How to add a custom tune to a contact in Xiaomi: all ways 2026

Are you tired of confusing calls from different people because all subscribers call for a standard tune? Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi and POCO models) have a built-in function for assigning unique ringtones to individual contacts - but not all users know how to use it correctly. This guide will help customize customized tunes for any subscribers, even if you have never changed the sound settings before.

We'll look at two main ways: through the standard Contacts app and using a file manager to download custom ringtones, and why sometimes a assigned tune doesn't work, and how to fix it. All instructions are relevant for MIUI 14/15 and later, but they'll also work for older versions with minor interface changes.

Why you should assign unique melodies for contacts

Customized ringtones are not only a convenience, but also part of personalizing your smartphone, and here are a few reasons why Xiaomi users are using the feature:

• 🔍 Quick caller identification -- you can tell who's calling right away without looking at the screen -- especially useful for important contacts (boss, close family members).
• 🎵 Emotional connection – you can assign a favorite song for the second half or a fun ringtone for a friend.
• 🚫 Spam filtering – if all unknown numbers have one tune and saved contacts have another, you can ignore unwanted calls.
• 👶 Safety for children – the child will be able to distinguish the call of the mother from other subscribers by sound.

MIUI also has a hidden function of assigning different tunes to the first and second calls from a single contact, which few people know, but we’ll show you how to activate it in one of the sections below.

Method 1: Assigning a melody through the Contacts app

This is the easiest method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones without any additional software.You will only need the standard Contacts app (or Google Contacts if you sync with a Google account).

Select a contact in the phone book

Make sure the contact has a phone number.

Check that the melody is loaded into the phone’s memory (if you use a custom ringtone)-->

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on the home screen or in the app menu).
2. Find the contact you need in the list and tap it to open the card.
3. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Edit.
4. Scroll down to the Melody of a Call block (in some versions of MIUI, this item may be called Call Sound).
5. Slip on the current tune, and you'll see a list of available ringtones: 🎶 Standard melodies – pre-installed in the system (e.g, MIUI Ring, Marimba). 📁 Custom – if you have added your audio files to the Ringtones folder in advance.

Ready.

Save.

If you don't see your custom ringtone on the list, make sure the file is in the correct folder. More on that in the next section.

💡

To quickly find a contact, use the search bar at the top of the Contacts app – enter a name or phone number.

Method 2: Add custom tunes through file manager

Standard ringtones in MIUI are a quick bore, but unique tunes are an opportunity to stand out. You can use any audio file in.mp3,.m4a or.wav formats, but there are a few important nuances:

• ⏱️ The file length is 15 to 30 seconds, and the ringtones are cut off too long by the system.
• 🔊 Volume – Make sure the file is loud enough (you can increase the volume in any audio editor).
• 📂 The file size is no more than 5 MB, otherwise the system may not recognize it as a ringtone.

How to add your tune:

1. Download or prepare an audio file on your computer/phone, for example, you can crop your favorite song in the MP3 Cutter app (available on Google Play).
2. Connect your phone to your PC via USB or move the file to your device via the cloud/messenger.
3. Open Files (Xiaomi’s standard file manager) and go to the Internal Storage folder.
4. Create a folder called Ringtones (if it doesn't already exist), and if you already have one, just move your file there.
5. Restart your phone (it is imperative that the system updates the list of available ringtones).
6. Now your custom ringtone will appear in the list of tunes when editing the contact (see Method 1).

Table: Comparison of methods of assigning melodies

If you want advanced features (such as different tunes for calls and messages from one contact), it is worth considering third-party applications, which we will discuss in the next section.

Method 3: Using third-party applications for flexible customization

Standard MIUI tools allow you to assign only one tune per contact, but what if you need more?

• 🔄 Different sounds for the first and second call.
• 🎚️ Volume control for individual contacts.
• 🌈 Lighting effects when calling (for models with a RGB-lighting).

We've tested a few, and we've selected the best ones.

1. Ringo (free, with in-app purchases)

One of the most popular call customization apps out there is:

• 🎵 Assign multiple tunes to one contact (random choice when calling).
• 📞 Set different ringtones for calls and SMS.
• 🔕 Create a blacklist with quiet melodies for spammers.

The downside: The free version has ads, and some features (like lighting effects) are only available in the premium version.

2. Zedge (free)

It's not just a ringtone app, it's a marketplace with millions of sounds and wallpapers.

• 🔍 Easy search by category (films, games, musical styles).
• 📥 Automatic loading and installation of ringtones in the system.
• 🎧 Pre-listening before downloading.

Disadvantage: Not all sounds are optimized for calls (some are too quiet or long).

3.Contact Ringtones (free)

A simple application with a minimalist interface that solves one problem, which is to assign unique tunes, which is good if you don't need any extra features.

After installing any of these applications, the algorithm of actions will be as follows:

1. Open the application and give access to contacts/files.
2. Select a contact from the list.
3. Assign a tune (from the app library or your files).
4. Save the settings.

💡

Application side may conflict with the standard MIUI call. If notifications stop working after installation, check the permission settings for the application in Settings → Applications → Application Management.

Why the assigned melody doesn’t work: common problems and solutions

Sometimes users find that the individual melody is not played on the call, but instead the standard ringtone sounds.

⚠️ Note: If you use two of these SIM-maps, make sure the melody is assigned to the number from which the call actually comes. MIUI ringtone settings are tied to a specific number in the contact card.

Let’s discuss the main failures and ways to eliminate them:

If none of the above helps, try the following algorithm:

1. Remove the assigned tune from the contact (return the standard one).
2. Reboot the phone.
3. Reset the tune.
4. Check if it works in Call mode (sometimes crashes only occur when a call is incoming via WhatsApp or other messengers).

💡

If the problem only occurs with custom tunes, try converting the file to a different format (e.g.,.wav to.mp3) using online services like Online-Convert.

Additional chips: vibration, light effects and more

Xiaomi not only assigns a unique tune, but also adjusts the settings for contacts.

1. Individual vibration

You can create a unique vibration pattern for important contacts, such as keeping a call silent.

1. Open the contact card and click Edit.
2. Slip on the item Vibration (near the ringtone).
3. Choose one of the standard patterns or create your own by tapping the screen in the rhythm of the future vibration.

2. Lighting effects (for supported models)

Some flagship Xiaomi models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi) K60) support RGB-I'll give you the light when you call, so you can set it up:

1. Go to Settings → Display → Notifications highlighting.
2. Turn on the option and select a color for a specific contact.

Please note: this function only works when the screen is locked.

3. Different tunes for the first and second call

This feature is hidden deep in MIUI and not available on all devices, so you can activate it.

1. Open the contact card and click Edit.
2. Slap on the current melody and hold it for 2-3 seconds.
3. If the function is supported, a menu will appear with the option Melody of a re-calling.

If this method didn’t work, use the Ringo app, which has a similar feature.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions