Are you tired of the standard ringtone on your Xiaomi Redmi and want to install your favorite song? It's easier than it sounds! Unlike many other smartphones, MIUI-based devices offer several ways to change the ringtone, from built-in tools to third-party apps. But there's a nuance: not all audio file formats are supported, and new versions of MIUI 14 have slightly changed the algorithm of actions.
In this article, weβll break down 5 proven methods to put your music on a call, alarm or notification β from the simplest (through standard settings) to the most advanced (using a file manager or a file manager). ADB). Special attention will be paid to typical errors: why the melody does not appear in the list of ringtones, how to circumvent the restrictions on the duration of the track and what to do if after the update MIUI user-generated sounds are missing.
Whether you have a Redmi Note 12 Pro+ with the latest firmware or a Redmi 9A on the old version, the instructions are suitable for all models of the line. And if you like to experiment, at the end of the article you will find a bonus: how to make a dynamic ringtone that changes depending on the contact!
1. Method: through standard MIUI settings (the simplest)
This is a basic method that works on all Xiaomi Redmi smartphones without additional applications. Suitable for setting a tune to an incoming call, notifications or alarm. The main condition is that the audio file must be in the format of.mp3,.m4a or.ogg and weigh no more than 5 MB (in MIUI 14 the limit is increased to 10 MB).
Here's the step-by-step instruction:
- Download or transfer the song to your phone. The file must be in the internal memory (Music folder, Ringtones or Downloads).
- Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the desktop).
- Go to the section Sound and vibration β Call melody (or Notification Melody if you need to change the sound of SMS).
- At the top of the screen, click Local Music (in older versions of MIUI, My Melodies).
- Select the audio file you want from the list, and if it doesn't, check if it's in supported folders (see the table below).
- Click Ready or OK to save the changes.
β οΈ Warning: If the file doesn't appear in the list, even if you're sure it's in the right folder, try restarting the phone. MIUI It does not update the media library in real time, and check if the file is hidden (properties should not be ticked "Hidden").
File format - MP3, M4A or OGG| No larger than 10MB (MIUI 14) or 5MB (MIUI 12)| The file is in the Music, Ringtones or Downloads folder | The name of the file without special characters (Latin, numerals, hyphen only)
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| folder | Is it supported in MIUI? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| /storage/emulated/0/Music/ | Yes. | The main folder for media files, the ringtones from it are displayed first. |
| /storage/emulated/0/Ringtones/ | Yes. | System folder for tunes. If it's not available, create it manually. |
| /storage/emulated/0/Notifications/ | Yes. | For notification sounds, similar to the Ringtones folder. |
| /storage/emulated/0/Downloads/ | Yes (with MIUI 13) | In older versions, files from this folder may not be displayed. |
| /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/music/ | No. | System folder - ringtones are not read from here. |
2. Method: through the application "Music" (MIUI Music)
If you store music in a standard MIUI Music player, you can install the ringtone right from there, and this method is convenient because you don't need to manually search the file, you just need to select a track from the library, but it doesn't work on all models: on the Redmi Note 11 and the newer feature can be disabled.
How to do this:
- Open the Music app (note icon on the desktop).
- Find the song you want to set to the call and open it.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner (track menu).
- Select Set as a ringtone (or Set as a notification melody).
- Confirm the choice in the window that appears.
β οΈ Note: If you don't have "Set as a melody..." on the menu, your Redmi model doesn't support this feature. β1 β3. Also check that the song is downloaded to the device (rather than streaming from the cloud).
Through Settings β Sound and Vibration | Through Music | Using File Manager | Third-party apps (Zedge, Ringtone Maker) | Don't change standard tunes
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The advantage of this method is speed, but there are also disadvantages:
- πΉ It does not work on all the firmware (in MIUI 14 for the global version, the feature is often missing).
- πΉ You can't cut the track, the whole song will be used (if it's longer than 30 seconds, the bell may be cut off).
- πΉ Playlists are not supported β only individual tracks.
3. Method: through the file manager (for experienced users)
If standard methods don't work, you can manually transfer the audio file to the ringtones system folder, which is universal and works even on custom firmware, the main thing is not to accidentally delete important system files!
Instructions:
- Open any file manager (e.g., standard Files or Solid Explorer).
- Go to the folder where your song is located (for example, Downloads or Music).
- Hold your finger on the file to select it, then click Copy or Cut.
- Go to /storage/emulated/0/Ringtones/. If it is not available, create it manually (the name must be the same, including the register!).
- Put the file in the folder.
- Reboot the phone (required! otherwise MIUI won't see the new ringtone).
- Now the song can be selected in Settings β Sound and vibration β Melody of a call β Local music.
Important: If the Ringtones folder is not displayed, turn on the hidden files in the file manager settings (usually in the "Three Dots β Settings β Show Hidden Files" menu).
What if the Ringtones folder is not created?
This method is suitable for:
- π± Ringtones on Redmi with custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS).
