The FM Radio app is one of those preinstalled apps that just sits there. You never use it, but you can't get rid of it the normal way. No "Uninstall" button. Sometimes even "Disable" is greyed out. And yet, there it is, cluttering up your app drawer.
You're not stuck with it. There are a few solid ways to remove or disable the FM Radio app on Android — and most of them don't require root access.
Key Takeaways
The FM Radio app is a system app, which is why you can't delete it the normal way
The easiest method is disabling it through Android Settings — no computer needed
ADB lets you remove it for your user profile without touching system files, and it's reversible
Tools like Shizuku and Canta let you do the same thing from your phone, no PC required
Root-based removal is permanent but risky, and usually not worth it just for one app
If you rely on FM radio for local stations or emergencies, disable instead of deleting
Why You Can't Just Uninstall the FM Radio App
Most apps you download from the Play Store can be uninstalled in seconds. The FM Radio app is different. It's a system app — meaning it came pre-installed by your phone's manufacturer and lives in a read-only part of your phone's storage.
Android's package manager can't erase apps from that read-only partition during normal use. That's why the "Uninstall" button is missing and "Disable" is sometimes greyed out. The app is treated as part of the phone's core software, even if you've never opened it once.
On most devices, the FM Radio app is also tied to a hardware FM tuner chip. It needs wired headphones as an antenna to work. If your phone doesn't even have that chip, the app is basically a non-functional stub sitting on your device.
Understanding this helps you pick the right removal method. You're not uninstalling in the traditional sense — you're either disabling, hiding, or removing it from your user profile while leaving the system files untouched.
Method 1: Disable It Through Android Settings (Easiest)
This is the safest and simplest way to remove FM radio from Android. No computer, no commands, no risk. The app won't run in the background, won't show up in your app drawer, and won't send notifications.
Here's how to do it:
Open Settings on your phone
Go to Apps (sometimes called "Apps & notifications" or "Application manager")
Tap the option to show all apps, including system apps (look for a filter or three-dot menu)
Scroll down and find FM Radio or Radio
Tap on it, then tap Disable
Confirm when prompted
Once disabled, the app is gone from your daily view. It's still technically installed, but it won't run or show up anywhere you'd notice.
To bring it back, just go back to the same screen and tap Enable.
What If the Disable Button Is Greyed Out?
On some devices and custom ROMs, the disable button isn't available for certain system apps. This is a manufacturer decision. If that's the case for you, skip ahead to the ADB method below — it bypasses this limitation.
Method 2: Hide the Icon Without Disabling the App
If all you want is to stop seeing the FM Radio icon in your app drawer, this is the quickest fix.
On most Android launchers, you can long-press the FM Radio icon and drag it to a Remove label at the top of the screen. This removes the shortcut but not the app itself.
On Xiaomi phones running MIUI, that's exactly how the built-in launcher works by default. Dragging to "Remove" only hides the shortcut. The app stays installed and can still run in the background.
Some third-party launchers like Nova Launcher also let you hide specific apps from the drawer. Go to the launcher settings and look for an app hiding or blacklist option. Add FM Radio there and it disappears from view.
Keep in mind: this method is purely cosmetic. If background activity or battery usage is your concern, hiding the icon won't fix that. Use the disable or ADB method instead.
Method 3: Remove FM Radio Using ADB (No Root Needed)
This is the most powerful non-root method to remove FM radio from Android. ADB (Android Debug Bridge) lets you run commands on your phone from a computer. You can uninstall the app for your user profile without touching the actual system files.
The result looks and feels like a real uninstall. The app disappears completely from your device. And if you ever want it back, one command restores it.
Step 1: Set Up ADB on Your Computer
Download the Android SDK platform-tools from Google's official site for your operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux). Extract the folder somewhere easy to find, like your desktop.
Step 2: Enable Developer Options on Your Phone
Open Settings
Go to About phone
Find Build number (on Xiaomi, it's labeled "MIUI version")
Tap it 7 times until you see "You are now a developer"
Step 3: Enable USB Debugging
Go back to Settings
Find Developer options (sometimes under "Additional settings")
Turn on USB debugging
Step 4: Connect Your Phone to Your Computer
Plug your phone in via USB. Open a terminal or command prompt window inside the platform-tools folder.
Run this command to check the connection:
adb devices
Your phone should appear in the list. If it says "unauthorized," look at your phone screen and tap Allow when prompted.
Step 5: Find the FM Radio Package Name
Package names vary by manufacturer. Common ones include:
com.miui.fm on Xiaomi / MIUI
com.android.fmradio on stock Android
com.caf.fmradio on some Qualcomm-based devices
com.huaqin.FM on some budget brands
To find the exact name on your phone, run:
adb shell pm list packages | grep -i fm
This filters all packages with "fm" in the name and should reveal the right one.
Step 6: Uninstall FM Radio for Your User
Once you have the package name, run this command (replace com.miui.fm with your actual package name):
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.fm
You should see Success in the terminal. Go check your phone — the FM Radio app is gone.
Don't want to deal with a computer? Shizuku is an app that lets you run ADB-level commands directly from your phone, once set up. Pair it with an app called Canta, and you get a clean interface for uninstalling system apps like FM Radio — no PC needed.
It's a great middle ground. More power than the Settings disable option, and no computer required after setup.
