How to set up a melody on a call on Xiaomi: a complete guide

Personalizing a mobile device starts with choosing a unique sound that alerts you to incoming calls. Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners often face the need to replace standard system sound with something more personal and pleasant to hear. The process of installing a ringtone in the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS has its own features that distinguish it from pure Android.

In this detailed guide, we’ll take a look at all the possible ways to customize sound, from simple actions through the standard menu to advanced methods for models without a 3.5mm connector. You’ll learn to set music to specific contacts, create your own mixes, and fix typical problems when the phone is silent or plays the wrong track.

Proper audio settings not only improve the comfort of your device, but also help you make instant calls in noisy environments. Let's take a closer look at how to make your smartphone truly yours using the built-in tools of the system.

Audio file preparation and format requirements

Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that your audio file meets the technical requirements of the system. Standard formats that are easily perceived by the MIUI shell include MP3, M4A and WAV. If you downloaded a ringtone in the ZIP or RAR archive, it must first be unpacked through the built-in file manager.

It is important to pay attention to the location of the file in the memory of the device. Android system and add-ons from Xiaomi may not see tracks lying in the back of the folders with the cache of other applications. The optimal place to store ringtones is the root folder "Music" or a specially created directory "Ringtones" in internal storage.

The length of the track also plays a role: too long tracks can be cut by the system or incorrectly displayed in the selection list, and it is recommended to use fragments of 15 to 40 seconds in length for maximum comfort.

• 🎵 Use the format. MP3 with a bitrate of at least 128 kbit / s for high-quality sound.
• 📂 Place files in a folder /internal_storage/Music or /Ringtones quick access.
• ✂️ The optimal length of the ringtone is 20-30 Seconds to avoid annoying the interlocutor with waiting.
• 🔊 Avoid files with DRM-protection, as the system will not be able to play them as a call.

If you plan to use music from streaming services, make sure the file is saved locally on the device. Online tracks without the ability to play offline can not be set to the call by standard methods.

Installation of the melody through the standard settings menu

The most common and reliable way to change the sound of a call is to use the system menu, which is guaranteed to work on all current models, including the Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12 and the budget series POCO M. The algorithm of actions may vary slightly depending on the version of the shell, but the logic remains the same.

To start, open the Settings app and find the audio section. In modern versions of HyperOS, it is often placed in a separate Sound and Vibration menu, whereas in older MIUIs it can be inside the Sounds item.

Once you enter the ringtone selection menu, you will see a list of standard tunes, and to add your own, you need to scroll down to the bottom or click on the + button, which is usually located at the top or bottom of the screen, and the system will suggest you choose the source: local storage or file manager.

Navigation on the menu is carried out in the following way:

Settings → Sound and vibration → Phone call → Select a melody

In the file manager window that opens, find the folder where you previously saved the audio file. Tap the track name to listen to the preview. If you like the sound, click the confirmation button and the system will apply the changes immediately.

⚠️ Warning: If the call hasn't changed after you've selected the file, check if Do Not Disturb or Silent mode is activated. Also make sure the call volume slider isn't twisted to zero.

Sometimes the system may require permission to access media files when you first start selecting a ringtone. Be sure to agree to this request, otherwise the file list will be empty.

Customization of individual melodies for contacts

One of the most useful features in Xiaomi smartphones is the ability to assign unique ringtones to specific subscribers, which allows you to know who is calling you without looking at the screen, which is especially convenient in noisy places or meetings.

To implement this feature, you will need a Contacts or Phone app, which is standard for your model. Depending on the regional firmware (Global, China, EEA), the interface may be called differently, but the functionality remains identical.

The process of setting up an individual call is as follows:

• 📞 Open the Contacts app and find the right subscriber in the list.
• 👤 Click on the contact name to open his card with detailed information.
• 🎵 Find the item “Melody” or “Rington” (sometimes hidden under the button “More” or tripods).
• 💾 Select a track from the list and save the changes.

Now, when that person calls you, you'll hear the song you've chosen, and it works even if the phone is in your pocket or your bag, allowing you to quickly respond to an important call.

It is important to note that if the contact is linked to SIM-map, rather than Google or Mi Cloud account, the feature may not be available. It is recommended to sync contacts with the cloud to save all settings when changing the device.

Using the theme of design to change sounds

The MIUI and HyperOS shells have a powerful customization tool called Themes, which many users don't know can change not only icons and wallpaper, but also system sounds, including calls, notifications and screen locks.

The theme store has thousands of free and paid packages that completely transform the phone’s audio interface, a great way to get a ready-made set of consistent sounds without having to search for individual files.

To find and set a theme with sounds:

1. Launch the Themes app on the home screen.
2. In search, type in a query, such as "Sound" or "Ringtone", or the "Sounds" section.
3. Select the package you like and click “Download” and then “Apply”.
4. In the application settings, select only System Sounds if you do not want to change the visual style.

The use of themes is especially relevant for those who want to change the sound of an alarm or SMS notifications, since these items are sometimes difficult to find in the standard menu.

However, be careful with third-party themes: they may sometimes contain ads or misuse a new version of Android. Always check the theme ranking before downloading.

Problems with installing ringtones on models without jack 3.5

Owners of Xiaomi's flagship and mid-budget models, lacking a standard audio jack, often have difficulty trying to record a call from another phone or use a headset to check the sound.The system can block access to a microphone or file system for third-party recording apps.

The main challenge is the security restrictions of Android 10 and above, which prohibit direct access to system folders. If the standard method through Settings does not see your file, try moving it to a different directory.

Try creating a folder called MIui or Alarms at the root of internal memory and putting the file there. Sometimes the system scans only certain directories when updating the list of available tunes.

The problem may also be access rights. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Explorer (or the file manager you choose music through) and make sure it is allowed access to the device’s memory.

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If you use a Bluetooth headset, check if the sound of the call is redirected to it. In Bluetooth settings, sometimes there is a Media Audio option, which turns off the sound of the call will return to the phone speaker.

Frequent errors and ways to fix them

Even if you follow the instructions, there can be unexpected situations, for example, after updating the system, all the audio settings can be reset to standard ones, which is normal behavior of the MIUI shell when Android major updates.

Another common mistake is to set a track too long on a call, and the system can only play back the first 30-40 seconds, cutting off the climax of the song, in which case you need to edit the file in advance, leaving only the desired fragment.

If you encounter a phone vibrating but not ringing, check the No Sound profile. Xiaomi has a separate vibrating slider that can be turned on while the volume of the call is turned off completely.

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The most common reason to ignore calls is the accidental activation of the Do Not Disturb mode or the silent mode switch on the side of the phone.

In some cases, cleaning the cache of the Sound system application helps, so go to the application settings, find the system processes, and clean up the data. Don't worry, your personal files won't be affected.