How to set up the melody of a call on Xiaomi: the full guide

Personalizing your smartphone is the first step that makes a faceless device a personalized tool that reflects the character of the owner. When you’re just unpacking a new Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, standard system sounds can seem boring or too quiet for everyday use. Which is why the question of how to tune the ring to Xiaomi remains one of the most popular among users of the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS.

Changing the ringtone not only adds aesthetics, but also has practical implications: unique sound helps instant incoming calls in noisy environments or when the phone is lying down. Unlike many other manufacturers, Xiaomi offers advanced audio customization capabilities, allowing you to assign different tracks to SIM cards, individual contacts and even groups of people. However, the process of installing your file is sometimes difficult due to the features of the file system and built-in themes.

In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you can replace standard audio, work with the built-in theme store, install tracks from the device’s memory through system settings, and use third-party file managers to bypass restrictions, learn how to properly prepare an audio file to appear in the list, and how to adjust the vibration to the beat of music for maximum effect.

Using a built-in theme store to install a ringtone

The easiest and most obvious way to change the sound of a call is to use the Themes app, which is a central hub for customizing the interface in Xiaomi devices, and you can find not only wallpaper and fonts, but also a huge library of audio recordings, from classic tunes to modern hits.

To get started, run the Themes app on the home screen. At the bottom of the interface, find the tab that's responsible for sounds, usually marked with a note icon or called "Calls." The system will offer you top popular tracks or categories, sorted by genres. You can listen to any snippet by simply clicking on the play button next to the title.

• 🎵 Select your favorite track from the catalog and click the “Download” or “Free” button».
• ⬇️ After downloading, click “Apply” to set the melody to your current profile.
• 📞 The system will suggest choosing what to use the sound for: for incoming calls, messages or alarm clocks.
• 🔔 Confirm the action and the new ringtone will replace the default standard sound.

It is important to note that most quality tracks in the theme store are paid or require viewing ads. DRM-It's a way to protect and work only within the Xiaomi ecosystem, not in other players, and if you want to use your music, you're not going to be able to do that, and you're going to have to manually install it.

⚠️ Warning: When downloading themes and sounds through the built-in app, make sure you select the right region. Changing the region in your phone settings to "India" or "Singapore" sometimes opens up access to more free content that is not available to users from Russia or Europe.

How to put your file on a call through system settings

Installing your own tune from the device’s memory is the most flexible option, allowing you to use any tracks downloaded from the Internet or transferred from your computer. In order for the system to correctly display your file in the list of available files, it must be in a specific directory, although modern versions of MIUI have become more loyal to the location of files.

First, copy the desired audio file to the memory of the smartphone. It is desirable that the format is compatible, for example, MP3, M4A or WAV. After the file is saved, go to the main menu of the phone settings. Find the section Sound and vibration, which is usually located at the top of the list of parameters.

In the menu that opens, select "Call Melody." You'll see a list of standard songs. Scroll down to the bottom, and you'll see a "Click Melody from Files" button or a plus icon. You'll click on it and you'll be taken to the built-in audio player selector, where you can select a track from the Downloads or Music folder.

Once you select a track, the system will automatically apply it, but sometimes it happens that after you reboot the phone, the setting will fly off. To avoid this, make sure that the file has not been deleted or moved, and check if the profile is "No sound" or "Do not disturb", as this can block the playback of the selected melody.

Customize individual tunes for specific contacts

One of the most useful features of Xiaomi’s smartphones is the ability to assign unique ringtones to individual subscribers, which allows you to know who is calling you without looking at the screen, which is especially convenient when the phone is in your pocket or bag.

To implement this feature, open the standard Contacts app or go to the Phone section and select the Contacts tab. Find the right person in the list and click on their name to open the card. In the upper right corner or in the menu (three dots), select the "Set a ringtone" option.

• 👤 Open the contact card you want to assign a unique sound to.
• 🎼 Click on the "Call Melody" item (may be called "Rington»).
• 📂 Select the source: system library or device files.
• ✅ Save the changes by going back to the contact card.

Now, when that caller calls you, you'll hear the exact composition that you chose, and it works even if the phone is in vibration mode for everyone else -- you can make an exception for your favorite contacts. Note that if you have a contact recorded twice (for example, with different country codes), the setting can only apply to one of the records.

