How to change the call on the phone Xiaomi: all ways and life hacks

Almost every user wants to change the standard call to Xiaomi – factory tunes quickly get boring, and personalized sound sets your smartphone apart. From basic replacement through settings to custom ringtones through file manager, special attention will be paid to typical problems (for example, when a new call is not saved) and nuances for different versions. MIUI.

It’s important to understand that the process can vary slightly depending on the model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T) and the firmware version. We’ll look at the universal methods that work on most devices, and also point out the specific features for old and new versions of MIUI 12/13/14. If you want to not just change the tune, but customize unique sounds for different contacts or applications, here you will also find detailed instructions.

1. Standard method: changing the call through settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which are suitable for most models, including the Redmi 10, POCO F4 and Xiaomi 12 Lite, and the main advantage of this method is that you do not need to install additional applications or dig into the file system.

To change the call:

  1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
  2. Go to the section Sound and vibration.
  3. Select Call (or Call Melody in older versions).
  4. Scroll through the list of standard tunes and tap on your favorite for pre-hearsal.
  5. Click OK or Save (depending on the MIUI version).

In MIUI 14, the interface has changed a little, so in the Sound and Vibration section, you have to select Notifications and Calls first, and then the Call Melody, and you can pre-listen without clicking on the melody, just swipe through the list.

πŸ“Š What version? MIUI use?
MIUI 12 or older
MIUI 13
MIUI 14
I don't know.

2. Installation of a custom ringtone from phone files

If you don’t like standard tunes, you can download your audio file. Xiaomi supports.mp3,.m4a,.wav and.ogg formats, but there are limitations on duration (optimally up to 30 seconds) and file size (up to 5 MB).

Instructions for adding a custom call:

  1. Download or transfer the audio file to your phone (for example, to the Downloads or Ringtones folder).
  2. Open Settings β†’ Sound and vibration β†’ Call.
  3. At the top of the screen, select the Locals tab or My Melodies tab (the name depends on the MIUI version).
  4. Click Add or + and select the file you want from your phone’s memory.
  5. Confirm the choice and save the changes.

File format: MP3, M4A, WAV or OGG

Duration: Up to 30 seconds (recommended)

Size: up to 5MB

Storage folder: Ringtones or Music (for convenience)

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An important caveat: if your file doesn't appear in the list, check its location. In MIUI 13+, the system automatically scans only the Ringtones, Notifications and Alarms folders in the root directory of internal memory. If the file is in a different folder, move it or create a symbolic link.

3.Use of third-party applications for calls

If the built-in MIUI tools seem limited, you can use third-party apps from Google Play, which offer advanced features: editing sounds, creating playlists for different contacts, downloading ringtones from the cloud.

Top.-3 applications for customizing calls to Xiaomi:

  • 🎡 Zedge is the largest database of free ringtones, notifications and wallpapers. There is a pre-listening and categorization by genre.
  • πŸ”Š Ringtone Maker allows you to crop any audio files and save them as calls. Useful if you have a long song to cut a snippet from.
  • πŸ“± MP3 Cutter and Ringtone Maker – advanced editor with the ability to adjust fading, amplification of bass and export in the format.m4r (optimized for calls).

After installation of the annex:

  1. Select and edit (if necessary) the melody.
  2. Save it as "Call" (Set as Ringtone).
  3. In the Xiaomi settings, select a new tune from the Locals section.

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If a custom call is not displayed in MIUI settings after installing a third-party application, restart your phone. Sometimes it takes time for the system to scan new files.

4. Set up individual calls for contacts

Personalized tunes for different contacts help to quickly identify the caller, for example, you can assign a unique sound to close or important customers. MIUI This is done through the Contact App.

Step-by-step:

  1. Open the Contacts app and select the contact you want.
  2. Click Edit (pencil icon).
  3. Scroll down to the Call or Call Melody section.
  4. Select a standard tune or click Add to download custom.
  5. Save the changes.

MIUI 14 has the ability to assign different sounds not only to calls, but also to messages from a particular contact, and for this purpose, the contact editor has a separate item "Notification Sound".

How to reset individual call settings for contact?
To return a standard tune for a particular contact, open its card β†’ Edit β†’ Call β†’ Select Default or Reset>. In MIUI 12 and older, you may need to select any other tune first and then return the standard one.

5. Problem Solving: Call is not changed or reset

Sometimes users are faced with the fact that a new call is not saved or after a while is reset to a standard.

