How to change the ringtone on Xiaomi Redmi: 5 ways to MIUI 12-14

The standard ringtone on Xiaomi Redmi is a quick bore, especially if you’ve been using your phone for years. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several ways to personalize the audio, from simple swapping through settings to custom ringtone settings through the file manager. In this article, we’ll take a look at all the current methods for Redmi smartphones based on MIUI 12-14, including hidden features and bypass system limitations.

It is important to understand that the procedure may vary slightly depending on the model (Redmi Note 10 Pro, Redmi 12, POCO X5, etc.) and the firmware version. However, the basic principles remain unchanged: you can use both built-in tools and third-party applications.

If you've tried to change the ringtone before, but the new tunes didn't appear on the list, the reason is because the files are in the wrong format or where they are located. We'll cover this in a separate section, and for minimalists, we have a way to change the tune literally into two taps, without unnecessary transitions to the menu.

1. Standard method: through phone settings

The most obvious and safe method is the use of built-in MIUI tools. It is suitable for all Redmi models, including budget (Redmi A2+) and flagship (Redmi K60 Pro) devices, the main advantage is that you do not need to install additional programs or obtain root rights.

To change the ringtone:

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the section Sound and vibration.
3. Select the item Melody of the call (on some firmware it may be called the Call Sound).
4. Scroll down the list – here you can see both Xiaomi’s standard ringtones and those added by the user (if they meet the system’s requirements).
5. Slip on your favorite tune to listen to it, then click OK or Ready.

Note that MIUI 14 has a slightly different interface, with tunes grouped into categories (Classics, Electronics, Nature, etc.) that makes it easier to search, but can confuse users who are used to the old menu. If the right tune is not on the list, move on to the next section, where we will tell you how to add your own files.

2. Adding custom ringtones: formats and folders

MIUI supports custom tunes, but with strict restrictions: First, files must be in the correct format:.mp3,.m4a,.ogg or.wav. Second, they must be placed in a specific folder of internal memory, otherwise they will not appear in the selection menu.

Instructions for adding your own tune:

1. Connect your phone to your computer via USB (File Transfer Mode) or use a file manager on your smartphone (such as Explorer or Mi File Manager).
2. Create a folder at the root of the internal memory called MIUI (if it doesn't exist) and inside it a ringtone subfolder (register is important!). The full path should look like this: /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/ringtone/.
3. Copy the audio files you've prepared into this folder — 15-30 seconds.
4. Restart your phone (required!) Without a reboot, new tunes may not show up.
5. Go to the sound settings (Settings → Sound and vibration → Call melody) – your files should appear in the Local or User section.

File format: MP3, M4A, OGG or WAV|

Duration: up to 30 seconds |

Accommodation folder: /MIUI/ringtone/|

Rebooting after addition is mandatory!|-->

The critical detail is that if the MIUI folder already exists but there is no ringtone subfolder inside, create it manually. The system doesn't do it automatically, even after updating the firmware. Also make sure that the filenames don't contain Cyrillic characters or spaces, which can cause read errors.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A s MIUI 12.5) User tunes are only displayed after cleaning the Settings app cache. → Annexes → Application management → Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

3. Use of third-party applications

If standard methods don't work (for example, you want to assign different tunes to different contacts or use dynamic ringtones), third-party utilities will come to the rescue.

• 🎵 Zedge is the largest database of ringtones and notifications with the ability to pre-listen. MIUI through the "Open to" menu...".
• 🔊 Ringtone Maker – allows you to crop tracks and convert them to the desired format right on your phone.
• 📱 MP3 Cutter and Ringtone Maker – advanced editor with volume normalization function (relevant for quiet ringtones).

How to set a tune through Zedge:

1. Download the app from Google Play and open it.
2. In the search bar, type a query (such as a game ringtone or retro melody).
3. Select your favorite ringtone and click Install.
4. In the window that appears, tap Open in MIUI Settings – this will automatically redirect you to the melody selection menu.
5. Confirm the choice and save the changes.

