How to Put Your Song in a Call to Xiaomi: All Ways to 2026

Are you tired of the standard ringtones in your Xiaomi and want to install your favorite song on the phone? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, Poco or Black Shark smartphones - the MIUI interface does not always obviously allow you to add custom tunes. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways that work on all current versions of the firmware (from MIUI 12 to MIUI 15), including bypassing the system limitations.

Xiaomi's default feature is that it only offers pre-installed ringtones to the user, but with hidden features, file manager or third-party apps, you can get around this limitation. We'll look at ROOT-free methods, built-in tools, and ADB for advanced users, and you'll also learn why some songs may not play as ringtones and how to fix them.

Why can’t you just pick a song at Xiaomi?

Unlike pure Android, MIUI imposes artificial restrictions on adding custom ringtones.

• 🔒 Protecting system folders: Folder /system/media/audio/ringtones, where standard melodies are stored, available only for reading without ROOT.
• 🎵 Format and bitrate: MIUI filter files by extension (.mp3,.m4a,.ogg) and duration (optimum up to 30 seconds).
• 📱 Settings app restrictions: The built-in ringtone manager only shows files from specific folders (MIUI/ringtone, Ringtones).
• 🔄 Media caching: After adding a new file, it may be necessary to reboot or clear the cache of the com.android.settings app.

Interestingly, in the early versions of MIUI (before 10), you could just copy a file to the Ringtones folder on internal memory, and it would automatically appear in the list, and now this method is unstable — often requires additional configuration.

Method 1: Through the built-in file manager (without ROOT)

The simplest method, which works on 90% of devices with MIUI 12-15, is that you don't need third-party apps or a computer.

1. Prepare the audio file: 🎶 Duration: up to 30 seconds (optimally 15-20 seconds). 📁 Format:.mp3 or.m4a (bitrate to 192 kbps). 🔊 Volume: normalize the sound (through Audacity or online services).

Telegram

"Files"

Xiaomi

Internal memory. → Ringtones

Copy the prepared audio file into this folder.

Reboot your phone (required!).

Settings → Sound and vibration → Melody of the call

If the file didn't show up:

• ⚠️ Make sure the file name is without Cyrillic and spaces (e.g, my_ringtone.mp3).
• ⚠️ Try clearing the Settings app cache (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Settings → Clear the cache).
• ⚠️ Check if the file is hidden (the file properties must have the attribute "Visible").

💡

If the Ringtones folder doesn’t show up, create it at the root of internal memory via PC – sometimes the built-in manager doesn’t show hidden system folders.

Method 2: Use the Ringtone Maker app (for cropping and installation)

If your song is longer than 30 seconds or you want to cut the best snippet, use a dedicated app.We recommend Ringtone Maker from Big Bang Inc (available on Google Play).

Advantages of this method:

• 🎛️ Accurate track trimming with pre-listening.
• 🔊 Automatic volume normalization.
• 📲 Install the ringtone directly from the application (without manual copying).
• 🎵 Support for formats MP3, WAV, FLAC, M4A.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Ringtone Maker from Google Play.
2. Open the app and select a song from the device’s memory.
3. Drag the sliders to highlight the fragment (optimally 15-25 seconds).
4. Click Save and select the "Install as a ringtone" option.
5. The application automatically copies the file to the Ringtones folder and prompts you to select it in the settings.

Important: Some versions of MIUI block the installation of ringtones from third-party applications. If the file does not appear in the settings after saving, use Method 1 (manual copy to the folder).

Method 3: Through ADB (for advanced users)

If the first two didn't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a computer-based debugging tool that works 100%, but requires a PC connection.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (download from Android).
• 📄 Prepared audio file in format MP3 or OGG.

Instructions:

1. Enable Developer Mode on your phone: Go to Settings → About the phone. Press 7 times on "Version" MIUI", until the notice "You've become a developer" appears. → Additionally. → For developers and include "Debugging by" USB".

Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.

cmd

adb devices

Make sure your device is listed.

path/to/ringtone.mp3

adb push C:\path\to\ringtone.mp3 /sdcard/Ringtones/

adb shell chmod 644 /sdcard/Ringtones/ringtone.mp3

adb reboot

Settings → Sound → Melody of the call

💡

Method ADB It works even on blocked firmware, as it does not require ROOT-rights and circumvents restrictions MIUI file-system.

Possible errors and solutions:

Method 4: Through the Zedge app (alternative for the lazy)

If you don’t want to mess with files and settings, use Zedge, the largest database of ringtones and wallpapers, which automatically integrates with Xiaomi’s settings and allows you to set tunes in two clicks.

Zedge's pros:

• 🎶 More than 1 million ringtones for every taste (movies, games, music).
• 🔍 Easy search by category and tags.
• 📲 Automatic installation without manual copying.
• 🆓 Free (there is premium content, but the basic library is huge).

How to use:

1. Install Zedge from Google Play.
2. Open the app and find your favorite ringtone (e.g., search for “Among Us” or “Star Wars”).
3. Click on the track → “Download” → “Install as a ringtone”.
4. Confirm your choice in the system window.

⚠️ Note: Some Zedge ringtones may contain advertising inserts (e.g., voice tags "Download from Zedge"). To avoid this, download files labeled "No Voice Tag" or use the Method 1/2 download.

Method 5: For devices with ROOT-rights (advanced)

If your Xiaomi has an unlocked bootloader and ROOT-Right (for example, after installing custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), you can replace the system ringtones directly. This gives maximum freedom, but requires caution.

What can be done with ROOT:

• 🔧 Replace the standard ringtones in /system/media/audio/ringtones.
• 🎵 Add an unlimited number of custom tunes.
• 🔊 Set up volume and bitrate without restrictions.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with ROOT support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/media/audio/ringtones.
3. Copy your audio file into this folder (rename it, for example, to this folder if necessary). miui_ringtone.mp3).
4. Set rights 644 (read for all, write only for the owner).
5. Reboot the phone.
6. Your ringtone will appear in the system list and will be available even after resetting the settings.

⚠️ Note: Incorrectly changing files in /system This can lead to bootloop.Always back up your original files and use them. TWRP Recovery in case of error.

Why doesn't the song play like a ringtone?

Even if you add a file correctly, it may not play when you call, here are 5 common reasons and solutions:

If the problem persists, check:

• 📌 Having a file in the Ringtones folder via PC (sometimes the built-in manager doesn't show hidden files).
• 📌 Permissions to file (must be rw-r)--r--, That's 644).
• 📌 Sound settings in Settings → Sound. → Additional (sometimes "Silent Sound" mode is enabled").

FAQ: Frequent questions about ringtones in Xiaomi