Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face the urge to personalize their device by making it recognizable not only visually but also by ear. Standard tunes preinstalled by the manufacturer can seem boring or too quiet, especially in noisy places. Which is why the question of how to change the sound of SMS to Xiaomi Redmi remains one of the most popular among users of this ecosystem.
The setup process does not require deep technical knowledge, but the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS has its own nuances that can be confusing to a beginner. The interface of the audio settings here is somewhat different from pure Android, and the standard paths may not be obvious. In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to replace audio messages, from basic system settings to installing your own tracks from the device’s memory.
Understanding the logic of notifications in Xiaomi will help you not only replace one file, but also flexibly manage audio profiles for different applications. You can assign a unique sound for important contacts, turn off audio notifications for work chats or set a loud signal for all incoming messages. Let's move on to the practical part and consider step-by-step algorithms of actions.
Standard Replacement through System Settings
The easiest and most reliable way to change the tune is to use the built-in functionality of the operating system, which you don't need to download third-party software or have root rights to, but just go to the settings menu, which is the central control node of your Redmi, and it's all the basic personalization options, including sound management.
The first thing you need to do is open the Settings app and find the multimedia section, which, depending on the firmware version, can be called Sound and Vibration or just Sound, and inside this menu, you're interested in the Notifications section, which is responsible for short signals coming from various applications, including the standard messaging app.
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If you can’t find the item you want, use the search bar at the top of the settings menu by entering the word “Notifications” or “Sound.”
When you select Notices, you will see a list of available tunes, and the system offers a few preset options, from classic squeaks to more musical compositions, and if you choose your favorite, you will hear a preview of the option, and if you confirm your choice, just click OK or just exit the menu, because new versions of MIUI often use changes automatically.
Importantly, this setting is global for system notifications, which means that the selected sound will play not only for SMS, but also for emails, calendar reminders and other system events, unless they are individually set, and this centralization makes it easier to manage, but requires careful choice of tone so that it is not annoying in other situations.
Customizing the sound for a specific message application
Often users want to change the sound for the application they most often communicate with, such as Google Messages or standard MIUI Messages, in which case the system settings can be overridden by the settings of the application itself, which gives more flexible control: you can have one sound for regular SMS and a completely different one for messengers or second SIM cards.
To change the settings directly in the app, open it and find the settings menu. It's usually hidden behind a three-dot icon in the corner of the screen or behind the gear symbol. You need to find the Notifications section in the menu, and that's where you can customize the audio for incoming messages in detail.
There can be several subsections inside the notifications section, such as "Incoming Messages," "Sent" or "Delivery," and we're interested in the category "Incoming Messages," and if you click on that, you'll be taken to the menu where you can select "Sound," and you'll see a system player that lets you pick a tune from a list or download your own.
Special attention should be paid to users with two SIM cards. In modern versions of Android and Xiaomi shells, you can assign different sounds for SIM 1 and SIM 2. This is an extremely useful feature for separating personal and work contacts. When choosing a sound, the system can suggest choosing which SIM card this setting is used for, which allows you to instantly identify the sender without even looking at the screen.
How to set your tune from your phone memory
A regular set of tunes rarely satisfies all users, so installing your own audio file is the most sought after option. You can use any MP3, M4A or WAV track stored in your Redmi memory. However, simply selecting a file through a standard conductor when setting up the sound is sometimes not enough due to Android security limitations.
To successfully install your ringtone, it is recommended to place the audio file in the correct folder. Create a folder in the root directory of internal memory called Notifications (or Notifications if the system is not fully Russified). Move your audio file there. After that, when you select the sound in the system or application settings, this track will appear in the list of available tunes.
☑️ Preparation of the audio file
If the automatic definition didn't work, you can use the file manager. Find your audio file, click on it and select Open with -> Choice of a melody or similar. The system will suggest using this file as a notification sound. In some cases, you may need to give the Messages or Settings app permission to access the media files.
Keep in mind the length of the track. The notifications are optimal for 3 to 15 seconds. The long tracks may be cut off by the system or sound incorrect if the new message comes in the middle of playing the previous one. Also make sure that the file is not copyrighted by DRM, otherwise the system will not be able to play it as system sound.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use audio files with very low volume or, conversely, with sharp volume peaks. In the first case, you may miss an important message, in the second - frighten yourself or others with a sudden loud sound in a quiet room.
Using a theme to change sounds
Xiaomi's ecosystem has a powerful customization tool called the Theme App, which is not just a change of icons and wallpaper, but also the ability to change the sound design of a smartphone in a comprehensive way. In the theme catalog, you can find packages that include unique notification sounds created by professional designers.
To use this method, open the Themes app on your device. Search for keywords like “Sound,” “Audio,” or simply go to the “Sounds” section (if highlighted in your version of the store), and here are both free and paid sound sets that are compatible with your Redmi model.
When you select your favorite set, click Download and then Apply, and the system will tell you which components of the theme you want to activate. Make sure that (check) is opposite to "Notification Sound" or "System Sounds." After applying the theme, the standard SMS squeak will be replaced with a new one that is part of the selected design.
What to do if the topic is not fully applied?
The advantage of using themes is that they are harmonious. The sounds in the themes are often tailored to match the visual style and lock-screen sounds. However, be careful: some themes may contain sounds that are not practical (too quiet or abstract), so you should listen to a demo before you fully install them.
Table of format and path compatibility
When working with audio files on Xiaomi, it is important to consider technical limitations. Not all formats are supported equally well, and the folder structure can affect the visibility of files in the selection menu.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| File format | MP3, M4A | The most compatible formats for Android |
| Storage folder | /Notifications/ | To automatically appear on the list |
| Duration | 3-15 seconds | Optimal for notifications |
| Bitreit | 128 kbit/s and above | Ensure good sound quality |
| File name | Latino | Avoids coding problems in older versions |
Compliance with these guidelines will save you most of the problems when the file is in memory, but the system does not see it or refuses to play it. Especially critical is the correct location of the file in the file system, since the MIUI media scanner strictly follows the standard paths.
Problem Solving: Why the Sound Doesn't Change
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users sometimes encounter situations where settings do not apply or the sound remains standard.One common reason is Do Not Disturb or No Sound mode. Check the side curtain of notifications and make sure those modes are disabled or configured correctly.
Another common problem is the priority of notification channels. In modern versions of Android, each application has its own channels. If you change the sound in the general settings, but the Messages for the Inbox app itself has its own sound or there is a tick “No Sound”, then the global setting will not work. You need to go to Settings → Apps → Messages → Notifications and check the settings of the particular channel.
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The most common reason to ignore sound settings is the conflict between system settings and individual notification channel settings within the application itself.
It’s also worth checking if you have a third-party launcher or call management app that may have intercepted sound control, and in rare cases, cleaning the Messages app’s cache or rebooting a device that updates the media database helps.
⚠️ Warning: If after setting a new theme or melody, the sound is completely gone (it is quiet), check the overall volume of media and notifications.