How to change the sound of unlocking on Xiaomi smartphones: all ways

The screen unlock sound on Xiaomi smartphones is a small but important detail that can be both fun and annoying. Standard tunes in MIUI often seem too loud, monotonous or just don't fit your style. Fortunately, the manufacturer provides several ways to replace them - from simple settings in the menu to using third-party apps for advanced users.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods for changing the unlock sound on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices running MIUI 12-14. You will learn how to set your own tune, turn off the sound completely or return the standard settings if something went wrong.

Before you make any changes, make sure your smartphone is updated to the latest firmware version. Some features may not be available on older versions of MIUI or custom firmware devices. Also remember, if you use developer mode, some audio settings may be blocked.

Method 1: Replace sound with standard MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It is suitable for most Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5 and the flagship Mi 11/12/13 series. The main condition is the presence of a file with a new sound in.mp3,.wav or.ogg format.

To replace the unlock sound:

  1. Download or prepare an audio file that is no longer than 5 seconds (optimally 1-3 seconds) Recommended bitrate: 128-192 kbps.
  2. Place the file in the Ringtones or Notifications folder on the internal drive (you can create it manually through any file manager).
  3. Open Settings → Sound and vibration → Unlocking sound.
  4. In the list of available tunes, select your file. If it is not available, restart the device.

If the menu item is missing, check:

  • 🔍 Version MIUI (on some firmware, the option is hidden in Settings → Additionally. → System sounds).
  • 🔍 Firmware region (Chinese versions) MIUI may be limited).
  • 🔍 Root rights (on some devices without them you can not change system sounds).
📊 Which Unlocking Sound Is More Satisfied With You?
Standard MIUI
Own tune
No sound.
Another option

Method 2: Using a file manager with root rights

For advanced users willing to risk system stability, there is a method of replacing sounds through root access, which allows you to replace standard MIUI files with your own, but requires caution: improper actions can lead to crashes or even a “brick” of the device.

Instructions:

  1. Get root rights (for example, through Magisk).
  2. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
  3. Go to /system/media/audio/ui/.
  4. Find the unlock.ogg (or unlock.mp3) and lock.ogg files, which are responsible for unlock and lock sounds.
  5. Back up your original files (copy them elsewhere).
  6. Replace your files with your own (required to have the same names and extensions!).
  7. Change the access rights to 644 (rw-r----).
  8. Reset the device.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrectly changing system files can lead to a download cycle or loss of functionality. If the sound is completely lost after replacing, return the original files from the backup.

This is suitable for Android 10 and lower devices. On newer versions of MIUI (based on Android 11-13), the path to sounds may be different, and the system itself may block changes due to SELinux policy.

What if the sound disappeared after the replacement?
If the unlock sound is gone, check: 1. File access rights are correct (should be 644). 2. format compatibility (try converting the file to.ogg at 128 kbps bitrate). 3. File integrity (possibly corrupted). If nothing helps, return the original files from the backup and restart the device.

Method 3: Apps for sound replacement (without root)

If you don't want to get root rights, but the standard MIUI settings don't allow you to replace the sound, you can use third-party apps, which are built on top of the system and don't require any deep changes.

Top.-3 Apps to replace sounds on Xiaomi:

  • 🎵 Zedge – a huge library of melodies and notification sounds with the ability to install as an unlock sound.
  • 🔊 Ringtone Maker – lets you crop your audio files and set them as system sounds.
  • 🛠️ Sound Picker is an advanced tool for selecting sounds from any folders of the device.

How to set the sound through Zedge:

  1. Download and install Zedge from Google Play.
  2. In the search, type "unlock sound" or "unlock sound".
  3. Choose your favorite tune and click Set as → Unlock sound.
  4. If the option is not available, go to the application settings and turn on Show all system sounds.

⚠️ Note: Some applications may request permission to access notifications or special features. Do not provide them unnecessarily - this may affect security.

The downside of this method is that sounds installed through third-party apps can be reset after updating MIUI or resetting settings, and they can conflict with system tunes if they have been manually changed.

Method 4: Turning off the unlock sound

If you don't like the unlock sound at all, you can turn it off completely, which is true for those who prefer silence or use the device in public places.

How to turn it off:

  1. Go to Settings. → Sound and vibration.
  2. Find the Unlock Sound (or System Sounds).
  3. Select the option No Sound or Disable.
  4. If there is no point, try to turn off Vibration when unlocking (sometimes the sound is tied to it).

On some devices (e.g. POCO F3/F4), the unlock sound is linked to the overall notification sound.

