How to change the unlock sound on Xiaomi without ROOT: official and hidden methods

The sound of unlocking the screen on smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO It can get boring or disliked over time, and unfortunately, the manufacturer has not provided an easy way to replace it through standard settings, unlike alarm clock tunes or notifications. However, there are legal workarounds that allow you to set the custom unlock sound even without receiving the ROOT-rights.

In this article, we will analyze three proven methods: through system files (without editing), using launcher applications and through ADB-All the ways work for the teams. MIUI 12–14 (including HyperOS) and are relevant for models from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra. Important: none of the methods requires unlocking the bootloader or interfering with system partitions, which preserves the warranty and security of the device.

Why Xiaomi doesn’t allow you to change the unlock sound through settings?

Unlike notifications or alarms, the screen unlocking sound in MIUI is hardwired into system files, for several reasons:

  • 🔒 Security: The manufacturer is committed to minimizing the risks of system files being modified that could lead to failures.
  • 🎵 Brand uniformity: Xiaomi uses branded sounds (e.g., branded sounds, miui_unlock.wav) maintain a recognizable style.
  • 📱 Optimization: Unlock sounds are stored in a compressed format in the section /system/media/audio/ui, recordless ROOT.

However, you can legally circumvent this restriction without hacking the system, and the main rule is: do not replace the original files in the /system folder, otherwise after the MIUI update, the sound will reset to the standard one.

📊 Which Unlocking Sound Do You Like More?
Standard MIUI
Quiet click
A melody from a game
Your own unique sound
I don't care.

Method 1: Replace via MIUI (without ROOT and ADB)

The easiest method is to put your audio file in a special folder that MIUI scans when downloading, which works on most devices with MIUI 12+ and does not require technical skills.

⚠️ Note: The sound format must be.ogg or.wav with a bitrate not higher than 192 kbit / s.mp3 unsupported!

Step-by-step:

  1. Download or create a sound file that lasts 1-2 seconds (for example, in the program Audacity).
  2. Rename the file to unlock.ogg (exact name is important!).
  3. Connect your smartphone to your PC and move the file to /Internal Storage/MIUI/sound/unlock.ogg If there is no MIUI/sound folder, create it manually.
  4. Reset the device.

After the restart, the system will automatically pick up a new sound. If that doesn't happen, check:

  • 🔍 File name correctness (registrar is important!).
  • 🎧 Format and bitrate (use MediaInfo to check).
  • 📂 The permissions of the folder (should be rw-r)--r--).

Download or record sound 1-2 seconds long

Convert to.ogg (bitrate ≤192 kbit/s)

Rename the file to unlock.ogg (exact name!)

Place it in /MIUI/sound/ folder

-->

Method 2: Use of the Nova Launcher (for advanced users)

If the first method didn't work, you can trick the system with a third-party launcher. Nova Launcher allows you to assign custom sounds for system actions, including unlocking. Less of the way - the sound will only play when unlocked through the main screen, not through the lock screen.

How to set up:

  1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
  2. Press your finger on the home screen → Nova Settings → Actions and gestures.
  3. Select Unlocking Screen → Sound.
  4. Download your audio file (.mp3,.wav,.ogg are supported).
  5. Save the settings and install Nova with the default launcher.

Limitations of the method:

  • ❌ Does not work when unlocked via Face Unlock or fingerprint.
  • ❌ The sound can be played with a delay (~0.5 sec).
  • ✅ Suitable for temporary replacement without interference with the system.
Why is the sound delayed?
Launchers don’t have direct access to system unlock events. Nova Launcher emulates sound through its own handler, which causes latency. Instant playback requires access to system APIs that are only possible with ROOT or through ADB.

Method 3: Replace sound through ADB (for power users)

If previous methods didn’t work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to temporarily replace the system sound, which doesn’t require ROOT, but will reset after the MIUI update.

What you need:

  • 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
  • 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → For developers → Debugging by USB).
  • 🎵.ogg audio file, renamed unlock.ogg.

Instructions:

  1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute in ADB-shell: adb push unlock.ogg /sdcard/ adb shell su -c "mount -o rw,remount /system" su -c "cp /sdcard/unlock.ogg /system/media/audio/ui/unlock.ogg" su -c "chmod 644 /system/media/audio/ui/unlock.ogg" su -c "mount -o ro,remount /system"
  2. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: Su commands require temporary rights upgrades through the adb shell, but do not establish permanent rights. ROOT. Once you restart, access will be restricted. Do not edit other files in the /system — This can lead to bootloop!

MethodDifficultyNeed a ROOT?Resets after the update?Works on all models?
Replacement through MIUI folder⭐❌ No.❌ No.✅ Yes (MIUI 12+)
Nova Launcher⭐⭐❌ No.❌ No.⚠️ Partially (only through the main screen)
ADB-team⭐⭐⭐❌ No (temporary access)✅ Yes.✅ Yes, Android 11.+)

💡

If, after application, ADB-The sound method has not changed, check the path to the file in your version MIUI. Some of the sounds are stored in /system/product/media/audio/ui/ instead of a standard folder.

How to get back the standard unlock sound?

If the experiment failed or you want to return to factory sound, do the following:

  • 🔄 For the method 1: Remove the unlock.ogg file from the folder /MIUI/sound/ and reboot the device.
  • 🔄 For method 2: Open the Nova Launcher → Settings → Reduce sounds.
  • 🔄 For the method 3: Perform in ADB: adb shell su -c "mount -o rw,remount /system" su -c "rm /system/media/audio/ui/unlock.ogg" su -c "mount -o ro,remount /system" Then copy the original file from the backup or update it. MIUI (the sound will automatically recover).

