How to install a ringtone Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: 5 working ways

Why can’t the Redmi Note 7 change the tune?

You downloaded a new song, you want to make it a ringtone on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7, but the phone stubbornly ignores your attempts? The problem is familiar to many owners of smartphones on MIUI — the standard interface Xiaomi sometimes hides the audio settings in non-obvious menus or limits the choice of tunes. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to install the ringtone, including bypassing the limitations of the system.

The main reasons why you can’t change the tune:

• 🔍 The ringtone file is in the wrong folder (MIUI he only looks for sounds in /MIUI/ringtone/ or /Ringtones/).
• 🎵 The file format is not supported (needed) MP3, M4A or WAV bitrate).
• 📱 Firmware limitations: on some versions MIUI 10-12 no button "Select a melody" in the settings.
• 🔒 Access Rights: The Music app or file manager does not have permission to read folders.

We tested all methods on the Redmi Note 7 with MIUI 11-14 firmware (including the global and Chinese versions). If your phone is upgraded to HyperOS, some of the steps may differ, we will warn you about this separately.

Method 1: Install ringtones through standard MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use built-in MIUI tools. It works on most firmware versions, but may not be available on custom builds or Chinese ROMs.

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the section Sound and vibration.
3. Slap on the call melody item.
4. In the list that opens, select Local Music (if there is no item, see spoiler below).
5. Click on the desired track from the list of available files.

MIUI only shows files from /MIUI/ringtone/, /Ringtones/ and /Notifications/. If your tune is in a different directory (like Download), it won't be visible!

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI 12.5 for Redmi Note 7, the Local Music item only appears after the phone is restarted. Try turning the device off and on if you don't find the option.

Method 2: Install ringtones through the Music app

The built-in Mi Music player (or Google Play Music, if installed) allows you to assign tracks as a ringtone directly from the playback interface, a method that works even on older versions of MIUI.

Instructions:

1. Open the Music app and find the track you want to make a ringtone.
2. Click on the three dots next to the song title (or tap on the album cover).
3. In the menu, select Set as a ringtone (or Use as a melody).
4. Confirm the choice in the window that appears.

If the "Set as ringtone" item is not:

• 🔄 Update the Mi Music app through the Play Market.
• 📁 Move the track to the folder /MIUI/ringtone/ (see method 3).
• 🛠️ Install an alternative player (for example, VLC Poweramp, which supports this function.

💡

If you are using Google Play Music, make sure the track is downloaded to the device before installing the ringtone (not streaming). To do this, open the library and check the download icon next to the song.

Method 3: Manually copying a file to a system folder

If the first two methods didn't work, the most reliable way is to manually put the file into a folder that MIUI scans for ringtones, which works on all versions of MIUI, including HyperOS.

A critical nuance for Redmi Note 7 is that the folder should be called "Ringtones" (without quotes), not "Ringtones" or "Melodies." The system ignores folders with Cyrillic names!

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC or open a file manager (such as Mi File Explorer).
2. Create a Ringtones folder at the root of internal memory (near DCIM, Download, etc.)
3. Put your file in it (for example, my_ringtone.mp3).
4. Reboot the phone.
5. Go to Settings → Sound and Vibration → Call melody – your ringtone should appear on the list.

⚠️ Note: If the ringtone does not appear in the settings after copying the file, check: 📌 The Ringtones folder is created at the root of the memory, not inside another folder (for example, the Ringtones folder is created at the root of the memory, Music/Ringtones). 🔄 Reboot the phone — MIUI scans media files at launch. 🛡️ Give permission to access the memory to the file manager (Settings) → Annexes → Permits).

Method 4: Using Third-Party Applications

If the standard methods don't work, you can install ringtone through specialized programs. We tested 3 applications that are guaranteed to work on the Redmi Note 7:

• 🎼 Zedge – the largest database of ringtones and notifications with the ability to crop tracks.
• 🔊 Ringtone Maker – Allows you to create ringtones from any audio file.
• 📱 Files by Google – file manager with ringtones assignment function.

Instructions for Zedge:

1. Install an app from the Play Market.
2. Find your favorite tune in the Ringtones category.
3. Slip along the track and select Set as ringtone.
4. Confirm the installation in the window that appears.

For Ringtone Maker:

1. Open the app and select an audio file from your phone’s memory.
2. Cut the track (recommended length is 20-30 seconds).
3. Press Save and select Set as ringtone.

💡

The side of the app bypasses the MIUI restrictions, but requires additional permissions (access to memory, microphone to record your tunes).

Method 5: Assigning a ringtone via ADB (for advanced users)

If you're familiar with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can set the ringtone through the command line, which is useful if MIUI blocks changes in sounds at the system level.

Instructions:

1. Enable USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put system ringtone /storage/emulated/0/Ringtones/your_ringtone.mp3 Replace. your_ringtone.mp3 in the name of your file.
3. Reboot the phone.

To reset the ringtone to the standard use:

adb shell settings put system ringtone content://settings/system/ringtone

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Do not change other system settings through this utility unless you are sure of their purpose.

Problem Solving: The ringtone is not installed or played

If the ringtone doesn’t work after all the manipulations, check the following points:

If the problem persists:

• 🔄 Reset the sound settings to standard (Settings) → System system → Resetting settings → Reset the sound settings).
• 📱 Check your phone for viruses – some malware blocks the change in system sounds.
• 🛠️ Install custom recovery (for example, TWRP) manually replace system sounds (for experienced users only!).

FAQ: Frequent questions about ringtones on Redmi Note 7