  • 🔕 Turn off notification sounds in the sound settings.
  • 🔕 Or set Do Not Disturb with exceptions for important apps.

If the sound continues to play, check:

  • 🔍 Settings MIUI Optimization (in some firmware they override sounds).
  • 🔍 Launcher apps (for example, Nova Launcher can have its own sounds).

Compatibility table with MIUI versions

Not all methods work on all versions of MIUI. Below is the compatibility table for popular methods:

MethodMIUI 12MIUI 13MIUI 14Root is required.Risks.
Standard settings✅ Yes.✅ Yes.✅ Yes.❌ No.Low.
Root replacement✅ Yes.⚠️ Partially.❌ No*✅ Yes.Tall.
Party of annex✅ Yes.✅ Yes.✅ Yes.❌ No.Average.
ADB-team✅ Yes.✅ Yes.⚠️ Limited.❌ No.Average.

* On MIUI 14 (Android 13+), root system sound replacement is often blocked due to SELinux and Dynamic Partition policies.

Method 5: Using ADB for Advanced Users

If the standard methods don't work and you don't want to get root rights, you can try changing the sound through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and basic command line knowledge.

Instructions:

  1. Enable USB Debugging in the Developer Settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version – Press 7 times, then return to Additional → For Developers).
  2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
  3. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and type:
adb shell settings put system lock_screen_sound /sdcard/your_sound.mp3

Where /sdcard/your_sound.mp3 — path to your audio file.

To return the standard sound, perform:

adb shell settings put system lock_screen_sound ""

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi devices are on the team ADB For changes in sounds, they may not work because of manufacturer limitations, and after a reboot, they may reset.

To check the current unlock sound, use the command:

adb shell settings get system lock_screen_sound

If the command returns an empty line, it uses standard MIUI sound.

Make sure that ADB drivers are installed on the PC

Debugging on USB on a smartphone is enabled

The sound file is located in the root folder of the device

The file name does not contain spaces or Cyrillic characters.-->

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When replacing the unlock sound, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

  • 🔇 The sound does not change after the file is selected: Check the file format (only supported.mp3,.Wav,.ogg. Restart the device. Make sure the file is in the Ringtones or Notifications folder.
  • 🔊 Reduce the bitrate of the file to 128-192 kbit / s. Convert the file to mono mode (some devices incorrectly reproduce the stereo).
  • 🚫 Item "Unlock Sound" is not in the settings: Update MIUI Check the firmware region (in Chinese versions, the option may be hidden). ADB third-party.

On devices with MIUI 14 (Android 13), unlocking sound can be tightly tied to system files, and replacing it without root is almost impossible, in which case the only way out is to turn off the sound completely or use third-party launchers with their own sound circuits.

💡

If you change sounds on Xiaomi often, create a CustomSounds folder on your internal drive and put all your tunes in there, so they won’t get lost after resetting the settings.

Can I play my music as an unlock sound?
Yes, but with limitations: The file should be no longer than 5 seconds long. Supports.mp3,.wav,.ogg. Some devices will have to use root or ADB. For clipping music, applications like Ringtone Maker or Audacity (on PC) are suitable.
Why did the unlock sound drop after the MIUI update?
This is standard system behavior. With major updates, MIUI resets user sounds to standard. To avoid problems: Save a backup of your audio file. After the update, reset the sound through settings. Use applications like Zedge that automatically restore settings.
Can I set different sounds to lock and unlock?
On most Xiaomi devices, lock and unlock sounds are tied to a single file. However, there are workarounds: Use Tasker or MacroDroid to play different sounds when you turn on/off the screen. On firmware with root, replace lock.ogg and unlock.ogg files with /system/media/audio/ui/. Note: Automatic playback of sounds through Tasker can increase battery consumption.
How to get back the standard unlock sound Xiaomi?
Return methods depend on how you changed the sound: If you used standard settings, select the default option in the Unlock Sound menu or MIUI. If you changed through root, return the original files from the backup to the root. /system/media/audio/ui/. If you've used ADB — Execute Adb shell settings put system lock_screen_sound "". After any changes, restart the device.
Is it safe to change system sounds through root?
Any changes to system files carry risks, but they can be minimized: 🔹 Always back up your original files. 🔹 Use reliable file managers (e.g. Root Explorer). 🔹 Do not change access rights to other system files. 🔹 After replacing, check the stability of the device (whether there is freeze or overheating). If after the changes, the smartphone began to work unstable, reset the settings or refashion the device through Fastboot.

💡

The safest way is to use standard MIUI settings or third-party applications, and root and ADB methods are only suitable for advanced users who are ready for possible crashes.