How to Set It Up
Install Shizuku from the Play Store
Go to Developer Options and turn on Wireless debugging
Open Shizuku, tap Wireless debugging, and follow the pairing steps using the pairing code shown in your notifications
Once Shizuku is running, install Canta from the Play Store
Open Canta and grant it permission when Shizuku asks
How to Remove FM Radio With Canta
Open Canta
All your apps — including system apps — appear in the list
Find FM Radio and tap Uninstall
Confirm the removal
The app moves to a "removed apps" section inside Canta. To restore it, just find it there and tap Restore.
Shizuku uses the same underlying pm uninstall --user 0 command as the ADB method. Same result, just through a more user-friendly interface.
If your phone is already rooted, you can permanently remove the FM Radio app from the system partition. This means it won't come back from any user action — including a factory reset.
On rooted devices, you can use a root-capable file manager like Root Explorer or FX File Explorer to navigate to one of these paths:
/system/priv-app/FM
/system/app/FM
Delete or rename the folder (renaming to FM_bak keeps a backup). Then reboot.
Alternatively, from a terminal emulator with root access:
su
mount -o rw,remount /system
rm -rf /system/priv-app/FM
mount -o ro,remount /system
reboot
Root tools like Titanium Backup, SD Maid, and System App Remover also offer more user-friendly ways to freeze or delete system apps.
Why You Probably Shouldn't Do This Just for FM Radio
Root-based deletion is permanent without reflashing your ROM. If something goes wrong, recovery is complicated.
Community guides from XDA Developers consistently warn against deleting packages like com.android.systemui, com.android.settings, or com.android.phone — doing so can cause bootloops. FM Radio isn't in that critical tier, but the risk is real enough that most experts recommend the ADB method instead.
Unless you're already rooted for other reasons, it's not worth rooting your phone just to remove FM Radio.
Which Method Should You Use?
Here's a simple breakdown based on your situation:
Just want to stop seeing the app: Disable via Settings or hide the icon in your launcher
Want it completely gone, no PC: Use Shizuku and Canta
Comfortable with a computer and want full control: Use ADB with pm uninstall --user 0
Already rooted and want permanent removal: Use a root file manager or Titanium Backup
Not sure and want the safest option: Disable via Settings
When You Might Not Want to Delete FM Radio
Worth saying before you go ahead: if you live in an area with frequent severe weather or power outages, the FM Radio app can actually be useful. Over-the-air FM broadcasts stay available when internet and mobile networks go down.
If you're not sure whether you'll ever need FM radio in an emergency, the disable route is smarter than full deletion. You can always re-enable it in seconds.
A Note for Android Head Unit Owners
If you're running an aftermarket Android head unit in your car, the same methods above apply. Most Android-based head units have FM Radio as a preinstalled system app.
On many head units, you can uninstall apps directly from the built-in settings. Navigate to Settings > Apps > See all apps (sometimes under a "More" or "System" submenu), find the FM Radio app, and uninstall or disable from there.
At Car Tech Studio, we work with Android head units every day. If you're thinking about replacing your car's infotainment system entirely, upgrading to a modern Android unit that supports wireless CarPlay and Android Auto is worth considering. These newer units come with cleaner app setups, so you deal with far less bloatware out of the box. You can browse universal double din head units or single din options depending on your vehicle's dash configuration. We also carry Tesla-style vertical screens for a wide range of makes and models if you want a more dramatic upgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete the FM Radio app without a computer?
Yes. The easiest way is to disable it through Settings > Apps > FM Radio > Disable. If you want to fully uninstall it without a computer, install Shizuku and Canta from the Play Store, pair them via wireless debugging, and remove the app from Canta's interface.
Is it safe to remove the FM Radio app on Android?
Yes, for most devices. FM Radio is not a critical system service. Using the ADB pm uninstall --user 0 command or Shizuku is safe and fully reversible. Root-based deletion carries more risk and isn't recommended just for removing this one app.
Will the FM Radio app come back after a factory reset?
Yes, if you used the ADB pm uninstall --user 0 method or Shizuku. These methods remove the app for your user profile only. A factory reset recreates that profile and reinstalls all system apps from the read-only partition. Only root-level deletion from /system is truly permanent.
Why is the Disable button greyed out for FM Radio?
Some manufacturers lock certain system apps from being disabled through the standard settings UI. This is a vendor policy decision. In that case, use ADB or Shizuku instead — these methods bypass the restriction and work even when the Disable button is unavailable.
What is the FM Radio package name on Xiaomi phones?
On Xiaomi and Redmi devices running MIUI, the FM Radio app's package name is com.miui.fm. Use this in your ADB commands: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.fm
Does disabling FM Radio affect battery life or performance?
Minimally. The FM Radio app is generally small and not particularly resource-intensive when idle. Disabling it prevents any background services it runs from starting, which can slightly reduce background process count. The practical impact on battery life is small, but it's a worthwhile step if you're doing a broader debloat.
How do I know the correct package name for FM Radio on my device?
Run this ADB command while connected to your phone: adb shell pm list packages | grep -i fm. This filters all packages with "fm" in the name. On most devices, the FM Radio app will show up clearly in the results.
Can I remove FM Radio from an Android car head unit?
Yes. Most aftermarket Android head units allow you to uninstall or disable apps via Settings > Apps > See all apps. The exact path varies by unit manufacturer. If that option isn't available, ADB works the same way on Android head units as it does on phones — using the same pm uninstall --user 0 commands.
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