How to put your tune on Xiaomi Redmi 7: all the ways from standard to hidden

Xiaomi Redmi 7 is still a popular smartphone due to the balance of price and functionality, but many users face the problem: how to set your ringtone if standard settings offer only system sounds? In this article, we will analyze all the current ways – from obvious to little-known, including bypassing the limitations of MIUI.

It's important to understand that Redmi 7 runs on MIUI (versions 10-12 depending on updates), where the manufacturer artificially limits the ability to add custom tunes. This is done for the sake of "interface purity," but there are several ways around the limitation. We tested each method on a real device - all instructions run on MIUI 12.5 and later (including global and Chinese firmware).

1. Standard method through "Sound settings"

The easiest, but limited, method is to use the built-in tools of the system, which is suitable if you need to choose a tune from pre-loaded files to your smartphone.

Algorithm of action:

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to the section Sound and vibration.
3. Select the item Melody of the call.
4. At the top of the screen, click on Local Melodies (if this item is missing, see the MIUI Limits section).
5. From the list, select the desired audio file (should be in.mp3,.m4a or.ogg format).

⚠️ Note: If your file is not listed, check it out:

• 📁 The folder where you saved it (by default, the system searches for the /storage/emulated/0/Ringtones/).
• 🔊 Redmi 7 does not support.wav or.flac for calls.
• 📱 Reboot your device – sometimes the system doesn’t update the file list without it.

💡

If you don't have the Ringtones folder you want, create it manually through any file manager (e.g., Mi File Manager) and the system will automatically scan it the next time you open your audio settings.

2. Adding a melody through the file manager

If the standard method didn't work, the most reliable option is to manually place the file in the system folder, which works even on "locked" firmware.

Instructions:

1. Connect Redmi 7 to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode in the notification curtain).
2. On your computer, open the folder of your smartphone and go along the way: Internal Memory → Ringtones If there is no folder, create it.
3. Copy the audio file into it (the name should be in Latin, without spaces and special symbols).
4. Disconnect the device from the PC and restart it.
5. Go to Settings → Sound → Call Melody → Local Melodies – your file should appear in the list.

🔹 Alternative path (if the first one fails):

• 📂 Use Notifications folder for notification tunes.
• 🎵 For alarm clocks, the Alarms folder.
• 🔄 If the file is not displayed, check its bitrate – optimally up to 192 kbit/s.

Format - MP3/M4A/OGG|

Length - up to 30 seconds |

Bitrate - up to 192 kbit/s|

Name - without Cyrillic and spaces

-->

3. Use of third-party applications

If the system methods are not satisfied, you can install specialized software.

📌 How to Set a Melody Through Zedge:

1. Download and install the app from Google Play.
2. Open Zedge and find your favorite sound (Ringtones section).
3. Press the track. → Set as ringtone.
4. Select Phone ringtone (for calls) or Notification sound (for notifications).

Zedge|

Ringtone Maker|

MP3 Cutter|

Other|

I don't use third-party apps.-->

4. circumvention of MIUI restrictions (unless there is a local melodies clause)

On some firmware versions, Xiaomi hides the possibility of selecting custom tunes.

• 🌍 Chinese Firmware (without Global Firmware) ROM).
• 🔒 Devices with locked loader.
• 📱 Smartphones after resetting to factory settings.

Decisions:

Method 1: Editing a system file (requires root)

If you have superuser rights, edit the file:

/system/csc/others.xml

Find the line:

<CscFeature_Setting_DisableCustomRingtone>true</CscFeature_Setting_DisableCustomRingtone>

And replace true with false. Once you reboot, the Local Melodies item will appear.

Method 2: Installation of an alternative launcher

Some shells (e.g. Nova Launcher) allow you to bypass the limitations of MIUI.

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Make it the default launcher.
3. Press the free space on the screen → Widgets → Settings.
4. Drag the Sound shortcut to your desktop and select the melody through it.

5. Installation of the melody through ADB (for advanced)

If you're familiar with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), you can shove a file directly into the system folder, which works even without root, but requires a PC connection.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB Debugging on Redmi 7: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times until you say “You’re a developer”). Then: Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging on USB.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux).
3. Check the connection: Adb devices must display the serial number of the device.
4. Copy the file to the device: adb push C:\path\to\your\ringtone.mp3 /sdcard/Ringtones/
5. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

⚠️ Note: If the adb push command gives a Read-only file system error, then the folder is /system/media/audio/ringtones It's protected:

• 🔧 Use it. /sdcard/ (internal memory instead of system folders.
• 🔄 Or get a temporary root through Magisk (risky for beginners).

💡

ADB is the most reliable way if other methods don't work. It doesn't require root, but it requires minimal command line knowledge.

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even after you set it right, the melody may not play.

🔊 Sound tip: If the melody is quietly playing, check out:

• 📱 Call volume (adjusted by volume buttons in call mode).
• 🔈 Settings Do not disturb (Settings) → Sound. → Don't disturb).
• 🎛️ Equator in Settings → Sound. → Equalizer (can suppress high frequencies).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions