How to upload music to the Music app on Xiaomi: all ways

Standard application Music on smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO It supports both local audio files and streaming via cloud services, but many users face a problem: once they copy tracks to the device, they do not appear in the library. MIUI and settings of the application itself.

In this article, youโ€™ll find 5 proven ways to add music to an app, from manual folder scanning to integration with Google Drive and Yandex Music, and weโ€™ll also look at common bugs that may prevent tracks from appearing in playlists, and give you recommendations for optimizing the storage of audio files on devices with limited memory.

If you are using Xiaomi 13/14 older models such as the Redmi Note 10, The algorithm of actions will be the same โ€” the differences are only in the location of certain menu items. MIUI 14/15 Advice on setting permissions for the correct operation of the application.

Music app on Xiaomi does not support format FLAC with a bitrate above 192 kbit / s โ€“ such files will be played with distortion or will not appear at all.

1. Adding local audio files: step-by-step instructions

The most reliable way is to upload music directly to the memory of the smartphone. MP3, AAC, WAV or FLAC (with limitations. Let's look at the process by step:

First, transfer the audio files to the device. You can do this through:

  • ๐Ÿ“ Conductor Windows/macOS (Put the phone on USB file transfer)
  • โ˜๏ธ Cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud โ€“ download files to your device)
  • ๐Ÿ“ฒ Messengers (send your files via Telegram or WhatsApp and save them)
  • ๐Ÿ”— Download from a browser (for example, from Zaycev.net or PromoDJ sites)

After copying files to the memory of the smartphone (we recommend the Music folder in the root directory), perform a forced scan of the media library:

  1. Open the Music app.
  2. Slap the icon. โ‹ฎ (three points) in upper right corner.
  3. Select Settings โ†’ Scanning media files.
  4. Click Scan Now and wait until the process is complete (may take up to 5 minutes).

Create a Music folder in the root directory

Transfer files in format MP3/AAC

Enable the display of hidden files (if necessary)

Check the free space on the device (minimum 500 MB)

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If the tracks did not appear after scanning, check:

  • ๐Ÿ” Correctness of file extensions (for example,.mp3, not.mp3.mp3)
  • ๐Ÿ“‚ Place files in non-system folders (such as Android or Android) MIUI)
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Rebooting the device (sometimes helps reset the media scanner cache)

โš ๏ธ Attention: On devices with MIUI 12.5+ Scanning media files can be blocked by the battery optimizer. To fix this, add the Music app to the exceptions: Settings โ†’ Battery โ†’ Optimizing the battery โ†’ All applications โ†’ Music. โ†’ No restrictions.

2. Setting up folders for scanning

By default, Music only looks for audio files in standard folders (Music, Downloads, Ringtones) if your tracks are stored in a different directory, you need to add it manually.

For this:

  1. Open the Settings. โ†’ Warehouse โ†’ Folders for scanning.
  2. Add a folder and specify the path to the music directory (for example, /storage/emulated/0/MyMusic).
  3. Activate the switch next to the added folder.
  4. Return to the main menu and start the scan again.

On some firmware (MIUI 13 Global) this item may be called Media File Management or Music Sources. If you don't have an option, update the Music app via Google Play or Mi App Store.

MIUI versionThe Way to File SettingsFeatures
MIUI 12.5 and belowSettings โ†’ Additionally. โ†’ Music foldersSupports up to 5 user folders
MIUI 13 GlobalSettings โ†’ Warehouse โ†’ Sources of musicYou may need to restart after adding
MIUI 14/15 (China)Settings โ†’ Media โ†’ Scan foldersDisplays the size of the memory occupied for each folder

Advice: If you store music for SD-card, make sure the card is formatted as Internal Storage (Settings in Storage) โ†’ Settings โ†’ Format as internal. Otherwise, the application may not see the files.

Inner memory.

Nana SD-map

In the cloud storage.

I use streaming services.

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3. Integration with cloud services

The Music app on Xiaomi supports connectivity to Mi Cloud, Google Drive and other cloud storage, which is convenient if you donโ€™t want to take up the deviceโ€™s memory.

First, make sure that:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ The device has the official Google Drive app installed.
  • ๐Ÿ”‘ You are logged in to the same account as on PC.
  • โ˜๏ธ Files uploaded to the cloud (formats supported) MP3, M4A, WMA).

