How to change the melody on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Changing the standard soundtrack is the first thing that makes the new owner of the device for personalization Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO. Staff ringtones often seem to users boring or too loud, so finding an answer to the question of how to change the tune, becomes a priority.

The installation procedure can seem confusing due to the features of the MIUI shell and HyperOS, which have their own multimedia logic. Unlike pure Android, there are multiple layers of file access, and simple swapping through settings is not always enough for the desired result.

In this article, we will look at everything from choosing a track for an incoming call to fine-tuning the sounds for specific subscribers, and learn how to circumvent system limitations and use your own audio files without losing quality.

Audio file preparation and formats

Before settings, you need to make sure your music tracks are in the right format.The Android system on which Xiaomi’s shell is based natively supports MP3, WAV, OGG and M4A formats. If you downloaded music in a rare format, such as FLAC or AAC with protection, the system may simply not see the file in the list available for installation.

It is critical to remember the length of the track. For ringtones, the optimal length is 15 to 30 seconds. Long compositions can cause delays when an incoming call or play incorrectly in the loop.

Files should be stored in the device’s internal memory, not on the device’s internal memory. SD-card if you want to guarantee their availability immediately after switching on the phone. MIUI Sometimes blocks access to external drives at the start of the system, which can cause the call to pass without sound.

• 🎵 Use the format. MP3 with a bitrate of at least 128 kbit/s for better quality.
• ⏱️ The optimal ringtone duration is up to 30 seconds to avoid pruning.
• 📂 Save files in the root directory or Music folder for quick access.

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Use the Dictophone app to quickly record live sound, which can then be set as a notification, creating a unique presence effect.

Installation of ringtones through system settings

The most standard and reliable way to change the call sound is to use the built-in settings menu, which ensures that the melody will play correctly in all modes of operation of the phone, including the Do Not Disturb mode with exceptions.

To start, you need to go to the main settings menu of the device. Find the Sound and Vibration section. Depending on the shell version (MIUI 12, 13, 14 or the new HyperOS), the interface may differ slightly, but the logic remains the same. Choose Phone Call or Rington.

A list of standard tunes preset by the manufacturer will open. To use your track, click the + button or select Select a tune on the device (sometimes hidden in a three-dot menu), the system will suggest selecting a file manager or immediately show a list of audio files.

Once you select a file, the system automatically creates a copy of it in the system folder of ringtones. This is an important point: if you delete the original file from the download folder, the melody will stay in place and continue to work. However, if you decide to change the theme through the Theme app, the system ringtony can be replaced with the one that goes into the theme.

⚠️ Attention: When installing custom themes from GetThemes, read the description carefully. Some themes force system sounds to replace their own, ignoring your personal settings.

Customization of individual melodies for contacts

One of the most useful features in Xiaomi smartphones is the ability to assign a unique tune to a particular subscriber, which allows you to know who is calling without taking the phone out of your pocket.

There are two ways to do this: One is through the Contacts app. Open the right subscriber, click the Change button (usually a pencil icon), then find the Melody or Rington field, and you can select a track that will only sound when you call from that person.

The second way is through the call log, find a number in the history, click on the information icon (i), and select Rington, which is convenient when you have just received a call from an important customer or relative and you want to highlight their number.

It’s worth noting that if a contact is linked to a Google account or Mi Account, settings can sync between devices, but if you use local contact storage, the melody will only stay on that smartphone.

• 📞 The individual ringtone works even in vibration mode (the phone will vibrate).
• 👥 You can assign one tune to a whole group of contacts (for example, "Family").
• 🔊 The volume of the individual ringtone is regulated by the general setting of the call.

Setting the notification sounds and alarm clock

The audio recording of messages (SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram) and alarm clock is set apart from the calls, which allows you to keep the phone quiet for calls, but hear important messages.

In the Sound and Vibration section, look for the Notifications section, and here the principle is similar to setting a ringtone: you pick the source and the file you want. The alarm clock is a little different, you start the Watch app, you go to the settings of the specific alarm clock, and you pick the sound.

An important nuance for MIUI users is that notification sounds are often "attached" to an app, such as changing the sound for Viber, sometimes you need to go to the settings of Viber itself, select "Notifications", then "Sound" and then specify "Add" or select from the system list.

Using the theme of design to change sounds

Themes is a powerful tool in the Xiaomi ecosystem that allows you to change not only wallpaper and icons, but also system sounds. It is a global change that affects all aspects of the interface.

When you install a new theme, the system will suggest using all the components or selecting individual elements. If you only want a new ringtone but leave the old wallpaper, select the theme settings (or gear when you use) and only mark the Sound item.

Many users don't know that theme components can be downloaded separately, go to the theme author profile or the "Sounds" section inside the theme store, and you can find quality, professionally blended ringtones that are often better than standard ones.

However, there is a downside to this method: other interface changes often come along with the sounds, if you are not careful when installing them, and removing the theme can return a standard “saw” if you did not previously save the track you liked as a custom one.

⚠️ Warning: When downloading themes from third-party sources (not from the official store), be careful. Modified themes may contain malicious code or cause unstable system operation.

Reproduction problems and their solution

Sometimes users are faced with a situation when after setting the melody, the phone is silent or squeaks quietly, most often the problem lies in the access rights or cache of the system.

The first thing to check is the Explorer or Music app permissions. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find your file manager and make sure that memory is allowed. Without that, the application won't be able to "transfer" the file to the ringtones system folder.

The second common problem is Do Not Disturb mode. In MIUI, it has advanced settings. Check if the limit on sounds from unknown numbers or at certain hours is worth it. Also make sure that the call volume slider (not the media, but the call) is not twisted to zero.

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If the melody is not installed, try renaming the file by removing special characters and Russian letters from the title – this often solves the compatibility problem.

In rare cases, cleaning the cache of the Themes or Sounds app helps. Go to App Management, find the system sound service, and click Clear Cache. This won't delete your files, but it will reset indexing errors.

• 🔍 Check if the phone is silent (switch on the side or in the curtain).
• 📉 Make sure that the Smart Silence function does not block the sound mistakenly.
• 🔄 Rebooting the device often solves the problem of “sticking” the audio driver.