How to change the theme of a call on Xiaomi: all the ways from standard to hidden

Smartphone ringing is the first thing people hear when someone calls you. Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO standard tunes get boring quickly, and sometimes just don't reflect your style. Fortunately, the manufacturer provides several ways to personalize, from basic settings to install custom ringtones through the file system.

But it’s not that simple: different versions of MIUI may have different paths to settings, and some features are hidden in the depths of the menu.This article covers all the current methods of changing the ringtone on Xiaomi devices (including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Black Shark 5 and other models of 2022-2026).

If you want to stand out from other Xiaomi owners, or just tired of the standard “Mi-sound”, read on. There are no universal “magic buttons” – only proven instructions for the features of MIUI 14 and newer.

1. Standard method: change the ringtone through settings

The most obvious method is to use built-in MIUI tools. It is suitable for most models, including the Xiaomi 13, Redmi 12C and POCO F5. The main advantage is that you do not need to install third-party applications or dig into the file system.

Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen) and go to the section:

Settings → Sound and vibration → Melody of the call

Here you will see a list of standard ringtones, sorted by category: Classic, MIUI, Nature, and others. Note: some firmware may have a section called Sound or Sound and Vibration.

To listen to a tune, tap the name. To use the ringtone you select, press OK or Ready (depending on the MIUI version). The changes will take effect immediately — check by calling your phone from another device.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) A2) After selecting a melody, it may be necessary to restart the changes to apply to the SIM-Map 2. It's a bug. MIUI 13, corrected in newer versions.

• 🔄 Quick Shift: Keep your finger on any tune in the list to add it to Favorites for quick access.
• 🎵 Pre-Earsay: Click on three dots next to the ringtone name to enable replay.
• 📱 Different tunes for SIM: If you have two. SIM-map, at the top of the screen will appear a switch to select which one to apply the changes.

💡

If standard tunes seem too quiet, check the volume settings in the section Sound and vibration → Volume → Media. Sometimes the system ringtones are tied to this regulator.

2. Setting up a custom ringing melody

Not everyone likes standard ringtones. Fortunately, MIUI allows you to set your own tunes, whether it's downloaded music, voice recording or a movie excerpt, the main condition is that the file must be in.mp3,.m4a or.ogg format, and its duration should not exceed 30 seconds (otherwise the system will cut the melody automatically).

Here is a step-by-step instruction for installing a custom ringtone:

1. Download or prepare an audio file on your computer. Recommended resolution: 192 kbps or higher for good sound.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB (file transfer mode) or upload the file directly to your phone (for example, via Telegram or browser).
3. Move the file to the Ringtones folder on the internal storage, and if it's not there, create it manually.
4. Open Settings → Sound and vibration → Call melody and select the Local tab. Your file should appear in the list.

⚠️ Note: If the file is not displayed, check its format and placement folder. MIUI Ignores files in the root directory or type folders Download/Music. Also make sure that the file name does not contain any special characters (e.g., #,%, spaces at the beginning).

For convenience, you can use ringtone management apps from Google Play, for example:

• 🎶 Zedge – a huge library of free tunes and notifications.
• 🔊 Ringtone Maker – allows you to crop tracks and convert them to the desired format.
• 📱 MP3 Cutter is a simple tool for creating ringtones from any audio files.

MP3/M4A/OGG| Duration ≤ 30 seconds | File placed in Ringtones| File name without special characters | Volume checked (not quieter -12 dB)

-->

3. Different tunes for different contacts

You want your mom to have one ringtone, your boss to have another, and a quiet tune to spam calls? In MIUI, this is done at the contact level. It works on all models, including the Xiaomi 12T and Redmi Note 11 Pro+.

To assign a unique tune:

1. Open the Contacts app (or Phone → Contacts tab).
2. Select the contact you want and click Edit (pencil icon).
3. Slip on the item Melody of the call (may be in the section "Additional" or "More").
4. Select a standard or custom tune from the list and save the changes.

If the item Melody of the call is missing, then the contact is not saved on the device, but in Google Account or SIM-In this case, the map:

Contacts → Settings (⚙) → Contact Display → Select Device

After that, the function will be available.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 12.5 for global version) custom contact tunes are unstable. If the ringtone is reset to a standard one after the appointment, try restarting the phone or updating the firmware.

4 Problems and Solutions: Why the Call Melody Hasn't Changed

Even after following the instructions, new ringtones may not be used, and here are the most common reasons and ways to eliminate them:

Problem 1: The castom melody is not listed.

