack (they'll be used as an antenna).
2. Open the Mi Radio app (if not, download it from Google Play or App Gallery).
3. Press the button Enable the radio and wait for the automatic search stations.
4. If the search has not started, click on the magnifying glass icon (🔍) in the upper right corner.
5. After the scan is completed, select your favorite station from the list.

In the standard application, additional functions are available:

• 📌 Save your favorite stations to your favorites.
• 🔊 Volume and equalizer adjustment (in some versions).
• ⏱️ Auto-shutdown timer.
• 📡 Manual frequency addition if the automatic search does not find the desired station.

Connect wired headphones with a 3.5 mm connector |

Make sure the headphones are working (check on another device)|

Run the Mi Radio app and wait for initialization|

If there is no sound, check the volume and connection of the headphones.-->

Important: Some MIUI firmware may not have the Mi Radio application even if you have a FM- module, in which case use the third-party solutions described below.

Use of third-party radio applications

If a standard application is missing or is not running smoothly, you can use third-party software, the most popular and proven:

To install and configure a third-party application:

1. Download the selected application from Google Play.
2. Connect the wired headphones.
3. Launch the application and provide the necessary permissions (access to the microphone or audio may be required for the FM- module to work).
4. Click Scan or Search Stations.
5. If the app does not find the station, try manually entering the frequency (for example, 101.2 FM for Moscow).

Some applications, such as NextRadio, require the FM- module to be activated via an engineering menu, and if the radio doesn't work after you install it, check the developer's settings or update the firmware.

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If the radio doesn’t turn on after installing the third-party app, try turning off the energy-saving mode for that application in the battery settings.

Solving radio problems on Xiaomi Redmi 9

Even with the right setup, Redmi 9 users may face typical problems such as no sound, poor reception, or inability to find stations.

1.The radio does not turn on or find the station

• 🔌 Check the headphones' connectivity -- they should be wired and serviceable. Wireless headphones and adapters won't work.
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone and try again.
• 📡 Make sure you are in FM- coverage (in remote areas, signal may not be available).
• 🛠️ Update the firmware MIUI to the latest version via Settings → System Update.

2. Bad reception or noise

• 🎧 Try using headphones with longer cables, which will improve reception.
• 📍 Move closer to the window or into the open space.
• 🔄 Manually enter the station frequency (e.g. 103.4 FM for Radio Maximum in Moscow).
• 🔇 Reduce the noise reduction level in the application settings (if you have such an option).

3. No sound when the radio is running

• 🔊 Check the radio volume and system volume in the app.
• 🎵 Make sure the sound is not redirected to the Bluetooth device.
• 🔧 Reinstall the application or clear its cache to Settings → Apps → Radio → Storage.
• 🛠️ Check the headphones on another device — the connector may be faulty.

If nothing helps, the problem may be a hardware malfunction of the FM- module, in which case you only need to listen to the radio over the Internet (for example, in Yandex Music applications or VK Radio).

Activation of FM-radio via the engineering menu (for experienced users)

If standard methods don't work, you can try to turn on the FM- module through the engineering menu, which is suitable for advanced users and requires caution.

Instructions:

1. Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##3644633###
2. In the menu, select Hardware Testing → FM Radio.
3. Press the FM Radio Test and wait for initialization.
4. If the module is active, you will see the message FM Radio: Pass.
5. Return to the main menu and restart your smartphone.

Then try to run the radio app again, and if the module has been software-disabled, this method will help activate it.

⚠️ Warning: Do not change other settings in the engineering menu unless you are sure of their purpose. Incorrect actions can cause a malfunction of the smartphone.

If the radio still doesn't work after activation, it might be the firmware problem, and then flashing it to the official or custom version of MIUI with FM support will help.

Alternative ways to listen to the radio on Xiaomi Redmi 9

If the FM-radio hardware never worked, don’t despair – there are several alternative ways to listen to the radio on your smartphone:

• 🌍 Internet radio: Apps like TuneIn Radio, Radio Garden or Yandex Music offer thousands of stations from all over the world.
• 📻 DAB- Radio: Digital radio (DAB+) is available in some regions, but an external USB- receiver (connects via OTG- cable) is required to receive it.
• 🎵 Podcasts and recordings: Many radio stations post their broadcasts in podcast format (e.g. BBC Radio or Echo of Moscow).
• 📱 Mirror from another device: If you have an old radio with a 3.5mm output, you can connect it to your smartphone via an auxiliary cable.

To save traffic while listening to Internet radio:

• Use low flow quality (64-128 kbps).
• Download transmissions in advance via Wi-Fi (if the application supports offline mode).
• Turn off background playback in other applications.

If you often listen to radio on trips, consider buying a portable FM- battery-powered receiver – this will save you from setting up problems on your smartphone.

Comparison of FM-radio and Internet radio on Xiaomi Redmi 9

To understand which way of listening to the radio is right for you, compare their key features:

The choice depends on your needs:

• 🚗 If you travel out of town or on the subway, FM- radio is more reliable.
• 🌎 If you want foreign stations or podcasts, choose Internet radio.
• 🔋 If battery saving is important, FM is preferable.

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FM- Radio on Xiaomi Redmi 9 works without Internet and does not consume mobile traffic, but requires wired headphones and a good signal. Internet radio gives more features, but depends on the connection speed and consumes battery.

FAQ: Frequent questions about radio on Xiaomi Redmi 9