If the sound is gone, check the volume settings in Settings → Sound → System Loudness. Sometimes, after manipulating the files, the system resets the volume levels.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When replacing the unlock sound, users often encounter common errors. Here's how to fix them:

  • 🔇 No sound playback: Check the file format (only.ogg or.wav). Make sure the file is not corrupted (play it on PC). Reboot the device - sometimes MIUI caches.
  • 🔊 Sound distorted or interrupted: Reduce bitrate to 128 kbps. Convert the file to mono (1 channel) instead of stereo.
  • 📵 The way with the folder MIUI Not working: Some firmware (HyperOS) has changed its path to /MIUI/sound_effects/. Try renaming the file to unlock_effect.ogg.

💡

If none of the methods worked, check if the system sounds are disabled in the accessibility settings (Settings → Special Options → Delete Animations), which sometimes blocks custom sounds from being played.

❓ Can I use the 5-second unlock sound?
No, the system cuts sounds longer than 2 seconds. The optimal duration is 0.5-1.5 seconds. For long tunes, use notification sounds (there are softer restrictions).
❓ Will there be any problems with the guarantee if you use it? ADB?
No, temporary use of ADB does not void the warranty, as it does not make permanent changes to system partitions, but if you accidentally damage files, this can be considered a user error, not covered by the warranty.
❓ Why After Updating MIUI squirt?
MIUI updates overwrite system files, including sounds in /system/media/. To avoid this, use method 1 (MIUI folder) – it is resistant to updates.
❓ Can you make different sounds to unlock with your finger and face?
No, MIUI does not support separate sounds for different unlocking methods. System sound is one for all methods (PIN, print, Face Unlock).
❓ Where to download ready-made sounds for unlocking?
We recommend these sources: Zedge (filter by duration) <2 sack). 📖 Read also: How to increase the volume of headphones Xiaomi: 7 Proven Ways Not Hearing Music in Xiaomi Headphones? Learn how to safely increase volume through settings, Inge How to improve sound on Xiaomi Redmi 9C NFC: Settings and Life Hacks Complete Guide to Improve Sound Quality on Redmi 9C. Equalizer, Dolby, Codecs and How to Increase Volume on Xiaomi: 5 working-age 2026 Step-by-step instructions for increasing volume on Xiaomi smartphones and TV: from standard settings to and How to put music on a call to different phones SIM: Full manual: how to set a ringtone on a specific SIM-Map in Xiaomi.Tune tunes for p How to put music on Xiaomi: MP3, Full instructions: how to put music on Xiaomi. Accept document.getElementById('pbMenuBtn')?.addEventListener('click', () => { document.getElementById('pbMainNav')?.classList.toggle('pb-nav-open'); }); // Dropdown menu toggle (click for touch devices) document.querySelectorAll('.pb-dropdown-toggle').forEach(btn => { btn.addEventListener('click', (e) => { e.stopPropagation(); btn.closest('.pb-nav-dropdown').classList.toggle('pb-dd-open'); }); }); document.addEventListener('click', () => { document.querySelectorAll('.pb-nav-dropdown.pb-dd-open').forEach(d => d.classList.remove('pb-dd-open')); }); (function() { const popup = document.getElementById('cookie-consent'); const btn = document.getElementById('cookie-accept'); if (popup && btn &&!localStorage.getItem('cookie-accepted')) { setTimeout(() => popup.classList.add('pb-cookie-visible'), 1500); btn.onclick = () => { localStorage.setItem('cookie-accepted','true'); Setting up MP3 Calls, SMS and alarm clocks MIUI and How to turn on the pairing mode on Xiaomi headphones: instructions Complete guide to connecting Xiaomi wireless headphones. 📱 XiaoMaster 🔓 Reset and release · ⚙️ System setup · 💾 Memory and files · 🔊 Sound and vibration · 📸 Camera and photo · 📡 Communication and network Home · About the project · Contacts · Privacy © XiaoMaster, all rights reserved. (function(d,s){d.getElementById("licnt06C4").src= "https://counter.yadro.ru/hit?t26.5;r"+escape(d.referrer)+ ((typeof(s)=="undefined")?"":";s"+s.width+"*"+s.height+"*"+ (s.colorDepth?s.colorDepth:s.pixelDepth))+";u"+escape(d.URL)+ ";h"+escape(d.title.substring(0,150))+";"+Math.random()})(document,screen) 🍪 We use cookies to improve the operation of the website. popup.classList.remove('pb-cookie-visible'); }; } })(); function pbPollVote(el) { var poll = el.closest('.pb-poll'); if (poll.classList.contains('voted')) return; poll.classList.add('voted'); el.classList.add('selected'); var opts = poll.querySelectorAll('.pb-poll-option'); var n = opts.length; var raw = []; var sum = 0; for (var i = 0; i < n; i++) { var v = Math.random() * 50 + 5; if (opts[i] === el) v += 30; raw.push(v); sum += v; } var pcts = raw.map(function(v) { return Math.round(v / sum * 100); }); var diff = 100 - pcts.reduce(function(a,b){ return a+b; }, 0); pcts[Array.from(opts).indexOf(el)] += diff; setTimeout(function() { opts.forEach(function(opt, i) { opt.querySelector('.pb-poll-bar').style.width = pcts[i] + '%'; opt.querySelector('.pb-poll-pct').textContent = pcts[i] + '%'; }); }, 50); }