How to download music in the music app on Xiaomi: all the ways of 2026

Standard application "Music" on smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO Not only does it allow you to play audio files, but it also allows you to organize them into playlists, set up an equalizer, and even download tracks directly from the Internet. Where the downloaded music is stored, why some songs are not displayed in the library, and how to get around the restrictions MIUI This article will help you understand all the nuances, from basic methods to advanced tricks for experienced users.

Despite the fact that MIUI It is regularly updated (updated versions 14 and 15), the principles of the Music app remain similar, the main difference being the change in the location of some menu items and the introduction of new features, for example, integration with Xiaomi Cloud. If you are using a smartphone older than 2020 (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro or Mi) 9T), Some options may not be available – we will warn you about this separately.

In this article you will find:

• 🔍 Official ways to download music through the app itself (including hidden features).
• 📱 Manually add tracks from file manager and cloud storage.
• 🚀 Overcoming restrictions MIUI, If the music is not displayed in the library.
• ⚙️ Configure folders to automatically scan new songs.
• ❌ Solving errors when downloaded tracks are not being played.

1. Download music through the built-in search in the Music app

The easiest way to replenish a library is to use an in-app search engine that aggregates tracks from open sources (mostly Chinese platforms, such as the one in China). QQ Music or KuGou, but it works for international users, and it's important that this method is not always legal, as some tracks can be distributed without a license.

To download the song:

1. Open the Music app (an icon with a note on a white background).
2. Go to the Discover tab (or Discover in global firmware).
3. Enter the name of the track or artist in the search bar.
4. Click on the desired result and select “Download” (down arrow icon).

Songs downloaded in this way are saved in the folder /MIUI/Music/ But there are limitations to the method:

• 🎵 Not all tracks are available for download (depending on region and license agreements).
• 📥 Quality is often limited to 128-192 kbps.
• 🔄 When resetting the phone or reinstalling MIUI Downloaded files may disappear.

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If the track is not in the search, try entering its name in English or with the original spelling (for example, the name of the track is not in the search, «BTS» instead of BTS»).

2. Manually add music from the file manager

If you already have a collection of songs (for example, downloaded from a computer or received via Telegram), you can add them to the Music app manually.

Step 1. Place audio files in one of the system folders that MIUI scan:

• 📁 /Music/ — music-file.
• 📁 /MIUI/Music/ — alternate-position.
• 📁 /Download/Music/ — if downloaded through the browser.

Step 2. Update the library:

1. Open "Music» → «Library».
2. Slip on three points in the upper right corner. → «Scan files».
3. Wait 10 to 30 seconds for the system to index new tracks.

Check the file format (supported) MP3, FLAC, WAV, AAC)|Make sure that file names do not contain special characters (?, *, /)|The music folder should not be hidden (the name does not start from the point of view)|Files shouldn't be. DRM-Protected (for example, from Apple Music)

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If the songs don’t appear in the library, check out:

• 🔍 Use a file manager (e.g., Google Files or Mi File Manager) to check.
• 📌 Does the Music app have access to storage? Go to Settings» → «Annexes» → «Permits» → «Music» → Turn on "Storage».
• 🔄 Reboot your phone – sometimes it helps to reset the media scanner cache.

3. Import of music from cloud storage (Google Drive, Mi Cloud, Yandex Disk)

If your music is stored in the cloud, it can be downloaded directly to the Music app without first downloading it to your phone, which is convenient for saving space on your device, but requires a stable Internet connection.

Instructions for Google Drive:

1. Open Google Drive and find the audio file.
2. Tap three points next to the file → «Open with help» → «Music».
3. The track will open in the app and automatically add to the library (if scanning is enabled).

For Mi Cloud (if you sync files with Xiaomi):

1. Enter the "Mi Cloud» → «Music».
2. Select a track and click "Download" (it will be saved in the /MIUI/Music/Cloud/).
3. Update the library in the Music app.

