How to change a melody to a message on Xiaomi: all ways

Getting notifications with unusual or annoying sounds can be annoying, especially when Xiaomi’s standard tune melody merges with other signals or just doesn’t like it. Fortunately, MIUI has several ways to change the sound of messages, both through system settings and through third-party apps.

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for different versions of MIUI (including MIUI 14 and HyperOS), as well as solutions for cases where the desired option is not displayed. We will look not only at changing standard sounds, but also at installing custom tunes from.mp3 or.ogg files. If you want to highlight messages from a particular contact with a unique signal, there is a solution here too.

Important: the procedure may vary slightly depending on the model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T) and the firmware version. But the general logic remains the same. If your smartphone runs Android One (e.g. Xiaomi A3), some menu items will be called differently — that's also mentioned.

1. Standard method: through MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in system tools, which is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models on MIUI 12-14 or HyperOS. Here's how to do it:

Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen) and go to the Sound and Vibration section, which in some firmware versions may be called Sound and Vibration or Sound.

Next, select the Notification Melody (sometimes the default notification sound) and here you will see a list of standard signals pre-installed in the system. Scroll down, there may be a suitable option among them. To listen to the tune, just tap on the name.

🔔 Tip: If you want to return standard sound, select Default (MIUI) or Sound MIUI.
📱 For HyperOS: In new firmware versions, the path may look like this: Settings → Sound and vibration → Types of sounds → Notifications.
🔍 Search: Can't find the right item? Use the search bar in the settings (laptop of the screen) and enter "notifications sound».

Once you select a tune, click OK or Ready to save the changes. The new sound will apply to all notifications, including SMS, messengers, and system alerts (unless they have separate settings).

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If the list doesn't have the right tune, try updating the firmware. Newer versions of MIUI sometimes add fresh sound circuits.

2. Installation of custom melody from the file

Standard sounds don't always suit users, and fortunately, MIUI allows you to set your own tunes from.mp3,.wav, or.ogg files.

⏱️ Not longer than 30 seconds (otherwise the system can cut the sound).
📀 File size up to 1-2 MB (depending on model).
🔊 Format MP3 or WAV (128-192 kbps bitrate recommended for better quality).

To set the custom sound:

Place the melody file in the phone’s memory (for example, in the Downloads or Ringtones folder).
Open Settings → Sound and vibration → Melody of notifications.
In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Add Melody (or Select from Files).
Find your file in the Explorer and confirm the choice.

Important: on some models (e.g. Redmi 9A or POCO M3), the option to add files may be hidden, in which case a third-party application or manual copying of the file to the system folder /system/media/audio/notifications (requires root rights) will help.

Cut the track to 30 seconds | Convert to MP3/WAV| Check volume (not quieter than standard sounds) |Put the file in the root folder of the phone

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3. Individual sounds for contacts and applications

If you want messages from a particular person or messenger (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) to sound special, that too can be customized. Let's look at both.

For contacts:

Open the Contacts app and select the contact you want.
Click Edit (pencil icon).
Scroll down to the Notification Melody (or Message Sound) item.
Select a standard sound or add your file (similar to the previous section).

For applications:

Some messengers (such as Telegram or WhatsApp) allow you to set unique sounds directly in their settings.

Open the messenger and go to Settings → Notifications.
Select the notification type (such as Messages or Group Chats).
Find the Notification Sound and select the melody.

If the desired sound is not in the list, it can be added through the file manager by placing the file in the Notifications folder on the internal drive, and then it will appear in the drop-down menu of the messenger.

Standard. MIUI|Castomic melody|Silence (vibration)|The sounds of nature (rain, waves)|Another option-->

Problems and Solutions: Why the Sound Doesn't Change

Sometimes users find that the notification sound does not change at all, and let's look at the typical causes and ways to fix them.

Problem.	Possible cause	Decision
The sound does not change after the selection	Cash applications Settings or Media	Clear the cache to Settings → Applications → App Management → Settings (or Media) → Memory → Clear the cache
There is no option to add a tune.	Restriction of firmware or regional version of MIUI	Use a file manager (such as Mi File Manager) to manually copy a file to /system/media/audio/notifications (requires root)
The sound is reset after rebooting	Media Storage Failure	Restart the phone or reset the sound settings to standard, then reset the settings.
The castom melody is not displayed in the list	Inappropriate format or folder	Check that the file is.mp3 and is in the root folder or Ringtones/Notifications.

