How to Put Your Music on an Alarm in Xiaomi Redmi 7: 3 Ways to Work

Waking up to your favorite tune makes the morning feel better, but the standard alarm clock in Xiaomi Redmi 7 quickly tires. Fortunately, a smartphone based on MIUI allows you to set your own audio files as an alarm clock — you just need to know where to look for settings and how to circumvent the limitations of the system. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways, from simply selecting a track from your phone’s memory to bypassing locks through the file system.

The peculiarity of Redmi 7 (codenamed onc) is that depending on the version of MIUI (10, 11 or 12), the alarm clock interface may differ. We have tested all methods on Global Stable and EEA firmware, so the instructions will suit most users. If your smartphone is running on custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), some steps may require adaptation.

Preparation: What audio files supports the Redmi 7 alarm

Before you upload music to the alarm clock, make sure your file meets the MIUI specifications.

• 🎵 MP3 — The most universal format recommended for alarm clocks (bitrate up to 320 kbit / s).
• 🎵 M4A (AAC) — It is suitable for files from iTunes or Apple Music.
• 🎵 WAV — without compression, but takes up a lot of space (better to avoid).
• 🎵 FLAC — It is supported but can be reproduced with delay.

The optimal time for the alarm clock is 10 to 60 seconds. Long compositions may be cropped or played off the start. Also note the volume: if the file is written too quiet, the alarm clock may not wake up. Check the sound level in any audio player before downloading.

⚠️ Attention: Files from DRM-protection (for example, downloaded from Spotify or Yandex Music in offline mode) will not play on the alarm.

If your file is not supported, convert it with free services like Audio-Converter or MediaHuman Audio Converter. For Redmi 7, MP3, 192-320 kbps, 44.1 kHz is ideal.

Method 1: Install music through the standard “Clock” app

The easiest method is to use the built-in Clock app, which works on all versions of MIUI for Redmi 7, but has a limitation: you can only select files that the system recognizes as "melodies." Here's how to do this:

1. Open the Clock app (icon with dial).
2. Go to the Alarming Sign (bell icon at the bottom).
3. Click on + or select an existing alarm clock to edit.
4. Slap the Alarm Sound (or Melody in English version) on the field.
5. In the list that opens, select Add New or Add.
6. The system will suggest you select a file from Ringtones, Notifications or Music folders. Go to Music and find the track you want.

If your file doesn't appear in the list, it's in the wrong folder or in an incompatible format. MIUI scans only the /storage/emulated/0/Music/ and /storage/emulated/0/Ringtones/ folders - move your track there before selecting.

Transfer the file to the Music or Ringtones folder|Check the format (MP3/M4A)|Make sure that the duration does not exceed 1 minute|Check the volume of playback-->

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 12 and later, the system may not show files with Cyrillic names or special characters (e.g.

After selecting a track, save the alarm clock and test it by pressing the pre-listening button (the speaker icon).If the sound is not playing, try restarting the phone or using alternative methods from the following sections.

Method 2: Using a file manager for manual installation

If the standard method didn't work, you can manually copy the file to the system folder with the tunes, which requires access to the file system, but doesn't need root rights. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Connect Redmi 7 to your computer via USB in file transfer mode (MTP).
2. On your computer, open the phone folder and go along the way: Internal Drive → Media → Audio → alarms If there is no audio or alarms folder – create them manually.
3. Copy your audio file into the alarms folder. The file name should be in Latin (e.g. morning.mp3).
4. Disconnect the phone from the computer and restart it.
5. Open the Watch → Alarm app and select your file in the list of tunes.

This method works because MIUI scans the /sdcard/Media/audio/alarms folder when you boot the system. If the file doesn't appear in the list after you restart, check:

• 📁 Correctness of the path (letter register is important!).
• 🔊 File format (only) MP3/M4A).
• 📛 File name (without spaces and special characters).

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If the Media folder is not visible, turn on the display of hidden files in the file manager settings (in MI File Manager this is the option "Show hidden files").

Alternatively, use the file manager directly on your phone (e.g. MI File Manager or Solid Explorer):

1. Open the file manager and go to the root folder (/storage/emulated/0/).
2. Create a Media/audio/alarms path (if not).
3. Find your audio file in your phone’s memory, hold it and choose Copy.
4. Go to the created folder alarms and paste the file.
5. Reboot the phone.

Method 3: Alarm apps with their music

If system methods don't work, install a third-party alarm app that doesn't depend on MIUI limitations and allows you to choose any audio files.

• 🔔 Sleep as Android – Supports playlists, smart wake-up and Spotify integration.
• 🔔 Alarmy – a strict alarm clock with tasks to turn off (for example, scan) QR-code).
• 🔔 Timely – beautiful interface and cloud synchronization.
• 🔔 MacroDroid – for advanced users (you can configure music playback through macros).

Let’s look at the example of Sleep as Android:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and provide all the permissions you request (memory, microphone, etc.).
3. Go to Settings → The sound of the alarm clock.
4. Select Music and specify the folder with your tracks.
5. Create a new alarm clock and select the desired composition.

The advantage of third-party alarms is flexibility, for example, in Sleep as Android you can:

• 🎶 Install a playlist instead of a single track.
• 📈 Set up a gradual increase in volume.
• 🌙 Use sleep tracking to wake you up to the optimal phase.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Alarmy) may conflict with the system alarm. Once installed, turn off the standard alarm clock in the Watch to avoid double-triggering.

Problem Solving: Why Music Is Not Played

If the alarm clock is silent or plays a standard signal after all the manipulations, check the following points:

Pay special attention to battery settings. MIUI has activated aggressive optimization by default, which can put the Watch app to sleep.

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Optimization.
2. Find the Clock and select No Limits.
3. Do the same for a third-party alarm clock (if you use it).

Another common problem is the conflict with the Do Not Disturb regime.

1. Open the settings → Sound → Do not disturb.
2. Make sure alarms are allowed in this mode (allow alarm clocks option).
3. If you use a schedule for Do Not Disturb, add an exception for alarm clocks.

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Always check your alarm manually before going to bed: run the test trigger (the pre-listening button) and make sure the sound is played back.

Additional chips: how to make the alarm clock smarter

The standard alarm clock in Redmi 7 supports several hidden features that will make waking up more comfortable:

• 🌅 Gradual Volume Increase: In the alarm settings, turn on the Gradual Volume Increase option.
• 🔄 Repeat in 10 minutes: activate Snooze to remind the alarm clock of itself again.
• 📊 Smart Awakening: In MIUI 12+ There is a function Smart alarm clock, which will select the optimal time to wake up in the phase of light sleep (you need to carry the phone next to you while sleeping).

For automation enthusiasts, you can configure a macro through the MacroDroid app:

1. Install MacroDroid from Google Play.
2. Create a new macro with a time trigger (set the right hour).
3. Add the Play audio action and specify the path to your file.
4. Save the macro and provide all permissions.

This approach allows you to play a random track from a playlist, for example, or run music along with lights on (if you have Xiaomi Yeelight smart bulbs).

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To prevent the alarm from disturbing others, connect to Redmi 7 Bluetooth-column and select it as the output device in the alarm settings.

Frequent questions and answers