Personalizing a smartphone is not just a matter of aesthetics, but also a way to make the device truly your own, comfortable and recognizable. For owners of Xiaomi and Redmi devices, changing the standard call is often the first task after buying, especially given that the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS have their own characteristics in managing multimedia. Standard tunes preinstalled by the manufacturer can seem boring or too intrusive, and the desire to hear your favorite track on an incoming call is quite natural.
Unlike some other manufacturers, Chinese brands often hide basic audio settings in deep menus or offer their own services like MI Music, which can confuse the inexperienced user. However, the process of replacing a ringtone is actually simple if you know the exact algorithm of actions. In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to install your own audio files, including the nuances of working with the file system and access rights.
Preparation of an audio file and file system
Before you start setting up the interface, you need to make sure that your audio file is properly prepared and placed in the memory of the device. Xiaomi smartphones run on the Android operating system, which has a strict directory structure. If you downloaded music from the Internet or transferred a file from your computer, it is most likely in the Download or Music folder. To properly work the sound notification system, the file must be in MP3, M4A or WAV format.
It is important to consider that system sounds should not be too long. The optimal ringtone duration is 15 to 30 seconds. Longer tracks can be cropped by the system or play incorrectly on repeated calls. It is also worth paying attention to bitrate: files with low sound quality (less than 128 kbit / s) can be played with wheezing, especially on models with monophone speakers.
Use built-in Explorer or third-party apps like Files by Google to manage files. If you plan to set different tunes for different contacts, make sure each file has a clear name so you don’t get confused in the list when you choose.
💡
Use online services to crop tracks up to 30 seconds before downloading to your phone – this will save space and make it easier to find the desired snippet in the system menu.
Standard method of installation through sound settings
The easiest and most reliable method of replacing a tune is to use a built-in settings menu, which is universal for all Redmi Note, Redmi and Xiaomi models. You don't need to install additional apps or have root rights. You just need to go through the Settings → Sound and Vibration path, and it gives you access to all the basic audio settings of your device.
In the menu that opens, you'll see a few options: "Call," "Notifications," "Alarm clock." Click on "Call," and the system will suggest a list of standard tunes. To put your track, scroll down to the bottom and select "Choice music on your device" or "All tunes," and then open a file manager or built-in player to find the previously saved audio file.
When you select the file, the system automatically applies the changes, and the health check is instantaneous, you hear a short snippet of the track you selected, and if the sound doesn't appear, check the media volume and make sure that the silent mode is not activated.
☑️ Pre-installing check
Using the theme of design to change the sound
The MIUI and HyperOS shells have a powerful customization tool called Themes. Many users don't know, but you can change not only icons and wallpaper, but also system sounds through them, which is especially useful if you want to change the soundtrack (calls, notifications, locks) with a single click.
To do this, open the Themes app, go to the profile (human icon) and select the Ringtones section. There's a huge catalog of free and paid sounds available, from classic tunes to popular hits. You can listen to the preview and click Download and then Apply.
⚠️ Note: When downloading ringtones through the Themes app, keep a close eye on the subscription terms. Some sounds may only be available when you have a paid Mi Membership subscription, which is automatically renewed. Always check whether the price is 0 or the amount indicated.
The advantage of this method is that the themes often contain files that are already optimized for length and volume, and you can create your own themes by combining sounds from different sources, although this requires a deeper dive into the theme settings.
How to remove downloaded ringtones through themes?
Customization of individual melodies for contacts
One of the most useful features of a smartphone is the ability to assign unique ringtones to specific subscribers, which allows you to know who is calling without taking the phone out of your pocket. On Xiaomi devices, this is done through a standard phone book or the Contacts app.
Open the contact list, select the subscriber you want, and click on the Change button (usually a pencil icon). In the editing menu, find the Rington field (may be in the Still section if the screen is small). The default is Default. Click on this box and select the track you want from the list, as you did in the general audio settings.
Once you save the changes, the tune you're calling from that person will play, and it works even if the phone is in "Do Not Disturb" mode, if the contact is added to the favorites list, which is an important setting for emergencies.
| Parameter | Where to set up | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Common ringtone | Settings → Sound | Low (baseline) |
| Contact ringtone | Contacts → Change | Tall (interrupts general) |
| Don't disturb mode. | Settings → Sound | Blocks everything except the chosen ones |
| SIM card 1 / SIM card 2 | Settings → Sound | Depends on the caller's card. |
Setting the tunes on SIM-map
Most of the Redmi smartphones support two of the most modern smartphones. SIM-It allows you to assign different tunes for incoming calls to the first and second SIM, which is extremely convenient for separating work and personal calls without having to start two phones.
To set this up, go to Settings → Sound and Vibration → Rington. At the top of the screen you'll see the tabs "SIM 1" and "SIM 2." Switching between them, you can independently select audio files for each line. The logic of choosing a file is the same as in the standard method: go to storage and select a track.
If you use messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) for calls, it is worth remembering that they use a separate notification system, for which you need to adjust the sounds inside the applications themselves in the Notifications section, not in the general settings of the phone.
💡
Separation of melodies into two SIM-The card helps to instantly identify the source of the call, which is especially important for those who use the same phone for work and personal life.
The solution: why the melody does not change
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where seemingly everything is done correctly, but the melody does not change or reset to a standard one after a reboot. Often the problem lies in access rights. The "Subjects" or "Contacts" application may be denied access to the phone's memory. Check this in the Settings section → Apps → All Apps → (Application Needed) → Rights.
Another common reason is that a file has been moved or deleted, and if you select a track from the Download folder and then clear that folder, the system will not be able to find the file and return the standard sound, and it is recommended that you create a separate Ringtones folder at the root of internal memory and not delete the files from there.
⚠️ Note: Do not store important ringtones on a memory card SD. If the card is retrieved or damaged, the system will lose its way to the file, and calls will become silent or standard.
It's also worth checking whether Quiet or Vibration is on the notification curtain, and sometimes users change the tune, forget that the phone is silent, and make the wrong conclusion about the malfunction.
Features of the new shell HyperOS
With the release of the new HyperOS operating system (which replaces MIUI 14), the audio settings interface has undergone minimal but noticeable changes. Logic has remained the same, but the visual design and location of some elements may differ. The melody selection point is now more often integrated into the Sound card at the top of the settings menu.
HyperOS has improved spatial sound and dynamic effects, which can affect ringtone perception. Some older low-quality audio files may sound worse due to new audio processing algorithms. It is recommended to use high-quality files (High-Res Audio) to evaluate the capabilities of new Xiaomi speakers.
In addition, new versions of the software have enhanced security measures, so that when you first select a file from memory, the system can re-request permission to access media files, which is a normal behavior that must be confirmed for successful installation.