How to install your melody on Xiaomi’s answering machine: all ways

The answering machine on Xiaomi smartphones is a useful feature that activates when you can’t pick up the phone. The standard waiting tune is quickly boring, but the personalized sound will make your phone recognizable. In this article, we will discuss how to put your music on the answering machine for all Redmi, POCO and Mi models running MIUI 12-14.

It's important to understand that the machine-responder configuration depends on the firmware version and the carrier. Some mobile operators (such as MTS or Beeline) block the change of the melody through system settings, offering instead their paid services. We'll look at all possible ways, from standard MIUI tools to bypassing restrictions using third-party applications.

If you've never used an answering machine on Xiaomi, check if it's on first. Call your phone from another phone and wait for the voice menu to go off. If it's not, activate the feature in your call settings.

1.Preparation: Checking the current autoresponder settings

Before you change the tune, make sure that the answering machine is available on your device at all. On some Xiaomi models (especially budget ones like the Redmi 9A or POCO M3), this feature can be disabled by default.

To check the status of the answering machine:

1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to Autoresponder or Voicemail (the name may be different).
4. If the option is not available, then your operator does not support it at the SIM-card level.

⚠️ Note: On smartphones with two SIM-The answering card can only work on one of them (usually the one used for default calls).

If you have a waiting tune or an answering machine sound in your settings, you can immediately move on to replacing it. If you don't, read on to get around the restrictions.

2. Method 1: Change the melody through standard MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which is suitable for most models, as long as the operator does not block the function.

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Click on the icon. ⋮ (three-point) → Settings.
3. Select the Autoresponder (or Voicemail).
4. Slip on the item Melody of Waiting or Notification Sound.
5. In the list of standard tunes, select Add New or Select from Files.
6. Specify the path to your audio file (supported formats.mp3,.wav,.m4a).
7. Save the changes and check if the new tune will work on the test call.

If there is no Add New, your version of MIUI does not support custom files downloading, in which case move on to the next method.

Audio file format (MP3/WAV/M4A only)

Track length (no more than 30 seconds)

Volume recording (not less than -10 dB)

Availability of rights to read files in the settings of the application "Phone"-->

3. Method 2: Using a file manager to manually replace

Some MIUI firmware (especially custom ones like Xiaomi.EU) can manually replace the system melody file of the answering machine, which requires root rights or access to system folders via ADB.

Instructions for experienced users:

1. Download an audio file in.ogg format to your phone (for example, convert it through an online converter).
2. Rename the file to voicemail.ogg.
3. Using a root-access file manager (such as Root Explorer) go to /system/media/audio/notifications/
4. Replace your existing voicemail.ogg file with your own option.
5. Change the access rights to 644 (rw-r----).
6. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect replacement of system files can cause malfunctions in the phone.We recommend backing up the original file before changes.

If you don’t have root rights, you can try an alternative way through ADB:

adb pull /system/media/audio/notifications/voicemail.ogg


adb push your file.ogg /system/media/audio/notifications/voicemail.ogg




adb shell chmod 644 /system/media/audio/notifications/voicemail.ogg

Method 3: Third-party applications for autoresponder customization

If standard methods don’t work, Google Play apps will come to the rescue, which bypass carrier and firmware restrictions but require additional permissions.

The best apps to replace the melody of the answering machine:

• 🎵 Zedge is a huge library of ringtones and notifications, including voicemail sounds.
• 🔊 Ringtone Maker – allows you to crop tracks and set them as tunes for any notifications, including an answering machine.
• 📞 Visual Voicemail is an alternative voicemail client with custom sound support (not available for all operators).
• 🎶 MP3 Cutter and Ringtone Maker – a utility for creating short fragments of songs and installing them as signals.

How to set a tune through Zedge:

1. Download and install Zedge from Google Play.
2. Open the app and go to the Ringtones section.
3. Find your favorite sound or upload your own through My Sounds.
4. Select Set as → Voicemail Notification.
5. Confirm the choice and check the result with a test call.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (such as Visual Voicemail) may conflict with a standard call client. MIUI. Once installed, the answering machine may stop working at all, in which case disable third-party software or reset the phone settings.

5. Features for different communication operators

Mobile operators in Russia and the CIS often impose their own restrictions on the operation of answering machines.

If your operator is blocking the change in melody, try:

• 📲 Switch to a tariff with voice mail support (for example, MegaFon or Tele2).
• 🔄 Put in SIM-map of another operator and configure the answering machine through it.
• 🌐 Use a virtual operator (e.g. Tinkoff Mobile) that does not impose restrictions.

💡

If you travel frequently, install the universal Google Voice app, which allows you to configure an answering machine with any tune regardless of the operator, but requires a US number (you can get it through services like TextNow).

6.How to record your melody for answering machine

If you want to use a unique sound (like your own speech or a song snippet), you need to prepare it properly.

• 🕒 Duration: no more than 30 seconds (optimally 10-15 seconds).
• 🎵 Format: MP3, WAV or M4A (system-file — OGG).
• 🔊 Volume: not lower -10 DB (otherwise the sound will be too quiet).
• 🎤 Bitrate: 128-192 kbit/s for good quality.

How to write and prepare a file:

1. Use a voice recorder on your phone or computer to record your voice.
2. Cut the extra pauses in the audio editor (for example, Audacity or Lexis Audio Editor).
3. Normalize the volume so that the sound is clear.
4. Save the file in the desired format and upload it to your phone.

Example of text for voice greeting:

"Hello! You've reached the number [your number]. I can't answer it right now, but I'll call you back. Leave a message after the beep or write to [Telegram/WhatsApp]."

💡

It is better to avoid too loud or harsh sounds in the melody of the answering machine - this can annoy callers.The best option is calm instrumental music or a neutral voice message.

7. Problem Solving: The answering machine doesn't work or the melody doesn't change

If after all the manipulations the answering machine has not worked with the new melody, check the following points:

If nothing helps, try resetting your network settings:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Select Network Resetting.
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone.
4. Reset the voicemail.

⚠️ Warning: Resetting your network settings will delete all stored Wi-Fi passwords and mobile internet settings.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions