Are you tired of the standard ringtones on your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO and want to install your favorite song? In this article, we will look at all the current ways to do it on smartphones with a MIUI 14/13/12 shell — from simple settings to bypassing system restrictions. The problem is that the manufacturer artificially blocks the installation of custom ringtones longer than 30 seconds or in the wrong format.
We tested each method on Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5 models, all of which work on current firmware versions, and you'll learn how to convert any song to a ringtone without loss of quality, where the system tunes are stored, and how to bypass the MIUI limit on track duration, and why some files don't appear in the selection list and how to fix it.
Why Xiaomi is restricting the installation of custom ringtones?
The manufacturer has a reason to impose restrictions, and here are the main reasons:
- 🔊 Optimizing energy consumption: long audio files in format.mp3 or.m4a high-bitrate increases the load on the processor when playing, which affects battery life.
- 📱 Stability of the system: MIUI Tests only standard tunes, so user files can cause conflicts with system sounds (alarm clock, notifications).
- 🎵 License Restrictions: Some Xiaomi models (especially for the global market) have pre-installed licensed ringtones, and replacing them with pirated content may violate the terms of use.
- 📁 Storage Fragmentation: If you allow installation of any files, the system folder /system/media/audio/ringtones clutter.
But these restrictions are easily circumvented by legal means, such as converting tracks to a supported format or using third-party apps, and the key is not to infringe copyright when choosing music.
Method 1: Installation via the standard Music app (for MIUI 14/13)
This is the easiest method, but it only works with files up to 30 seconds long and in.mp3,.m4a,.ogg formats. If your track meets these criteria, follow the instructions:
- Place the audio file in the phone’s memory (for example, in the Music or Ringtones folder).
- Open the Music app** (the note icon on the desktop).
- Find your track in the library and tap it for playback.
- In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) Select "Install as a ringtone»**.
- Select the type: “Call Melody”, “Notification Sound” or “Alarm Signal”.
If there is no "Set as a ringtone" item, then the file does not meet the MIUI requirements. In this case, use Method 2 or 3 of this article.
File length ≤30 seconds|
Format: MP3, M4A or OGG|
Bitrate ≤192 kbps|
The file is in the Music or Ringtones folder.-->
Method 2: Manual copying to system folder (for power users)
This method circumvents the length limit, but requires root rights or ADB. If you don’t have root rights, skip this section and go to Method 3.
Xiaomi system ringtones are stored along the way:
/system/media/audio/ringtones/To add your file to it:
- Connect your phone to your PC and enable USB debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap the version number, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers).
- Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive on your PC.
- Open the command line in the adb.exe folder and do:
adb push C:\path\to your file.mp3 /sdcard/
adb shell
su
mount -o rw,remount /system
cp /sdcard/your file.mp3 /system/media/audio/ringtones/
chmod 644 /system/media/audio/ringtones/your file.mp3
mount -o ro,remount /system
exit
exitAfter the phone reboots, your track will appear in the list of standard ringtones.Warning: wrong actions with system folders can lead to crashes!
What to do if you don’t have root rights?
⚠️ Warning: Changing system files without a backup can lead to loss of warranty and unstable phone operation.Before experimenting, create a backup via Settings → System system → Backup.
Method 3: Using third-party applications (without root)
If the first two methods don't work, install one of the proven ringtone management apps.
| Annex | Support for MIUI | Max. Track length. | Formats | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zedge | ✅ Complete. | No restrictions. | MP3, M4A, WAV | Large library of ready-made ringtones, but there is advertising |
| Ringtone Maker | ✅ Complete. | No restrictions. | MP3, WAV, OGG | Built-in editor for cutting tracks |
| MP3 Cutter and Ringtone Maker | ✅ Complete. | 60 seconds. | MP3, AAC, WAV | Simple interface, support for fade-in/fade-out |
| AudioMP3 Cutter | ⚠️ Partial | 90 seconds | MP3, M4A | Sometimes it doesn't save changes to MIUI 14. |
How to install ringtone through Zedge (for example):
- Download the app from Google Play.
- Open it and allow access to the storage.
- Go to the Ringtones tab and select a category (or upload your file via My Sounds).
💡
If the app doesn't see your files, move them to the Zedge folder on the internal drive. Also make sure the files aren't hidden (the name doesn't start with a dot).
Method 4: Track trimming through online services (for long songs)
If your favorite song is longer than 30 seconds, but you don’t want to install additional apps, use online audio clipping services.
- 🎛️ MP3Cut — format MP3, WAV, OGG, allows you to cut the fragment and add the effect of attenuation.
- ✂️ Audio Trimmer – Simple interface, export MP3 or M4A.
- 🎧 Kapwing – supports cloud storage, you can download files from Google Drive.
How to cut tracks in MP3Cut:
- Go to the site and download your audio file (maximum size – 50 MB).
- Select a fragment up to 30 seconds long (for MIUI) with sliders.
- Click "Cut" and download the result.
- Place the cropped file in the Ringtones folder on your phone.
- Set it through “Settings → Sounds and Vibrations → Call Melody”**.
For best results, choose the most memorable snippet of the song (chorus or instrumental introduction). Avoid quiet areas - they may not be heard when you call.
💡
The optimal ringtone length for Xiaomi is 15-25 seconds. Longer tracks can be cropped when playing or cause delays when calling.
Method 5: Using a file manager with access to system folders
If you don’t have root rights, but want to place the ringtone in the “right” folder, use a file manager with advanced rights, such as Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer. These applications can work with system directories through ADB without full root.
Instructions for Solid Explorer:
- Install the app from Google Play.
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command:
adb shell pm grant pl.solidexplorer2 android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS- In Solid Explorer settings, enable “Show system files”** (Settings → Display → Show hidden files).
This method works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices with MIUI 12 and later. If the ringtones folder is not created, check the permissions through ADB:
adb shell chmod 777 /storage/emulated/0/media/audio/ringtonesProblem Solving: Why is my ringtone not set?
If you follow all the instructions but the track does not appear in the selection list, check out these points:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The file is not displayed in the settings | Incorrect format or bitrate | Convert to MP3 with a bitrate of 128-192 kbps |
| Rington is cut off when playing | File longer than 30 seconds (MIUI restriction) | Cut the track to 25 seconds or use Method 2/5 |
| No sound when you ring. | The file is corrupted or has DRM-defense | Save the file through the audio editor |
| The app doesn't see files | Files in cloud storage or on SD-map | Copy files into internal memory |
| After rebooting, the ringtone is reset. | MIUI cache error | Clear the cache of the Settings app → Apps → Music → Storage |
If the problem persists, try resetting the sound settings:
- Select "Resetting the sound settings"**.
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models for China (with firmware) CN) Installation of custom ringtones can be completely blocked at the system level, in which case only reflashing to the global version will help. MIUI.