Are you tired of the standard ringtones on your Xiaomi and want to set a unique tune? It's easier than it sounds! Unlike many other smartphones, devices on MIUI have their own peculiarities when changing notification sounds. In this article, we'll look at three proven ways, from the official method through settings to bypassing the system's limitations for installing files in.mp3 or.m4a.
It is important to understand that after the MIUI 13/14 updates, some paths have changed and old instructions from the Internet may not work. We have updated the information for 2026 with the latest firmware versions, you will also learn how to avoid common errors (for example, why the melody is not displayed in the list) and what technical requirements are imposed on audio files.
If you are a Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or Xiaomi 14βs flagship series user, donβt worry, all of the methods described are universal.
1. Official method: through MIUI settings
The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in tools, which is suitable for most models, including the Redmi 10/11, POCO F4 and newer devices.
- Place your audio file (for example, my_ringtone.mp3) To the Ringtones folder on the internal storage. β Ringtones.
- Open the Settings app and go to Sounds and Vibration β Call Melody.
- At the top of the screen, click on Local (or My Melodies in some versions).
- Select your file from the list. If it's not available, check the format (.mp3,.m4a,.ogg) and restart the phone.
β οΈ Note: Some firmware may have the Ringtones folder hidden, so to see it, enable the hidden files to be displayed in any file manager (e.g., Mi File Explorer).
File format - MP3 or M4A| Duration not exceeding 30 seconds | Bitrate not higher than 192 kbit/s | File renamed in Latin (without spaces) | Ringtones folder created at the root of the storage-->
If after all the manipulations your tune does not appear in the list, try the following:
- π Restart the device β sometimes MIUI Does not update the list of files without restarting.
- π Check the path: the file should be in the /storage/emulated/0/Ringtones/, Not in the subfolders.
- π Make sure the file is working: try playing it through a standard player.
2. Alternative method: through the "Themes" appendix
Few people know, but Xiaomi has a hidden feature for downloading ringtones through the official Themes app, which is suitable if you don't want to manually copy files. Here's how it works:
- Open the βThemesβ app** (Brush icon on your desktop).
- Go to the Sounds section (or Ringtones in English).
- Select the category βMy Melodiesβ** and click Add (+ icon).
The advantage of this method is that it automatically checks the format and optimizes the file for the system. However, there is a limitation: the maximum file size is 5 MB, and the duration is 30 seconds. If your track is longer, cut it in any audio editor (for example, Lexis Audio Editor or online service mp3cut.net).
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If the Themes app doesnβt have a Sounds section, update it via Google Play or clear the cache in the appβs settings.
β οΈ Note: Some users report that after the update MIUI before version 14.0.5+ This method has stopped working.
3.For advanced: manual replacement of system files (root)
If you're willing to take drastic measures and have root rights, you can replace standard MIUI ringtones with your files, which is a method for enthusiasts who want to completely customize the sound circuit.
You'll need:
- π± Smartphone with unlocked bootloader and Magisk.
Instructions:
- Download the archive with the original system ringtones for your model (can be extracted from the firmware through the Mi Flash Tool).
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell su mount -o rw, remount /system
- Go to /system/media/audio/ringtones/ and replace your files with your own (save the originals!).
- Set the correct access rights: chmod 644 /system/media/audio/ringtones/your_ringtone.mp3 chown root:root /system/media/audio/ringtones/your_ringtone.mp3
- Reset the device.
| Xiaomi model | The Way to System Ringtones | Max. Duration. |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10/11 | /system/media/audio/ringtones | 40 seconds. |
| POCO F3/F4 | /system/product/media/audio/ringtones | 35 seconds |
| Xiaomi 12/13/14 | /system/system_ext/media/audio/ringtones | 30 seconds. |
| Redmi 9A/9C | /system/media/audio/ui | 25 seconds |
β οΈ Attention: After update MIUI To avoid this, create a backup of the folder. /system/media/audio/ And re-establish it after updates.
Official through settings|Through the annex βThemesΒ»|Manual replacement (root)|I haven't tried it yet.|Another option-->
4. Bypassing restrictions: why isn't the melody displayed?
A common problem is that the user has copied the file to the Ringtones folder, but it does not appear in the settings.
- π« Wrong format: MIUI supports.mp3,.m4a,.ogg and.wav (but the latter may not be played).
- π Too big: optimal bitrate is 128-192 kbit/s. Files with a bitrate of 320 kbit/s can be ignored.
- π Incorrect file name: Use only Latin characters and numbers (e.g., Latin characters and numbers, ringtone_1.mp3, Not my tune.mp3).
- π Wrong location: file should be in Ringtones, not in subfolders.
If you are sure you did everything right, but the melody is still not visible, try the following:
- Delete the file and copy it again.
- Clear the Settings cache** (Settings β Applications β Application Management β Settings β Storage β Clear the cache).
What if all the custom ringtone ringtone has disappeared after the MIUI update?
5.The Best Ringtones Creation Apps
If you want to not just install a finished melody, but create it from a favorite song, use specialized applications. We tested several and selected the top of the list.-3 Xiaomi:
| Annex | Features | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ringtone Maker | Simple editor with cropping and sound normalization, supports MP3, M4A, WAV formats. | Google Play |
| Zedge | The library of ready-made ringtones + the ability to download your own. There are social functions (ratings, comments). | Google Play |
| MP3 Cutter and Ringtone Maker | Advanced editor with effects (fade-in/out, change of pace) Export directly to the Ringtones folder. | Google Play |
Tip: If you use Zedge, once the ringtone is loaded, it will automatically appear in the MIUI settings. Other applications may require manual copying of the file to the Ringtones folder.
6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
Even experienced users sometimes have trouble changing ringtone, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:
- π« The file is not played: convert it to.m4a 128 kbps bitrate (online-convert or Audacity).
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If neither of these methods works, check if the Settings or Themes app permissions are disabled in Settings β Apps β Permissions. Sometimes MIUI blocks access to files because of security policies.