How to change sound to a message on Xiaomi: 5 ways to all models

Are you tired of the standard “jin” with every message on WhatsApp or SMS? Want to set a unique notification sound to immediately understand which messenger the alert came from? On Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark) there are several ways to change the sound of messages – from built-in MIUI tools to third-party applications. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, including hidden firmware chips and solutions for cases when standard settings do not work.

Important: the procedure differs depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13, 14 or HyperOS) and the device model. We covered the instructions for all current versions, but if your smartphone is running HyperOS (2026) – note the separate section with the nuances of the new shell.

1. Standard method: change the sound through the MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use built-in shell tools, which is suitable for most Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11 and older devices on MIUI 12-14. The main advantage of this method is that you do not need to install additional applications, and all changes will be saved after the reboot.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
Go to the section Sound and vibration.
Select the Notification Sound (in some versions it may be called the Alert Sound).
Scroll down the list and tap on Add sound or Local tunes (if you want to upload your file).
Select the desired sound from the suggested or click the Review to indicate the path to your file (.mp3,.wav,.ogg formats).

If the list does not have a suitable tune, you can download free notification sounds from Google Play (such as Zedge or Notification Sounds) and then specify the path to the file in the settings, default_notification.ogg) They may not appear in the list, but they can be found through the file manager along the way. /system/media/audio/notifications/.

Download your favorite tune in.mp3 or.wav format

Check if the file is in the Downloads or Ringtones folder

Make sure the sound is less than 5 seconds long (otherwise it will be cut off)

Close all messengers before changing the settings-->

2. Separate audio settings for different applications

If you want Telegram to make one sound and Viber another, MIUI has a feature for customizing notifications for each application, which works for all instant messengers, social networks and even system alerts (such as low battery power).

How to set up:

📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
🔍 Find the right app (such as WhatsApp) in the list and tap it.
🔔 Select Notifications → Notification Categories (or Notification Types in New Versions).
🎵 For each category (such as “Messages”), click Sound and select a tune.

MIUI 14 and HyperOS have the ability to create notification profiles, for example, you can set a quiet mode for work, where all sounds will be muted, except for calls from favorite contacts.

Go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Notification modes.
Create a new profile (e.g., “Work”).
Set up the sounds for each type of notification separately.

Standard (MIUI)

Castom (my own tune)

No sound (vibration only)

Different sounds for different applications-->

3.Use of a file manager to manually replace sounds

For advanced users, there is a way to replace system sounds directly through the file manager with or without root permissions (on some firmware), which allows you to install your own tunes instead of the standard ones, but requires caution - wrong actions can lead to failures.

Here's how to do it:

📁 Install a file manager with access to system folders (e.g. MiXplorer or Solid Explorer).
🔍 Cross the path. /system/media/audio/notifications/ (for notifications) or /system/media/audio/ringtones/ (call-in).
📥 Copy your audio file (for example, my_notification.mp3).
🔄 Reset the device.

Once the new sound is rebooted, it will appear in the list of standard tunes, and if /system/ is not available without root, you can use a workaround:

Place your sound in /sdcard/Ringtones/ or /sdcard/Notifications/.
Reboot the phone.
The file will now be available in the sound settings.

⚠️ Warning: Changing system files without root may cause the Settings app to crash. If the sounds are gone or the smartphone starts to slow down after replacing, return the original files or reset the settings via Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings.

What if the sound doesn’t change after the files are replaced?

If you have replaced a file in the system folder but the changes do not apply, try: 1. Clear the Settings cache (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Settings → Clear the cache. 2. Restart the phone in Safe Mode and check for sounds. 3. make sure the file has the correct resolutions (e.g., rw-r).--r--). If nothing helps, return the original file or use another method from this article.

Specifics for HyperOS (2026)

At the end of 2023, Xiaomi began the transition from MIUI to a new HyperOS shell. the interface and logic of settings in it have changed a little, so owners of Xiaomi 14, Redmi K70 and other new models need to take into account the nuances:

📲 The Way to Sound Settings Now: Settings → Sounds and vibrations → Notification sounds.
🔄 The option “Add sound” is replaced by Local tunes, where you can select files from the memory of the device.
🎛️ Adaptive Sounds feature has appeared, which automatically adjusts the volume of notifications depending on the ambient noise.
🔒 Some system sounds are now protected – they can’t be replaced without root rights.

