Personalizing your smartphone is the first step that makes the new Xiaomi or Redmi truly yours. Standard system sounds pre-installed by the manufacturer often seem boring or too loud for everyday use. Fortunately, the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS provide ample opportunities to customize the audio of the device, allowing you to replace standard signals with your favorite tracks.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the ways to replace the ringtone: from the banal installation of a melody from the built-in storage to assigning a unique sound for each contact. You will learn how to bypass the system limitations if the desired file is not displayed in the list, and how to properly configure notifications for messengers. The flexibility of the interface allows you to adapt the phone to any user preferences, making interaction with the gadget more enjoyable.
The change of tune does not require root rights or complex software. All the necessary tools are already built into the system, but their location may not be obvious to the beginner, we will go through all the hidden menus and settings so that you can easily find the desired feature. To correctly display user tracks, the file must be in format MP3, AAC or OGG and be in the memory of the device, not on SD-map.
Standard Rington Change through System Settings
The easiest and most obvious way to change the sound of an incoming call is to use the regular settings menu, which is suitable for those who want to select a tune from an existing list on the system or download a new track through the standard interface. Open the Settings app and find the Sound and Vibration section. In some firmware versions, this item may be simply called Sounds.
In the menu that opens, you'll see Ringtone or Call Melody. When you click on it, the system will suggest a list of preset songs. Listen to them and choose the right one. If none of the standard tunes fit you, press the + button or Add a tune at the top or bottom of the screen. The system will open the file manager where you will need to specify the path to your audio file.
⚠️ Note: If you have selected a file but it resets to a standard one after restarting the phone, check the permissions of the Themes or Sounds app to the device's memory. Without permission to read the files, the system will not be able to play the selected track.
Once a file is selected, it will automatically become the primary ringtone for all incoming calls unless there are exceptions for individual contacts. It is important to note that the volume of the call is adjusted separately from the volume of the media. Make sure that the volume slider of the call is not kept at a minimum, otherwise you can miss an important call, even setting the loudest composition.
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System settings allow you to quickly change the overall ringtone, but for deep customization it is better to use the built-in application "Themes".
Using the “Themes” application to expand the library
On Xiaomi and Redmi, the Themes app is responsible for multimedia content, not just a wallpaper catalog, but a powerful audio management tool. Open Themes and go to the Profile tab (a human icon) in the bottom menu or find the Ringtones section in the side menu, and you have a huge catalog of sounds, broken down into pop, rock, electronics, classics and more.
You can download your favorite tracks for free and install them in one click, and the advantage of this method is that the tunes are already optimized for the smartphone speaker and have the right duration, and the app allows you to create your own collections. If you downloaded music from the Internet, it may not appear in the system list, but the Themes app often sees files in the folder. MIUI/ringtone.
- 🎵 Open the Themes app and go to the ringtones section.
- 📥 Download your favorite tracks from the catalog or import your files.
- 🔊 Click the "Apply" button to set the track to the call or notifications.
To import your own file through this application, go to My -> Ringtones and select the import option from memory.This ensures that the track will be properly processed by the system and will not disappear after the firmware update. Themes directory is updated regularly, so you can find current hits there.
How to Install Your Melody Through File Manager
Often users will download music from a browser or messenger, but they can't find it in the audio settings. The problem is the structure of the Android folders. To make sure your tune appears on the list of available, you need to put it in a special directory. Open the Explorer app (or any file manager, for example, Files by Google).
Go to the device's internal memory, you need to find a folder called MIUI, and inside it is a sound or ringtone folder. If there are no folders with such names, create them manually. Copy your audiophile into this directory. Then, when you select the ringtone in the settings, it will appear in the category "Downloaded" or "All".
/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/ringtone/An alternative path that works on some versions of HyperOS is Android/media/com.android.providers.media.module. However, the path through MIUI is considered more reliable for older and newer versions of firmware. If the file didn't show up right away, try rebooting your smartphone. The file manager is a key content management tool in the Xiaomi ecosystem.
What if there is no MIUI folder?
Customization of individual sounds for contacts
One of the most useful features is the ability to assign a unique sound to a particular subscriber, which allows you to know who is calling without taking the phone out of your pocket. To do this, open the Contacts app or Phone and go to Contacts. Find the right person on the list and open the contact card.
At the top of the screen or in the menu (three dots in the corner), find the Sound or Call Melody. The default is "Default." Click on it and select from the list any track available on the system. Now, when that person calls you, you'll hear that song.
| Type of setup | Where to find out. | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Common ringtone | Settings -> Sound | Low (baseline) |
| Contact | Contact card -> Sound | Tall (interrupts general) |
| Contact group | Annex Contacts -> Groups | Medium. |
Note that if a subscriber has hidden their number (Undefined number), the individual sound will not work and you will hear a standard horn. Also, this feature only works for contacts stored in the phone’s memory or synchronized with a Google/Xiaomi account. Personalization of contacts makes life in noisy places much easier.
Replace the alarm and notification sound
It's not just incoming calls that need personalization. The alarm clock is what the morning starts with, and it shouldn't be annoying. To change it, open the Watch app. Go to the Alarm tab. Click on an existing alarm clock or create a new alarm clock. In the time settings, you'll see Sound.
You can choose a track from the built-in library or click + to select a file from memory. The unique thing about setting up the alarm clock is that it can play music from streaming services if they are integrated, or high-quality local files. Remember to check the alarm volume in the main audio settings, as it is regulated by a separate slider.
- ⏰ Open the Watch app and select the appropriate alarm clock.
- 🎼 Click on "Sound" and select "Add" to download your track.
- 🔊 Check if the "Call Gradually" option is enabled to avoid waking up to a sharp sound.
For notifications (SMS, mail), the path is similar: Settings -> Sound and vibration -> Notifications. Here you can choose a short beep. It is important not to put too long or loud melody on notifications, so as not to miss a series of messages.
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Use calm but rhythmic alarm clock tunes, and loud noises raise cortisol levels in the morning, which can have a negative impact on productivity.
Solution: If the melody is not put or heard
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where after all the manipulations the phone is silent or plays a standard signal. The first reason may be activated mode "Do not disturb" or "Silent mode." Check the side control panel (swipe top-down) and make sure the sound is on.
The second common problem is file format. Xiaomi doesn't support all audio codecs. If your file has a.wav extension (high bitrate) or is protected by DRM, the system may ignore it. Convert the file to a standard MP3 with a bitrate of 128 or 320 kbps. Also check if the file is labeled "read only" in the properties.
⚠️ Note: On new versions of Android 11/12/13/14 file-access Android/media If you can't save the file to the right directory, use the Topics app for import, as it has the necessary system permissions.
If the sound is wheezing or interrupted, it is possible that the file is corrupted or of too high quality that the software decoder cannot cope with in the background. Try to choose another track. Also make sure that the speaker is not covered with a case or contaminated.