Personalizing your smartphone is not just a matter of aesthetics, it's also an important aspect of ergonomics of using your device. When you're in a noisy place or have multiple gadgets in your pocket, the standard notification sound can get lost. Setting a unique tune on an SMS allows you to instantly identify the type of incoming message without taking your phone out of your pocket. For owners of Xiaomi devices, including Redmi and POCO sub-brands, this task is solved in several ways, but the interface of the MIUI shell or HyperOS has its nuances.
Unlike setting a ringtone to an incoming call, setting up the audio for messages requires a more point-based approach. Standard system settings often offer a limited selection of built-in compositions that may seem boring or too quiet. Fortunately, the Android operating system on which Xiaomi smartphones run allows you to use any audio files in MP3 or OGG format. This opens up wide opportunities for customization, making the communication process more comfortable and personalized.
In this guide, we will discuss all available methods for replacing a standard signal in detail, how to download a track through system settings, how to use the built-in file manager and how to assign different sounds to different contacts, and we will focus on working with the shells of MIUI 12, 13, 14 and the new HyperOS, since the location of menu items may vary slightly.
Preparation of an audio file for installation
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that you have the right audio file. Android is flexible enough and supports most popular formats, but for stable operation it is better to use proven options. The file should be stored in the device memory, and not be solely in cloud storage or streaming service without the possibility of offline access.
MP3 is considered the optimal format, as it provides good sound quality with a minimum file size. WAV, OGG and M4A formats are also supported. It is important that the file is not copyrighted by DRM, otherwise the system will not be able to reproduce it as system sound. The length of the track also matters: too long a composition may crop or incorrectly appear in the selection list.
⚠️ Note: Do not use files with a bitrate below 128 kbps, as they may sound hoarse and unpleasant on the smartphone speaker. Also avoid files with a very high sampling rate, which may not be supported by the system player notifications.
The downloaded file is best placed in the root memory folder or in a specially created directory Ringtones, which will make it easier to find it in the system menu of the selection of sounds. If you download music from the Internet, the browser default saves files to the Download folder, which is also quite acceptable, but can create visual noise in the list of files when searching.
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Use audio editors on your PC or phone to cut the track to 3-5 seconds.A short but bright piece of composition is perceived better than a long intro.
Installation of melody through system settings
The most correct and stable way to change the sound of the notification is to use the regular menu of the settings of the smartphone. This method ensures that the melody will play correctly even after a device reboot or system update. The algorithm of actions may vary slightly4 depending on the version of the shell, but the general logic remains the same for all Xiaomi models.
You need to go to the main settings menu first, find the audio section, and in older versions of MIUI, it can be called just Sound and Vibration, whereas in HyperOS, items can be regrouped for convenience, and your goal is to find a subsection dedicated to notifications, not calls.
The following sequence of actions should be performed:
- 📱 Open Settings and select Sound and Vibration.
- 🔊 Find the notification sound bar (sometimes hidden inside the "Additional sound settings" item»).
- 📂 In the list that opens, select the All tab or the Plus icon to open the file manager.
- 🎵 Find your prepared track in the phone’s memory and click on it to install.
☑️ Verification of sound installation
Once a file is selected, the system will automatically assign it to the primary sound for all incoming SMS and push notifications of applications using the system sound channel. If you do not find the file in the list, make sure that it is not hidden and the file format is supported by the device. Sometimes it takes several seconds for the new audio file to be indexed by the system.
Configure via the Messages app
An alternative and often more flexible method is to configure directly in the message-processing app, Google’s standard Messages app or Xiaomi’s proprietary app have their own settings that prioritize the system, allowing you to set a unique tune specifically for SMS, leaving the sounds of messengers unchanged.
If you use a standard Xiaomi app (an icon with text on a yellow or white background), the algorithm will be as follows: Open the app and click on the three dots in the upper right corner, then select Settings. In the menu, find the item "Notification Sound" or "Melody", where you can select a track from the built-in library or download your own.
For users who prefer Google Messages (the standard for global versions and many models in Russia), the path will be different:
- 📩 Open the Messages app and click on the profile avatar.
- ⚙️ Go to Message Settings → Notifications.
- 🔔 Click on Other Notifications (or “Notification Sound»).
- 🎼 Select “Add a Melody” or select from the list of available.
⚠️ Note: If the app settings have a checkmark "Use system settings", then changing the melody within the app may not be available. First, disable this setting to unlock individual choices.