Next:

  1. Open the Music app and go to the Library โ†’ Cloud.
  2. Select Google Drive from the list of services.
  3. Log in and allow access to the files.
  4. Wait for the synchronization (may take a few minutes depending on the number of tracks).

For Mi Cloud, the algorithm is similar, but there are nuances:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Synchronization works only when you are actively connected to Wi-Fi.
  • ๐Ÿ“ถ Maximum file size: 50MB (Mi Cloud Limitation).
  • ๐Ÿ”’ Chinese Firmware may be required VPN service-access.

โš ๏ธ Attention: When playing music from the cloud, traffic is consumed. To avoid additional costs, turn on the option Wi-Fi Only in the Music app settings (Settings) โ†’ Network โ†’ Reproduction over Wi-Fi).

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If tracks from the cloud are playing with delays, try caching them. To do this, open the playlist, tap three dots next to the track and select Download (if the option is available).

4. Connecting streaming services

S MIUI 13 Music app supports integration with streaming platforms like Yandex Music, Spotify and QQ Music (for the Chinese region) This allows you to listen to millions of tracks without downloading to your device.

To connect the service:

  1. Open the Settings. โ†’ Accounts in the Music app.
  2. Choose the right service (for example, Yandex Music).
  3. Sign in through your partnerโ€™s browser or application.
  4. Allow access to the library and playlists.

After connection:

  • ๐ŸŽต Your playlists from the service will appear in the section My Music.
  • ๐Ÿ” The search will be carried out on the basis of a streaming platform.
  • โฌ‡๏ธ Some services (such as Spotify) will have the option to download tracks for offline playback.

Limitations of integration:

  • ๐Ÿšซ Apple Music and Tidal are not supported at the system level.
  • ๐Ÿ”Š Streaming quality depends on the rate (free account may limit bitrate).
  • ๐Ÿ“ต In some regions (e.g. China) only local services are available (QQ Music, Kugou).
How to listen to Spotify through the Music app on Xiaomi?
1. Install the official Spotify app from Google Play. 2. In the Music app, go to Settings โ†’ Accounts โ†’ Spotify. 3. Sign in (if requested). 4. Your Spotify playlists will appear in the Library section โ†’ Spotify.Important: For offline playback, download tracks directly in the Spotify app, not through Music.

5. Solving problems with music display

If the tracks donโ€™t appear in the library despite all the manipulations, check out the following points:

Problem 1: Files are present but not displayed in the app.

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Reboot the device โ€“ it will reset the cache of the media scanner.
  • ๐Ÿ—‘๏ธ Clear the data of the application Music: Settings โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Application management โ†’ Music. โ†’ Warehouse โ†’ Clear the data.
  • ๐Ÿ”ง Check the permissions: Settings โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Music. โ†’ Permits โ†’ Storage (insert).

Problem 2: The music is played, but without covers or tags.

  • ๐Ÿท๏ธ Use tag editing programs (for example, MP3Tag PC-only).
  • ๐Ÿ–ผ๏ธ Add the covers manually: open the track in the app, tap on the album icon and select Change the cover.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Start re-scanning of media files.

Problem 3: The Music app is not on the device.

  • ๐Ÿ“ฅ Install it from the Mi App Store or Google Play (named Mi Music or Music).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ If the application is removed as system, restore through Settings โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Application management โ†’ Established โ†’ โ‹ฎ โ†’ Show system-based โ†’ Music. โ†’ Restore.

For devices with MIUI 14+ HyperOS may require additional permission adjustments to scan external drives. SD-map, check it out:

Settings โ†’ Storage โ†’ Settings โ†’ Default Memory โ†’ External Storage (SD- Card)

6. Optimizing music storage

Music files can take up a significant amount of storage space in the device to optimize storage:

Ways to save space:

  • ๐ŸŽต Convert files to AAC 128-192 kbit/s (enough for most users).
  • โ˜๏ธ Store rarely listened tracks in the cloud, not on your device.
  • ๐Ÿ—ƒ๏ธ Use it. SD-A card (if supported) for storing music.
  • ๐Ÿงน Regularly clean the cache of the Music app in the storage settings.

Recommended formats and bitrates:

FormatRecommended bitratePlusesCons
MP3192โ€“320 kbit/sWide distribution, small sizeLoss of quality at low bitrates
AAC128-256 kbit/sBetter quality at the same size as MP3Not all players support high bitrates
FLACAnybody (lossless)No loss of qualityLarge file size, limited support on Xiaomi

To convert files, use programs like Freemake Audio Converter (Windows) or MediaHuman Audio Converter (macOS).

