Many Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners are faced with the desire to personalize their device by making it truly unique. A standard set of tunes pre-installed by developers in the shell of MIUI or HyperOS often seems boring or too intrusive. Users pay special attention to system events that occur regularly, such as connecting to a power source. Changing the standard horn to something more pleasant or original is a great way to improve the user experience.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to change the charging sound on Xiaomi using both built-in system capabilities and third-party tools. You will learn where to look for hidden system files, how to replace them correctly and what precautions you need to take to avoid disrupting the operating system. We will look at methods for different versions of Android and shells, so that the instruction is relevant for most models.
It should be noted that the process of replacing system sounds can vary depending on the version of MIUI. In some cases, you will need access to the file system, in others - a standard conductor is enough, the main thing is to follow the algorithm of actions clearly to avoid errors when working with system partitions of your gadget's memory.
⚠️ Note: Before making any changes to system files, it is strongly recommended to create a complete backup of data.
Why Change Standard System Sounds
Standard default tunes are often perceived by users as "noise" that they stop paying attention to. However, the sound of the charger's connection is an important indicator of battery status. If you often use wireless charging or leave your phone on in a noisy place, the standard quiet squeak may simply not be heard, replacing it with a more distinct or unique signal allows you to instantly respond to changes in the power of the device.
Also, personalization is a way to express your identity. When your smartphone makes a unique sound when you connect a cable, it adds character to the device. For Xiaomi enthusiasts, it's also an opportunity to experiment with high-quality audio files, replacing compressed system samples with the.lossless versions or favorite short snippets of tracks.
Another reason is functionality. Some users use different sounds for different scenarios, like a quiet sound for overnight charging and a loud, sharp signal for fast charging to know that the turbo mode has been activated. Understanding how to tune the charging sound gives you complete control over the acoustic accompaniment of your gadget.
Preparation of an audio file for replacement
Before proceeding with the technical part of replacing files, you need to properly prepare the audio file. System sounds in Android, including shells from Xiaomi, have strict restrictions on format and duration. Using an inappropriate file can lead to the fact that the sound simply does not play or the system will ignore the replacement.
The optimal format for system sounds is.ogg (Ogg Vorbis), which provides good quality with a small file size and is natively supported by the Android operating system. Formats like.mp3 or.wav can work incorrectly in system partitions, so conversion is mandatory. The duration of the sound also matters: the ideal charging signal should last from 1 to 3 seconds.
You can use computer programs like Audacity or online converters to convert and trim an audio file, and it's important to make sure that the volume of the file is normalized, otherwise the quiet sound may not be heard, but too loud to cause distortion of the speakers.
- 🎵 Download or create the desired sound effect for up to 3 seconds.
- 🔄 Convert a file to.ogg with a bitrate of 128 kbps or higher for quality.
- 📁 Rename the file to the system name we will replace (more on this below).
- 📂 Save the file in the phone’s internal memory to an easily accessible folder, such as Downloads.
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Use online services to convert to OGG if you don't have a computer on hand. Simply type "mp3 to ogg converter" in the search and upload your file.
Search for system charging sound file
In Android, and in particular in the MIUI shell, the system sounds are stored in special directories. To replace the charging sound, we need to find the file responsible for this action. Usually called ChargingStarted.ogg or has a similar name, but the exact name may vary depending on the firmware version and region.
To find a file, you’ll need a file manager with access to system folders. Xiaomi’s standard Files Explorer may not show hidden system partitions without enabling a special mode. More advanced managers like MT Manager, Root Explorer, or even Total Commander with plugins are better suited for this task.
