How to Put Your Music on a Xiaomi Phone: 5 Ways + Error Solving

Why are Xiaomi’s standard tunes tired, and how to replace them?

Are you tired of the factory MIUI signals that half of Redmi or POCO owners have? Want your smartphone to play your favorite track on an incoming call, but don't know how to set music to a call without unnecessary apps? This guide will help you understand the nuances of tune settings on Xiaomi phones - from simple selection from the gallery to bypassing the limitations of the system.

Unlike iPhone or Samsung, where changing the ringtone takes a couple of clicks, MIUI Sometimes it makes it harder, because the file format doesn't fit, the melody folder is hidden, and then the settings are reset once the update is done. MIUI 12-14 (including HyperOS) and put together workable solutions – even when your phone stubbornly ignores your phone.mp3-file.

At the end of the article, you’ll find a format compatibility table, answers to common questions (such as why a tune is cropped or not displayed in the list), and life hacks for older models (Redmi Note 5, Mi A2).

Method 1: Installation of the melody through standard MIUI settings

This is a basic method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones without root rights or third-party applications.mp3,.m4a,.wav (full list in the table below) The main condition: the file must be stored in the phone's memory (not on the phone's memory). SD-The map, otherwise the system will not see it.

Instructions:

1. Download or transfer an audio file to your phone (for example, via Telegram, Google Drive, or USB cable).
2. Open the "Settings" app» → «Sound and vibration (or Settings) → Sound & Vibration on English-language firmware).

⚠️ Note: If the file does not appear in the list, even if it is in the phone’s memory, the problem may be in the list:

• 🔊 Unsupported format (e.g.,.flac or.aac with high bitrate).
• 📁 Wrong folder: MIUI Searches for melodies only in Ringtones, Notifications, Music and Download.
• 📱 Firmware limitations: on some models (POCO X3 Pro, Redmi 9T) You need to move the file to the folder first. MIUI/ringtone.

File in.mp3 or.m4a format

File size not exceeding 5 MB

The file is in the phone's memory (not on the phone). SD-map)

File folder is not hidden (no point at the beginning of the title)

The phone is rebooted after copying the file-->

Method 2: Manually create a Ringtones folder (if the file is not visible)

If your Xiaomi persists in not showing downloaded music in the tone list, it's probably a problem with file location. The default MIUI system only looks for ringtones in certain folders, and the solution is to create a special directory and put an audio file in it.

How to do this:

1. Connect your phone to your computer via USB (in File Transfer mode) or use the file manager on the smartphone itself (such as Explorer** or Solid Explorer).

💡 If the Ringtones folder already exists but the melody doesn’t appear, try it:

• 🔄 Rename the file (for example, with my_song.mp3 on ringtone1.mp3).
• 📂 Move the file to the folder MIUI/ringtone (Make it if you don't).
• 🔍 Use the Rescan Media app** from Google Play to force file scanning.

Method 3: Applications for setting tunes (if nothing helps)

If the standard methods don't work, third-party utilities will come to the rescue. MIUI, Allows you to install any audio files as ringtones, even those that lie on the SD-We tested 5 popular apps and selected the two most reliable ones:

Instructions for Ringtone Maker:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and give access to the files.
3. Select an audio file from your phone’s memory.
4. Cut the track (optional) and press "Save"**.
5. In the window that appears, select “Install as a ringtone.”

⚠️ Attention: Some applications (e.g, MP3 Cutter) save the tunes to its folder, which may disappear after deleting the program. To avoid losing the file, copy it to Ringtones or MIUI/ringtone.

Through standard settings

I'm creating a Ringtones folder by hand.

I use third-party apps.

I never change ringtones.

Another option-->

Method 4: Using a file manager with root rights (for advanced ones)

If you unlock the bootloader and get root rights on your Xiaomi, you can install the melody directly into the system folder.

• 🔧 Replace the standard ringtones MIUI file-wise.
• 📱 Set a melody lasting more than 30 seconds (usually the system cuts tracks).
• 🔒 Protect the file from deletion when resetting settings.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /system/media/audio/ringtones.
3. Copy your audio file into this folder. Importantly, the file must have a resolution of 644 (rw-r----) and belong to the root user.
4. Reboot the phone.
5. Your tune will now be available on the standard ringtone list.

⚠️ Note: Incorrectly changing system files can lead to:

• 🚨 Cyclical reboot (bootloop) if you replace critical files.
• 🔕 Loss of warranty (if the phone is warranty, it is better to use other methods).
• 📵 Resetting settings after update MIUI.

💡

Before editing system files, back up /system/media/audio/ via TWRP or ADB to help restore standard tunes if something goes wrong.

Method 5: Installation of a tune through ADB (without root)

If you don't have root rights, but you're willing to use the ADB debugging bridge, this method will get around the limitations of MIUI and install any tune.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🎵 Audio file format.mp3 or.ogg, renamed in Latin (for example, my_ringtone.mp3).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux).


2. Check the connection:




adb devices




(Your device serial number should appear)




3. Copy the file into the system folder:




adb push my_ringtone.mp3 /sdcard/MIUI/ringtone/




Renew the media base:




adb shell media scan




5.Reset the phone:




adb reboot

After the reboot, your tune will appear in the list of standard ringtones. If the MIUI/ringtone folder does not exist, create it through ADB:

adb shell mkdir /sdcard/MIUI/ringtone

💡

The ADB method works even on locked Xiaomi smartphones, but requires a connection to a computer. If the commands don't execute, check if USB debugging is enabled and if drivers are installed.

Compatibility table for audio formats with MIUI

Not all audio files are suitable for installation as a ringtone, and below is a table of supported formats and their features on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS firmware:

💡 Tip: If your file is in an unsupported format, convert it through Online-Convert, Audacity, or VLC. Optimal settings for ringtones:

• 🎵 Format: MP3.
• 📏 Duration: 20-30 seconds.
• 📊 Bitrate: 128-192 kbit/s (above – makes no sense for the ringtone).

Problem Solving: Why is the melody not set?

Even after completing all the instructions, your Xiaomi can stubbornly ignore the music you choose.

Problem 1: The file does not appear in the list of tunes

Possible causes and solutions:

• 📱 Firmware restrictions → On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO F3) need to be used ADB root.

Problem 2: The melody is cut or not played completely

MIUI by default limits the ringtone to 30 seconds.

• 🎵 Use the Ringtone Maker app** to crop the track for up to 30 seconds.
• 🔧 Set the melody through ADB or root rights (see Methods 4-5).
• 📱 On some firmware, renaming the file to ringtone.ogg helps (even if the format is used). MP3).

Problem 3: After the MIUI update, the melody dropped

This is a typical situation: after the system update, all user ringtones return to the standard.

• 📁 Save the file in MIUI/ringtone — This folder is less likely to be reset.
• 🔄 Back up your Ringtones folder via Google Drive or Mi Cloud.
• 📱 Use third-party apps (such as Zedge) that restore settings after updates.

💡

If all user tunes are missing after the MIUI update, check the /sdcard/MIUI/ringtone/ folder - sometimes files remain in place, but the system does not see them.

FAQ: Frequent questions about ringtones on Xiaomi