How to Put Any Song in a Call to Xiaomi: 5 Ways to Work

Want your Xiaomi or Redmi to play your favorite tune on an incoming call, not the standard ringtone from the game. MIUI? You’re not alone: 68% of Xiaomi smartphone users have tried to replace a call with a song at least once, but not everyone succeeds the first time, with restrictions on file format, track duration, and even the folder’s storage.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to install custom ringtones on Xiaomi, POCO and Redmi running MIUI 14/15 (including global and Chinese versions of firmware), learn how to circumvent the restriction on the duration of the track, what formats are supported, and what to do if the melody does not appear in the list of ringtones, and also a unique life hack for models with a blocked sound editor (relevant in some regions).

Why can’t you just pick a song as a call on Xiaomi?

Unlike pure Android, MIUI imposes strict restrictions on user ringtones:

• 📁 Storage folder: The file must be in a strictly defined directory (/MIUI/ringtone/, /Ringtones/ or /Media/Audio/Ringtones/). A downloaded song from the Internet will not appear in the selection menu.
• ⏱️ Duration: MIUI Cuts tracks longer than 30 seconds (some models have 45 seconds) to save resources, but creates problems with full-length songs.
• 🎵 File format: Only supported.mp3,.m4a And.ogg. You'll have to convert files to.wav or.flac.
• 🔒 Regional locks: Some firmware for India, China and the EU disabled manual selection of ringtones from the file manager.

Also, after the MIUI 14 → MIUI 15 update, many users encountered a bug when custom ringtones were reset to standard ones, which is due to a change in the folder structure in the new firmware version.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Xiaomi Eu ROM (Unofficial firmware, the path to the ringtones folder may be different. /system/media/audio/ringtones/ — Sometimes custom firmware ignores user folders.

Method 1: Standard method through "Settings" (works on 80% of models)

This is the easiest way to work on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices with MIUI 12-15. Suitable for models: Redmi Note 12/13, Xiaomi 13/14, POCO X5/F5 and others.

1. Download the song to your phone (for example, via YouTube Music or VK Music) and save it to the Downloads folder.
2. Open the File Manager (Files or Mi File Explorer).
3. Find the downloaded file and hold your finger on it, then select Cut.
4. Go to MIUI → ringtone (if you don’t have one, create it manually).
5. Open Settings → Sounds and Vibrations → Call and select your song from the list.

If you don't have a MIUI/ringtone folder, you can create it manually. Importantly, the folder name should be exactly that, without any bugs or spaces. Some firmware has an alternative route: /Ringtones/ (at the root of internal memory).

Downloaded file in.mp3 or.m4a| format

Track duration not exceeding 45 seconds |

File renamed in Latin (without Cyrillic and characters) |

folder MIUI/ringtone It exists (or is created by hand)-->

Method 2: Bypass the limit on the duration of the track (for songs longer than 30 seconds)

MIUI automatically cuts ringtones longer than 30 to 45 seconds, but this restriction can be circumvented in two ways:

Method A: Editing a file via PC

If you have a computer, the most reliable way is to cut the track to 30 seconds using Audacity or MP3Cut.

1. Upload the song to MP3Cut.
2. Select a fragment 25-30 seconds long (optimally - the chorus or the most memorable piece).
3. Download the clipped file and save it to the MIUI/ringtone folder on your phone.

Method B: Using the Ringtone Maker app (without PC)

For those who do not have access to a computer, the Ringtone Maker app from Google Play is suitable:

1. Install the Ringtone Maker app.
2. Select a song from your phone's memory.
3. Cut the track to 30 seconds (slider at the bottom of the screen).
4. Save the result to the Ringtones folder (the app will automatically prompt it).

After that, the melody will appear in the list of ringtones in the settings of Xiaomi.

Edit on PC|

Use the app on your phone |

No need to cut - I have short tracks |

I don't know, I haven't tried it yet.-->

Method 3: Install ringtones via Google Files (for lock firmware)

On some regional firmware (e.g. India or China), the standard MIUI file manager does not allow you to move files to the ringtone folder.

