You downloaded a new ringtone for Xiaomi, but you're not sure what it sounds like? Or you want to check the tune before you set it up for a call? Unlike an iPhone or Samsung, where listening is available right on the selection menu, on smartphones with MIUI, this process may not seem obvious, especially if you're first encountering Xiaomi's firmware.
In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to listen to the ringtone on Xiaomi, from standard features to little-known life hacks. Instructions are suitable for all modern models: Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5/X5, Xiaomi 13/14 and even outdated devices on MIUI 10-14.
Method 1: Listening through the standard “Sounds” menu
The most obvious, but not always the most effective, method is to use a built-in settings menu, which is suitable if the ringtone is already loaded into the phone's memory (in the Ringtones or Notifications folder).
- Open the Settings. → Sound and vibration.
- Select the phone sound (for the ringtone) or the notification sound.
- In the list of available ringtones, tap the desired file - it will start playing automatically.
Problem: If the file doesn't appear in the list, it's in the wrong folder. MIUI scans only the standard directories: /storage/emulated/0/Ringtones/ and /storage/emulated/0/Notifications/. Move your ringtone there and restart the phone.
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If the ringtone is not playing, check its format. MIUI supports only.mp3,.m4a and.ogg..wav or.flac files may not work.
Method 2: Using a File Manager
If the ringtone doesn't appear in the audio settings, you can listen to it directly through any file manager, like the standard Files from Xiaomi or Solid Explorer.
- Open the file manager and go to the folder where the ringtone is stored (usually Downloads or Music).
- Find the desired file and tap it – the built-in player will open.
- For convenience, add the file to the Ringtones folder (create it manually if it is not available).
Important: if after moving the ringtone still does not appear in the settings, check if the file is hidden. MIUI Sometimes a bug occurs when files with a dot at the beginning of a name (for example, a file with a dot at the beginning of a name,.my_ringtone.mp3) Rename the file, remove the dot.
Why is the ringtone not played in the file manager?
Method 3: Listening through the Music app
MIUI has a standard Music (note icon) app that can play not only songs but also short audio files, which is convenient if you want to compare several ringtones before choosing:
- 📁 Open the Music app and go to the Playlists section → Local music.
- 🔍 In the search bar, enter the name of the ringtone or its format (for example,.mp3).
- ▶️ You can tap the file to play it, and you can play it again to listen to the melody several times.
The advantage of this method is that you can add a ringtone to your favorites so you can quickly find it later, and there's an equalizer in the Music app that you can adjust the sound to before you set the call.
Downloading from the Internet.|I use standard tunes. MIUI|I'm making it myself in an audio editor.|I'll take it from my favorite songs.|Another option-->
Method 4: Hidden MIUI function - Test mode of sounds
Few people know, but MIUI has a hidden sound testing mode where you can listen to all system tunes, including ringtones and notifications, without installing them.
- Open the Phone app and type the combination: ##6484## (code for the multimedia test).
- In the menu, select Audio → Ring Tone.
- Listen to available tunes using play buttons.
Limitation: This mode only displays standard MIUI ringtones. User files are not available here. But you can test how system tunes sound on your speaker - this is useful if you choose between multiple defaults.
Download file in MP3 or M4A|Rename without special characters (e.g., "ringtone1.mp3")|Transfer to Ringtones|Reboot phone (if not displayed)|Check volume in audio settings-->
Method 5: Listening through third-party applications
If the standard methods don't work, third-party tools will come to the rescue, and we tested a few applications and selected the most reliable ones.
| Annex | Functions | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ringtone Maker | Editing and listening to ringtones | You can cut the melody, adjust the volume. | Advertising in the free version |
| Zedge | Catalogue of ringtones with listening | Large base of melodies, no need to download | Registration is required for some functions |
| MP3 Cutter | Audio listening and cropping | Supports all formats, a simple interface | There is no built-in ringtone catalogue |
The most convenient option is Zedge, where you can listen to a ringtone right in the app without downloading it to your phone, and if you want to create a unique tune, Ringtone Maker will allow you to crop your favorite song and save it as a ringtone.
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The app side is useful if you change ringtones a lot or want to edit them before installing, but standard MIUI tools are enough for a one-time listen.
Why the ringtone doesn't play: 4 frequent problems and solutions
Sometimes users find that the ringtone is either not played in the settings or not installed on the call, and here are the most common reasons and ways to eliminate them:
⚠️ Warning: If the phone vibrates after setting the ringtone but there is no sound, check whether Do Not Disturb or Quiet in the notification curtain is activated.
- 🚫 The file is corrupted or in an unsupported format. Solution: download the ringtone again in the format MP3 bitrate not higher than 320 kbit/s.
- 📂 The file is in the wrong folder. /Ringtones/ or /Notifications/ and reboot the phone.
- 🔇 Limitations MIUI Solution: install the ringtone through a third-party application (e.g. Ringtone Maker).
- 🔄 Media cache not updated Solution: Clear the Music and Settings app cache in the App menu.
If nothing works, try resetting your audio settings to standard. Go to Settings → System → Settings → Reset → Reset the audio settings. This will return all system melodies to factory values, but will not delete your user files.
How to listen to ringtones on Xiaomi without installation: life hack with Google Drive
Let's say you find a ringtone on the Internet, but you don't want to download it to your phone to check it out.
- Download the ringtone file to Google Drive from your computer or phone.
- Open the file in the Google Drive mobile app.
- Tap three points next to the file and select Open with → Music.
- Listen to the melody and if you like it, download it to the device.
This is a handy method if you're looking for a ringtone on your computer and you want to hear it on your phone's speakers first, and you can also share tunes with friends -- just send them a link to a file in Google Drive.
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If you download ringtones frequently, create a separate Ringtones folder on Google Drive and add it to your favorites, so you can quickly access your tunes from any device.