How to change the lock sound on Xiaomi without ROOT: all the ways for MIUI 14 and below

The screen lock sound on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones can get boring over time — especially if you use a standard signal from MIUI firmware. Many users want to replace it with a tune from a game, a favorite movie or even silence, but face system limitations. In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to change the lock sound without root rights, including hidden settings, third-party apps and workarounds for the latest versions of MIUI 14 and HyperOS.

It is important to understand that Xiaomi artificially restricts access to system sounds without obtaining superuser rights (ROOT). However, there are legal methods that allow you to circumvent this restriction from the use of ADB-We tested each method on Redmi Note 12 Pro devices before installing alternative launchers.+, POCO F5 Xiaomi 13T Updates to ensure that the instructions are up-to-date.

Why Xiaomi is blocking the locking sound change?

The manufacturer argues that this is due to concern for the safety and stability of the system. In the official versions of MIUI (especially global and European) there is no possibility to replace system sounds through the standard menu Settings → Sounds and vibration.

• 🔒 Google’s policy for certified Android devices, which limits modification of system files without ROOT.
• 🛡️ Virus protection: changing system audio files can be used by attackers to mask malicious activities.
• 📦 Unification of firmware: Xiaomi strives for uniformity of user experience on all devices.

However, these restrictions can be circumvented by legal methods, such as MIUI China, which has some of the sounds unlocked for editing, but this option is not suitable for everyone because of the lack of Google Services and Russian.

Method 1: Use of the ADB-teams (no teams) ROOT)

The most reliable method is to change system settings through ADB. It does not require superuser rights, but requires a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and the Android Debug Bridge tool, and the advantage of this method is that it works on all versions of MIUI, including HyperOS.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (7 times press) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🛠️ Google's Platform Tools utility.

Steps to replace sound:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm your trust in the computer on the device screen.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) in the folder with the platform-tools.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must display the serial number of your device.
4. Download the desired sound in.ogg format (can be converted via the online service) and rename it to lock.ogg.
5. Copy the file to the system folder: adb push lock.ogg /sdcard/ adb shell settings put system lock_screen_sound_custom 1 adb shell cp /sdcard/lock.ogg /system/media/audio/ui/lock.ogg adb shell chmod 644 /system/media/audio/ui/lock.ogg
6. Reboot your smartphone: adb reboot

⚠️ Note: On some devices with MIUI 14 and HyperOS folder /system It can be protected from recording even through ADB. In this case, try an alternative path: /product/media/audio/ui/ or use the method 3 (applications).

Method 2: Replace via file manager (requires unlocking the bootloader)

If you're willing to go bootloader unlocking, but don't want to get ROOT, this is a good method. It allows you to manually replace system audio files through a file manager with /system write rights.

Instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (link). This will erase all data from the device!
2. Install a file manager with root access support, such as Mixplorer or FX File Explorer.
3. Click on /system/media/audio/ui/ or (for new firmware): /product/media/audio/ui/
4. Find files: lock.ogg – lock sound; unlock.ogg – unlock sound; effect_tick.ogg — touch sound (optional).

Copy backup copies of the original files to a safe place.

.ogg

644

Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader resets the device to factory settings and can lead to loss of warranty.In addition, on some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra), this process requires waiting 7 days after the Mi Account is tied.

Method 3: Apps for sound replacement (without ROOT)

If the first two methods seem complicated, you can use third-party applications that simulate the replacement of system sounds, which do not change files in /system, but intercept lock/unlock events and play their audio files on top of the standard ones.

The best applications for this task:

• 🎵 Zedge is a huge library of sounds and wallpapers that allows you to set tunes to notifications, but the lock sound will require a workaround (see below).
• 🔊 Sound Picker is a simple tool for selecting custom sounds.It doesn't work on all Xiaomi devices, but it's worth a try.
• 🎶 Ringtone Maker – allows you to crop audio files and set them as lock signals through system cheating (assigned as “notification sound”, but played when blocked).

Key nuance: no application can directly replace the system lock sound without ROOT, but you can assign your sound as "notification sound" and disable the standard through the MIUI settings.

1. Install the Zedge app and download your favorite sound.
2. Assign it as “Notification Sound” in the app settings.
3. Go to Settings → Sounds and Vibrations → Notification Sound and select the downloaded file.
4. Turn off the standard lock sound: Settings → Sounds and vibrations → Locking sound → No

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If the sound is not played, check if notifications for the Zedge app are disabled in Battery and Performance settings → Battery Consumption Management.

Method 4: Use of alternative launchers

Some third-party launchers (e.g. Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher) allow you to customize the sounds of interaction with the screen, including locking. This method does not replace the system sound, but can block it with its own.

How to set up:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Go to launcher settings: Long press on desktop → Settings → Additional → Sounds
3. Activate the screen lock sound option and select your file.
4. Turn off the standard sound in MIUI Settings → Sounds and vibrations.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ It only works with an active launcher (if you go back to the standard one). MIUI Launcher, the sound will disappear).
• ❌ Not all launchers support this feature on the latest versions of Android.

Method 5: Bypassing through special features settings

A little-known trick is to use the Sound Tips feature in special feature settings, which does not replace the lock sound, but allows you to add additional sound when you turn off the screen.

Instructions:

1. Go to: Settings → Special features → Sound prompts
2. Activate the Sound option when you lock the screen.
3. Choose one of the signals offered or upload your (through Other Sounds) signal.
4. Turn off the standard lock sound in Settings → Sounds and vibrations.

Cons of the method:

• ⚠️ The sound is played with a delay (after blocking, not synchronously).
• ⚠️ It does not work on all models (for example, on the POCO F4 GT this option is missing).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When replacing the lock sound, users often face typical problems, and we've collected the most common and ways to fix them:

⚠️ Note: If you have changed the sound through ADB or file manager smartphone stopped booting, try resetting via Recovery (click Power) + Volume up when turned on. This will bring back the original system files.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

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The most reliable method without ROOT — utilization ADB-It works on all versions. MIUI It doesn't require unlocking the bootloader, but it does require a computer, and applications like Zedge can be used to replace it quickly, but they don't replace the system sound, they just mask it.