Changing the standard ringtone is the first step to personalizing Xiaomi after buying.The standard tracks that the MIUI system offers often seem boring or too loud, so many users tend to replace them with favorite songs or unique sounds from games and movies. However, the installation process is not always intuitive due to the peculiarities of the Chinese manufacturer's shell.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways to add ringtones to Xiaomi, including the nuances of working with system folders and bypassing the restrictions that can arise when trying to put a file on contact.
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that your audio file is in the memory of your smartphone, and most often, problems arise during the search for the desired track by the system, and let's figure out how to properly prepare the device for the change of melody.
Preparation of audio file and search for system folder
The first thing you need to do is download the desired tune to your smartphone, which can be an MP3 or M4R file from any reliable source, and after downloading it, it's important to put the file in the right directory so that it appears in the list of available sources.
Open a standard file manager, which is called Explorer on Xiaomi devices, and you need to go to the root of internal memory, and here it's important to create or find a folder called Ringtones, and that's where the system scans for new ringtones to call.
- 🎵 Copy the downloaded track to the Ringtones folder for calls.
- 🔔 For notifications, create or use the Notifications folder.
- ⏰ Search for or create alarms in the Alarms folder.
- 📂 Make sure the file name is written in Latin to avoid encoding errors.
If you don't see the Ringtones folder when you first log in, you can create it manually. Click on the menu button (usually three dots or stripes), select "Create a folder" and enter the name strictly without unnecessary characters. After moving the file, it is recommended to restart the phone so that the media scanner updates the database.
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Use short audio fragments up to 30 seconds long for calls, so as not to irritate the interlocutor with a long wait for a response and save the battery power of the speaker.
Installation of ringtones through the standard settings menu
The easiest and most reliable way to set the melody is to use the built-in Android system tools and the MIUI shell. This method does not require the installation of third-party applications and guarantees the correct operation of the sound after the device is restarted.
To start, go to your device's settings menu, find a section that might be called "Sound and Vibration" or just "Sounds." Depending on the firmware version, the interface may be slightly different, but the logic remains the same.
In the menu that opens, select Rington or Call Melody. You will see a list of standard songs. To see your file, scroll down to the bottom and click on the plus icon. + or the button "Select a melody from the files».
☑️ Pre-installing check
The system will tell you to choose a source. If you put a file in the right folder, it should show up in the list. Select the right track and click OK or Apply. Now, when you call in, your personal composition will sound.
⚠️ Warning: If the sound is not played after selecting the file, check if there is a Do Not Disturb or No Sound mode in the notification curtain. Also make sure that the call volume slider is not twisted to zero.
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the system does not see the file, even if it is in the right folder, in which case, try to change the file extension or convert it to a more standard format, as some codecs may not be supported by the system player of calls.
Set up individual melodies for contacts
One of the most useful features is the ability to assign a unique tune to a particular subscriber, which allows you to know who is calling without looking at the screen, which is especially convenient when the phone is in your bag or pocket.
Open the Contacts or Phone app and find the person in the list. Click on their name to open their contact card. At the top of the screen or in the menu (three dots), find the item "Sound" or "Call Melody."
Unlike a global setting, here you select a track directly from the contact list. The system will offer a standard set or the option to select from files. Select a previously prepared audio file and save the changes.
- 👤 Open a specific contact card.
- 🎼 Click on the "Sound" or the note icon.
- ✅ Select a file from the list and confirm the action.
Now, when that person calls you, you'll hear this particular tune, which works even if the entire phone is in vibration mode, unless the contact settings say otherwise, but it's worth remembering that for this feature to work, the contact must be stored in your phone's memory or Google account, not just in your call history.
Why does the melody on the contact drop?
Using the theme to change system sounds
MIUI is famous for its powerful customization toolkit, and the Themes app is a central element of this ecosystem, and you can find not only wallpaper, but also whole packages of system sounds that replace the standard ringtones of a call, SMS and notifications.
Run the Themes app on your Xiaomi. In the bottom navigation bar, go to the Sounds section or search for a query like Ringtone or Sound Pack, and you'll find thousands of free and paid options.
Choose the sound package you like. Notice the description: some themes change only the style of the interface, and the sound packs affect the audio. Press Download and then Apply.
| Package type | What changes | Where to find out. |
|---|---|---|
| Sound bag | Just ringtones and text messages. | The "Sounds" section |
| Full subject matter | Wallpaper, icons, sounds, fonts | Main page |
| Theme of the design | System and application interface | Themes section |
| font | Text display only | The Fonts section |
Once you apply the theme, the sounds will change throughout the system, and it's a convenient way to completely update the audio environment of your smartphone with one click, but if you want to leave your music behind but change, for example, the lock sound, this method will also work.
It’s worth noting that some themes may be regionally restricted.If you can’t download a particular package, try changing the region in your phone’s settings to India or Singapore, where the content store often has a richer selection.
Setting the notification sounds and alarm clock
Sound navigation on a smartphone is not limited to just calls. Messenger notifications and alarms are the things we hear most often, and setting these parameters up on Xiaomi has its own peculiarities.
To set up notifications, go to Settings → Sound and Vibration → Additional. Here you will find individual items for SMS, mail and system notifications. The principle of selecting a file is similar to setting a ringtone: you select a file from memory or use a standard one.
The situation is a little different with the alarm clock. To put your music on the wake-up, you need to open the Clock app. Select a specific alarm clock, click on it to edit, then select "Sound." In the menu that opens, you can select a track from the built-in library or click on plus + to select a local file.
- ⏰ Open the Clock app and select an alarm clock.
- 🎵 Click on the current sound to open the library.
- 📂 Choose “Local Track” or “Online».
- 💾 Save the settings so that the alarm clock sounds the right song.
It's important to understand that for an alarm clock, it's better to choose tracks with increasing dynamics, so that the awakening is softer. Sharp and loud sounds can cause stress in the morning. Also make sure that the alarm clock volume in the sound settings is twisted to the maximum.
⚠️ Note: If you use third-party alarm apps from Google Play, they may ignore the system audio settings and require a separate setup within the app itself.
The solution: Why the ringtone doesn't work
Despite the simplicity of the instruction, users sometimes face problems when the set melody is not played or reset to a standard one, most often due to access rights or the specifics of the MIUI energy saving operation.
One of the common reasons is “Memory Optimization.” The system can close the background processes that are responsible for media files. Go to the settings, look for “Advanced Settings” → “Memory” and make sure that there are no aggressive restrictions on system services.
Android works best with MP3, OGG, and WAV. Formats like FLAC or APE may not be recognized as ringtones due to high bitrate or lack of codec support in the system caller.
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If you don’t play a tune, try converting the file to MP3 with a bitrate of 128-320 kbps and a length of no more than 1 minute – this is the most compatible format for all versions of MIUI.
Another nuance is access rights. When you first start a conductor or set up sounds, the system may ask permission to access files. If you accidentally refuse, the system will not be able to read the file. Check the permissions in the Applications section → Explorer → Permissions.
In rare cases, cleaning the cache of the Themes or Sounds app helps. Go to the application settings, find the system app responsible for sounds, and click Clear Cache. This won't delete your files, but will reset indexing errors.