Personalizing your smartphone starts with little things, and setting up a unique ringtone is one of the easiest ways to stand out. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices often face the need to change the standard tone to their favorite track. However, just downloading a track is not enough: you need to properly prepare it by cutting it off and setting the volume.
MIUI and the new HyperOS have convenient audio tools, so you don't have to be a professional sound engineer or install complex software on your computer, and you can do most of the work directly on your smartphone screen in a matter of minutes, using built-in functionality or proven applications.
In this guide, we will look at all the current ways to crop music, we will look at the standard system tools, popular third-party utilities and online services, and we will also focus on important technical nuances, such as file formats and volume settings, which are often ignored by beginners.
Preparation of audio file and choice of format
Before you start editing, you need to make sure that the source file is available in the device memory. Most often users download music in MP3 format, which is the universal standard for mobile devices. However, Android also works well with WAV and AAC formats, which can provide higher audio quality.
It's important to understand that you don't need a whole track to call, the optimal ringtone duration is 15 to 30 seconds. If the segment is too long, you risk not hearing the beginning of the next call, because the playback cycle may be interrupted, a short and energetic segment is perceived better and attracts attention faster.
Check where your file is saved. Usually downloads go to the Download or Music folder in internal storage. If you plan to use music from a streaming service, make sure you have a local copy of the file, since there are no online tracks. DRM-Protection as a call will not be installed directly.
💡
Save the original track in a separate folder before editing so you can always create a new version of the ringtone without losing the quality of the source.
Using the built-in editor Xiaomi
Many users are unaware that MIUI already has a powerful audio tool in its shell. The File Manager or Music app (depending on the firmware version and region) often contains basic trimming functionality, the most secure method that doesn’t require additional software.
To use this method, open the desired track through a standard player. In the playback control menu, find the edit icon or select the "Install as a ringtone" option, after which the system will prompt you to select a fragment, you can move the sliders of the beginning and end of the track, listening to the result in real time.
The main advantage of the built-in tool is that it's automatic conversion, and once you've selected the right portion and saved it, the system will create a copy of the file in the right format and put it in the right system folder, so you don't have to manually copy files through your computer or search for hidden directories.
What to do if the built-in editor is not found?
Pruning through online services without installing applications
If you don't want to clog your smartphone memory with software, online services are a great solution, they work right in your Chrome or Yandex browser, and they don't require access to contacts or the file system, and they're a quick way to get results in a few clicks.
Popular platforms like mp3cut or audio-joiner offer a simple interface: You download a file, visually highlight a region in a wave of sound, and click the "Turn" button. The processing takes place on the server, so the speed depends on your Internet connection.
After processing, the site will offer to download the finished file. Pay attention to the quality settings: the call does not require a bitrate of 320 kbit / s, 128 kbit / s is enough, which will significantly reduce the file size. Less file weight ensures fast loading of the ringtone on the incoming call.
The Best Apps for Creating Ringtones
For those who want to get maximum control of sound, there are specialized applications that allow you not only to trim the track, but also add fade-in/fade-out effects, change the volume and even mix several tracks, which is a professional approach at the level of a handheld computer.
One of the most popular tools is Ringdroid.It's a lightweight, open-source application that doesn't contain ads and runs consistently on any version of Android.It provides accurate visualization of the sound wave, allowing you to pick the perfect moment to start a call.
Another powerful option is MP3 Cutter and Ringtone Maker, which offers a more modern interface and support for cloud storage, you can send a file to Google Drive or share it through instant messengers immediately after trimming, and these applications often have a library of ready-made sounds.
☑️ Criteria for selecting a cropping application
Volume setting and fading effects
A good ringtone must not only be liked, it must sound right. Often the music starts too quietly or hits the ears sharply, and to avoid discomfort, you need to adjust the volume and transitions.
The Fade In effect makes the start of the call mild, especially if you're in a quiet environment or sleeping, and the sudden start of the music can scare you or others, so a smooth introduction of 0.5 to 1 seconds is the standard of good tone.
If the track is quiet, use the normalization or amplification (Boost) function in the editor. However, do not overdo it: excessive amplification can lead to wheezing and distortion of the speaker, which will spoil the impression of your favorite song.
💡
The perfect ringtone starts with a smooth increase in volume and does not contain sharp bass bursts in the first second.
Table of comparison of pruning methods
To make it easier for you to choose the right way, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you estimate the time and resources required for each option.
| Method | We need the Internet. | Difficulty | Functional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in editor | No. | Low. | Basic |
| Online services | Yes. | Low. | Medium. |
| Annexes (Ringdroid) | No. | Medium | High-pitched |
| PC-programs | No. | Tall. | Professional |
Installation of a cropped fragment on the call
Once the file is ready, it needs to be installed correctly, and in most cases, the app will prompt you to do so immediately after saving it. If that doesn't happen, go to Settings → Sound and Vibration → Phone Call.
In the list that opens, select “Select a ringtone from files” or similar. Find the folder where your track was saved (usually Music or Ringtones). Xiaomi will automatically scan the device and add the file to the list of available tunes.
If you use a two-sim machine, remember to assign a tune for each. SIM-The audio settings menu will have items «SIM 1" and «SIM 2." This will allow you to instantly know which line the call is coming to, just by sound.
⚠️ Warning: If the ringtone is not playing after installation or sounds quieter than system notifications, check the sound profile. Make sure that the call volume slider in the side menu is not twisted to a minimum and does not stand the "No Sound" mode».
Frequent problems and their solution
Sometimes users find that the file is cropped but not displayed in the call list, most often the problem is in the file format or path to it. Make sure the file is at the root of the folder or in the standard Ringtones directory.
Another common mistake is using DRM-protected files (e.g., from a Yandex.Music subscription or Spotify) that are copy-protected and cannot be used as a system call.
Also worth mentioning is the length of the file name. Some older versions of Android don't handle Cyrillic character file names that are too long. If the ringtone doesn't stand up, try renaming it short, like ring01.mp3.
⚠️ Warning: When using third-party pruning applications, always check the permissions you request. If a simple cutter requires access to your geolocation or contacts, it is suspicious.