Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face the desire to personalize their device by replacing the standard notification sound or ringtone with something more original. However, the MIUI or HyperOS operating system has a specific file storage structure that differs from the usual logic of Windows or older versions of Android.
Understanding where these files are located is essential not only to replace standard sounds, but also to back up your favorite ringtones before resetting or flashing. In this article, we will take a closer look at the file structure, review access rights, and suggest safe ways to modify your gadget’s audio without risking damage to the system.
It is worth noting that direct access to the folders of the system requires certain conditions that may not be available on the device out of the box. However, there are workarounds and standard tools that allow you to manage audio profiles. Next, we will consider all the nuances of working with audio data in the shell from the Chinese manufacturer.
Structure of the Android and MIUI file system
The Android operating system is based on the Linux kernel, which implies a strict hierarchy of directories and separation of access rights. Unlike user data, which is available to each application, system files, including standard tunes, are in protected partitions. On Xiaomi smartphones, this structure is complemented by its own shell add-ons, which creates additional layers of nesting.
The key is to separate the memory into user and system memory, and user memory is accessible through a regular file manager, while the system partition, where the factory sounds are physically located, is by default hidden from modification, and this is done for security reasons to prevent the accidental removal of critical OS components.
System files usually require root rights to access them, without which you cannot directly copy or replace files in root folders, but the MIUI shell provides mechanisms for swapping system sounds through user folders, which we will discuss in the relevant sections.
⚠️ Note: Making changes to system files without superuser rights and understanding the structure of Linux-like systems can lead to unstable device operation or cyclic restart (bootloop).
Systemic Pathways to Standard Sounds
If you have root rights or use specialized file managers with access to the root of the system, you can see the real ways where the audio files are stored. Standard call, SMS and notifications in Android and MIUI are located at the following addresses:
- 📂 /system/media/audio/ringtones — Here are the incoming call melodies.
- 📂 /system/media/audio/notifications — directory for application notification sounds and system.
- 📂 /system/media/audio/alarms — folder containing alarm clock sounds.
- 📂 /product/media/audio/ui — System sounds of the interface (clicks, locks).
In newer versions of HyperOS firmware, the structure can be supplemented with partitions. /product or /my_product, The files in these directories are usually.ogg or.ogg format.mp3, They can be protected from direct recording.
To navigate these paths, it is recommended to use powerful file managers such as MT Manager, Solid Explorer or Root Explorer. A regular conductor preinstalled in the system simply will not display these folders or give you the right to write to them.
Why do files have an.ogg extension?
Access through file manager without Root rights
For most users, obtaining superuser rights is a redundant step if the goal is simply to install their own tune. Android allows you to override system sounds by putting files with specific names in user memory, a safe and recommended way.
You need to create folders at the root of the internal memory that are named by the system directories, and when you put an audio file in there and rename it accordingly, the system will pick it up instead of the standard one, and this works because user data is prioritized over system data in certain media scanner scenarios.
☑️ Algorithm for replacing sound without root
It is important to be accurate in spelling folder and file names. Letter register matters: Ringtones and ringtones can be perceived differently by the system depending on the version of the file system. Also make sure that the file format is compatible with your smartphone's decoder.
Creating custom folders to change sounds
To implement the swapping method, you need to manually create a folder structure in the internal storage (not on the back). SD-This action requires no special permissions and is performed through any standard conductor.
Create the following folders in the root directory of internal memory (with this capitalization):
| Folder name. | Appointment | Example of a file |
|---|---|---|
| Ringtones | Bell melodies | call_song.ogg |
| Notifications | Notification sounds | notification_sound.ogg |
| Alarms | The alarm clock sounds | alarm_sound.ogg |
| UI | Interface sounds | click.ogg |
Once you've created folders, put your audio files in them. It's critical to rename files to reserved system names if you want them to replace standard sounds globally. call_song.ogg Ringtones folder will be available in the list of selection of tunes.
⚠️ Note: Do not delete or rename existing system files in user folders unless you are sure of their origin.
Configure via the “Sounds and Vibrations” menu
The easiest and most common way to install a tune on Xiaomi does not require working with the file system. The MIUI shell has a built-in audio management module that automatically scans memory for compatible tracks. This method is the most stable and does not carry risks.
To set up, go to the Settings menu, then select the Sounds and Vibrations section, and here you will see the "Bell Melody," "Notification Sound," and "Alarm Sound," and click on any of these, and you will be taken to the track list available, which includes both the standard and the files you add.
If you upload music to a Music or Download folder, the system may not see it immediately in the ringtones list, in which case use the built-in theme editor or third-party apps to crop and convert the track to a format recognized as a call. Often, just select a track in the player, click "More" and select "Install as a call."
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Using a regular settings menu ensures that the melody will be correctly processed by the codec and will not cause conflicts with system processes.
Using design themes to change sounds
The MIUI ecosystem offers a unique way to change the sound design through the theme store, not just visual skins, but full-fledged packages containing icons, wallpaper and, importantly for us, a set of sounds, and this method allows you to change all system sounds (call, text, lock, keyboard) at once.
Open the Themes app on your desktop. Search for "Sounds" or "Audio," or use the filter by category by selecting "Ringtones." You can download the free package or purchase a premium. After download, click "Apply."
The advantage of this method is that you get professionally processed sounds optimized for your device’s speakers, and you can also go back to standard settings at any time by simply selecting a “Classic” or “No Theme” theme in your user profile.
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When downloading themes from third-party sources (not from the official store), check the file for viruses, as the themes may contain executable code.
Possible problems and solutions
Users may encounter a number of common problems when replacing tunes, most often with file formats or access rights, such as a system that may ignore a file if its bitrate is too high or the format is not supported by a standard Android decoder.
Another common problem is the “grid” of settings after the system update: When you update the OTA (Over-The-Air) firmware, the system partition is overwritten, and all manually replaced files in the system folders will be lost. User folders at the root of the memory are usually saved, but may require re-activation in the settings.
Also worth mentioning is the problem of quiet sound. If the melody has become quieter after replacing, it is possible that the new file has a lower recording volume (gain), in which case you need to pre-process the track in the audio editor, increasing the signal amplitude, but avoiding clipping (distortion).
⚠️ Note: After a major update to Android (e.g., version 13 to version 14), the system folder structure may change, requiring reconfiguration of paths or file names to properly work the swap.