How to Put Your Music on an Alarm in Xiaomi: All Ways

Waking up to your favorite tune makes the morning feel better, but standard alarms in Xiaomi quickly get bored. Fortunately, MIUI allows you to set your own audio files as an alarm clock — you just need to know where to look for this feature. Depending on the version of the shell and smartphone model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.), the algorithm may be slightly different, but the general principle remains unchanged.

In this article, we'll look at all the current ways, from standard melody selection through alarm settings to workarounds for older versions of MIUI, where the function is hidden. Also, you'll learn what audio formats are supported, how to crop a track right on your phone, and why sometimes a set melody is reset to a standard. If you want to wake up to your favorite song from Spotify or record a loved one's voice, read on.

Preparation: what audio files are suitable for the alarm clock

Before setting the music to the alarm clock, make sure your audio file meets the MIUI requirements.The system supports most popular formats, but there are nuances:

• 🎵 Formats:.mp3,.m4a (AAC),.ogg or.flac formats may not be played.
• 📏 Length: Optimal - up to 30 seconds. Long tracks will be cut by the system automatically (usually the first 30 seconds are taken).
• 📁 Location: The file should be in the phone’s memory (internal or microSD) and not in the cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).
• 🔊 Loudness: Make sure the file is not too quiet – the alarm clock will play it in the same volume as in the player.

Important: In MIUI 14 and later, the system automatically normalizes the volume of the alarm clock, so too quiet files can become even quieter. If your track is barely audible, increase the volume in any audio editor (for example, in Lexis Audio Editor or online service AudioTool) before downloading.

Where can I get the right audio file?

• 📱 Write it yourself: Use a built-in voice recorder (Write sound in Xiaomi) or an app like Voice Recorder.
• 🎧 Services like Zedge or Notification Sounds offer free tunes for alarm clocks.
• 💿 Convert from Video: Using YouTube to MP3-converters (e.g. converters, YTMP3) or applications such as Snaptube.

Method 1: Install music through standard alarm settings

This is the easiest method that works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12 and newer (including Redmi 10/11/12, POCO F4/X5, Xiaomi 12/13/14).

1. Open the Clock app (icon with dial).
2. Go to the Alarm tab (bell icon at the bottom of the screen).
3. Click on an existing alarm clock or create a new one (+ Add).
4. Slap the alarm clock sound (or Melody in older versions).
5. In the window that opens, select Local Music or Other Sounds (name depends on the version of MIUI).
6. Find the desired audio file in the list and confirm the choice.

If your file is not on the list, check:

• 🔍 The file is located in the Music, Ringtones or Notifications folder (the system scans only these directories by default).
• 🔄 Update the file list by pulling the screen down (as when updating your feed on social networks).
• 📂 Move the file to the Internal Storage root folder (sometimes) MIUI Cannot see files in deep folders).

Check the format (MP3/M4A/WAV)

Cut the track to 30 seconds

Move the file to the Music or Ringtones folder

Turn up the volume (if necessary)

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Problem: Some firmware (e.g. MIUI 13 for Redmi Note 10 Pro) may not have Local Music option, in which case move to Method 2.

Method 2: Using a file manager to select a tune

If the standard method didn’t work, you can set the music to the alarm through Files (the built-in Xiaomi file manager), which is universal and works even on older versions of MIUI:

1. Open the Files app (folder icon).
2. Find your audio file and hold your finger on it to create a context menu.
3. Select Set How → The sound of the alarm clock.
4. Confirm the action. The file will be automatically copied to the Ringtones system folder.

Now go back to the alarm settings (Clock → Alarm clock → Alarm clock) and select your file from the Local Music section. It should appear there.

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If the “Install as” option is not available, update the Files app via Google Play or download an alternative manager such as Files by Google.

On some devices (POCO M4 Pro, Redmi 9A), this method may not work due to manufacturer limitations, and Method 3 will help.

Method 3: Manually copying a file to a system folder

If previous methods didn't work, you can manually put the audio file in a folder that MIUI scans for melodies.

1. Connect your phone to your computer via USB (in file transfer mode) or use the file manager on your smartphone.
2. Go to Internal Storage → Ringtones, and if you don't have one, create it manually.
3. Copy your audio file into this folder. The file name should be in Latin (without Cyrillic and special characters!).
4. Restart your phone (it is imperative that the system updates the tone list).
5. Open the clock → alarm clock → alarm clock → local music and select your file.

If the Ringtones folder doesn’t appear after the reboot, try alternative ways:

• 📁 Internal Storage → Media → Audio → Ringtones
• 📁 Internal Storage → MIUI → Ringtones

Note: On devices with MIUI 14 and later (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra, POCO F5), system folders can be protected. If you can't create a Ringtones folder, use Method 4.

Method 4: Using Third-Party Applications

If the standard methods don't work, third-party apps will come to the rescue, which allows you to bypass the limitations of MIUI and set any music on an alarm clock.

Option 1: Appendix "Ringtone Maker"

This app not only sets the tunes, but also allows you to crop tracks:

1. Download Ringtone Maker from Google Play.
2. Open the app and select your audio file.
3. Cut the track (optional) and click Save.
4. Select Set as an alarm clock.
5. In the alarm settings (Clock → Alarm clock) select the saved melody.

Option 2: Annex “Zedge”

Zedge offers a huge library of ready-made tunes and allows you to install your files:

1. Install Zedge from Google Play.
2. Go to the Ringtones tab (alarm clock sounds).
3. Click on the + icon in the upper right corner and select My Files.
4. Find your audio file and set it as an alarm clock.

The advantage of Zedge is that files are automatically copied to system folders, so they are guaranteed to appear in the list of tunes.

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The application side is a universal solution for older versions of MIUI (up to 12 inclusive), where there is no built-in option for selecting local music.

Why the alarm clock doesn't play my music: common problems

Sometimes users find that the set melody is not played or reset to a standard.

Note: On some devices (Redmi 9C, POCO M3), user tunes are reset after the MIUI update. To avoid this, back up the Ringtones folder before upgrading.

If the problem persists, try:

• 🔄 Remove and reset the alarm clock.
• 📲 Reset the settings of the Watch application (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → The clock → Warehouse → Clear the data).
• 🔧 Install an alternative alarm app (e.g. Sleep as Android or Alarmy).

Additional settings: vibration, repetition and smooth volume increase

Set the music on the alarm clock is half the battle, and to make the awakening comfortable, set the additional settings:

• 🔕 Vibration: Turn on the alarm clock settings (Vibration). AMOLED-Vibration screens work even in silent mode.
• 🔄 Repeat: Set the repetition interval (Repeat each time). 5/10 minutes) to keep you awake.
• 📈 Smooth volume increase: Enable the option to gradually increase volume (available in the MIUI 13/14).

On devices with MIUI 14, a smart alarm function has been introduced, which analyzes the phases of sleep and selects the optimal time to wake up.

1. Open the clock. → Alarm clock.
2. Create a new alarm clock or edit an existing one.
3. Activate the Smart Alarm Switch.
4. Set a time range (for example, ±30 minutes of the main time).

This feature only works when you have Google Fit or Mi Fitness enabled and requires access to sleep data.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions