How to set up a ringtone on a Xiaomi smartphone: all ways 2026

Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi, POCO and Mi lines) offer flexible audio settings, but many users have difficulty trying to change the standard ringtone. Unlike the iPhone, where the process is as simple as possible, the MIUI shell has its own nuances - especially if you want to set your music instead of preloaded ringtone.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to customize the ringtone on Xiaomi in 2026: from basic change through settings to customization through the file manager. Separately look at the problems faced by device owners on MIUI 14/15, and give recommendations for optimizing sound for different scenarios (calls, notifications, alarm clock).

If you want to do more than just change the ringtone, but create a unique soundtrack for contacts or apps, here are step-by-step instructions based on the latest firmware updates. And for those who prefer visual guidance, at the end of the article there is an FAQ with answers to frequent questions.

1. Basic Call Melody Replacement Through MIUI Settings

The easiest way to change the ringtone is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which is suitable for most Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Mi 11, if they are installed with official firmware without deep modifications.

To change the ringtone:

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to the section Sound and vibration.
3. Select the Melody of a Call (or the Sound of a Call in some versions of MIUI).
4. Scroll down to see all the available ringtones. Preloaded tunes are usually divided into categories: Classic, MIUI, Natural sounds.
5. Touch the right tune to listen to it, then press OK or Save.

If there is no suitable option in the list, you can download additional ringtones directly from this menu:

• 🎵 Press Download (or More → Download ringtones).
• 🔍 In the search box, type the name of the melody (e.g., "classic guitar" or "electronic signal").
• 📥 Select your favorite and click Download. Once downloaded, it will automatically add to the list of available ringtones.

⚠️ Warning: Some Xiaomi models with MIUI 14+ may not have a Download button, due to regional restrictions or Xiaomi's policy to reduce preloaded services.

2 How to Put Your Music as a Rington

If you don't like standard tunes, you can use any audio file (.mp3,.m4a,.wav) as a ringtone, and there are two reliable ways to do this: through a file manager or through special applications.

Method 1: Through a file manager (without root)

This method works on all Xiaomi smartphones without the need to obtain superuser rights. Importantly, the file must be no longer than 30 seconds (otherwise the system can crop it automatically).

1. Place the audio file in the phone’s memory (for example, in the Music or Ringtones folder).
2. Open any file manager (such as embedded Files or Solid Explorer).
3. Find your audio file, click on it and select Set as → Call Melody.
4. Confirm the action. Now the file will appear in the list of available ringtones in the settings.

If the option is set as missing:

• 📁 Move the file to the Ringtones folder (create it at the root of internal memory if it doesn’t exist).
• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 🎼 Check the ringtones list in the settings – your file should be displayed there.

Method 2: Through the Zedge or Ringtone Maker app

For those who want more features (stripping tracks, creating unique signals), specialized applications are suitable:

• 📱 Zedge is the largest database of ringtones and wallpapers. Once installed, select the Ringtones section, find the sound you like, and press Set as ringtone.
• ✂️ Ringtone Maker -- lets you crop any tracks from your library and save them as ringtones -- useful if you have a long song and you want to use only the chorus.
• 🎛️ Ringdroid is an advanced editor with the ability to adjust volume and effects.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party applications (especially from unverified sources), some Xiaomi models with a different name are used. MIUI 15 can block ringtones due to security restrictions, in which case temporarily disable the protection. MIUI safety-setting.

File format: mp3, m4a or wav|

Duration - no more than 30 seconds |

The file is placed in the Ringtones or Music| folder.

File rights are unlimited (check the properties)-->

3. Customization of individual melodies for contacts

If you want each caller in the phone book to have a unique signal, MIUI provides this, which is convenient for quickly identifying the caller without looking at the screen.

To assign a personal melody:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Select the contact you want and click Edit (pencil icon).
3. Scroll down to the ringtone block (or notification sound).
4. Click on the current tune and select a new one from the list (including custom files if added earlier).
5. Save the changes.

