How to change the sound of a text message to Xiaomi: 5 ways + solving errors

Getting notifications about new messages with original audio is a small thing that makes smartphone use more comfortable. But standard Xiaomi tunes get boring quickly, and in some cases (for example, at work or in a noisy place) they are difficult to distinguish from other notifications. Fortunately, you can change the sound of SMS on Xiaomi in a few minutes - and it does not need root rights or complex manipulation.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change the sound of notifications for messages, including setting custom tunes, setting up for individual contacts and solving typical problems (for example, when the sound is reset after an update). Instructions are checked on MIUI 14/15 and are relevant to Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5/X5 and other Android 12-14 devices.

1. Standard method: changing sound through message settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It is suitable if you have enough pre-installed tunes or you downloaded a sound file in.mp3/.ogg format and placed it in the Ringtones or Notifications folder on your phone.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

• 📱 Open the Messages app** (Icon with envelope).
• ⚙️ Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Choose "Settings» → «Notifications».

If the desired sound is not in the list, but it is on your device, make sure that the file:

• 📁 It is located in the Notifications or Ringtones root folder (create it manually if it is not available).
• 🎶 It has a supported format:.mp3,.ogg,.wav (up to 30 seconds).
• 📱 It does not exceed 5 MB (otherwise the system will not display it).

MP3/OGG/WAV| No longer than 30 seconds | Up to 5MB | File is placed in Notifications | File rights allow reading-->

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware (especially global ones) may not have the Add option** option, in which case use the file manager method (section 3) or third-party applications (section 4).

2. customization of individual sounds for contacts

Want messages from loved ones or colleagues to sound special? MIUI has a feature to assign unique tunes to individual contacts. This works for both standard SMS and Google Messages (if it's installed by default).

How to set up:

1. 📞 Open the Contacts app** and select the contact you want.
2. ✏️ Click "Edit"** (pencil icon).
3. 🔔 Scroll down to the Notification Sound (or Message Sound) block»).

If the item "Notification Sound"** is not:

• 📲 Make sure that the contact is saved in your Google account, not on your account. SIM-map.

Standard (from MIUI)| Custom (my own melody)|No sound (only vibration)|Different for different contacts-->

3. Install custom sounds through the file manager

If you don’t have the option to add your own sound, you can bypass the restriction manually, and you’ll need any file manager (e.g., built-in Files** or Solid Explorer).

Algorithm of action:

1. 📁 Download your favorite tune to your phone (e.g., from Zedge or Notification Sounds).

Important: files must have Latin names without spaces (e.g, my_sms_tone.mp3). Otherwise, the system won't recognize them.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware (especially Chinese) may have system folders hidden. To see them, enable the display of hidden files in the file manager ("Settings") → Show hidden files»**).

4.Use of third-party applications for flexible customization

If you don't like the built-in MIUI tools, you can use third-party tools that allow you to:

• 🎛 Assign different sounds to different contacts or groups.
• 🔊 Use long audio files (more than 30 seconds).
• 📊 Set up vibration and light notifications.

Top.-3 tested applications:

How to set up SMS sound via Zedge:

1. 🔧 After downloading, click "Install» → «The sound of the notification».

💡

If it does not apply after installing the sound through a third-party application, restart the phone or manually select it in the message settings.

5 Problem Solving: The sound is not changed or reset

Sometimes users are faced with the fact that:

• 🔕 SMS sounds don’t change despite all the manipulations.
• 🔄 After rebooting or updating MIUI settings are reset.
• 📵 Castomic melodies are not displayed in the list.

Here are proven ways to address these problems:

Problem 1: The sound doesn't change

• 📲 Check that the Messages app** has permission to notify: Settings → Annexes → Communications → Notifications.

Problem 2: Settings are reset after the update

• 🔧 Use the AutoNotification app (from Tasker) to force audio assignment.

Problem 3: Castomic sounds are not displayed

• 🔄 Restart your phone - sometimes MIUI Does not update the list of sounds without reboot.

6.Alternative methods: through ADB and MIUI Hidden Settings

For advanced users who want to deeply customize notification sounds, there are two additional methods: ADB-commands and hidden settings MIUI.

Method 1: Configure with ADB

This is a good way to assign a system-level SMS to your computer.

• 🖥 Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Commands for assigning sound:

adb shell settings put system notification_sound "file:///storage/emulated/0/Notifications/your_sound.mp3"

Replace. your_sound.mp3 in the name of your file.

Method 2: Hidden MIUI settings

MIUI has undocumented options that can be enabled via MIUI Hidden Settings (available on 4PDA or GitHub).

1. 🔧 Open the app and find the "Sound" section).
2. 🔔 Activate the option “Enable custom notification sounds).
3. 🔄 Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB And hidden settings can lead to unstable system operation. Before experiments, back up the data through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

7. Features for different Xiaomi models

Some Xiaomi models have unique nuances when setting up SMS sounds.

If your model is not listed in the table, check:

• 📋 Version MIUI (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI).
• 🌍 Firmware region (global, Chinese, European).
• 🔄 Availability of updates (Settings) → Updating the system).

💡

On Xiaomi with China ROM, many of the audio settings are blocked, and it requires changing the firmware region or obtaining root rights to unlock them.

FAQ: Frequent questions about SMS sounds on Xiaomi