How to Put Your Melody on Xiaomi: From MIUI 12 to HyperOS

Are you tired of the standard Mi Mix or Redmi Note calls that sound like half of Xiaomi owners?Want to have your smartphone play your favorite song, meme sound or unique tune on incoming call?In this article, we will break down all the working ways to install custom ringtones on Xiaomi devices, including the latest versions of MIUI 14/15 and the new HyperOS firmware.

The manufacturer artificially limits the ability to add custom tunes through standard settings, but you can get around these restrictions in literally 5 minutes. We tested all methods on Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5 models - the instructions are relevant for 90% of the brand's devices. Important: some methods require developer rights or third-party applications, but we will explain each step in detail so that even a beginner can cope without risk.

Why is Xiaomi blocking the installation of its tunes?

Xiaomi has traditionally restricted users from customizing sounds for two reasons:

  • 📱 Brand uniformity – standard tunes (Mi Tune, Bamboo, Marimba) create a recognizable sound image of devices Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO.
  • 🛡️ Security – Restricting access to system folders (/system/media/audio/ringtones) Reduces the risk of file system damage by inexperienced users.
  • 💰 Monetization - in MIUI There are paid themes with exclusive sounds (for example, in Topics). → Sounds).

But it's easy to get around these limitations, and the key is to understand that since MIUI 14, Xiaomi has tightened the check on ringtones: they must now be.ogg or.m4a with a bit rate of no more than 192 kbps, or the system won't see them, and we've taken that into account in the instructions below.

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi) K70) The way to system sounds has changed. Use methods 2 or 3, they work consistently.

Method 1: Through the standard Themes app (without ROOT)

It's the easiest method, but it doesn't work on all firmware, and it's good for MIUI 12-15 and some versions of HyperOS.

  1. Download the melody in.mp3 or.m4a format (maximum 30 seconds, size up to 5 MB).
  2. Move the file to the Internal Storage → MIUI → ringtone folder (if you don’t have a folder, create it manually).
  3. Open Settings → Sound and vibration → Phone Sound.
  4. Your file will appear in the list – select it.

If the melody is not displayed:

  • 🔄 Reboot the phone.
  • 📁 Check that the file is located in the MIUI/ringtone, Not in Downloads or Music.
  • 🎵 Reconvert the file to.ogg via online services (e.g. Online-Convert).

File in.mp3/.m4a/.ogg| format

Size not exceeding 5 MB|

Duration up to 30 seconds |

The file is in the folder. MIUI/ringtone-->

Method 2: Through a file manager with access rights (for MIUI 14+)

Starting with MIUI 14, Xiaomi hid the folder /system/media/audio/ringtones But you can open it through a file manager with ROOT-access (e.g. Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer or using the ADB-team.

Instructions via Solid Explorer:

  1. Install Solid Explorer from Google Play.
  2. Turn on Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode).
  3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
  4. In Solid Explorer, click on three points → Root access → grant rights.
  5. Cross the path. /system/media/audio/ringtones and copy your file there (pre-rename it to Latin, for example, my_ringtone.ogg).
  6. Change the file permission to 644 (long press → Properties → Permissions).
  7. Reboot the phone.

If you don’t have a ROOT, use ADB:

adb shell


su




mount -o rw,remount /system




cp /sdcard/Download/my_ringtone.ogg /system/media/audio/ringtones/




chmod 644 /system/media/audio/ringtones/my_ringtone.ogg




mount -o ro,remount /system




exit




exit

⚠️ Note: Incorrectly changing files in /system This can lead to bootloop. If you're not sure what you're doing, use the method. 1 or 3.

What to do if your phone freezes after changes to /system?
If the device doesn’t turn on or reboots constantly after the reboot: 1. Press Power + Volume up to log into Recovery Mode. 2. Select Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data (this will reset the phone to factory settings). 3. If Recovery doesn’t work, you’ll need to flash through Fastboot (instructions for your model look at xiaomi.eu or 4PDA).

Method 3: Through the Ringtone Maker app (for beginners)

If the first two methods seem complicated, use third-party apps, the best option is Ringtone Maker from Big Bang Inc. (available on Google Play).

  • 🎵 Cut any song from your library.
  • 🔊 Convert to supported formats (.ogg,.m4a).
  • 📲 Automatically install ringtone in the system.

Step-by-step:

  1. Install the Ringtone Maker.
  2. Open the app and select a song from your phone’s memory.
  3. Cut the desired fragment (optimally - 15-30 seconds).
  4. Click Save and select Set as a ringtone.
  5. The application will automatically place the file in the correct folder and prompt you to select it in the audio settings.

