How to change the ringtone to Xiaomi: from the setting of the call to system sounds

Smartphone personalization is not just a way to stand out from the crowd, it’s also an important element of ergonomics. When you hear a unique tune, you instantly realize that they are calling you without even taking the device out of your pocket. Owners of gadgets from the Chinese manufacturer often encounter nuances of the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, which are different from standard Android, and standard methods of installing music here may not work.

Changing the ringtone to Xiaomi can be confusing because of the abundance of menus and built-in services like Mi Music or Themes. However, knowing the right navigation paths will allow you to customize the soundtrack for incoming calls, notifications, and even individual contacts in minutes. It is important to understand the difference between system tunes and tracks downloaded by the user, as the algorithms for working with them in the system differ.

In this article, we will take a look at all the available ways to install audio files, including hidden functions and working with the file system. You will learn how to bypass the limitations of some firmware versions and where to look for quality sounds. To install your own tracks, the file must be in MP3, AAC or WAV format and be stored in the device memory, not in cloud storage. Let's start setting up your smartphone.

Basic Melody Installation through Standard Menu

The easiest and most reliable way to change the sound of a call is to use the built-in system settings. This method works on all current versions of MIUI and HyperOS, regardless of the device model, whether it is a budget Redmi or flagship Xiaomi.

Go to the main menu and select Settings. Then scroll down to the Sound and Vibration section. This is where all the parameters associated with the smartphone acoustic system are concentrated. Click on the Call Melody to open the list of available tracks.

In the window that opens, you will see a list of preinstalled compositions. To use your file, click on the + button or the file selection button at the bottom of the screen (the interface may vary slightly depending on the OS version). The system will suggest selecting a source - specify Files or Audio, then find the downloaded track and confirm the selection.

• 🎵 Press the button. + in the menu of selecting a melody to add your track.
• 📂 Make sure the file is stored in local memory, not in the basket or cloud.
• 🔊 Check the volume level before installation so that the call is not too quiet.

Once confirmed, the system will automatically apply the changes, and you'll hear a preview of the track you've selected. If the sound is playing correctly, just exit the menu -- the settings are saved instantly -- this is a basic algorithm that every user should know.

Working with the application Themes and the service Mi Music

Xiaomi’s ecosystem is dominated by the Themes app, which often takes over the management of ringtones. Sometimes the standard audio menu redirects the user to that location. In addition, the built-in Mi Music player (or simply Music) has its own settings that can conflict or complement the system.

If you try to change the ringtone through the settings, don't be afraid. In the Ringtones section of the Themes app, you can find both popular tracks and your file download button, usually located in the upper right corner or in the profile menu.

When using the Music app, the process looks different: Open a track, click on the three dots (menu) next to the song title, and select Set as → Call Melody. This method often works faster than searching for a file through general settings.

However, be aware of regional restrictions: In some firmware versions (for example, for India or Indonesia), the functionality of downloading your ringtones through the Themes app can be blocked or hidden.

Installation of ringtones through file manager

The file manager is a powerful tool that allows you to interact directly with the Android file system. Xiaomi smartphones preinstalled standard Explorer, which is great at moving audio files to the right directories.

The method is to manually copy a file to the Ringtones system folder, and when the file is there, it is automatically determined by the system as available for setting the ringtone, which is especially useful if the standard menus are "glutching" or not seeing the file.

Open the Explorer app and find the downloaded audio file (usually in the Download or Music folder). Click on the file and hold your finger to highlight it. From the menu that appears, select Copy or Move.

Now go to the root directory of internal memory (usually referred to as Internal Storage or just the device name). Find a folder called Ringtones. If there is no such folder, you can create it manually, but on MIUI it is usually present by default. Put the copied file inside.

After this procedure, go back to Settings → Sound and Vibration → Call Melody. Your track should appear in the system list, often at the bottom or in the User section. This method ensures that the track does not disappear after updating the theme app.

Customization of individual melodies for contacts

One of the most useful features is the ability to assign a unique ringtone to a specific person, which allows you to know who is calling without looking at the screen. On Xiaomi, this is done through the Contacts app or Phone.

Open the Contacts app and find the person in the list. Click on the name to open the contact card. Depending on the version of the interface, you either need to click on the Change button or find the Melody item right in the view.

If you've chosen editing, scroll down to the Call Melody (or Rington) field. The default is "Default." Click on this item and select the track you want from the list. After saving the changes when that caller calls, the selected track will play.

It is important to note that if a subscriber is logged in several times (for example, in different groups or accounts), priority may be given to different entries, it is recommended to check in which storage (SIM, Phone, Google) the contact is saved, and edit the record through which the call is made.

How to set sound to SMS and app notifications

Change of sound for notifications (SMS, messengers, social networks) occurs on a similar principle, but has its own features in Android 12/13/14, on which the new MIUI is based. The notification channel system allows you to flexibly adjust sounds for each type of event.

For SMS, go to the Messages app, click three dots in the corner, and select Settings. Find Notification Sound or Additional → Melody Selection. Here you can select any track from the device's memory, similar to setting a call.

With messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber), the situation is more complicated, because each application has its own settings. Inside the application, find the Notifications → Sound section. If it says "Default", click on this paragraph, and the system will suggest you select a file.

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Use short sounds for notifications (2-3 seconds). Long tracks will be cropped by the system or overlapped by the next notification, creating a porridge of sounds.

⚠️ Note: In newer versions of Android, file system access is limited for some applications.If the messenger can't see your files, it may need to manually allow access to the storage in the phone's privacy settings.

Notification channels are also worth mentioning. Go to Settings → Apps → select an app (like Instagram) → Notifications. You can set the sound separately for likes, comments and direct messages, if the app developer has provided such detail.

Solution: Track not put or cut

Users often find that a selected file is not displayed in the list of available files or only a part of it is played, due to technical limitations and features of audio encoding in MIUI.

The main reason is the file format or its bitrate. The system can ignore high-resolution files (such as FLAC 24-bit or DSD) if they are not supported by a ringtone decoder. Also the problem may be ID3 tags: if the file metadata is corrupted, the system may not recognize it as music.

Another common problem is track length. Although modern versions allow for long tracks, the classic limit for a ringtone is about 30-40 seconds. If the file is longer, it can be cropped or incorrectly repeated.

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If you don’t play a track, convert it to MP3 128-320 kbps and last up to 40 seconds, which is the most compatible format for all versions of MIUI.

To solve metadata problems, you can use simple tag editors on a PC or applications like MP3 Tag Editor. Clear the unnecessary tags or just rename the file, leaving only the name and extension. Sometimes simple file transcoding in an online converter helps.

Using third-party applications to create ringtones

If the built-in tools can not cope, come to the rescue specialized applications from Google Play, which allow you not only to install, but also to edit audio: cut the desired fragment, add fading effects and change the format.

A popular tool is MP3 Cutter and Ringtone Maker, which allows you to visually select the desired area of the song and save it as a ringtone. Once saved, the application itself will suggest you set the track to a call, contact or notification.

• ✂️ Ringdroid – a classic tool for precise cutting of fragments with wave visualization.
• 🎚️ Lexis Audio Editor – more advanced editor with the ability to change volume and format.
• 📞 Super Melodies – an application that is specifically designed to search and install popular tracks.

⚠️ Warning: Be careful when installing applications with system permissions. Some call "improvers" may contain redundant advertising or request access to contacts without need. Use only proven high-ranking applications.

Using third-party software is especially relevant if you need to create a ringtone from a video (such as TikTok or YouTube). First download the video, convert it to MP3 through the converter application, and then crop and install it through the editor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)