Changing the standard call is the first thing most users do after buying a new smartphone. Standard MIUI tunes are certainly recognizable, but you often want to personalize the device to your liking. The process of installing ringtones on Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones may seem obscure due to the features of the MIUI shell or HyperOS, which hide some system folders from outsiders.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to replace audio files for incoming calls, messages and alarms. You will learn how to properly prepare files, where to move them and what to do if the system does not see your music. We will also touch on the nuances of working with a file manager, which in recent versions of firmware works differently from the usual Explorer.
To start, make sure you have the audio foil itself in the right format. The most versatile and supported standard is MP3, however, modern Xiaomi-based Android versions also work seamlessly with AAC, WAV, and OGG formats. If the file has a rare extension, it is better to pre-convert it to avoid playback errors or no sound at all when calling.
Preparation of audio file and choice of format
Before trying to install a call track, you need to make sure that it is compatible with the operating system. Although Android is highly flexible, files that are too long or heavy may not be defined by the system as a ringtone. The optimal duration of the ringtone for a call is 15 to 40 seconds, which allows you to quickly identify thecaller without waiting for the end of the composition.
Pay attention to bitrate and sampling frequency. Calls don't require studio quality, so 128 kbps or 192 kbps bitrate files are the perfect choice. They take up the minimum space and are quickly read by the processor, eliminating delays in starting playback. FLAC or ALAC files may not appear in the list of available tunes without third-party applications.
It is also important to check whether DRM-Music downloaded from official subscription streaming services (e.g. Yandex.Music or Spotify offline) is often copy-protected and cannot be used as a system ringtone. You will need to purchase a track in the store or use files that do not have digital restrictions.
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Use online services or editorial apps to cut out the exact snippet you like from a song and save it as a separate file.
If you plan to use voice messages or voice recorder recordings, make sure they are saved in MP3 or M4A format. Xiaomi's standard voice recorder can by default save records in its own format, which the system does not recognize as a media file for a call, in which case you will need to convert through a built-in converter in the Dictophone application or third-party software.
Use of the built-in “Sounds and Vibrations” application
The easiest and most formal way to change a tune is to use standard system settings, which are suitable for installing both pre-installed themes and proprietary files if they are already in the device’s memory, and the algorithm for actions may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI or HyperOS.
To start, go to the main settings menu on your smartphone. Find the Sounds and Vibrations section. In some versions of the shell, it may simply be called "Sound." Here you will see a list of categories: "Call Melody," "Notification Sound," "Alarm Ring Sound." Click on the right item to open the library of available audio files.
If you want to install your track, scroll the list of tunes to the top or bottom (depending on the firmware version) and select the option “Select a tune from files”**. The system will open the built-in audio player or file manager. Find a previously downloaded or copied file and click on it to confirm.
- 🎵 Open Settings and go to the section Sounds and vibrations.
- 📞 Select a category of sound, such as a ringtone.
- 📂 Click the select button from the files and find your track in memory.
- ✅ Confirm the choice by clicking the tick or the “OK” button».
Note that newer versions of the shell have limited access to system folders, so if a standard file selector can't see your music, it may be in a secure folder or in an unsupported format, so try moving the file to the root of internal memory or to the MIUI/Sound folder, creating it manually if it's not available.
Setup through the “Themes” app
Xiaomi’s ecosystem offers a powerful customization tool, the Theme app, which allows you not only to change icons and wallpapers, but also to download individual audio packages, which is especially useful if you want to install a popular sound from a movie, games or a viral track from TikTok that is already decorated by other users.
Run the Themes app on your device. At the bottom of the screen or in the category menu, look for the Sounds or Ringtones section. Here's a huge catalog of free and paid tunes. You can listen to the preview before downloading. After selecting the right option, click Download and then Apply.
The advantage of this method is that you don't have to search for files online and check their format. All tracks in the store are optimized for working with the MIUI shell. In addition, there are often full-fledged sound circuits that change not only the call, but also the sounds of the keyboard, lock and notification systems.
⚠️ Note: When installing themes or sounds from third-party sources through the Themes app, carefully read permissions. Some unofficial topics may contain ads or require access to data that is not related to the design.
If you downloaded a ringtone file in.mtz format (theme format) MIUI), You can't just open it as music. You need to import it through the Topics app. To do this, go to the user profile (human icon), select "Import" and specify the path to the file. After importing, the theme will appear in the "My" list, from where it can be activated.