- π§ Solutions to the problem when MIUI "Cannot see audio files in standard folders.
- π΅ Adding melodies longer than 30 seconds (limiting standard methods).
4. Method: using third-party applications (Zedge, Ringtone Maker)
If you need ringtones ready or want to cut the song before installing, use specialized applications.
- πΆ Zedge is a huge library of free ringtones and notification sounds. There's categorization by mood, genres and even movie characters.
- βοΈ Ringtone Maker β allows you to crop any audio file, add a fade-in/out and save as a ringtone.
- π MP3 Cutter and Ringtone Maker β Simple Editor with Pre-Earsay.
Letβs look at the example of Zedge:
- Download Zedge from Google Play.
- Open the app and allow access to the storage.
- In the search box, type in the song title or select a category (e.g., "Trend Ringtones 2026").
- Click on your favorite track. β Download.
- After downloading, the Set As button will appear β select Call Melody, Notification or Alarm.
- Confirm installation in the system window.
β οΈ Attention: B MIUI 14 When installing the ringtone through third-party applications, a warning may appear: "This application is trying to change system settings." This is normal - just confirm the action. If the ringtone is not used, check if the ringtone is blocked by Security (in the App settings). β Permits β Special access β Changes in system settings).
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The advantages of third-party applications:
- π΅ Pre-made cropped ringtones (no need to edit yourself).
- π Convenient search by category.
- βοΈ Built-in instruments for cutting music.
Cons:
- π± Require additional permissions (access to storage, changing system settings).
- π° Some apps have advertising or paid features.
5. Method: via ADB (for advanced users)
If none of the above methods worked (for example, on custom firmware or after resetting), you can install a ringtone via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires connecting the phone to a computer, but it is guaranteed to work on any version of MIUI.
What you need:
- π₯οΈ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
- π USB-cable (preferably original).
- π± Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) β The phone. β Version. MIUI β 7 times press to activate the developer mode, then Settings β Additionally. β For developers β Debugging by USB).
- π οΈ Utility. ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
Instructions:
- Connect Redmi to your computer and allow debugging via USB (the phone will have a request).
- Place an audio file (for example, my_ringtone.mp3) file ADB (where is adb.exe).
- Open the command prompt (Win + R β enter cmd) and go to the folder with ADB:
- Copy the file to your phone:
- Reboot the phone:
- After the reboot, the ringtone will appear in the list of standard tunes.
β οΈ Note: If you get an adb: device unauthorized error, your phone has not confirmed a debugging request. Check notifications or reconnect the cable. Also make sure the developer settings include Allow debugging by USB (safe-haven).
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This method is useful if:
- π§ You use custom firmware without standard Ringtones folders.
- π You need to load ringtones (for example, for different contacts).
- π οΈ Requires to circumvent restrictions MIUI file formats.
Bonus: How to assign different ringtones to different contacts
MIUI allows you to customize unique ringtones for individual contacts, which is convenient if you want to know who is calling without looking at the screen. It works on all Redmi models, but the algorithm has changed a little in the latest firmware versions.
How to Assign an Individual Rington:
- Open the Contacts app.
- Find the right contact and click on it.
- In the upper right corner, click Edit (pencil icon).
- Scroll down to the Melody of the Call (in older versions β Call Sound).
- Select one of the standard tunes or click Add β Local music to download yours.
- Save the changes.
β οΈ Note: If you have assigned a contact individual ringtone, but when calling plays a standard melody, check:
- π Is the contact in the blacklist (calls from it can be blocked with the sound).
- π΅ Is not the mode "Do not disturb" with exceptions (it can work its own rules for sounds).
- π Have you been reset after the update? MIUI (reassign the ringtone).
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Limitations of function:
- π΅ Not applicable to contact groups (only for individual numbers).
- π If the contact is calling via WhatsApp or Telegram, the sound of the messenger notification will play, not the system ringtone.
- π± On some models (e.g. Redmi) A1) The function may be disabled due to firmware optimization.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even after the ringtone is properly installed, there may be failures, and here are the most common problems on Xiaomi Redmi and how to fix them:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Rington is not listed on the list. | File in an unsupported folder or format | Move the file to /Ringtones/ and check the extension (.mp3,.m4a). |
| The sound is cut after 30 seconds | Limitation of MIUI duration | Cut the track to 30 seconds in Ringtone Maker or use ADB. |
| Rington resets after rebooting | Media file cache failure | Clear the Media Store app cache in the settings. |
| No sound when calling (vibration is available) | Vibration Only mode activated | Check the settings β Sound and vibration β Sound mode. |
| Rington is playing, but very quietly. | Volume limitation in MIUI | Turn on Volume Amplification in the sound settings or use Volume Booster. |
If none of the solutions worked, try resetting the sound settings to the standard:
- Go to Settings. β Sound and vibration.
- Click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
- Choose Reset settings.
- Confirm the action and restart the phone.
After resetting, try resetting the ringtone in any of the above methods.