The path to system sounds is usually /system/media/audio/ui/. This is where the interface sounds are, including locking the screen, keystrokes and, of course, charging. Newer versions of HyperOS have a slightly different structure, so it’s worth checking the /system/product/media/audio/ui/ folder as well.
| File name in the system | Description of action | Location (path) | Necessary rights |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChargingStarted.ogg | Start of charging (main) | /system/media/audio/ui/ | Root / System access |
| WirelessChargingStarted.ogg | Start of wireless charging | /system/media/audio/ui/ | Root / System access |
| LowBattery.ogg | Low battery charge | /system/media/audio/ui/ | Root / System access |
| Trusted.ogg | Charging through the docking station | /system/media/audio/ui/ | Root / System access |
If you can't find a file with an exact name, look for the date of change of files or their size. System charging sounds are usually small (less than 100 KB). Be careful when deleting the original file: it is better to rename it by adding suffix.bak, so that in case of an error you can return everything as it was.
⚠️ Warning: Do not delete files without creating a copy of them! If you accidentally damage the system file, this can lead to a cyclic restart (bootloop) or no interface sounds.
Replacement method through file manager (with Root rights)
The most reliable and direct way to change the charging sound is to change the file directly in the system partition, but this method requires Root rights, and if your phone is already unlocked and has access rights (for example, through Magisk), then this option will become the main one for you.
Open your Root-enabled file manager first (such as MT Manager or Solid Explorer). Go to /system/media/audio/ui/. Find the ChargingStarted.ogg file. Copy it to a safe place just in case, then delete or rename the original. After that, copy your prepared file (which should also be called ChargingStarted.ogg) to the same folder.
A critical step is to set up the permissions for a new file. System files must have certain permissions, otherwise Android won't be able to read them.--r-- (This means that the owner (root) can read and write, and the group and others can only read.
☑️ Checklist for file replacement
After you change the file and set the rights, be sure to restart the device. A simple screen switch is not enough, the system must reread the configuration of media files at start. If after rebooting, a new sound is heard when you connect the charging, congratulations, the operation was successful!
What if the sound hasn’t changed?
Alternative ways without Root rights
Unfortunately, getting Root rights on today’s Xiaomi locked bootloader smartphones can be difficult or impossible without losing warranty and data. Fortunately, there are workarounds that allow you to change the charging sound without deep interference.
One popular method is to use automated applications like MacroDroid or Tasker, which can track the Power Connect event and play back the audio file you select. While this does not replace the system file, the effect for the user is the same: when you connect the cable, the selected melody will play.
Another option is to use themes. Some of the themes in Xiaomi's official Themes store contain modified system sounds. You can try looking for themes with "custom sounds" or "charging sound" and apply only sounds without changing the visual part of the design. However, this method does not work on all versions of MIUI, since Xiaomi often limits the ability to change system sounds through themes.
- 📲 Install MacroDroid from the Google Play Store.
- ⚡ Create a new macro and select the Power Connected trigger).
- 🔊 Add the action "Play sound" and select your prepared OGG or MP3 file.
- 💾 Save the macro and test it by plugging in the charger.
The advantage of the automatization method is that it's safe and reversible, so you can turn off the macro at any time, and the system files will remain intact, and it also allows you to create complex scenarios, like changing the sound depending on the time of day or battery level.
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Using automated applications is the safest way to customize sounds for ordinary users, without requiring root rights and unlocking the bootloader.
Possible problems and solutions
You may encounter a number of difficulties when modifying system files or setting up automation, and one of the common problems is not having sound or having a standard short squeak instead of your tune, which often indicates the wrong file format or incorrect access rights.
Another common mistake is cyclical rebooting of the phone after the system file is replaced, which occurs if the file is corrupted, has an incorrect codec or is too large, causing the audioserver system process to fail, in which case you need to boot into Recovery mode and restore the original file from the backup or reset your settings.
Also, it is worth considering that some features, such as “Wireless Charging Sound”, may conflict with wired charging sound if the system does not provide for separate settings, in which case priority is given to the last connected power source.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone stopped turning on after you replaced the file, don't panic. Go to Recovery mode (clutching the volume button up and power) and try doing Wipe Cache Partition. If it doesn't work, you'll need a full reset or flashing.
Remember that system updates can overwrite your changes. After a major MIUI or HyperOS update, you'll likely have to repeat the file replacement procedure. So always keep backups of your original files and your custom tunes in the cloud.