What if the store doesn’t work or if it has a network error?
Directly copying files via computer or file manager
For advanced users who want full control of the file system, manual copying is a good way to ensure that the file is physically in the right directory, which is especially true for older versions of Android or specific cases where a standard selector is “glutting”.
Connect your smartphone to your computer through USB-In the connection notification, select the File Transfer mode» (MTP). On your computer, open the device's internal memory. You need to find a folder called Ringtones (for calls), Notifications (for notifications), or Alarms (for alarm clocks). If you don't have those folders, you can create them manually at the root of the internal memory.
Copy the prepared audio file into the appropriate folder. After disabling the cable and restarting the smartphone (sometimes it is necessary to reboot to index media files), this track will appear in the standard list of tunes in the sound settings as a system.
| Type of sound | Copy folder | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Incoming challenge | /Ringtones/ | The main folder for calls |
| SMS and notifications | /Notifications/ | Short sounds |
| Alarm clock | /Alarms/ | Long tracks |
| Systemic sounds | /MIUI/sound/ | Requires root rights to replace |
It's important to keep the folder structure in mind, and if you put a call file in the notification folder, it won't disappear, but it won't appear in the call tone list, and it only scans certain directories to classify media content.
☑️ Checking connection and files
Setting a Melody to a Specific Contact
Personalizing calls for individuals is a very useful feature, which allows you to know who is calling without getting your phone out of your pocket. On Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, this process is slightly different from pure Android because of the use of your own phone book.
Open the Contacts app (not Phone, but a yellow or blue icon with a man) and find the person in the list and open their card. At the bottom of the screen or in the menu (three dots in the corner), find the Assign Rington.
Once you select a file, a small bell icon may appear next to the contact name, indicating the individual mood, and now when that person calls you, you will hear a unique tune, even if the other calls are sounded with a standard bell beep.
- 👤 Open the Contacts app and select a subscriber.
- 🔔 Click on Assign a ringtone in the contact menu.
- 🎶 Select a unique track from a list or files.
- 💾 Save the changes by going back.
If there is no “Appoint Rington” item, make sure that the contact is stored in the phone memory or account. Google/Xiaomi, not SIM-Contacts stored on the SIM card have limited functionality and often do not support individual file binding.
Set up notification sounds for different applications
A modern smartphone receives dozens of notifications a day, and in order to avoid confusing messages from messengers, emails and social networks, you need to adjust the sounds for each application separately, and in MIUI this is done through the system settings of notifications.
Go to Settings -> Sounds and Vibrations -> Notifications Sound. You can select the general sound here. However, for detailed settings, go to Settings -> Notifications and Status bar -> Notification Management. Select the desired application (such as Telegram or WhatsApp) and find the Message category. Inside the category will be the Sound item, which overrides the default system.
Some apps, like Telegram or Viber, have their own internal audio settings that take precedence over system settings. Go to the app's settings, Notifications and Sounds, and select the file you want, which ensures that the sound is played correctly even if you're asleep or your phone is in Do Not Disturb mode with exceptions.
⚠️ Attention: In Android 11 and newer (and also in MIUI 13/14) Access to the application file system is limited. If the messenger does not see your files when selecting sound, it may need to manually grant permission to access media files in the privacy settings.
Also worth mentioning is the Smart Sounds feature, which is available in some regions and firmware versions where the phone itself offers quiet mode at a certain time or when in your pocket. Check the Sounds and Vibrations section -> Do Not Disturb mode to set exceptions for important contacts whose calls must take place even when the sound is off.
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The priority of audio settings always looks like this: Settings within the application > Settings for a specific contact > System settings of sound.
Frequent problems and their solution
Users often experience a situation where, after installation, the melody is not playing, the quiet standard signal is playing, or the phone is just vibrating.One of the most common reasons is the Do Not Disturb or Silent Mode mode on. Check the side volume swing: make sure the call slider is raised up and not standing on the vibration.
Another problem is codecs: If a file is corrupted or uses a rare codec inside an MP3 container, the phone may not be able to decode it. Try converting the file to a classic MP3 with a bitrate of 128 kbps. Also check if the file is "read only" on the file, although this rarely affects playback in Android.
If there is a sound but it is very quiet, check the Dolby Atmos settings (if available on your model).Sometimes surround sound algorithms may mishandle short ringtones, lowering their volume. Try turning off the equalizer or select a Music profile instead of Auto.