Problem.Possible causeDecision
The call is reset after rebootingThe ringtone file is stored on SD-card that is disabled when rebootingTransfer the file to internal memory in the Ringtones folder
The new melody is not shown in the list.Unsupported file format or too large sizeConvert to.mp3 or.m4a with a bitrate of up to 192 kbps
The call is playing, but very quiet.Low volume of the source file or MIUI limitationsIncrease the volume in the settings Sound and vibration β†’ Media volume
The melody breaks off when the ringing rings.File longer than 30 seconds, MIUI crops itCut the file to 25-30 seconds in any audio editor

Critical error: If the phone stopped playing any sound when the call was in, check the Do Not Disturb settings (Settings β†’ Sound and vibration β†’ Do Not Disturb).

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If the problem persists after all manipulations, try clearing the Settings app cache (in Settings β†’ Apps β†’ App Management β†’ Settings β†’ Storage β†’ Clear the cache).

6.Alternative methods: ADB and root access

For advanced users who want full control of the system’s audio files, there are methods using ADB or root rights. This is true if you want to replace standard system calls or install tunes in.awb format (optimized for Qualcomm chips).

Instructions for replacing the system call via ADB:

  1. Connect your phone to your PC and activate Debugging via USB (Settings β†’ About Phone β†’ MIUI Version β†’ 7 times tap to unlock the developer options, then Settings β†’ Additional β†’ For Developers β†’ Debugging by USB).
  2. Download and install ADB Tools on your computer.
  3. Place your sound file (for example, my_ringtone.mp3) file ADB.
  4. Follow the commands: adb push my_ringtone.mp3 /sdcard/Ringtones/ adb shell media scan
  5. Reboot your phone and select a new call in the settings.

Warning: changing system files without root can cause crashes. If you are not sure about your actions, use standard methods.

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For owners of POCO F3 and other models with Qualcomm Snapdragon: system calls are stored in /system/media/audio/ringtones. To replace them, you will need Magisk and a root-access file manager (such as Root Explorer).

7. Sound optimization: volume, vibration and uniformity

In addition to changing the melody, you can configure additional sound parameters in MIUI that affect the perception of the call:

  • πŸ”Š Call volume: adjustable separately from media and alarm clock in Settings β†’ Sound and vibration β†’ Loudness.
  • πŸ“³ Vibration when ringing: you can choose the vibration pattern or turn it off completely.
  • πŸŽ›οΈ Equilibrium: Some models (Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi) K60) There is a built-in equalizer for calls (Settings) β†’ Sound and vibration β†’ Call equalizer).
  • πŸ”„ Repeat calls: Set up the interval between repeated calls (useful if you miss calls often).

On Xiaomi with Harmon Kardon speakers (such as Redmi K50 Gaming or Xiaomi 12S Ultra), additional presets of sound are available.

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Sound and vibration β†’ Sound quality.
  2. Choose a Harmon Kardon or a Game Profile.
  3. Activate Call Improvement (if available).

8. Frequent Questions and Myths About Xiaomi Calls

Let’s look at the common misconceptions and questions that users have:

πŸ” Why Xiaomi can’t be called for more than 30 seconds?
This is a limitation of MIUI, which is associated with optimizing memory consumption: Long audio files can cause delays in playback, and you can circumvent the restriction by cropping the file in a third-party application (for example, Ringtone Maker) or using ADB for manual installation.
πŸ”• Can I play Spotify music as a call?
Directly from Spotify, no, because the app doesn't provide access to the source files. But you can: Download the track through third-party services (make sure it's legal!) Convert it to.mp3 with a bitrate of up to 192 kbps. Place the file in the Ringtones folder and select in the settings. Watch copyright carefully!
πŸ“± Why After Updating MIUI My custom call went missing?
For major updates (e.g., from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14), the system can reset user audio settings, which involves changing folder and cache structure. To recover: Check if the file is still in the Ringtones folder. If the file is still in place, restart the phone. If it doesn't work, reassign the call manually through the settings.
πŸ”Š Can the call be gradually increased?
Yeah, in MIUI 14 appeared the function "Smooth increase in volume" (Settings) β†’ Sound and vibration β†’ Additionally. β†’ If you don't have this option, use third-party apps like Gradual Ringtone.
⚠️ Why the bell is playing, but the screen is not lit?
This may be due to: Activated In-Pack Mode (Settings β†’ Lock Screen β†’ In-Pack), proximity sensor damage (relevant to the Redmi Note 9 and other models with problematic sensors), power saving settings that turn off the screen when charged low. Check each item and reset the lock screen settings if necessary.

If your question is not covered in this article, check the official Xiaomi documentation for your model or contact the support team through the Mi Community app. Remember that some features may differ depending on the regional firmware (global, Chinese, European).