Smartphone personalization is not just a whim, but a way to instantly identify an incoming call in a noisy environment. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices often face a limited selection of standard tunes in the MIUI system. Fortunately, the Chinese manufacturer's shell makes it easy to replace boring sounds with favorite tracks or even record voice messages.
The installation process can vary depending on the version of the Android operating system and the interface modification. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways, from the standard settings menu to the use of specialized applications. You will learn to create unique calls for different contacts and groups, turning your gadget into a truly individual device.
You'll need the audio file to get started, which can be downloaded from the Internet, downloaded through a streaming service, or transferred from a computer, and it's important that the file format is supported by the system, although modern versions of MIUI work perfectly with popular codecs. Let's look at how to prepare and install music correctly.
Audio file preparation and compatible formats
Before you start settings, you need to make sure that your music file is ready to work. Android system based on MIUI supports most common formats, but for stable operation it is better to use standards. Most users choose MP3, as this format provides good quality with a relatively small file size.
However, if you are an audiophile, you may notice support for other codecs, and the system has no problem recognizing and playing files in WAV, OGG and AAC formats. that too long tracks (longer than 30-40 seconds) can be incorrectly cropped by the system or create inconvenience when listening to Caller ID by the interlocutor.
⚠️ Note: Avoid using files from DRM-protection (digital rights) downloaded from paid subscriptions of streaming services, such files are often not played as system sounds due to license restrictions.
For comfortable use, we recommend cutting the track in advance. You can only leave the brightest moment of a song or chorus. There are online services and editorial applications for this, which we will talk about below. The main thing is to save the cropped file in the memory of the device so that the system can find it.
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Save the ringtones to a separate folder, like Ringtones, at the root of the internal memory, which will help the system index the file faster, and it will immediately appear in the list of available tunes.
Installation of the melody through standard settings
The easiest and most reliable way to replace the sound of a call is to use the phone’s built-in menu, which requires no third-party software installation and works on all models, from budget Redmi to flagship Xiaomi. The algorithm of actions is intuitive, but has its own nuances in different versions of the firmware.
To start, open the Settings app. Find the Sound and Vibration section. In some versions of MIUI, this item may be simply called "Sounds." Here you'll see "Call Melody" or "Rington," and clicking on it will put you on the list of available system sounds.
To add your track, scroll down the list. There should be a "Select Rington from Memory" button or a "+" icon. The system will offer you a file manager to select the audio, and once you select the track, it will automatically become the main sound of the incoming call.
If you don't see the file you want, check the permissions. Themes or system player must have permission to read the device's memory. Without that, the system simply won't see your music files, even if they're in the right folder.
Using the Themes app to create ringtones
Xiaomi has a powerful built-in tool called Themes, which is not only for changing designs, but also for working with sounds, and the built-in editor allows you to create a ringtone from any song in your smartphone’s memory without having to search for online services.
Launch the Themes app and go to the user profile (human icon). Select Ringtones. Here you will see the "Create a ringtone" button. The system will prompt you to select an audio file from memory. After selecting, a handy editor with a visual sound wave will open.
You can move sliders by choosing the beginning and end of a piece. Fade in/Fade out is available, making the call more pleasant to hear. Once set up, click Save, give the file a name, and it will automatically apply or be saved to the library.
- 🎵 Ability to accurately trim the track to milliseconds.
- 🔊 Built-in effects of smooth sound appearance and attenuation.
- 💾 Automatic saving to the system folder of ringtones.
- 🎨 Possibility to set different sounds for different contacts directly from the editor.
This method is particularly convenient because it does not require internet after downloading a song, all manipulations occur locally on the device, and the created ringtones sync with your Mi Account account, if the appropriate option is enabled.
The Secret Function of the Editor
Set up individual calls for contacts
One of the most useful features is the ability to assign unique tunes to specific people, which allows you to know who's calling you without taking your phone out of your pocket, and this is especially true for important contacts that you can't miss.
There are several ways to do this. The fastest way is through the Contacts app, find the right subscriber in the list, open their card and click Change, or find Call Melody, where you can select a track from memory that will only sound when that person calls.
An alternative way is through Settings -> Sound and Vibration -> Advanced Settings. In some versions of MIUI, there's a call for individual contacts. Select a subscriber from the list and provide a personal audio file for them.
| Method of setting up | Advantages | Deficiencies | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through the contact card | Quick, available immediately. | You need to set up for each individually. | Low. |
| Through the sound settings | Central management | The menu can be hidden in different versions. | Medium |
| Through the Topics app | Additional effects of sound | Requires the launch of an extra application | Medium |
| Through third-party applications | Flexible group management | Requires software installation | Tall. |
Remember that for contact groups (like Family or Work), customizing a call is also possible, but it often depends on how your phone book (Google or Mi Cloud) is synced.
How to Put Music on Notifications and Alarms
Changing the ringtone is just the beginning. For complete comfort, personalize the notification sounds from Viber, Telegram, WhatsApp and SMS. The principle is similar, but the paths to settings are different. For system notifications (SMS), the path is in Settings -> Sound and vibration -> Notification Sound.
For instant messengers, the logic is different. You have to go into the settings of the app itself. For example, in Telegram, it's Settings -> Notifications and Sounds -> Sound. Here you select Add Sound and specify the file in memory. Importantly, some instant messengers may require that the file be in a folder or in a certain format.
The alarm clock is even easier. Open the Clock app, select a specific alarm clock, and click on Sound. You can pick a track from your phone's memory, which is a great way to wake up to your favorite song, not an annoying squeak.
☑️ Checklist of notification settings
Note that in Do Not Disturb or Sleep mode, some sounds may be forced to turn off. Check these modes in the audio settings to ensure you don't miss an important message, even if your favorite tune is on it.
Working with the file system and searching for tracks
Sometimes users have a problem: the file is downloaded, but it's not in the audio settings, and it's due to the Android file system, it only scans certain directories, and if you downloaded music to Download, it may not appear in the ringtones list.
The solution is to move the file. Use the Files Explorer built-in (or Explorer depending on the MIUI version). Find the downloaded track, click More -> Move, and select internal memory. Create a folder called Ringtones (for calls) or Notifications (for notifications) at the root of the memory and place the file there.
Once moved, it is recommended to restart the device, which will force the Android media service to re-scan the storage and index new audio files, and once turned on, they are guaranteed to appear in the selection lists.
⚠️ Note: Do not use Cyrillic characters in file names if you plan to transfer your phone to another OS or sync with some cloud services.
Also, remember access rights: When you first run a Explorer or Theme app, the system will ask permission to access memory. Without the right to Allow File Management (or similar in newer versions of Android), the program will not be able to see your music files.
Frequent problems and their solution
Even following the instructions, you can run into difficulties. One of the most common is the quiet sound of the ringtone, even when the volume is turned to maximum. This may be due to the peculiarities of the file encoding. If the tracks are too quiet, they should be pre-processed in an audio editor, zooming (gain).
Another problem is resetting after rebooting, which happens if the file is deleted or moved after installation, make sure the original file is not lost, and check if you have Pocket Mode or accessories that can block the sound.
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If the ringtone is not working, check if the silent mode is turned on for a specific ringtone. SIM-cards in dual-SIM settings, as Xiaomi allows you to customize sounds separately for each SIM.
In rare cases, cleaning the cache of the Themes or Sound app helps. Go to Settings -> Apps -> All Apps, find the system app responsible for sounds, and click Clear Cache. This won't delete your files, but will reset indexing errors.