Changing a standard monotonous call is the first thing a new smartphone owner does to personalize the device for themselves. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices often face the nuances of the MIUI or HyperOS shell, where the paths to settings can differ from “pure” Android. Installing a favorite composition allows you not only to stand out, but also instantly recognize the incoming call in a noisy environment.
The process of replacing an audio file can vary depending on the operating system version and your gadget model. In some cases, standard methods do not work due to the nature of the file system or access rights. We will look at all the current methods, including installing tunes from online services, local files, and even creating unique ringtones for each subscriber in your phone book.
It's worth noting that today's smartphones have a complex media storage structure, and simply copying a file to a folder may not be enough. You need to correctly prescribe a path or use the built-in tools of the system to recognize a new track. Let's take a detailed look at each step so that you don't have any problems with setting up.
Preparation of audio file and format check
Before you start settings, you need to make sure that your music file meets the technical requirements of the system. Xiaomi smartphones support most popular formats, however, for stable operation it is better to use MP3 or M4A. Files with high bitrate can be incorrectly processed by the system player of calls, causing delays or no sound.
The optimal ringtone duration is 15 to 30 seconds. The longest tracks may be cut off by the system or not played completely until the call is answered. If you downloaded a track from the Internet, check it for the presence of a track. DRM-Protected files from streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music (offline) cannot be used as system sound.
⚠️ Note: Files downloaded via messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) often have a changed extension or temporary name.mp3, Otherwise, the system may not see it in the list of available tunes.
For easy management, it is best to store the finished ringtones in a separate folder in internal storage, which will save you from long search for the desired track among the thousands of files in the shared directory Download or Music. File structuring is an important stage of preparation.
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Use online services to crop tracks up to 30 seconds before downloading to your phone so you don’t waste battery power on audio editors.
Standard way through sound settings
The most obvious and reliable method of changing a tune is to use a built-in settings menu, which ensures that the ringtone is set at the system level and does not disappear after the reboot.
In the menu that opens, look for the Sound and Vibration section. Depending on the firmware version (MIUI 12, 13, 14 or HyperOS), the interface may be slightly different, but the logic remains the same. Click on Rington to open the list of available system tunes.
- 🎵 Select one of the preset tunes by simply tapping its name to listen to.
- ➕ Click on the plus icon or the add button to select your file from your phone’s memory.
- 📂 In the file manager that opens, go to the folder where your prepared track lies.
- ✅ Confirm the selection and the new music will become standard for all incoming calls.
If you use two of them SIM-So, if you have a card, you can choose which SIM to use for the first or second ringtone, and you can distinguish between work calls and personal calls without having to look at the screen.
Installation of ringtones through the “Themes” app
Xiaomi smartphone owners have the unique ability to use the built-in Themes app not only to change the look of the interface, but also to download new sounds.
Open the Themes app and go to the bottom menu or the sound section, and you can find Popular, New, or Call categories here, and it offers a variety of options, from nature sounds to popular music hits.
⚠️ Note: When downloading content from the Themes app, you may need to log in to your Mi Account. Make sure you remember the login details so you don’t lose access to purchased or downloaded themes and sounds.
After selecting a track you like, click the download button and then Apply. The system automatically redirects you to the audio settings, where the new track is already selected as active, which is especially convenient if you do not have pre-prepared files.
What to do if the store is not working?
How to put music in a specific contact
Personalizing calls for individual numbers is a very useful feature, so you can figure out who's calling you before you can get your phone out of your pocket, and you don't have to be an advanced user, you just have to follow the algorithm.
Go to the Contacts app or open the Phone and go to the Contacts tab. Find the right subscriber in the list and click on their name to open the card. At the top of the screen or in the menu (three dots), select the Ask Rington option.
The system will suggest you choose the source of the sound from the standard list or from the files on the device, and after selecting the composition, a note icon will appear next to the contact name, signaling a successful setup.
| Action. | Where to find out. | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Opening of contact | Application "Phone" or "Contacts" | Subscriber card |
| Settings menu | Three dots or the "More" button | Drop-down list |
| Choosing sound | Item "Set the ringtone" | A list of tunes |
| Application | Pressing the track | Sound is tied to number. |
It is important to understand that if the contact is saved in several places (for example, in Google and on the Internet). SIM-map, settings can only be applied to one of the records, and it is recommended to store contacts in your Google account to synchronize settings.
Customization of individual melodies for SIM-map
For users with two active SIM cards, it's critical to distinguish between which line the call is coming to, and in MIUI and HyperOS, it's very flexible, and you can assign completely different genres of music to each SIM.
Go back to Settings → Sound and Vibration. Here you will see individual items for SIM 1 and SIM 2. By clicking on each, you can select a unique audio file, which allows you to instantly respond to important work calls while ignoring secondary ones.
- 📞 For SIM 1 (main) can be put a loud and sharp sound.
- 💼 For SIM 2 (working) choose a more calm but noticeable tune.
- 🔇 If one of the cards is used only for the Internet, you can turn off the sound of the call completely.
Remember that in Do Not Disturb mode, individual ringtone settings can be ignored unless exceptions are added. Check this setting if you expect an important call at night.
☑️ Checking the sound settings
Problem Solving: Why the Ringtones Are Not Working
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the selected music is not playing, or the phone emits a standard squeak instead of the downloaded track. Most often the problem lies in the access rights or file format. Android system strictly controls the access of applications to media files.
Check if the call volume slider is in the lowest position, and make sure the file is intact, try playing it through any music player, and if the file is playing there, it's a problem on the way to the file.
⚠️ Attention: After system update (OTA) This is normal behavior when Android major updates, so save a link to your favorite track to quickly restore the settings.
Another reason could be the "Sound in your pocket" or "Smart call" feature, if your model has one, they use a proximity sensor and can change the volume or type of sound if the phone is lying down.
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If the ringtone doesn’t work, copy the file to the Ringtones root folder in internal storage – this is the system directory that Android scans first.
Additional settings and advice
For those who want to achieve perfect sound, consider the equalizer. The sound settings often include a section called "Sound Quality" or "Visualization." Activation of Dolby Atmos or similar technologies can significantly improve the reproduction of low frequencies in ringtones.
Also consider creating a vibration pattern synchronized with the rhythm of your new tune, which will add a tactile feel and help keep the call from being missed even in a very noisy place where the audio can be silenced.
Clean the Themes and Sound app cache regularly if you notice that the tune list is updated for a long time or is not displayed correctly, a simple maintenance procedure that keeps the interface running fast.