1. Install Google Files from the Play Market.
2. Open the app and find your song in the Downloads folder.
3. Click on three dots next to the file → Move.
4. Manually enter the path /MIUI/ringtone/ (or select the Ringtones folder at the root of the memory).
5. Confirm the movement and restart the phone.

After the reboot, the melody should appear in the call settings. If not, check if the MIUI folder is hidden (in Google Files, turn on the hidden files in the settings menu).

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi 13T Pro and Redmi. K60 s MIUI 15 may require additional permission to write to system folders. For this, after moving the file, go to Settings → Annexes → Permit management → Files and folders and give Google Files access to storage.

Method 4: Use of third-party applications (for advanced users)

If the standard methods didn’t work, you can use specialized applications to install ringtones.

Instructions for Zedge (the most popular option):

1. Install the application and open it.
2. Select Ringtones from the menu.
3. Find your favorite tune or upload yours through My Sounds.
4. Click on the track → Set as ringtone.
5. Confirm your choice in the system window.

Zedge automatically saves ringtones to the correct folder, so there should be no display problems. However, note that the application can request access to contacts and call history - these permissions can be disabled in Android settings.

💡

If it does not play through Zedge after installing the ringtone, clear the cache of the Phone application (Settings → Apps → Phone → Storage → Clear the cache).

Method 5: Manual copying through ADB (for power users)

If none of the above methods work, then the "heavy artillery" is used, the ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable for:

• 📱 Devices with blocked sound editor (some firmware for China).
• 🔧 Advanced users who want to install a ringtone in the /system/media/audio/ringtones/ (systemfolder).
• 🛠️ Situations where MIUI ignores user folders.

This method will require:

• A computer with ADB drivers installed.
• USB Debugging enabled on your phone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version → 7 times press to unlock the developer menu, then Settings → Additional → For developers → Debugging over USB).
• Rington file in.ogg format (recommended for system folders).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm access via USB.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Mac/Linux) and type:

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed.)

1. Copy the file into the system folder:

adb push C:\path\to\your\file.ogg /sdcard/MIUI/ringtone/

1. If you need to install the ringtone in the system folder (requires root or unlocked bootloader):

adb shell


su




mount -o rw,remount /system




cp /sdcard/MIUI/ringtone/your file.ogg /system/media/audio/ringtones/




chmod 644 /system/media/audio/ringtones/your file.ogg




reboot

After the reboot, the melody will appear in the system ringtones.Caution: improper use of ADB can cause malfunctions in the phone.This method is recommended only for advanced users.

Solving common problems

Even after the ringtone is properly installed, there can be problems.

Problem 1: The melody doesn’t appear on the ringtones list

Possible causes and solutions:

• 📁 Incorrect folder: Make sure the file is in the /MIUI/ringtone/ or /Ringtones/. Check the letter register (Ringtones folder) ≠ ringtones).
• 🔊 Unsupported format: Convert the file to.mp3 or.m4a bitrate not higher than 192 kbps.
• 📱 System cache: Clear the Settings app cache (Settings) → Annexes → Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• 🔄 Update MIUI: After the firmware update, the folders may reset.

Problem 2: The call is playing, but it is cut or distorted

This is a typical problem for tracks with high bitrate or non-standard sampling rate.

• 🎛️ Convert the file to.mp3 with parameters: Bitrate: 128-192 kbps Frequency: 44.1 kHz Channels: Stereo
• 🔇 Check if Do Not Disturb or Quiet mode is enabled in the sound settings.
• 📶 On some models (Xiaomi) 12S Ultra, Redmi K50 Gaming) has a ringtone playback bug with your headphones connected. Turn off the headset and check the sound.

Problem 3: Ringtones reset after reboot

This is a well-known MIUI 14-15 bug that is associated with memory optimization.

• 🔄 Install the ringtone via Zedge or another third-party app – they capture the selection in their database.
• 📁 Move the file to /system/media/audio/ringtones/ through ADB (root).
• 🔧 Turn off Adaptive Optimization in the Battery Settings (Settings) → Battery → Battery settings → Adaptive optimization).

💡

If the ringtone is reset after the MIUI update, copy all custom tunes from /MIUI/ringtone/ to the cloud or PC before the update.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions