Customized Melodies on Xiaomi: How to Assign a Unique Call for Each Subscriber

Customizing customized tunes on Xiaomi allows you to instantly identify the caller without looking at the screen. This is especially convenient when you are waiting for an important call among dozens of spam calls or want to highlight loved ones among colleagues. However, in MIUI (the shell of Xiaomi), this process is hidden deeper than in standard Android, and many users have difficulty trying to assign a unique ringtone to each contact through standard settings.

In this article, we’ll look at all the working methods, from basic settings in the Contacts app to hidden MIUI 14/15 features, and also look at workarounds for models where the option is disabled by default (for example, on Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5).

Why Xiaomi can’t assign a tune to a contact?

The problem with customizing individual ringtones on Xiaomi is related to the features of the MIUI firmware. Unlike “pure” Android, where the option is available directly in the contact card, here it can:

• 🔹 Be hidden in deep settings (depending on version) MIUI)
• 🔹 Not at all on budget models (for example, Redmi). A2)
• 🔹 Reset after system updates (typical for the MIUI 13 → 14)
• 🔹 Working incorrectly with melodies in format.m4a or.flac

Also, some users confuse the ringtone with the SMS notification — these settings are shared in MIUI and are set separately. If you try to change the ringtone through Settings → Sounds, but the changes do not apply to a particular contact, the problem is this separation.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI for POCO (for example, POCO F5) If your model does not have a call melody item in the contact card, use the method with the Topic app (section 3).

Method 1: Assigning a tune through standard Contacts (MIUI 14/15)

This is the most direct method, but it doesn't work on all devices.

1. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
2. Find the right contact and tap it to open the card.
3. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Edit.
4. Scroll down to the Melody of a Call block (if not, see Method 2).
5. Select one of the standard tunes or click Add to upload your file (.mp3,.wav,.ogg formats are supported).
6. Save the changes with the Ready button.

If the call melody item is missing, it means that your Xiaomi model uses a simplified version of the Contacts app, in which case move on to the next method.

Download the necessary audio files to the memory of the phone (folder Ringtones)

Check the file format (optimally.mp3 with a bitrate of 128-192 kbit / s)

Update the Contacts app through the Play Store

Restart your phone before setting up (sometimes resets the cache)

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Method 2: Using the Application Topics for Customization

The Themes app (pre-installed on all Xiaomi) allows not only to change wallpaper and icons, but also to assign individual sounds, which works even on models where the option is not available in Contacts:

1. Open the Topic (Brush and Palette icon).
2. Go to the Sounds section (bottom of the screen).
3. Select the Melodies of the Call → Add.
4. Please indicate the path to your audio file (for example, /Storage/emulated/0/Ringtones/custom_tone.mp3).
5. Return to Contacts, edit the contact you want, and select the tune added in the list.

If the melody is not used after these actions, check:

• 📁 Access permissions to the file (it must be in a public folder, such as Ringtones or Notifications).
• 🔊 Loudness in settings Sounds and vibrations → Loudness of the call.
• 🔄 Reboot your phone (sometimes changes only apply after rebooting).

💡

If you want to use a song clip, cut it to 30 seconds in any audio editor (like MP3 Cutter from Play Store).

Method 3: Third-party applications for flexible settings

If the standard methods didn't work, use specialized applications. We tested three of the most reliable ones:

Instructions for Contact Ringtones (recommended for beginners):

1. Install the application and provide access to Contacts and Warehouse.
2. Select a contact from the list.
3. Click Select a melody and specify the file (or select from the application library).
4. Activate the option to Apply to all calls (if you need to use SMS too).

⚠️ Note: When using third-party apps, disable battery optimization for them in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Battery, otherwise the melodies may not be played.

Through standard contacts

Annex Topics

Third-party programs (specify which)

I don't tune it, I use one tune.

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How to Add Your Melody to the List of Standard Ringtones

If you want your audio file to appear in a standard tone list (e.g., Settings → Sounds), follow the following steps:

1. Connect your phone to your PC or use a file manager (such as Mi File Manager).
2. Create a directory in the root folder of the storage (/Storage/emulated/0/): /Ringtones/ – for ringtones /Notifications/ – for notifications /Alarms/ – for alarm clocks
3. Place your files in the appropriate folders. File names should be in Latin (e.g., file names, my_tone.mp3).
4. Reboot the phone.

After the reboot, your tunes will appear in:

• 📱 Settings → Sounds and vibrations → The ringing melody
• 👤 Contact card (if supported)
• ⏰ Alarm clock settings

Problem Solving: The melody is not played or reset

If the individual melody doesn’t work, check out the following points:

Xiaomi models running Android 13+ (such as Xiaomi 13T or Redmi Note 12 Pro+) may require additional permission to access notifications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select Contacts (or a third-party ringtone app).
3. Activate the Notification and Sounds switch.

💡

On devices with MIUI 15 (such as Xiaomi 14), customized tunes may not work due to the new security policy, in which case use the Ringo application with Forced Play.

Specifics for different Xiaomi models

The functionality of individual tunes depends on the model and version of MIUI. Here are the key features for popular devices:

• 📱 Xiaomi 13/13 Pro (MIUI 14): Support for formats.mp3/.wav, but resets after updates.
• 📱 Redmi Note 11/12: There is no option in Contacts, but it works through Topics.
• 📱 POCO X5/F5: Required to disable battery optimization for Contacts.
• 📱 Redmi A2/A2+: No built-in support – only third-party apps.

On devices with MIUI for POCO (e.g., POCO F4 GT), the path to settings may be different:

1. Open Contacts. → Choose a contact.
2. Slip on Change (pencil in upper right corner).
3. Scroll down to the additional → ring melody.

For the Xiaomi Pad 6 (tablet), the algorithm is similar to smartphones, but the tunes can be played quieter due to the limitations of the speakers. In this case, increase the volume in Settings → Sounds → Media.

FAQ: Frequent questions about custom tunes on Xiaomi