Changing the ringtone on Xiaomi’s MIUI 12-shell smartphones seems like a simple task, but many users are faced with nuances ranging from not having the right ringtone in the standard set to the problems of saving changes after a reboot. In this article, we’ll break down all the current ways, from basic settings to using third-party apps and hidden system functions.
The MIUI 12 feature is that the audio menu interface can vary depending on the model (Redmi Note 10, Poco X3, Mi 11) and regional firmware (global, Chinese, EEA).We took these differences into account and prepared universal instructions that work on 90% of devices, and you will learn how to install custom tunes from.mp3 or.m4a files, bypass system limitations and even assign unique ringtones for individual contacts.
Method 1: Standard change of tune through MIUI 12 settings
The most obvious method is to use built-in tools, which is suitable for most users who want to select a ringtone from a preset list or add their file to the standard library.
Open the Settings app (cog icon) and go to Sound and Vibration. Here you need the Call Melody option, tap it. The system will display a list of available ringtones, divided into categories: Standard, MIUI, Downloaded. To listen to the tune, just click on the name.
- 🔍 Search by title: There is a search bar at the top of the screen – type in a keyword (such as “morning” or “piano”) to quickly find the right option.
- 🎵 Pre-Earsay: Press any ringtone to hear its 10-second snippet.This will help avoid making a mistake when choosing a ringtone.
- ⚙️ Additional settings: There may be a button More (three dots) in the upper right corner – sometimes there are options for resetting to factory tunes or importing files.
After selecting, press OK or Save (depending on the firmware version). Changes will apply immediately, but sometimes you need to restart the device. SIM-map, you can assign different tunes for each room - option is available in the same menu.
Method 2: Install custom melody from a file
If you don’t like the built-in ringtones, you can download your music. MIUI 12 supports.mp3,.m4a,.wav and.ogg files, but there are limitations on duration (optimally up to 30 seconds) and size (no more than 5 MB).
First, prepare the file:
- Download or create a tune (you can crop the track in apps like MP3 Cutter or Audacity).
- Rename the file in Latin without spaces (for example, my_ringtone.mp3).
- Move the file to the Ringtones folder on the internal storage (if the folder is not available, create it manually).
Now go back to Settings → Sound and Vibration → Call Melody. Your file should appear in the Downloads section.
The folder is called "Ringtones" (with capital letters) |
The file has a supported format (.mp3,.m4a, etc.)|
File is less than 5MB|
The device is restarted after adding the file-->
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 12 (especially Chinese) Ringtones folder is ignored by the system. In this case, use an alternative method through the file manager: highlight the file → More. → Set as a ringtone.
Method 3: Using Third-Party Applications
If standard methods don't work or you want advanced features (e.g. dynamic tunes, ringtone schedules), install one of the specialized applications. We tested several options and selected the best ones:
| Annex | Features | Cons | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zedge | Over 100,000 free ringtones, notifications and wallpapers. There's a sound editor. | Advertising, some tunes require a premium account. | Google Play |
| Ringtone Maker | Cutting tracks, creating melodies from music, exporting to the Ringtones. | The interface is overloaded, sometimes flying to MIUI. | Google Play |
| MIUI Ringtone Changer | Optimized for Xiaomi, supports dual SIM. | It is not updated from 2021, it may not work on new models. | Google Play |
To install the ringtone through Zedge:
- Download and install the app.
- Find your favorite tune (use the Ringtones filter).
- Click on it → Set as ringtone → Confirm the choice.
⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as Ringtone Maker) require permission to access the storage. MIUI 12 this may cause a security conflict. If the ringtone is not used after installing, check the permissions in Settings → Annexes → Permit management.
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If after installing a third-party ringtone, it is reset to a standard one, try turning off the Adaptive Sounds function in Settings → Sound and Vibration → Additional.
Method 4: Assigning unique tunes to contacts
MIUI 12 allows you to assign individual ringtones to individual subscribers, which is convenient if you want to know who is calling without looking at the screen, and works even for contacts from WhatsApp or Telegram, if they are synchronized with the phone book.
Instructions:
- Open the Contacts app and select the contact you want.
- Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Change.
- Scroll down to the Call Melody (or Rington) option.
- Choose a tune from the list or add your own (similar to Method 2).
- Save the changes.
If the call melody option is missing:
- 📱 Check that the contact is saved on SIM-card or account Google/Mi (not just on the device).
- 🔄 Update the Contacts app through Play Market.
- 🛠️ Reset the application settings: Settings → Annexes → Contacts → Warehouse → Clear the data (Warning: This will remove all unsynchronized contacts!).
Why is there no individual ringtone?
Method 5: Solving Ringtone Reset Problems
A common complaint of MIUI 12 users is that the ringtone is reset to a standard one after restarting or updating the system.
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Post-reset reset | System cache error or application conflict. | Clear the cache of Settings → Storage → Clear the cache. |
| There is no custom ringtone left. | The file is in an unsupported format or corrupted. | Convert to.mp3 with a bitrate of 128-192 kbps. |
| Rington only works for SIM1 | The dual SIM setting is not synchronized. | Assign a melody separately for each SIM In Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks. |
If the problem persists, try resetting the sound settings:
- Go to Settings. → Sound and vibration.
- Tap it on three points. → Reset the settings.
- Confirm the action and restart the device.
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On devices with MIUI 12.5+ The problem of ringtone swelling is often solved by disabling the function "Optimization" MIUI" In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → Additional settings (stamp 7 times according to version) → Optimization MIUI → Shut down.
Method 6: Advanced settings through ADB (for power users)
If you're ready to experiment, you can change the system ringtones through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that is suitable for replacing standard tunes with your own without using third-party applications. Attention: incorrect commands can cause a system failure.
Instructions:
- Install ADB Tools on your PC and enable USB Debugging on your phone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → Tap 7 times on the build number → Return to Additional Settings → For Developers → Debugging on USB).
- Connect your phone to your PC and follow the command: Adb devices to make sure you are connected.
- Copy your ringtone (for example, custom_ringtone.mp3) In the system folder: adb push custom_ringtone.mp3 /system/media/audio/ringtones/
- Assign rights to the file: adb shell chmod 644 /system/media/audio/ringtones/custom_ringtone.mp3
- Reset the device.
Now your tune will be available in the standard list of ringtones. To replace the system sounds (alarm clock, notifications), use similar commands, but with ways:
- /system/media/audio/alarms/ - alarm clocks
- /system/media/audio/notifications/ - notifications
- /system/media/audio/ui/ – System sounds (e.g., screen locking)
⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 12 and above the system section /system It can be record-protected, and it requires unlocking the bootloader and obtaining root rights, which cancels the warranty and increases the risk of the phone getting bricked up.