How to change a tune to Xiaomi Redmi: from standard ringtones to custom tracks

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones based on the MIUI shell offer flexible audio settings, but not all users know how to make the most of these features. Replacing the standard ringtone of a call or notification with a favorite track is a task that seems simple only at first glance. In reality, users face system limitations, hidden menus and nuances of working with files.

This article will help you understand how to change the tune to Redmi of any model - from the budget Redmi 12C up to the flagship Redmi K70 We will look not only at the basic settings through the phone menu, but also at advanced methods: installing custom ringtones through the file manager, bypassing restrictions. MIUI The length of the tracks, as well as the solution of typical problems (for example, when the phone "cannot see" downloaded melodies). MIUI 14/15, where the audio interface has undergone changes.

Important: The instructions in this article are relevant to all modern Redmi devices (2020-2026 release) and adapted to the latest Xiaomi security updates. If your phone runs on Android 12+ with a MIUI 13 shell and newer, you will find relevant solutions here without having to look for outdated manuals.

1. Basic settings: how to change the melody through the phone menu

To start with, the simplest way is to change the ringtone through the standard MIUI menu, which is suitable for most users and does not require additional knowledge or third-party applications.

To change the ringtone:

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
2. Go to the section Sound and vibration.
3. Select the item Melody of the call.
4. In the list that opens, select one of the preset tunes (e.g. MIUI Ring, Marimba or Reflection).
5. Click OK or Save to apply the changes.

Similarly, you can change the sounds to:

• 🔔 Notifications - the path: Settings → Sound and vibration → The melody of notifications.
• ⏰ Alarm clock is the way: Clock → Alarm clock → Settings (icon) ⚙️) → Signal sound.
• 📞 The sound of dialing is the path: Settings → Sound and vibration → System sounds → The sound of the set.

Note that MIUI 14/15 has reduced the standard tunes from earlier versions, and if you don't have the options, you'll have to download your own tracks, which we'll explain in the next section.

2.How to set your tune on Redmi: step-by-step instructions

If you don’t like standard ringtones, you can download any audio file in.mp3,.m4a or.ogg format to your phone. However, there are nuances here: MIUI imposes restrictions on the duration of the track (usually no more than 30 seconds) and its placement in the device’s memory.

To set a custom tune:

Download the track in mp3 format (recommended bitrate: 128-192 kbit / s)

Cut the file to 30 seconds (you can use online services like mp3cut.net)

Rename the file in Latin (without Cyrillic and characters!@#)

Transfer the file to Ringtones or Notifications folder-->

1. Download or prepare an audio file: 🎵 Recommended sources: Zedge, Mob.org or your own library. ⚠️ Important: The file must be no longer than 30 seconds, otherwise it will not appear in the list of tunes.
2. Place the file in the correct folder: Connect your phone to your PC or use the File Manager on your smartphone. Create (if not available) a Ringtones folder in the root directory of internal memory or on the root directory of internal memory. SD-For notifications, use Notifications, for alarms, use Alarms.
3. Update the tone list: Reboot your phone or open Settings → Sound and vibration → Call melody and wait 10-15 seconds – a new track should appear on the list.

If the melody didn't show up:

• 🔍 Check that the file is in the correct folder (Ringtones, not Music or Downloads).
• 📂 Make sure the folder is not hidden (in File Manager, enable the display of hidden files).
• 🔄 Restart your phone - sometimes MIUI Does not automatically update the media base.

💡

If you downloaded a tune via Telegram or messenger, first save it to the Downloads folder, and then move it to Ringtones. Files opened directly from the chat may not appear in the audio settings.

3 Problems and Solutions: Why Redmi doesn't see my tune

One of the most common problems is that the phone doesn't show downloaded tracks in the available tune list, and the reasons can be different, and we'll take them down in order.

A critical feature of MIUI 14+: starting with this version, the system ignores files in Ringtones/Notifications folders if they were added via a PC in MTP mode (like a flash drive).

⚠️ Note: If you are using Redmi with Android 13+ and MIUI 14/15, The standard folder approach may not work due to new storage access restrictions, and the Ringtone Set app (available on Google Play) will help).

Advanced Methods: Applications for Customization of Sound

If you don't like the standard ways, you can use third-party apps, which offer more options: cropping tracks, setting different tunes for different contacts, dynamic ringtones, even sound themes.

Top.-3 supplant:

• 🎛️ Zedge is the largest database of ringtones and notification sounds with pre-listening capability, and it downloads files directly to the right folders.
• ✂️ Ringtone Maker – allows you to crop any audio files and save them as ringtones, alerts or alarms.
• 🎵 MP3 Cutter and Ringtone Maker – Advanced Editor with Faed, Volume Change and Export Support in Ringtones.

How to set a tune through Zedge:

1. Download and install Zedge from Google Play.
2. Open the app and select the Ringtones section.
3. Find your favorite track and click on it.
4. Select Set as a ringtone – the application will automatically place the file in the correct folder and apply the settings.

For Ringtone Maker:

1. Open the app and select an audio file from your phone’s memory.
2. Cut the track (drag the sliders on the timeline).
3. Click Save and select the type (Rington, Notification or Alarm).
4. Apply changes – the melody will appear in the system settings.

5. Features for different Redmi models (2020–2026)

Depending on the Redmi model and the MIUI version, the process of changing the tune may be slightly different. Below are the key differences for popular devices.

For Redmi with Android 13+ (for example, Redmi Note 13 Pro) there are additional restrictions:

• 🔒 Scoped Storage: apps can't freely write files to root folders. Use Xiaomi's File Manager or special utilities.
• 📁 Media scanner: After adding a file to Ringtones, it may take up to 5 minutes for it to appear in the settings.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi with MIUI for POCO (for example, POCO X3/X4) The path to sound settings may be different: Settings → Sound. → Call melody. Also, these models have set sounds turned off by default, so you have to turn them on separately.

6 How to Return Standard Melodies After Resetting

After resetting or updating the firmware, all custom tunes are reset to standard ones. To return your tracks, follow the following steps:

1. Check for Files: Open the File Manager and make sure your audio files are still in the Ringtones/Notifications folders. If there are no files, restore them from the backup or download them again.
2. Update the media base: Go to Settings → Apps → Application Management. Find Media Storage and click Clear Cache. Reboot your phone.
3. Reassign melodies: Go to the sound settings and select your tracks again – they should appear in the list.

If all the folders with the melodies are missing after the reset:

• 📂 Create them again in the root catalog of internal memory:
• 🔄 Copy your audio files there and reboot the device.

💡

Once reset to the factory settings, the custom tunes are not removed, only the anchors in the system settings disappear.

7. Alternative methods: ADB and root access

For advanced users who are willing to work with ADB or get root rights, there are additional features for customizing sound.

• 🎚️ Set melodies of any length (without a limit of 30 seconds).
• 🔧 Change system sounds (locking sound, charging connection, etc.).
• 📁 Place files in system folders (/system/media/audio).

Method with ADB (without root):

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
2. Open the command line on the PC and do:

adb shell


su




cp /sdcard/Download/my_ringtone.mp3 /system/media/audio/ringtones/




chmod 644 /system/media/audio/ringtones/my_ringtone.mp3




reboot

After the reboot, your tune will be available in system settings.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB or changing system files without root can cause malfunctions in the phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing tunes on Redmi