• 📁 Check the folder: the file should be in /storage/emulated/0/Ringtones/ (Not Download or Music).
• 🔄 Restart your phone - sometimes MIUI It does not scan new files immediately.
• 📱 Install a file manager (such as Solid Explorer) and check folder access permissions.

Problem 2: The melody is reset to standard after the reboot.

• 🔧 It's a famous bug. MIUI 12.5-13 Solution: Update the firmware to MIUI 14 or newer.
• 📲 Check if the “Performance Mode” is set in the Settings → Special facilities → Productivity – It can block change.

Problem 3: The melody is playing, but very quiet.

• 🔊 Check the volume settings in Sound and Vibration → Loudness → Call.
• 🎛️ If you use a custom ringtone, make sure that the volume is normalized (you can raise it in Audacity or in the UK). MP3Louder).
• 📵 Some models (e.g. Redmi) 10A) weak speaker - in this case, only a replacement at the service center will help.

5. Hidden features: fine tuning of sound in MIUI

Beyond the basic settings, MIUI offers a few hidden features for advanced users, not available on all models, but can greatly improve the experience.

1. Separate melodies for SIM-map

If you have a smartphone with two SIM-cards (for example, Xiaomi) 11T or Redmi Note 11S), You can assign different ringtones to each of them:

Settings → SIM- Maps and Mobile Networks → [Select SIM] → Call Melody

2 Vibration by rhythm of the melody

MIUI 14 has a vibration synchronization function with the ringtone, so it's enabled:

Settings → Sound and vibration → Vibration when ringing → Rhythmic vibration

MIUI

3. Volume settings on schedule

If you need your phone to ring louder during the day and quieter at night, use Do Not Disturb mode with exceptions:

Settings → Sound and vibration → Do not disturb → Schedule

You can set hours of silence and choose which contacts or apps can bypass this restriction.

💡

On models with IR-blaster (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro) ringtones may conflict with the remote. If the ringtone is interrupted when using the remote, turn off the function Quickly turn on IR in the settings of additional functions.

6.Alternative methods: ADB and third-party launchers

For users who lack standard features, there are more advanced ways: They require technical skills, but they open up hidden features.

Method 1: Assigning a ringtone through ADB

If your Xiaomi model does not allow custom tunes (for example, Black Shark 4), you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put system ringtone /storage/emulated/0/Ringtones/your_tone.mp3
3. Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB It can cause your phone to crash. Don't change your system settings if you're not sure what you're doing.

Method 2: Launchers with support for sound themes

Some launchers (such as Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher) allow you to assign unique sounds for different actions.

• Install a launcher from Google Play.
• In the launcher settings, find the “Sounds” or “Themes” section.
• Download a sound pack (like Pixel Sounds or iOS Ringtones) and apply it.

This method doesn’t change the system ringtones, but only the sounds of the interface, but it can be useful for a comprehensive phone design.

7 Sound Optimization: How to Make the Rington Louder and Clearer

Even the most beautiful tune loses meaning if it is not heard well, here are some tips on how to improve the sound of a ringtone on Xiaomi:

1. Equalizer adjustment

MIUI has a built-in equalizer that can be applied to system sounds:

Settings → Sound and vibration → Sound equalizer → Manually configure

For ringtones, we recommend increasing the frequencies of 2-4 kHz (this will make the sound more piercing) and slightly lower the basses (60-250 Hz) so that there are no wheezing.

2. Use of external dynamics

If the built-in speaker is weak (relevant to the Redmi 9A or POCO M4 Pro), connect the phone to external acoustics via Bluetooth or 3.5 mm connector (if any).

• Go to Settings → Connected devices → Bluetooth.
• Connect the speaker or headphones.
• Enable the option of Media Sound via Bluetooth (if available).

3. Physical damage check

If the ringtone is quieter after falling or getting moisture, the speaker may have been damaged.

• 🔊 Play music through the built-in speaker – if the sound is distorted or missing, you need a replacement.
• 📵 Call your phone and put your ear on the bottom of the body (where the speaker is located). If the sound is only heard when pressed tightly, the contact is likely to have gone away.

💡

On models with stereo speakers (such as the Xiaomi 11 Ultra), the ringtone is only played by default through the bottom speaker. To use both, install custom firmware or use the customized firmware. ADB-numerator.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the ringtone to Xiaomi