How to change the melody of SMS on Xiaomi Redmi: all ways + error solving

Receipt SMS-Messages on Xiaomi Redmi are accompanied by a standard sound signal, which over time can get boring or simply do not match your preferences. MIUI It allows you to flexibly adjust notifications, from changing the tune to one of the presets to installing your own audio file, but not everyone knows where these settings are hiding, especially after interface updates.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to change the sound of SMS on Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10 and other models - both through standard MIUI 12/13/14 tools and using third-party applications. We will separately dwell on typical errors (for example, when a new melody is not used) and give recommendations for choosing audio file formats for custom ringtones.

Why a standard SMS melody may not suit you

Smartphone manufacturers, including Xiaomi, often use neutral beeps for notifications that:

• 🔊 Too quiet – easy to miss in noisy environments.
• 🎵 Indistinguishable from other notifications (such as WhatsApp or Telegram).
• 😴 Irritating – some users complain of high frequencies in standard signals MIUI.
• 📱 Not relevant to the topic – for example, a business melody for work messages and a fun one for personal messages.

MIUI 14 also introduced dynamic notifications, which automatically adjusts the sound to context (time of day, location), which can be confusing if you're used to a fixed tune, and we'll show you how to turn it off and take back control of the signals.

Method 1: Change the melody through MIUI settings (standard method)

The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI tools. The interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the general logic is maintained:

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to the section Sound and vibration.
3. Select the default notification or notification sound (in MIUI 14 may be called the Notification Style).
4. Sms the sound (sometimes hidden under Other sounds).
5. In the list of available tunes, select your favorite or click Add to download yours.

If the SMS Sound item is not in the main menu, try an alternative path:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three points (⋮) → System applications → Messages → Notifications → Sound

Make sure the volume of notifications is not at a minimum (volume buttons → bell icon)

Check if the Do Not Disturb mode is on (notification curtain)

Update the Messages app in Google Play (if not standard)

- Reboot your phone if the new tune doesn’t apply-->

Method 2: Install custom melody (own audio file)

If you don’t like the preset sounds, you can download your file. Xiaomi Redmi supports.mp3,.wav,.ogg formats, but there are nuances:

• ⏱️ Length: Optimally 3-5 seconds (long files will be cropped).
• 🔊 Volume: Normalize the sound in an audio editor (such as Audacity) so there are no jumps.
• 📁 Location: The file must be in the Ringtones or Notifications folder on the internal drive.

Instructions for addition:

1. Download or create an audio file (for example, crop a song in Ringtone Maker).
2. Connect your phone to your PC or use a file manager (such as Mi File Explorer).
3. Copy the file to /storage/emulated/0/Notifications/ (if there is no folder, create it).
4. In the sound settings (Sound and vibration → SMS Sound), select Add and specify your file.

Important: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi 9A on MIUI 12) do not support files with a bitrate higher than 192 kbps. If the melody is not played, convert it to lower quality.

Method 3: Using Third-Party Applications

If standard methods do not work or you need advanced settings (for example, different tunes for different contacts), third-party software will help.

To set the sound through Zedge:

1. Download and install the app.
2. In the Notification Sounds section, select a category (e.g. Funny or Minimal).
3. Click on your favorite sound → Set as → Notification Sound.
4. Confirm the replacement in the system dialogue.

💡

If you reset your SMS to standard after installing a third-party tune via Zedge, check your battery optimization settings for the Messages app. Add it to the exclusion list (Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization).

Problem Solving: Why SMS Melody Doesn't Change

Sometimes users find that a new tune is not applied or reset, common reasons and ways to eliminate them:

⚠️ Note: If you are using duality SIM-maps on Redmi, SMS sound can be customized separately for each SIM. Check settings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Notifications SIM.

If the problem persists, try resetting the sound settings:

Settings → System → Resetting settings → Resetting sound settings →

💡

On some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro), the SMS sound is tied to the overall notification sound, and to change it separately, you need to turn off the option “Use the default notification sound” in the Messages settings.

Additional settings: vibration, LED-indicator

In addition to sound, MIUI can be configured:

• 📳 Vibration: c Sound and vibration → Notification Vibration Select Pattern (e.g. Long-Short).
• 🔴 LED-indicator: Settings → Screen. → Notification indicator (color and frequency of flashing).
• 🔝 Priority: In the notification settings for the Messages app, enable Important Notifications so that SMSes are not blocked in Do Not Disturb mode".

For models with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Redmi) K50) Always-on Display is available to display SMS notifications on the locked screen. → Screen. → Always-on Display.

Specifics for different versions of MIUI

The interface of the audio settings may vary depending on the firmware version, and the key differences are:

Redmi with MIUI 14 Global may not have SMS Sound because of regional restrictions.

1. Install Google Messages from Google Play.
2. Open the app. → ⋮ → Settings → Notifications → Sound.
3. Choose a melody (systemic or custom).

FAQ: Frequent questions about SMS sound tuning