How to remove the default call on Xiaomi: a step-by-step guide

Owners of modern smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO often face a situation where the standard melodic signal installed by developers begins to annoy or simply ceases to correspond to personal preferences. The MIUI shell, and now the new HyperOS, provide ample customization options, but finding the right switch to replace or completely turn off the sound can take a long time. Many users mistakenly believe that you can not completely “remove” the sound, and put up with intrusive trills.

In fact, the Android operating system that powers the Chinese giant's devices allows for flexible management of audio profiles. Not only can you replace a standard track with your own composition, but you can also customize scenarios where the phone will be silent in certain situations. It's important to understand the difference between completely shutting down the sound (no sound mode) and replacing the ringtone file with an empty or silent track, since technically these actions are performed in different ways.

In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods for managing incoming calls. We will look at the regular system tools, working with the file system for advanced users and the nuances of settings in the latest firmware. Replacing the system ringtone file with an empty file with the same name is the only way to make the phone completely silent when calling, leaving vibrations and notifications on. Get ready to dive into the intricacies of the audio settings of your gadget.

Basic configuration through the system menu

The easiest and safest way to change or try to disable a standard call is to use the built-in audio settings. The MIUI and HyperOS interface are logically structured, allowing you to find the desired partition in a few taps. First, you need to go to the main menu of your smartphone settings and select the partition responsible for audio.

In the list that opens, look for Sound and Vibration. This is where all the volume sliders and the selection of tunes are concentrated. Click on Call Melody (or Rington) to open a library of available tracks. The system will offer you a list of preset songs, as well as the ability to select music from the device's memory.

If your goal is simply to change the annoying sound to a more pleasant one, select any other track from the list and click OK or Apply. However, if you are looking for a Turn off or No button, you will not find it, because the system requires an active audio file for the call profile. Some firmware versions at the bottom of the tune list may have a No Sound option, but it is rare and depends on the regional version of the software.

It is worth noting that the sound settings can be divided into profiles for SIM-Make sure you change the settings for the correct card, otherwise the second one sounds like the old ringtone. Also on this menu is often available the function “Repeat”, which makes the phone ring again if you missed the call – this option is better to turn off immediately so as not to create unnecessary noise.

📊 What a ringtone you're worth right now?
Standard Mi sound.
Classic (Nokia/Samsung)
Own music
Total silence.

Using the “No Sound” theme for total silence

One of the unique features of Xiaomi’s ecosystem is the Themes app, which is not just a catalog of wallpaper and icons, but also a powerful tool for deep customization of system sounds. Unlike standard settings, themes allow you to replace system audio files at a global level, which sometimes gives you more control than a regular menu.

To take advantage of this method, open the Themes app on your desktop. In the search box, type in "Silent," "Mute," or "No Sound." You'll find a lot of custom themes designed specifically for those who prefer silence, which often contain empty audio files instead of standard ringtones, notifications, and alarms.

Once you download and use this theme, all system sounds will disappear. This is an effective way to remove the default call without having to use complex file manipulations. However, remember that using the theme can also change the visual style of the interface, so choose options marked "Sound only" or watch the preview carefully.

⚠️ Warning: When installing third-party themes from the directory, always check the rating and downloads. Some modified themes may contain errors that lead to unstable interface operation or advertising in system applications.

To return to the original state, you just need to go back to the Themes app, go to the user profile (human icon) and select My Themes, where you can deactivate the downloaded theme and return the standard style of Classic or Unlimited, which will restore factory sounds.

Replacement of a system file through a file manager

For users who want to guarantee that they will remove the sound of a call while leaving it to be quickly returned, there is a more technical method: manually replacing the system audio file with an empty file with the same name, which requires care but gives them complete control.

First, you need to know the name of the file that is responsible for the standard call. It is usually in the /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound/ui folder or similar system directory, but direct access to it can be limited to rights.root. The easier way is to create your "quiet" file. You will need to download or write a second of silence and save this file in.mp3 or.ogg format.

Next, through Files' built-in Explorer, find the downloaded silence file. Rename it to match the system ringtone name if you plan to replace it, or simply use it as a replacement. With new versions of Android and MIUI, direct replacement of system files without root rights is difficult because of the protection of system integrity.