If you upgraded from MIUI to HyperOS and lost custom sounds, try the following:

Move your audio files to /sdcard/media/audio/notifications/.
Reset the device.
Go to the sound settings and select your tune from the Local Melodies section.

HyperOS also has integration with Xiaomi Cloud, so you can sync your audio settings between devices. To enable this feature, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Sync → Sounds and vibrations.

5. Third-party applications for flexible audio tuning

If the built-in MIUI or HyperOS tools aren't enough, you can use third-party apps.

🎵 Set different sounds for different contacts.
📊 Set up a quiet schedule.
🔊 Change the volume of notifications depending on the time of day.
🎶 Use dynamic sounds (e.g., random melody from a playlist).

The best applications for these tasks:

Annex	Functions	Support for MIUI/HyperOS	Reference
Zedge	Library of sounds and wallpaper, the ability to upload your files	Yes (all versions)	Google Play
Notification Sounds	Simple sound manager with pre-listening	Yes (except HyperOS 1.0)	Google Play
Ringtone Maker	Cutting sounds, creating unique melodies from songs	Yes (requires permission to access files)	Google Play
MacroDroid	Automatic change of sounds by conditions (time, location)	Yes (setting up through macros)	Google Play

When using third-party apps, look for permissions, such as MacroDroid will require access to notifications (Settings → Special Features → MacroDroid), and Zedge will request permission to access files and microphone (to record its sounds).

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Ringtone Maker) may conflict with energy-saving settings MIUI. If sounds are reset after installation, add the app to the battery exceptions: Settings → Battery and productivity → Battery consumption management → Select the application → No restrictions.

6 Problem Solving: The sound is reset or not changed

Sometimes, when the notification sound changes, it gets reset to a standard one, or it goes missing altogether, and this is a typical MIUI problem, which is battery optimization or cache failures.

🔄 Reboot the device. 60 percent of the time, it helps to apply the changes.
🧹 Clear the Settings cache. Go to Settings for that. → Annexes → Application management → Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
🔋 Turn off battery optimization for instant messengers. Go to Settings → Battery and productivity → Battery consumption management and select the application mode No restrictions.
📲 Check permissions for apps. For example, WhatsApp should have access to notifications and storage.

If the sound is reset after the MIUI update, it's because the system is returning some settings to factory settings.

Before updating, back up your audio files (copy them to your computer or the cloud).
After the update, reassign custom sounds manually.
Use apps like MacroDroid to automatically restore settings after a reboot.

Some models (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro with MIUI 13) have a bug that causes notification sounds to reset when the headphones are connected.

Put the headphones on.
Go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Notifications sound.
Choose the sound again (even if it is already selected).
Turn off the headphones - the settings will remain.

💡

If you often lose your sound settings after updates, create a Notifications folder at the root of your internal memory and put all your tunes there. Once reset, they will remain in place, and you only have to specify the path to them in the settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the sounds on Xiaomi

Can I set my tune for more than 5 seconds?

Yes, but the system will cut it to 5 seconds when playing. To use long sound, cut it in advance in the Ringtone Maker app or converter on a PC. The optimal length is 3-4 seconds.

Why isn't my audio file on the list, even though it's in the Ringtones folder?

Make sure: The file is supported (.mp3,.wav,.ogg) and the folder is called Ringtones or Notifications (with capital letters, no spaces). You rebooted the device after adding the file. The file is not hidden or corrupted (try to play it in the player). If nothing helps, transfer the file to the Download folder and select it through Local Melodies.

How to get back the standard MIUI sounds after experiments?

There are two ways: Reset the sound settings: Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset the sound settings. Manually select the standard tune in Settings → Sound and vibration → The sound of notifications (they are usually called MIUI_tune, Bamboo, etc. If you have removed system sounds, they can only be restored by resetting your phone to factory settings or flashing it.

Does this guide work for POCO and Black Shark?

Yes, all of the methods described are suitable for POCO and Black Shark smartphones, as they run on the same MIUI or HyperOS shell. The exception is some Black Shark gaming models with custom firmware, where the path to audio settings may differ (for example, Settings → Game settings → Sounds).

Can you assign different sounds to different SIM-map?

In standard settings MIUI There is no such feature, but you can use a workaround: Install the Dual App (built into the app). MIUI) And duplicate the messenger for each SIM-Set up different notification sounds for each duplicate of the application, and you can use MacroDroid to create a rule: "If active, you can use it to create a rule. SIM-1 → play back the sound A if SIM-2 → b».