Features of working with individual ringtones on Xiaomi:

• 🔊 If the contact is saved on the SIM- card, the melody assignment option may not be available. Move it to the phone's memory.
• 📞 For group contacts (e.g., "Family" or "Work"), you can assign a common melody through the group menu.
• 🔕 If a caller hides his or her number, the default tune will play even if another is assigned to contact.

💡

If it does not play after assigning an individual melody, check if the Do Not Disturb mode for this contact is enabled in the notification settings.

4. Solving problems with ringtones playback

Sometimes, when the ringtone is changed, it doesn't play or it's played with distortions, and let's look at the typical causes and ways to fix them.

Problem 1: The ringtone is not changing or resetting.

If it doesn’t apply after choosing a new melody, try:

• 🔄 Reboot your phone — often helps with crashes MIUI.
• 📂 Check if the file is in the correct folder (Ringtones or Notifications).
• 🛠️ Reset the sound settings: Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset the sound settings.
• 📱 Update your firmware: go to Settings → About Phone → System Update.

Problem 2: The melody is delayed or interrupted

Delays in ringtone playback are often associated with:

• 🐢 Battery Optimization: Add the Phone app to the exceptions (Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization).
• 🎵 File format: Convert the ringtone to.m4a (optimal format for MIUI).
• 📶 Traffic savings: Turn off background restriction for the Phone app.

⚠️ Warning: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi 10C) have a bug after upgrading to MIUI 14, where custom ringtones play quieter than standard ones. Solution: Increase media volume through the engineering menu (#4636## → Audio).

Problem 3: You can't set your music

If the system does not see your audio files:

1. Make sure the file is supported in the format (.mp3,.m4a,.ogg).
2. Check if the file is hidden (remove the “hidden” attribute in the file manager).
3. Use the Ringtone Set app from Google Play – it bypasses the limitations of MIUI.

5. adjust vibration and additional signals

In addition to the ringtone, you can configure Xiaomi:

• 📳 Vibration is a pattern of vibration for different contacts.
• 🔔 Notification sounds are separate for SMS, messengers and system alerts.
• ⏰ Alarm clocks are individual tunes for each signal.

To set the vibration:

1. Go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Vibration.
2. Select Vibration when calling and adjust the intensity.
3. For custom patterns, use the Vibration Patterns app.

For notifications:

1. Go to Settings → Notifications → Notification sounds.
2. Select an app (like WhatsApp or Telegram) and assign a separate sound.

⚠️ Warning: On Xiaomi with MIUI 15, notification sounds for some messengers (like Viber) may be reset after the update. To avoid this, turn off automatic application optimization in the battery settings.

💡

Vibration and notification settings allow you to create unique signals for work and personal contacts, which is especially useful in Do Not Disturb mode.

6. Alternative methods: ADB and custom firmware

For advanced users who want full control over audio settings, there are methods using ADB or custom firmware.

Method 1: Install ringtones via ADB

If standard methods don’t work (for example, on Xiaomi with a locked bootloader), you can manually copy files to the system folder:

adb push your rington.mp3 /system/media/audio/ringtones/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////


adb shell chmod 644 /system/media/audio/ringtones/your rington.mp3




adb reboot

⚠️ This method requires an unlocked bootloader and can cause failures if executed incorrectly.

Method 2: Custom firmware (e.g., Pixel Experience)

Firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience offers:

• 🎛️ Advanced sound settings (equalizer, separate volume for ringtone and media).
• 📁 Support for any audio formats without limitation.
• 🔧 Ability to assign different tunes to SIM1 and SIM2.

Cons:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty when unlocking the loader.
• 🔄 Risk of "bricking" of the device when installed incorrectly.

7. Optimizing sound for better perception

To make the ring sound clear and loud:

• 🔊 Use files with a sample rate of 44.1 kHz – they are better played on Xiaomi speakers.
• 📢 Check the settings of MI Sound Enhancer in Settings → Sound → Sound Effects.
• 🎧 For headphones, set up a separate sound profile in Settings → Bluetooth.

If the speaker makes wheezing when playing:

1. Clean the speaker of dust (use a soft brush or compressed air).
2. Check if the speaker is covered with a cover.
3. Reset the sound settings to factory.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up ringtones on Xiaomi