Also, consider that messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram have their own notification settings for contacts that are not associated with the system phone book.

Working with two SIM-maps: setting different sounds

Owners of Xiaomi devices often use two SIM cards, separating personal and work calls. To avoid confusion about which SIM accepts a call, it is logical to assign a separate ringtone to each of them, which eliminates the need to look at the screen every time you look for a SIM1 or SIM2 indicator.

The tuning process is similar to the general ringtone change, but with an important clarification. Go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Call melody. At the top of the screen you will see a switch between the SIM 1 and SIM 2. Once you select the desired SIM card, you can set it a personal track without affecting the second one.

It's recommended to choose contrasting tunes, such as a strict, rhythmic sound for a work SIM card, and a softer or more favorite composition for a personal SIM card, which creates a stable audio pattern that allows the brain to instantly respond in a way that is appropriate: to be ready for a business conversation or to relax while responding to friends.

Remember that call volume settings are common to both SIM cards. You can't make one SIM quiet and the other loud software unless you use automation scenarios, but the base volume speaker will be the same for the entire device.

Using Third-Party File Managers to Install

Sometimes the standard file selection interface in audio settings doesn't see the tracks or doesn't work properly, and in such cases, third-party file managers like MI File Manager (standard) or Total Commander, FX File Explorer come to the rescue, giving you complete control of the file system.

Open the file manager and find your audio file. Press it and hold your finger until the context menu appears. In the action list, select "Install as" or "Use as" and then "Call melody." The system will take you to the appropriate settings menu or immediately apply the track.

If you don't have a direct installation, you can go another way. Find the MIUI → sound → ringtone folder in your phone's memory. Copy your file here. After that, it's guaranteed to appear in the general list of system tunes in the audio settings, and you can choose it as standard.

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Tip: For convenience, create a separate folder at the root of the memory called “Ringtones” and drop all new tracks there. This will help avoid chaos in the download folder and speed up the search for the desired file when setting up.

Using third-party managers also allows you to edit file tags (ID3), which is important. If the track name is displayed incorrectly or instead of the artist name shows encoding, use a file manager with tag editing function to fix the displayed name in the call list.

Vibration setting and synchronization with sound

Sound is only half the success. The vibration on Xiaomi's smartphones is fine-tuning, too, so you can create your own vibration pattern that perfectly complements the rhythm of your new ringtone, creating a tactile-audial effect.

In the Sound and Vibration section, look for Vibration or Vibration, and you have preset templates, but we're interested in creating your own. Click Create or Add. A timer will open where you can tap the screen to set a rhythm: short press is short vibration, long press is long.

• 📳 Click “Create” in the Vibration Settings menu.
• 👆 Set the rhythm by pressing the screen, getting into the beat of the melody.
• 💾 Save your profile by giving it a clear name (e.g., “Back to bass»).
• 🔗 Link the created profile to the selected ringtone.

Today's Xiaomi models are equipped with broadband vibrators that can transmit complex textures. Properly tuned vibrations allow you to feel the ringing even through thick cloth of clothing when the sound is muffled, and this is especially true for people with hearing impairments or in very noisy places.

⚠️ Warning: Creating too long or frequent vibration patterns can lead to accelerated battery discharge and increased wear of the vibrator motor. 5-7 seconds.

Solution: Why the melody doesn't play or reset

Users often face a situation where, after installing their track, the phone continues to ring with a standard horn, or the selected melody is only partially played, most often the problem lies in the file format or its bitrate.

Another common reason is energy saving mode: Aggressive battery optimization in MIUI can put the process of playing ringtones out of memory if the file is in the cached area. Try adding a music service or file manager to the battery exclusion list.

Also check if no sound mode is enabled for specific contacts or if the file length limit is worth it.Some firmware versions crop tracks longer than 30 seconds when installed via Certain interfaces, in which case it is better to use an audio tracker to leave only the most recognizable snippet of the song.

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The main reason for resetting a tune is that the file format is incompatible or that the file is in a cloud storage that is disconnected from the network. Always store the ringtones locally.

If nothing works, reset the audio settings to factory, and then repeat the installation procedure again, having previously cleared the Themes and Sound app cache through the application management menu.