How to change the sound of notifications in WhatsApp on Xiaomi smartphones: all ways

Notifications on WhatsApp on Xiaomi can be annoying with a standard melody or, conversely, go unnoticed due to too quiet sound. This is especially true for users of Redmi, POCO and the flagship Mi series, where the sound settings are often overshadowed by the MIUI branded shell. In this article, we will analyze all the working ways to change the melody of notifications – from the basic settings in the messenger itself to hidden system options.

It’s important to consider that Xiaomi regularly updates the MIUI interface, and the location of some menu items may vary depending on the firmware version (e.g. MIUI 14 vs HyperOS).We’ll look at the universal methods that work on most models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13 and older devices.You’ll also learn how to set custom sounds (including songs from Spotify or recorded voice messages) and what to do if notifications suddenly stop sounding.

Why the standard methods don’t work for Xiaomi

Many users find that when notifications are changed, WhatsApp’s settings remain unchanged, due to the MIUI’s ability to intercept notification management at the system level, and the key reasons are:

• 🔇 Conflict with MIUI Sound Assistant: Branded sound management app can block changes from third-party messengers.
• 📱 Restrictions for individual applications: B MIUI 12+ notifications are divided into categories, and the sound may be associated with a general group of "Messages".
• 🔄 Reset after the update: After the WhatsApp update or MIUI sound parameters are sometimes reset before default.
• 🎵 Lack of Media Rights: If you’re trying to set a custom sound but it doesn’t appear on the list, check WhatsApp permissions in Settings → Annexes → Permits.

Another common problem is that notifications sound but don’t vibrate (or vice versa), which is because in MIUI, vibration and sound are set separately, so you can go to Settings → Sound and Vibration → Vibration at notifications and turn on the WhatsApp option manually.

Method 1: Change the sound directly to WhatsApp

To start with, the most obvious method that works on most devices, including Xiaomi, but due to the features of MIUI, it may not work the first time – you will need to adjust the system more (more on this below).

Instructions:

1. Open WhatsApp and tap on three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
2. Go to Notifications. → Notification tones.
3. Select a category (such as Messages or Group Chats).
4. Click on the current sound (usually Notification or WhatsApp Notification).
5. In the list of standard tunes, select a new one (such as Ringtone 1, Bamboo or Reflection).
6. Save the changes with the OK button.

If the sound hasn't changed after that, MIUI has redefined the settings, in which case you can move on to Method 2.

Method 2: Configure via MIUI (if WhatsApp ignores the changes)

The MIUI shell allows you to flexibly manage notifications for each application, but this functionality is hidden deep in the settings.

1. Open the phone settings.
2. Go to the Apps → Application management.
3. Find WhatsApp on the list and tap on it.
4. Select Notifications.
5. Turn on the Allow Notifications slider (if it is turned off).
6. Tap on the Messages category (or Group Chats if you need to change the sound for groups).
7. In the Sound section, select a new tune from the system.
8. Activate the option to Cover DND if you want notifications to sound even in Do Not Disturb mode.

If you don't have the right tune in the list, you can add your own.

1. Download the audio file in.mp3 or.ogg format (up to 30 seconds).
2. Place it in the Ringtones or Notifications folder on your internal drive (create it if it doesn’t exist).
3. Reboot the phone.
4. Repeat the steps above and your sound will appear on the list.

💡

If you want to use a song from Spotify as a notification sound, download it through a third-party app (like Snaptube) and crop it up to 30 seconds in any audio editor.

Method 3: Installation of custom sounds (music, voice messages)

Standard tunes in MIUI get boring quickly, and many users want to set something unique, like a snippet from a favorite song or a loved one's voice.

Option 1: Through the File Manager

1. Download a sound file (for example, from the Zedge website or record your voice through a voice recorder).
2. Connect your phone to your PC or use a file manager (such as Mi File Manager).
3. Create a Notifications folder at the root of internal memory (if not).
4. Place your file there (the name should be in Latin, without spaces).
5. Reboot the phone.
6. Go to WhatsApp notification settings (see Method 2) and your sound will appear in the list.

Option 2: Through the Ringtone Maker app

• 📱 Install Ringtone Maker app from Google Play.
• 🎵 Select an audio file from your phone’s memory.
• ✂️ Cut it to the desired fragment (maximum 30 seconds).
• 🔊 Save as a Notification (Notification).
• 📲 Apply the sound to WhatsApp settings or MIUI.