Limitations of the method:

• 🌐 Cloud tracks are not cached on the device – you need the Internet to listen.
• 📱 Not all formats are supported (e.g,.m4a may not reproduce).
• 🔒 Files from Mi Cloud can be protected if you use Chinese firmware.

4. Set up automatic folder scanning

By default. MIUI Scan only standard folders (/Music/, /MIUI/Music/). If your music is in a different place (for example, in a different place) SD-map, you need to add it manually.

How to set up a scan:

1. Open "Settings» → «Annexes» → «Music» → «Auto scanning».
2. Enable the option to “Scan external devices” (if you use it) SD-map).
3. Add custom folders through Add Path (specify the full path, for example, /storage/1234-5678/MyMusic/).

Table of supported formats and restrictions:

It is important that you use it. SD-Make sure that the card is formatted in exFAT or FAT32. Format NTFS It is not supported on most Xiaomi smartphones.

5. Problem Solving: Why Music Is Not Displayed or Played

A common complaint of users is that downloaded tracks do not appear in the library or play, and here are the main reasons and ways to eliminate them:

Problem 1: Music is in the folder, but not visible in the app.

• 🔄 Reboot your phone – it will reset the media scanner cache.
• 📌 Check if the folder is hidden (in Mi File Manager, enable the display of hidden files).
• 🛠️ Delete the data of the Music app in Settings» → «Annexes» → «Music» → «Warehouse» → «Clear the data».

Problem 2: Tracks are played, but without covers or with incorrect tags.

• 🎨 Use apps like Music Tag Editor to edit metadata.
• 🖼️ Covers can be added manually: open the track → «Edit» → «Change the cover».

Problem 3: Music is interrupted or slowed down.

• 📶 Check if the energy saving mode is turned on for the Music app».
• 🔊 Turn off the sound effects in "Settings» → «Sound» → «Sound effects».
• 🛑 If you have a problem with a specific file, try converting it to MP3 via Online-Convert.

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If after all the manipulations the music has not appeared, check if the media scanner in the developers is turned off» → «The phone» → 5 times tap on "Version" MIUI» → «For developers» → «Disable the media scanner (must be OFF.).

6. Alternative methods: streaming and third-party applications

If the built-in Music app doesn’t suit you, consider alternatives:

Streaming services with offline mode:

• 🎧 Spotify (a paid subscription to download).
• 🎧 YouTube Music (Caching of Tracks Available).
• 🎧 Yandex Music (free download for premium users).

Third-party players with advanced functions:

• 🎵 Poweramp (all formats supported, 10-band equalizer).
• 🎵 Musicolet (no advertising, no internet).
• 🎵 VLC (Video and audio playback, support for network protocols).

Advantages of third-party applications:

• ✅ More formats (including OPUS, ALAC).
• ✅ Customizable interface and themes.
• ✅ Synchronization with the cloud (Dropbox, OneDrive).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Take up extra space.
• ❌ You may need to manually adjust permissions.

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If you often listen to music in your car via Bluetooth, Poweramp has an automatic start feature when connected to a car radio.

7.Security and legality: what you need to know

Downloading music through the built-in Music search may violate copyright. Xiaomi is not responsible for content uploaded by users, but in some countries (for example, in the EU or the United States) for piracy can block accounts or apply penalties.

Legal alternatives:

• 💿 Buy music on iTunes, Google Play Music or Bandcamp.
• 🎤 Support artists through Patreon or Boosty.
• 📻 Use free legal sources like Jamendo or Free Music Archive.

⚠️ WARNING: If you download music through torrents or pirated sites, MIUI It can block files that are suspicious, and then move them to the folder. /Music/ manually through the file manager.

Also remember:

• 🔒 Files with extension.m4p or.aax protected DRM and will not reproduce.
• 📵 Some tracks from TikTok or Instagram contain watermarks.
• 🛡️ Use an antivirus (e.g., Avast or built-in) MIUI Scanner if you download music from unknown sources.

FAQ: Frequent questions about working with the application “Music»