The advantage of this method is that you can easily return the standard sound by simply resetting the settings of a particular application. SIM-cards, if the application supports separation of notifications by card, which is relevant for two-symbol smartphones Redmi and POCO.
Use of themes and theme store
Xiaomi's ecosystem offers a powerful customization tool, the Themes app, which is not just wallpaper and icons, but entire audio packages, and thousands of free and paid sets can be found in the theme store, which include ringtones, text messages, lock screens and system events.
To find the right tune, open the Themes app on your desktop. In the search box, type in a query like "SMS sounds" or "notification tones." You can filter the results by ranking or novelty. Many authors create thematic packages (such as sounds from games, movies or nature sounds) that can be installed in whole or in part.
The installation process looks like this:
- Find your favorite theme or set of sounds.
- Press the Download button (arrow down) and wait for the process to end.
- Click "Apply." The system will tell you to choose whether to use wallpaper, icons or Sounds.
- Choose only sounds so as not to change the visual style of the interface.
Using the store is especially convenient because all files are already optimized for the speakers of Xiaomi smartphones. You do not need to search for files online, convert them or ask about format compatibility.
Secret to the store.
Customization of individual sounds for contacts
One of the most useful features is the ability to assign a unique text message to a specific person, which allows you to know who is texting you without even looking at the screen, a feature that is critical to highlighting messages from loved ones, colleagues or delivery services among the overall notification stream.
There are two ways to do this. The first is through contacts. Open the Contacts app, find the subscriber you want, and click Change. At the bottom of the editing page, find the SMS Melody field (if hidden, click More or three dots). Here you can select a separate file for that person.
The second way is through the history of the correspondence. Open the contact dialog in the message app. Click three dots in the corner and select "Notification settings" or "Sound," which is often faster, because it doesn't require you to go to the phone book.
Comparison of sound tuning methods:
| Parameter | System setup | Set-up in the annex | For a specific contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage | All system notifications | Only SMS/MMS | Only one subscriber. |
| Priority | Low (baseline) | Medium. | High (overlapping general) |
| Difficulty | Minimum | Medium | It takes time for everyone. |
| Flexibility | One sound for everyone. | Separation SIM-map | Full personalization |
If you change the overall melody of the SMS, it will not change for this contact until you reset its personal settings.
The solution: Why the sound doesn't work
It's not uncommon for users to have a situation where everything seems to be set up correctly, but the phone is silent or plays a standard horn. In the Xiaomi ecosystem, this is often the responsibility of an aggressive energy saving system or conflicting notification settings.
The first thing to check is Do Not Disturb. In MIUI and HyperOS, it can be configured to block notification sounds but skip calls. Check if this mode is activated in the notification curtain or on schedule. Also make sure that the Notifications volume slider (separate from media and call) is not twisted to zero.
The second important thing is access rights and battery optimization, which can kill background message processes, causing sound to be lost or not played at all.
- 🔋 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications.
- 📱 Find your messaging app (Messages or Google Messages).
- ⚡ Click on “charge savings” and select Without restrictions.
- 🔔 Make sure that all categories are allowed under the Notifications section, especially incoming communications».
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models with very loud speakers may have a “choking” effect when setting a track that is too loud or bassing. If the sound is distorted, use software to reduce the track’s volume before installing it.
It's also worth checking if a silent mode is on for a particular dialogue. In the correspondence list, a crossed-out bell may be on next to the contact name. Click on the dialogue, then on the contact name from above, and turn off No Sound mode if it's active.
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If the sound doesn’t work after all the checks, try removing and reinstall the messaging app or resetting the sound settings in the engineering menu (code ##6484##), but this requires caution.
Using third-party applications for sound management
If standard features aren't enough, Google Play's specialized apps come to the rescue, and they allow you to create complex scenarios, change the sound depending on the time of day, location or battery power, and they turn a simple ringtone into a smart notification.
Popular apps like Zedge, Ringtone Maker, or SuperSound offer huge libraries of pre-made sounds and built-in editors. You can record a voice message, overlay effects, and set it up as a text melody. Some apps even know how to create live ringtones that respond to actions.
When using third-party software, it is important to read permissions carefully. The melody installation app does not need access to your photos or microphone (unless you are recording audio) Limit access rights to only the necessary features to keep data privacy on your Xiaomi.