The advantage of this method is that you can access thousands of free tunes without having to manually copy files. However, be careful: some applications (especially from unverified sources) may request extra permissions.

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If it does not appear in the settings after installing the ringtone through Zedge, try manually moving the downloaded file to /MIUI/ringtone/ and restart the phone.

4.Assigning unique melodies for contacts

The individual ringtones feature is available in MIUI, but it's hidden deeper than you'd like, which is useful if you want to know who's calling without looking at the screen, for example, you can assign one tune to your family, another to your work, and a third to your spam calls.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Contacts app (or Phone → Contacts tab).
2. Find the right contact and tap it to open the card.
3. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Set Rington (on some firmware, the item may be called Call Sound).
4. In the menu that opens, select a tune from the standard list or go to the Locals tab for custom files.
5. Save the changes. Now, when you call from this number, you play the selected tune.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Not applicable to unknown numbers (only for saved contacts).
• 🔕 On some models (Redmi Note 11 c) MIUI 13) individual ringtones are reset after firmware update.
• 🎼 You can’t assign different tunes for incoming and outgoing calls (only for incoming calls).

⚠️ Warning: If after assigning an individual ringtone, it does not work, check if the function in the settings of the Phone application is disabled. → Annexes → Application management → Phone. → Permits and make sure that access rights to contacts and storage are included.

5. Hidden MIUI functions: dynamic ringtones

Few people know, but MIUI 13/14 has a hidden ability to use dynamic ringtones, tunes that vary depending on the time of day or day of the week, such as setting a calm tune for the night and a cheerful tune for the morning, which is not documented, but works on most Redmi models.

How to activate dynamic ringtones:

1. Install the Mi Sound Assistant app (available in GetApps or via APK).This is the official tool from Xiaomi, but it is not pre-installed by default.
2. Open the app and go to the Ringtona tab.
3. Select Dynamic Rules (or Smart Ringtones in English).
4. Set up the rules for time (for example, from 22:00 to 7:00 – quiet ringtone, from 7:00 to 22:00 – standard).
5. Save the profile and activate it.

Additional features of the Mi Sound Assistant:

• 🔄 Automatic switching between “Work” and “Home” modes by geolocation.
• 🎧 Set up individual profiles for headphones and dynamics.
• 📊 Ringtones usage statistics (how many times a particular melody has worked).

Important: the app may conflict with some custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU).If errors occur after installation, try clearing the cache or rolling back the MIUI version to stable.

6. Problem Solving: Why the Melodies Are Not Displayed

Even after placing files in /MIUI/ringtone/ folder correctly, they may not appear in the settings.

If none of the methods worked, try resetting the sound settings:

1. Go to Settings → System and device → Additional → Resetting.
2. Select Resetting Sound Settings (not to be confused with a full reset!).
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

In 90% of cases, this solves the problem of rendering and playing ringtones, and if the problem persists, it may be the custom firmware that is to blame, in which case only the firmware reflashing to the official version of MIUI will help.

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Before resetting your audio settings, save the current tunes from /MIUI/ringtone/ folder – they will be deleted!

7.Alternative methods: ADB and root access

For advanced users who are willing to work with ADB Or you can get root rights, you can have additional features, like replacing system ringtones or assigning melodies to specific ringtones. SIM-Cards (relevant to Redmi dual-SIM models).

Method with ADB (without root):

1. Connect your phone to your PC and activate USB Debugging in the developer settings.
2. Open the command line and type: adb shell settings put global ringtone_uri "content://media/internal/audio/media/123" where 123 — ID your audio file in the media base (you can find it through the Media Storage Info application).
3. Reboot the phone.

Method with root:

• 🔧 Replace the files in /system/media/audio/ringtones/ In your own way (requires Root Explorer).
• 📝 Edit the file. /system/csc/others.xml, Adding support for new formats.
• 🔄 Set up automatic tune switching via Tasker or MacroDroid.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB or root can cause a loss of warranty and unstable phone performance.On Redmi models with a locked bootloader (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) These methods require pre-unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool, which takes up to 720 hours of waiting time!

FAQ: Frequent questions