Personalization of a smartphone starts with little things, and one of the first steps for many Xiaomi owners is to change standard tunes. The standard sounds preset by the manufacturer can be pleasant, but over time they begin to annoy or merge with notifications of other applications. Fortunately, the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS provide users with ample opportunities to customize the audio of the device.
The process of replacing the ringtone or notification sound on Xiaomi is significantly different from pure Android, which often puts beginners at a dead end. In this article, we will discuss all the available ways: from choosing from the built-in library to installing your own personal library. MP3-The flexibility of settings allows you to customize a separate sound for each contact or application, which makes controlling the smartphone more convenient.
You'll learn how to properly prepare audio files for the system to see, and deal with the typical issues when a selected track doesn't appear in the list. firmware localization can also affect the availability of some features, but we'll look at universal techniques that work on most of the brand's devices.
Use of built-in theme and sound store
The easiest way to change the sound design is to use the company’s built-in resources, which Xiaomi’s Themes app is responsible for, and it contains not only visual skins, but also a vast library of audio files that can be used as calls or notifications.
To access this functionality, you need to open the Themes app and switch to the Sound or Melodies tab, and here you have content that is already optimized for the device, ensuring that there are no problems with format compatibility or volume.
- 🎵 Open the “Themes” app on the main screen.
- 🔊 Go to the bottom menu and select the category “Sounds».
- 📥 Press the download button next to your favorite tune.
- ✅ After downloading, click "Apply" to install the track.
It is important to note that some in-store sounds may be paid or require a Xiaomi subscription.However, free content is usually enough for basic personalization.-preview track before installation to evaluate how it will sound in dynamics.
If you prefer standard system sounds that are already in the device's memory, you can find them through settings. Go to Settings → Sound and Vibration. The Rington section is available here, opening the list of pre-installed songs. MIUI often updates this list with new firmware versions, adding modern tracks.
⚠️ Note: When using an online library, make sure that the correct region is selected in your Mi Account settings, as in some countries content may be restricted.
Install your own tunes from your phone’s memory
The most popular user request is how to put your music on a call. Unlike many other manufacturers, Xiaomi requires you to follow a certain folder structure or use a special selection menu to make the file appear in the list of available.
The first step is to upload the desired audio file to the memory of the smartphone. MP3 or M4R format is the most preferred. Once the file is loaded, the algorithm of actions depends on whether you want to replace the sound: a general call, a message or an alarm clock.
☑️ Preparation of the audio file
To set up an incoming call, go to Settings → Sound and Vibration → Rington. In the window that opens, click on the plus icon or the Select Local Rington button (usually at the top of the list).
If you want to make music contact, the process is a little different. Open the Contacts app, select the person you want, and click Change. In the editing menu, find the Melody field and select Add Rington. Here, you will also open a file manager to select a track from memory.
In order for the system to automatically see files, it is recommended to place them in the root directory or in the folders MIUI/ringtone, MIUI/notification. However, a modern file manager allows you to select a file from anywhere in the file system, which makes it easier to do this.
⚠️ Attention: Files with protection DRM (purchased from iTunes or restricted streaming services will not play as system sounds.
Customizing sounds for specific applications
One of the strengths of MIUI is that it allows you to customize notifications for each application in detail, so you can make the message from the messenger sound different than the email from the mail, which helps you respond instantly to important events.
To get started, go to Settings → Sound and Vibration → Additional settings. In this section, you will find the Notification Sound item. By clicking on it, you will see a list of all the installed applications that can make sounds.
Choose an app, like Telegram or WhatsApp, and you'll open a menu where you can select a specific audio from a list or download your own, and you'll create a unique audio event map on your device.
| Type of event | Path in settings | The possibility of your own file |
|---|---|---|
| Incoming challenge | Sound and vibration → rington | Yes. |
| SMS message | Sound and vibration → The sound of the notification | Yes. |
| Alarm clock | Appendix Clock → Settings | Yes. |
| Systemic sounds | Sound and vibration → Additional | No (on/off only) |
Some apps, like Viber or Instagram, may have their own internal audio settings that prioritize the system, so you need to go to the app’s settings and find Notifications to change the sound there.
Why doesn’t the sound change in the app?
Creating and setting alarm clock sounds
The standard alarm clock sounds on Xiaomi can be too sharp or, conversely, not loud enough.Substituting them for a favorite song is a great way to start the day with pleasant emotions.The installation process is slightly different from setting the ringtone.
Open the standard Clock app and go to the "Alarm clock" tab. Select an existing alarm clock or create a new one. Click on the sound icon (usually the name of the current tune) to open the library.
In the menu that opens, you'll see categories like Events, In Nature, Electronics, and most importantly, Local or Select on Device. By clicking on the last item, you can select any audio file from your smartphone's memory.
- ⏰ Open the "Clock" app».
- 🔔 Click on the existing alarm clock to edit.
- 🎵 Select the item "Sound».
- 📂 Go to Local and select the track.
The volume of the alarm clock on Xiaomi smartphones is adjusted separately from the total volume. Make sure the alarm clock volume slider is twisted to the maximum, especially if you use quiet tunes. Also available is the "Growing Volume" feature, which smoothly increases the sound so as not to scare you in the middle of the night.
⚠️ Note: If you are using a track from cloud storage, make sure it is fully loaded onto the device.Offline access to the file is mandatory for the alarm clock to work.
Editing and cropping audio files
Often times, the song you like is too long for the ringtone, or the right moment is in the middle of the track, which requires cropping. Xiaomi doesn't have to install third-party apps, although they may be more convenient.
The built-in Mi Music audio player (if installed in your firmware version) has basic editing functions. Open the track, click on the menu (three dots) and select "Edit" or "Slice." Here you can set the beginning and end of the snippet.
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Use online services to trim mp3 if there is no built-in editor, which is faster than installing a separate application for a single operation.
If you can’t use the built-in tools, you can download a lightweight editor from Google Play, for example, MP3 Cutter. After pruning, save the file to a separate folder so as not to get confused with the originals.
When creating a ringtone, it is important to consider the duration of the call, the optimal time to call is 15 to 30 seconds, and too long tracks can be cut by the system automatically or incorrectly displayed in the contact list.
Solving Sound Problems on Xiaomi
Users may encounter a situation where the set melody is not playing, only a part is playing, or sounds too quiet, most often the problem lies in file formats or power saving settings.
Check the file format. MIUI works best with MP3, M4A, and WAV. Formats like FLAC may not be supported as system ringtones without converting. Also make sure the file is not corrupted and playable in the player.
Another common reason is Do Not Disturb or Silence mode. Check the side switch (if your model has one) and profile settings. Sometimes the sound is blocked by connected Bluetooth devices, which the system considers the main output channel.
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If the sound is gone after the firmware update, try resetting the sound settings in the Sound and Vibration menu or restarting the device in Safe Mode to eliminate application conflict.
In some cases, cleaning the cache of the Themes or Sounds app helps. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find what you want and select Clear Cache. This will not delete your files, but update the media database.