The advantage of this method is not necessary. ROOT-right ADB. Cons: Some users complain about ads in the free version:

  • 🎶 Zedge – a huge library of ready-made ringtones and notifications.
  • 🔧 Ringdroid – open source software for creating tunes from audio files.

Through standard settings |

Through the file manager (ROOT/ADB) |

Through third-party applications |

I haven't tried it yet.-->

Compatibility table with MIUI/HyperOS versions

MethodMIUI 12–13MIUI 14HyperOSNeed a ROOT?
Standard settings ("Themes")✅ Yes.⚠️ Partially.❌ No.❌ No.
File Manager (Solid Explorer)✅ Yes.✅ Yes.✅ Yes.✅ Yes.
ADB-team✅ Yes.✅ Yes.✅ Yes.❌ No.
Ringtone Maker✅ Yes.✅ Yes.✅ Yes.❌ No.
Zedge (ready ringtones)✅ Yes.✅ Yes.✅ Yes.❌ No.

You can see from the table that the universal method for all versions is to use Ringtone Maker or Zedge, but if you want maximum customization (for example, setting ringtones for specific contacts), you will have to deal with ROOT or ADB.

💡

On HyperOS, the standard method through the MIUI/ringtone folder only works 30% of the time. Use Ringtone Maker or ADB for reliability.

How to set different tunes for different contacts?

Xiaomi allows you to assign unique ringtones for individual contacts, but with nuances:

  1. Open the Contacts app.
  2. Choose the right contact → Edit.
  3. Click on Call Sound (or Rington in newer versions).
  4. Your custom sound will appear on the list if it is set through Method 1 or 3.

If your tune is not listed on the list:

  • 🔄 Make sure the file is in the MIUI/ringtone ot /system/media/audio/ringtones (for MIUI 14+).
  • 📛 Check that the file name contains only Latin characters and numbers (e.g., Latin characters and numbers, ringtone_vanya.ogg, Not my tune.mp3).
  • 🔊 Try assigning a sound through Google Contacts (if you use a Google account).

On HyperOS, this functionality is crooked, sometimes assigned ringtones are reset after rebooting.

adb shell settings put system ringtone /system/media/audio/ringtones/my_ringtone.ogg

(substitute my_ringtone.ogg in the name of your file).

Frequent mistakes and how to fix them

Even infollowing simple instructions, users are having problems.-5 mistakes and their solutions:

  1. The melody is not displayed in the sound settings 🔹 File in the wrong folder → transfer MIUI/ringtone. 🔹 Inappropriate format → Convert to.ogg or.m4a. 🔹 It's too big. → trim 30 seconds.
  2. The sound plays, but is cropped or distorted 🔹 The bitrate problem → Use 128-192 kbps. 🔹 Stereo file → convert.

After rebooting, the ringtone is reset.

  • 🔹 On HyperOS, it's a bug. → set the melody through ADB (see above).
  • 🔹 folder MIUI/ringtone cleansed → Transfer the file to the /sdcard/Ringtones.
Why is my tune quieter than the standard one?
Xiaomi normalizes the volume of custom ringtones to increase the volume: 🔊 Increase the volume of the original file in the audio editor (e.g. Audacity). 📱 Turn on the sound and vibration in the settings → Media volume → Strengthen the ringtone (not available on all models). 🔧 Use the Volume Booster from Google Play (requires caution – can distort the sound).
How to put your tune on notifications?
The algorithm is the same, but you need to put the file in a folder. MIUI/notification (Create it if you don't. Then: Go to Settings. → Sound and vibration → Notifications. Select your file from the list. HyperOS also works. ADB-Adb shell settings put system notification_sound /system/media/audio/notifications/my_notification.ogg
Can I put a live sound (such as a voice recording) as a ringtone?
Yeah, but you gotta keep it in mind: 🎤 The recording must be in.ogg format or.m4a. 🔇 Remove background noise (use Audacity or Lexis Audio Editor). 📌 The optimal length is 5-15 seconds (otherwise it will be cut off) and the best way to do this is to write a clear beginning (e.g., "Hello, it's me!" instead of a long monologue).
Do these methods work at POCO?
Yes, POCO uses the same MIUI/HyperOS firmware, so all instructions are relevant. Except for the POCO Launcher models (e.g. POCO F6), where the path to system sounds may be different. In this case: Use Ringtone Maker or Zedge. Or check the path through adb shell ls /system/media/audio.