Personalizing your smartphone is the first step that makes the new Xiaomi truly your device. Standard ringtones preinstalled by the manufacturer often seem boring or too intrusive, so most users tend to replace them with their favorite tracks. In the MIUI operating system or the new HyperOS, this process has its own features that differ from pure Android.
Customizing the sound requires attention, because the settings menu in the shell from Xiaomi is very detailed. You can set unique audio files not only for incoming calls, but also for each contact separately, as well as for system notifications, which allows you to instantly understand who is texting or calling you without even looking at the lock screen.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available ways to install audio files, we will look at standard methods through settings, working with the file system and using third-party applications, and we will also focus on the possible problems that owners of Redmi and Poco smartphones face when trying to put their track.
Preparation of an audio file for installation
Before you start changing system settings, you need to make sure that the audio file itself is correctly stored in the memory of the device. Often users download music from messengers or browsers, and the file is in a hidden folder or has an unsupported format. For guaranteed compatibility, the best formats are MP3 or M4R.
The best solution would be to move the track to the root folder of internal memory or to a specially created directory Ringtones, which will make it easier to find the file in the system menu of audio selection. If you use a computer to transfer data, just connect the smartphone with a cable and copy the file to the desired directory.
⚠️ Note: Do not use files of too high quality (for example, lossless files). FLAC Weighing more than 50 MB) as system ringtones, which can cause playback delays on incoming calls and additional battery consumption by the processor.
If you're downloading music directly to your phone, look at the download folder. In recent versions of MIUI, files from your browser can go to Download, and audio from Telegram or WhatsApp can go to the deep nesting of Android/media folders. For convenience, you'd better move the track to the main Music folder immediately.
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Use audio tracks that are no longer than 30-40 seconds long, and long tracks will be cut off by the system or sound incorrect when called again.
Installation of the melody through standard settings
The easiest and most reliable way to change the sound of a call is to use the built-in shell functionality. This method does not require installing additional software and works consistently on all models, from budget Redmi to flagship Xiaomi. The algorithm of actions may vary slightly depending on the version of Android, but the logic remains the same.
You'll need to go to the main settings menu for the device, find the audio section, depending on the system's location, it can be called Sound and Vibration, or just Sound, and that's where all the volume sliders and audio files are concentrated.
- 📱 Open the Settings app on the desktop.
- 🔊 Go to the section Sound and vibration.
- 🎵 Click on the phone call (or "rington»).
- 📂 In the list that opens, select “All Melodies” or a plus icon to add your file.
Once you select the add-on, you'll open the file manager. Find the track you've prepared and click on it. The system will automatically crop the file if it's too long and prompt you to save the changes. Now, when you call it, you'll play the track you've chosen.
☑️ Pre-installing check
Customization of individual sounds for contacts
One of the most useful features in Xiaomi smartphones is the ability to assign a unique tune to a specific subscriber from a phone book.This is especially true when the phone is lying down screen or in a bag and you want to know who is calling without getting the device.
There are two ways to do this: through the Contacts app or through the standard Caller, the first way is more versatile, because the phone book interface may look different in different regions (Global, China, Russia), but the essence remains the same: you need to find the right person on the list.
When you open the contact card, you find the field that's responsible for the melody. It can be called "Melody," "Rington" or have a musical note icon. When you click on it, you'll be taken to the same track selection menu as the general settings. Select the file and save the changes.
⚠️ Note: If you remove a contact from the phone book, the individual melody assigned to it will also be reset to the standard one.
In some versions of the firmware MIUI There is a limitation: an individual melody can only be assigned if the number is stored in the phone’s memory, not on the phone. SIM-If the option is inactive, try copying the contact from the SIM card to the device.
Changes in the sound of notifications and alarm clock
Personalization isn't just about calling, you can customize instant messenger notifications, SMS and system signals, and it helps filter out noise, and you can see if you've got an important message from work or just a notification from a game.
To adjust the notification sounds, go to Sound and Vibration → Notifications, where you can choose from a preset option or download your file similar to a call setting, but for individual applications (such as WhatsApp or Telegram), the settings are often inside the apps themselves.
To change the alarm clock, open the Watch app. Choose the right alarm clock or create a new alarm clock. The alarm clock settings will have "Sound" and you can click on it to select a track from the system list or go to the file manager to select the downloaded composition.
| Type of sound | Path in settings | Supporting your files | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incoming challenge | Settings → Sound → Phone Call | Yes. | It works even in “Do Not Disturb” mode (if permitted). |
| Notification of the system | Settings → Sound → Notifications | Yes. | Sounds like a system event. |
| Alarm clock | Annex Clock → Alarm clock → Sound. | Yes. | Can use online radio |
| Messages (SMS) | Messages → Settings → Notifications | Yes. | Depends on the client application |
If you delete the track, the alarm clock may not work or emit a standard squeak, which is fraught with delay.
Using the theme of design to change the sound
In the Xiaomi ecosystem, the Theme app is a powerful customization tool, allowing you to change not only icons and wallpaper, but also the whole system sounds, and setting up a theme is a quick way to completely transform the audio interface of a smartphone.
There are thousands of options available in the theme store, many of which are free, and you can find a theme that you like visually and apply only the audio package from it without changing the rest of the interface elements. To do this, go to the Themes app, select a profile, and go to the sounds.
How to download the audio package separately?
Be careful when using third-party themes, some audio packages may be too quiet or excessively loud, and after updating the MIUI system, some themes may no longer display correctly or work properly.
⚠️ Note: By downloading themes from third-party sources (not from the official store), you risk installing malware. Use only proven resources or the official Themes app.
The solution: why not put the melody
Xiaomi users often face a situation where the system ignores user choices or resets the setting to standard after rebooting, which may be due to aggressive battery optimization or errors in file system access rights.
One common reason is the file format: If a track is encoded in a rare codec or has a bitrate that the processor does not have time to decode at the time of the call, the system will replace it with a default one, and the problem may lie along the way to the file: some system partitions may not be read by the call services.
If the melody is not set, try the following action algorithm:
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone after copying the file.
- 📁 Move the track to the folder /MIUI/ringtone/ (You need access to hidden folders).
- 📞 Check if the restriction is worth the "Do Not Disturb" mode».
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In 90% of cases, the problem is solved by converting the track to a standard MP3 128-320 kbps and moving it to the root of internal memory.
It’s also worth checking the permissions for the Themes or Sound app if you’re using third-party software to install ringtones. They may be denied access to storage. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find the right one and check the permissions.