Important: Sound files must be in MP3 or OGG format with a bitrate not higher than 192 kbps, otherwise they may not appear in the list.

Table: Compatibility of methods with MIUI versions

Solving problems: Notifications don't sound or are reset

If after all the manipulations, WhatsApp notifications are still silent or reset to standard ones, check the following points:

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) post-update MIUI 13+ The notification management section for individual applications may disappear, in which case resetting notification settings will help: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → WhatsApp.Tap Storage and Cache → Control space. Tap notification reset. Reset the phone and reset the sound. Other common problems and solutions: 🔕 There is a sound, but very quiet: Check the volume of notifications separately from the total volume (c Settings) → Sound and vibration. Xiaomi has two different sliders! 🔄 Sound resets after rebooting: It's a bug MIUI 14.The solution is to roll back the WhatsApp update to version 2.23.8.75 or install the beta version. 🚫 No Sound option in notification settings: WhatsApp is not allowed to notify. Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Application rights and enable all permissions for the messenger. What to do if notifications sound with a delay?This problem is typical for Xiaomi with Snapdragon processors 4xx/6xx (For example, Redmi Note 10 or POCO X3). The reason for this is the optimization of the battery MIUI, The solution that puts WhatsApp to sleep: 1. Go to Settings. → Battery and productivity → Battery consumption management. 2. Find WhatsApp and select Without Limits. 3. Reboot your phone. After that, the notifications will come in without delay, but the battery consumption will increase slightly, LED-Sound isn't the only way to pay attention to a new message. Xiaomi can be customized: 🔥 Vibration: In WhatsApp notification settings in MIUI There's a separate point of vibration. You can choose from 5 preset patterns or create your own. 💡 LED-indicator: On models with LED (for example, Xiaomi 11T or Redmi K50) Go to Settings. → Display. → Notification indicator and enable option for WhatsApp. 📱 Pop-up windows: In Settings → Notifications and status bar → Pop-up notifications select WhatsApp and activate Show over other windows. 🔇 Exceptions for the "Do Not Disturb" mode: In Settings → Sound and vibration → Don't disturb. → Exceptions add WhatsApp to the list of allowed apps. On some models (e.g., WhatsApp, POCO F4) There's a smart notification feature that analyzes the importance of messages and changes the sound depending on the sender. → Special facilities → Smart notifications. Activate the slider and add WhatsApp to the app list. Set up rules (such as loud noise for messages from selected contacts). 💡In the models with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 12 Pro or Redmi K60) You can enable Always-on Display to display WhatsApp notifications even on a locked screen. → Display. → Always-on Display and select the display style. FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up notification sound Can I set different sounds for different contacts on WhatsApp on Xiaomi? Yes, but not through the standard settings. You will need: Install the Tasker or MacroDroid app. Create a rule: if a message from a contact X → You can play the Y sound. On WhatsApp, turn off the notification sound (set "No sound (1-2 Why after the update? MIUI Notifications management section for WhatsApp is missing? It's a famous bug. MIUI 14, which occurs after the "over the air" update Solutions: Reset the WhatsApp app settings (Settings) → Annexes → WhatsApp → Settings reset. Install WhatsApp Business, where the notification section is displayed correctly. MIUI Fastboot (requires an unlocked bootloader) How do you make WhatsApp notifications sound louder than the system notifications? MIUI There is a hidden audio amplification setting for individual applications: Enable Developer Mode (7 times tap on the Version) MIUI In Settings → About the phone. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers, find the item Turn off absolute volume and activate it. Now you can set the volume above the system volume in WhatsApp's audio settings. Can you use the alarm melody as a notification sound? Yes, but you need to move the file from the Alarms folder to Notifications: Connect your phone to your PC or use Mi File Manager. Find the Alarms folder in your internal memory. Copy the file you want to file into the Notifications folder. Reboot your phone. Now the melody will be available in the notification sound list. Why is Xiaomi with HyperOS not having the Sound option in WhatsApp notification settings? In HyperOS, the notification management logic has changed. To return the option: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → WhatsApp → Notifications. Tap Messages. Turn on the Show Notifications switch. Sound will appear below when the phone restarts.