Changing a standard melodic but quickly annoying ringtone is one of the first tasks a new smartphone owner does. In Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices, this process can seem confusing due to the features of the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS. The system offers many personalization options, from selecting a track from internal memory to installing a unique sound for each contact.
Many users are faced with the fact that downloaded from the Internet mp3-The files are not displayed in the list of available tunes, due to the changed folder structure in new versions of Android and strict shell security policy, you need to know the exact paths to the system directories or use built-in theme tools to install the music correctly.
In this guide, we will discuss all the current ways to replace audio files. You will learn how to bypass the limitations of the file system, configure different tracks for the use of audio files. SIM-maps and create a truly unique audio profile of your device.
Preparation of an audio file and file system
Before you start settings in the menu, you need to properly prepare the file. Android, which runs Xiaomi smartphones, requires that user ringtones are in strictly defined directories. If you just download the track to the Downloads folder, the system may not see it in the selection list.
To start, open a standard File Manager Explorer or any equivalent, like Files by Google. Find a downloaded music file. Most often it has an extension.mp3,.m4a Or.ogg. It's important to make sure the file isn't secure. DRM-protection, otherwise it will not be played as a system sound.
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Use audio files that are no longer than 30-40 seconds long, and long tracks can be cut off by the system or create uncomfortable pauses when a call is repeated.
Now move the file. In the phone's memory, create a folder called Ringtones (for calls) or Notifications (for notifications) if they don't already exist. It's best to place them at the root of internal memory or along the Internal storage/Miui/sound path. Once moved, the file will be available in the system menu.
⚠️ Note: Do not try to rename system files in folders /system/media/audio This can lead to an error in the loading of the interface or a complete absence of sound in the system.
☑️ Preparation of the file for installation
Installation of the melody through standard settings
The easiest and most reliable way to change the sound is to use the built-in settings menu, which ensures that the melody will stick correctly and will not fly off after the reboot, and the path to settings may vary slightly depending on the version of the MIUI 12/13/14 shell or HyperOS.
Go to the Settings menu and find the Sound and Vibration section. It shows all the basic audio settings. Click on Rington. It opens a system player with the tracks preset and the ones you previously moved to the correct folder. Select the file you want and confirm the action.
In the same section, fine-tuning is available. You can choose a tune for SIM 1 and SIM 2 separately, which is extremely convenient for separating work and personal calls, and it also adjusts the sound of alarms, notifications and system events, such as locking the screen or charging the device.
Why is the choice of melody missing?
If you use dual apps, like two WhatsApp apps, remember that the audio settings for them are inside the apps themselves, not in the phone's general settings.The system ringtone will only work for normal voice calls over the cellular network.
Setup through the “Themes” app
The official Themes store on Xiaomi smartphones is a powerful tool that is often ignored, and you can find not only wallpaper, but also quality sound packages created by professionals, which eliminates the need to search and convert music yourself.
Open the Themes app on your desktop. At the bottom of the screen, switch to the Sounds tab. Here are the categories: ringtones, notification sounds, alarm clocks. You can listen to any track before downloading.
Once you select your favorite sound, click Download and then Apply. The system automatically sets the track to your current profile, and the advantage of this method is that the sounds are volume and frequency optimized specifically for the brand's speakers.
| Type of content | Where to find out. | File format | Automatic installation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard. | Settings → Sound | Systemic | Yes. |
| Custom MP3 | Memory. → Ringtones | MP3/M4A | Relocation required |
| Themes from the store | Annex Topics | MTZ (hidden) | Yeah, one click. |
| Online services | Soundline (embedded) | Flowing | Yes, through the account. |
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The Theme Store is the only way to get high-quality, already cropped and normalized sounds without the risk of downloading a virus or a low-quality file.
Individual contact ringtones
One of the most useful features is the ability to assign unique music to a particular person's call, which allows you to recognize an important caller without even taking your phone out of your pocket, and in Android and MIUI, this is done through a standard phone book.
Open the Contacts app or Phone app and go to the list of all the numbers. Find the right person and open the contact card. If the contact has multiple numbers, make sure you edit the card that is tied to the right number.
In the contact menu, find Ringtone (may be in the three-dot optional menu). Click on it and select a tune from the list. Now, when that caller calls, you'll hear that track, not the overall melody.
It is worth noting that if a contact is synced with a Google Account, settings can be applied with a delay, and if you reset your contact settings, individual ringtones may be lost, so it is recommended to back up important data regularly.
⚠️ Note: The appointment of an individual ringtone only works if the call goes through a standard ringtone. SIM-Calls via messengers (Viber, Telegram, WhatsApp) use the audio settings inside the apps themselves and ignore the settings of the phone book.
Use of third-party applications and services
If standard tools aren't enough, you can use third-party solutions. There are many ringtonesmaker apps in the Play Market that not only allow you to select a track, but also edit it: crop, add fading effects, change the tone.
Popular apps like Zedge or Ringtone Maker have huge databases of free music, and once you download it, you don't have to manually move files, but it will ask for permissions and log the file into the registry.
For advanced users with access to ADB (Android Debug Bridge), there is a massive replacement of system sounds, requiring a computer connection and commands, which allows you to replace even those tunes that are usually hidden from the user.
adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.SoundSettingsHowever, using “heavy” third-party launchers or call managers can conflict with the HyperOS system shell. If after installing such an application, the sound has disappeared or there is a delay, delete the application and clear the cache of the standard “Caller”.
How do you get it back?
Solving problems and mistakes
Even if you follow all the instructions, you can have technical difficulties. Often users complain that the phone is silent even though the melody is set. First of all, check the sound profile. Xiaomi has Do Not Disturb, Sleep or Meet modes that can block the sound of incoming ones.
Another common problem is quiet sound. There's a separate volume slider for the ringtone in the sound settings, make sure it's twisted to the maximum, and sometimes when the system is updated, the volume settings can be reset.
If the phone is sound-producing but not vibrating (or vice versa), check the tactile response settings, which are handled by a separate vibration module in modern Redmi and Poco models that can be adjusted independently of the audio.
- 📱 Check if silent mode is enabled by a physical button or in the notification curtain.
- 🔊 Make sure the speaker is not covered with a case and is not clogged with dust, which often happens with the bottom speaker.
- 💾 Free up space in the phone’s memory – in case of critical space shortage, the system can block the download of heavy audio files.