Playlist tip: To avoid duplicate files, create M3U-Playlists are text files containing track paths. The Music app supports importing them through Settings. โ†’ Import of playlists.

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For maximum space savings, use the combination: the main tracks in the format AAC 192 kbps SD-map, rarely listened to in the cloud, and streaming to discover new music.

7.Alternative music apps for Xiaomi

If the standard Music app doesnโ€™t suit you, consider alternatives with advanced features:

Top.-5 music-listening:

  • ๐ŸŽง Poweramp - support for all formats, 10-band equalizer, themes. Paid (free trial period).
  • ๐ŸŽต VLC Android: playback of any audio format, built-in converter, support for network streams. Free.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Musicolet -- no ads, playlists with nested folders, widgets. Free.
  • โ˜๏ธ Spotify - offline streaming, personal recommendations.
  • ๐ŸŽถ JetAudio - 20-band equalizer, sound effects (BBE, Mach3Bass), support FLAC. Paid.

Advantages of alternative players:

  • ๐Ÿ”Š Advanced sound settings (equalizers, bass amplifiers).
  • ๐Ÿ“‚ Flexible library management (sorting by tags, folders).
  • ๐ŸŽจ Customization of the interface (themes, widgets).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Sync between devices (for example, via Dropbox in Poweramp).

To transfer music from a standard app to an alternative:

  1. Make sure that the files are in an accessible folder (such as Music).
  2. Open a new application and start scanning the media library.
  3. Import playlists if necessary (many players support the game). M3U or PLS).

Example: In Poweramp, to scan folders, go to Settings โ†’ Library โ†’ Music folders and add the required directories.

FAQ: Frequent questions about music on Xiaomi

๐Ÿ” Why the Music app doesn't see files on the SD-map?
This is a common problem for MIUI. Solutions: Format the card as an internal storage (settings in the Warehouse) โ†’ SD-map โ†’ Settings โ†’ Format as internal. Move your files to the Music folder on the map (not to the root!) and check if the external drive scanning is disabled in the application settings. If a card is formatted as a portable storage, some system applications (including Music) may not have access to it.
๐ŸŽต How to ensure that music is not interrupted when the screen is locked?
Check the following settings: In the Music app: Settings โ†’ Reproduction โ†’ Background playback (should be enabled) In battery settings: add Music to optimization exceptions (Settings) โ†’ Battery โ†’ Optimizing the battery โ†’ All applications โ†’ Music. โ†’ Make sure there are no active energy saving modes (e.g. Super energy saving in the MIUI). If the problem persists, try another app (e.g, VLC Poweramp, where the background playback is more stable.
โ˜๏ธ Can I listen to music from Yandex Music offline through the Music app?
No, the Music app on Xiaomi does not support downloading tracks for offline playback from connected streaming services. MP3 On a PC, and then transfer to your phone. In the Music app, you can only stream tracks from Yandex Music with an active Internet connection.
๐Ÿ”Š Why music is still playing, even at maximum volume?
Possible causes and solutions: Limitation EU-Firmware: On European versions MIUI The solution is to install Global or Chinese firmware (requires unlocking the bootloader). Equalizer settings: In the Music app, open Settings โ†’ Equalizer and select Rock or Pop preset to amplify the mid-range. Hardware restrictions: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 12 Lite), one speaker is responsible for high frequencies, making the sound seem quieter. Check on headphones. Media volume: Make sure to set the sound settings (Settings) โ†’ Sound) Media slider is set to maximum. You can use applications like Volume Booster to fix the problem temporarily, but they can distort the sound.
๐Ÿ“ฑ How to transfer music from iPhone to Xiaomi?
Portability: Through iTunes: Connect your iPhone to your PC and open iTunes. โ†’ Devices โ†’ Transfer purchases (for downloaded tracks). Copy files from the iTunes Media folder on your PC, then transfer them to Xiaomi. Through the cloud: Download music from Apple Music to your PC (if you have a subscription). Upload files to Google Drive or Mi Cloud. Download them to Xiaomi via the cloud storage app. Through messengers: Send files to yourself in Telegram (no size restrictions). Save them to Xiaomi via the Telegram app. Important: Files purchased from iTunes can be protected DRM In this case, use software to remove protection (for example, TuneFab Apple Music Converter).