How to install ringtones on Xiaomi Redmi 7: all the ways from standard to hidden

Xiaomi Redmi 7 is one of the most popular budget smartphones of the brand, but even its owners often face the question: how to change the standard ringtone to your own? Unlike the new models with MIUI 14, the interface is slightly different here, and some features are hidden deeper. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways from basic to little-known, including installing ringtones through Explorer, third-party applications and even ADB.

It's important to understand that Redmi 7 (codenamed onc) runs MIUI 10/11/12 depending on the firmware version, which affects the location of some menu items, we take into account all the nuances to make the instruction suitable for any version of the software, and you will learn how to circumvent the system's limitations if it does not see your audio file, and what to do if the ringtone does not play after installation.

Method 1: Install ringtones through standard settings

The most obvious and safe method is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which are suitable for most users and do not require additional applications.

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
2. Go to the section Sound and vibration.
3. Slap on the call melody item.
4. In the list that opens, select one of the standard tunes or click Local Melodies (if you have pre-loaded your file into your phone’s memory).

If you don't have Local Melodies, you don't have the right audio files, and in order for them to show up, the files must:

• 📁 Loose in the Ringtones folder (or Notifications for notifications) on internal memory or SD-map.
• 🎵 Be formatted.mp3,.m4a,.ogg or wav.
• ⏱️ It can last no more than 30 seconds (otherwise the system can cut the melody).

Download the melody in MP3| Create the Ringtones folder at the root of the memory | Move the file to the folder |Reboot the phone (optional)

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An important caveat: on some Redmi 7 firmware, the Ringtones folder is not automatically created; it must be made manually through any file manager (such as Xiaomi Explorer or Total Commander), and once you add the file, you may need to restart the device to update the list of available tunes.

Method 2: Using a file manager for manual installation

If the standard method didn't work (for example, your file doesn't appear in the list), you can go a detour by manually telling the system where to look for ringtones.

1. Open Explorer (or any other file manager).
2. Go to the folder where your tune is stored (such as Downloads or Music).
3. Press and hold the file, then select More → Set as a ringtone.
4. In the window that appears, select the ringtone (or the notification sound if necessary).

If you don't have a Rington set, your file manager doesn't support it.

• 📲 Install an alternative manager, such as Files by Google or Solid Explorer.
• 🔍 Check that the file has the correct extension (sometimes the system will not recognize the file.m4r — ringtones from iTunes).
• 🔄 Move the file to the Media folder → Audio → Ringtones (this is a hidden path, it must be created by hand).

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If after installing the ringtone plays with distortion, try converting the file to MP3 format with a bitrate of 128-192 kbit / s. For this, a free Audio-Converter service is suitable.

On Redmi 7s. MIUI 10 Sometimes there is a bug: after manually installing the ringtone through the file manager, it is reset to standard after rebooting. To fix this, you need to clear the Settings app cache (in Settings). → Annexes → Application management → Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache).

Method 3: Installation through third-party applications

If the built-in methods don't work, you can use specialized applications from Google Play, which offer more features: cropping tunes, installing different ringtones for different contacts, supporting rare formats.-3 tested:

Instructions for use (on the example of Zedge):

1. Install and open the application.
2. Select Ringtones from the menu.
3. Find your favorite tune and click on it.
4. Slip it as a ringtone and confirm the choice.

⚠️ Note: some apps (e.g. Zedge) require permission to access memory and contacts. Do not grant access to contacts if you are asked only to install a ringtone - this could be a sign of malware. Always check reviews and ratings before installing.

Through phone settings |Through file manager |Through third-party apps |I don't change the standard ringtone |Another way

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Method 4: Manually copying files via PC

If you have a computer, you can transfer the ringtones to Redmi 7 via the USB-This is a more reliable method than downloading directly to your phone, because it allows you to precisely control the location of files:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC via cable (select File Transfer mode in the notification curtain).
2. On your computer, open the phone folder (usually it appears as a removable disk).
3. Go to the root directory of internal memory (or SD-map).
4. Create a Ringtones folder (if you don’t have one).
5. Copy your audio files there (pre-rename them for convenience, for example, my_ringtone.mp3).
6. Disconnect the phone from the PC and restart it.

After the reboot, your tunes should appear in the list of Local Melodies in the settings.

• 🔄 Check that the files are not hidden (in the properties of the folder on the PC, turn off the display of hidden files).
• 📂 Make sure the folder is called Ringtones (without spaces or other characters).
• 🔊 Try to copy files to a folder Media/Audio/Ringtones (It’s an alternative path that sometimes works better).

Professional advice: If you change ringtones frequently, create a folder on your PC with your favorite tunes and sync it to your phone via Google Drive or Mi Cloud, so you can quickly update the list without connecting a cable.

Method 5: Install ringtones via ADB (for advanced users)

This method is suitable for those who are not afraid of the command line and want full control over system files. ADB (Android Debug Bridge) allows you to manually write the path to the ringtone, even if the standard methods do not work.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🎵 Audio file downloaded to the phone’s memory (e.g. en route) /sdcard/Download/my_ringtone.mp3).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line (or Terminal on Mac/Linux).
2. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
3. Copy the file to the system folder (root rights required): adb push /sdcard/Download/my_ringtone.mp3 /system/media/audio/ringtones/
4. Install the correct permissions: adb shell chmod 644 /system/media/audio/ringtones/my_ringtone.mp3
5. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

⚠️ Attention: this method requires an unlocked bootloader and root rights. Without them, the adb push command to the system folder will not work. It is also not recommended to change system files without a backup - this can lead to crashes.

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Use ADB only if other methods have not worked. For most users, methods 1-3 are sufficient.

Problem Solving: The ringtone is not installed or played

Sometimes, even after all the manipulations, the ringtone is not used or it is played with errors, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

If none of these methods worked, try:

• 🔄 Reset the sound settings: Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset the sound settings.
• 📱 Update firmware: sometimes bugs with ringtones are fixed in new versions MIUI.
• 🛠️ Install custom recovery (for example, TWRP) manually write paths to ringtones in the file media_profiles.xml.

Additional features: individual ringtones for contacts

Redmi 7 can assign unique tunes to individual contacts, which is convenient if you want to know who's calling without looking at the screen.

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Select the contact you want and click Edit (pencil icon).
3. Tapping on the item "Melody of the call" (or "Additional" → "Melody of the call" in some versions of MIUI).
4. Choose a tune from the standard list or Local tunes.
5. Save the changes.

If there is no Melody of the Call:

• 📱 Update the Contacts app via Google Play.
• 🔄 Try assigning a ringtone through Truecaller or another call app.
• 🛠️ Install an alternative dialer, such as Google Phone (it supports custom ringtones).

Lifehack: If you want a quiet melody for unknown numbers and a loud one for contacts, set the standard ringtone to a minimum in the sound settings, and for contacts, choose a loud melody through Contacts.

FAQ: Frequent questions about ringtones on Xiaomi Redmi 7