An alternative and safer option is to use the app to create your own ringtones. Download any audio rector from Google Play, create a 0:01 file at minimum volume and save it. Then, in the audio settings, select this file. To the human ear, it will sound like a complete no signal, although the call will technically be "played."

☑️ Check before changing system files

Done: 0 / 4

Setup of “Do Not Disturb” Modes and Scenarios

If your goal is to quietly remove the call, but only to make the phone silent at certain hours or places, the best thing to do is to use automation. Xiaomi has a powerful tool called Assistant (or Security depending on the version) that allows you to create scripts.

Go to the Security app (green shield icon) and scroll down to the Assistant or Scripts section, where you can create a rule like, "If it's 23:00 to 7:00, turn on Do Not Disturb mode." In this mode, incoming calls will not make sounds, and the screen may not even light up, depending on the settings.

Do Not Disturb mode can also be activated manually through the notification curtain, and by clicking on the appropriate icon, you can select a level of rigor: complete silence, only selected contacts or repeated calls, ideal for meetings, movies or sleep, when you need to quickly remove sound without changing system files.

In addition, the audio settings have a separate section for the schedule for switching on and off modes, you can set up automatic profile switching by day of the week, which will save you from having to manually check every evening whether you have forgotten to turn on quiet mode.

Comparison of methods of switching off sound

The right way to do this depends on your technical skills and your ultimate goal, and to help you decide, we’ve compiled a comparative table of basic ringtone management techniques on Xiaomi devices.

MethodDifficultyRisk of errorEfficiency
Choosing a different tuneLow.Absent.Partial (sound remains)
The theme is "Silent."MediumLow.High (total silence)
Do Not Disturb modeLow.Absent.Temporary.
Replacement of the system fileTall.Medium.Absolute.

As you can see from the table, for most users, the optimal solution is to use themes or schedule modes. The method of replacing files is recommended only for experienced users who understand the structure of the Android file system. Errors when working with system partitions can lead to a cyclical reboot of the device.

What if after replacing the file, the phone goes into a cyclical reboot?
If you have replaced the system file and the phone has stopped booting, try entering Recovery mode (pressing the power and volume button).If you can connect to a PC, try removing the modified file via ADB. In the worst case, you will need a full data reset (Wipe Data), so always do backups.

Solving Common Problems and FAQs

Even following the instructions, users may experience unexpected system behavior, such as resetting the audio settings after a firmware update, or the selected silent file will stop working, often with media cache or application conflict.

If the sound came back, check if the Themes app or the system software has been updated. In newer versions of HyperOS, security algorithms can block empty audio files from being used as a call, thinking it was a mistake, and then you have to find a balance: put a very quiet track, but not an empty track.

It is also worth checking the settings of specific contacts. Even if the common ringtone is set to "quiet", individual numbers from the phone book can be set to loud individual tunes. Open contact, click "Change" and check the "Call Melody" field.

💡

Use third-party caller apps like Truecaller or Dialer by Google if Xiaomi's standard call doesn't give you the right control over sounds.

In conclusion, Xiaomi audio management is a balance between convenience and the level of silence you want, and we looked at the ways from simply replacing the track to getting the system tweaked deeply, and hopefully your smartphone sounds exactly the way you want it to or doesn't sound at all.

Can you delete a ringtone file completely without root rights?
Without the superuser rights (root), you can’t delete a system file from a protected partition, but you can replace its content with an empty file or use third-party themes that override system settings.
Why does the phone ring with a standard sound?
This can happen if the file has an unsupported format (like FLAC instead of MP3) or bitrate.Also check that the file is intact and does contain an audio track, even if it is silent.
Does replacing the ringtone affect the device’s warranty?
Using the Themes app or changing menu settings does not affect the warranty, but obtaining root rights and modifying the system partition officially voids the manufacturer's warranty obligations.
How do you get all the sounds back by default?
Go to "Themes" -> Profile -> My Themes and select a standard theme. Or reset the sound settings in the "Sound and Vibration" menu by selecting any standard track from the Xiaomi list.

💡

The safest and most effective way to “remove” a call to Xiaomi without risk to the system is to install a specialized theme “Silent” from the official theme store.