If none of these methods helped, try resetting the sound settings to the standard:

Go to Settings → System and device → Resetting.
Select Resetting Sound Settings (not to be confused with a full reset!).
Confirm the action and restart the phone.

What if the notification sound disappears after the MIUI update?

After major updates (e.g., with the MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) system sounds may be reset. In this case: 1. Check if notifications in Settings are disabled → Annexes → Application management → [Name of messenger] → Notifications. 2. Remove and re-add custom tunes – sometimes file paths change after the update. 3. If the problem persists, reset the audio settings (see table above).

5. Alternative methods: third-party applications

If the built-in MIUI tools don't work, you can use third-party apps from Google Play, which offer more customization options, including:

🎵 Zedge – a database of free tunes and notification sounds with the possibility of pre-listening.
🔔 Ringtone Maker – allows you to crop tracks and create unique signals from music files.
📱 Notification History – not only changes sounds, but also keeps a notification log (helpful if you missed a message).

To set the sound through Zedge:

Download and install the app from Google Play.
Select the Notification Sounds section.
Find your favorite tune and click Set as notification sound.
Confirm your choice in the system window.

The advantage of these apps is that they regularly update the sound library and can download tunes directly to your phone, but beware: some programs may contain ads or request unnecessary permissions (for example, access to contacts).

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The app side is convenient, but remember to check reviews and ratings before installing.Apps rated below 4.0 stars may run unstable or contain hidden advertising.

6. Features for different Xiaomi models

While the general logic of Xiaomi’s audio customization is the same, some models have nuances.

For Redmi Note 10/11/12 and POCO X3/X4/X5:

In these models, the path to audio settings can look like this: Settings → Sound → Additional → Melody of notifications.
On POCO with HyperOS, there is sometimes no option to add custom sounds – use the file manager to manually copy.

For Xiaomi 11T/12/13 and flagships:

Flagship models usually have advanced sound settings available, including volume adjustment for different types of notifications.
On Xiaomi 13 Ultra, you can assign different sounds for SMS, Messengers and System Notifications separately.

For Xiaomi A-series (Android One):

It uses “pure” Android, so the path to settings will be: Settings → Sound → The default notification sound.
There may be no option to add custom tunes – use apps like Zedge.

If your model is not specified, try using a universal method: open the settings and type in the search "notification sound."

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Some models (such as the Redmi 9) require a reboot after the change in tune to take effect.

7 How to bring back the standard MIUI sound

If the custom tune experiments were unsuccessful or you just want to get your original settings back, do it simply:

Go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Notification melody.
In the list, select Default (MIUI) or MIUI Sound (name may vary).
Confirm your choice by pressing OK.

If the standard sound is missing from the list (this happens after a reset or update), follow the following steps:

Reset the sound settings: Settings → System and device → Resetting the settings → Resetting the sound settings.
Reboot the phone.
Check if the standard sound appears on the list.

On HyperOS models, standard sounds can be stored elsewhere. If the reset didn't work, try manually copying files from the backup or reinstalling the firmware via Fastboot (this is a last resort!).

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Resetting the audio settings does not affect other phone settings (Wi-Fi, accounts, apps) and is a safe procedure.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)

Can I install different sounds for SMS and messengers?

Yes, but the setting is firmware-dependent. In MIUI 14 and HyperOS, go to Settings → Sound and Vibration → Sound Types and set up Notifications and SMS separately. In instant messengers (like Telegram), the sounds are customized inside the app itself.

Why is my custom tune quieter than standard?

This is due to normalizing the volume in MIUI. To fix: Open the file in an audio editor (like Audacity). Increase the volume to -3 dB. Save the file and reset.

How do you make the vibration accompany the notification sound?

Go to Settings → Sound and Vibration → Vibration at notifications and select the appropriate pattern. POCO and Redmi can also adjust the vibration intensity in the Additional section.

Can I use music from Spotify or YouTube as a melody?

Directly not, as these services protect content from downloading. But you can: Download the track through third-party sites (make sure it's legal!) Cut it to 30 seconds in the Ringtone Maker app. Set it as a custom tune (see section 2). ⚠️ Note: Using protected content without the copyright holder’s permission may infringe copyright.

After the MIUI update, all custom sounds were gone.

The update could have reset the paths to files. Try: Re-add tunes through Settings → Sound and vibration → Notification melody → Add. If files are missing, check the Ringtones or Notifications folder on the internal drive. If necessary, copy files again from the PC or the cloud.