How to download and install ringtone on Xiaomi: all working ways

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO MIUI-based smartphones allow you to set your own tunes for calls, notifications and alarms. However, standard shell tools often limit users: you can’t just download MP3 from the Internet and assign it to a ringtone. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to download and install tunes, from built-in functions to bypassing restrictions through third-party apps and PCs.

The thing about MIUI is that it defaults to the /system/media/audio folder, which stores the standard ringtones, but that doesn't mean you have to settle for default sounds, but we'll show you how to add any song in.mp3,.m4a or.ogg formats, even if it lasts longer than 30 seconds, and we'll also explain why some files don't show up in the tune list and how to fix it.

If you want to not only download but also create a unique ringtone from your favorite song, there is a manual at the end of this article on how to crop tracks directly on your phone, and we've collected answers to common questions, from the difference between the ringtone and the notification signal to solving the problem when the downloaded melody "disappears" after the reboot.

1. Standard method: through MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use built-in shell tools, which are suitable for short files (up to 30 seconds) in.mp3 or.m4a formats that are already in the phone’s memory.

Open the Files by Google app (or standard file by Google) MI File Manager) and find a folder of your music. With a long tap, highlight the track, then press "More" (three dots) → «Set up how» → «The system will automatically trim the file to 30 seconds and add it to the list of available tunes.

Limitations of the method:

• 🔹 It only works with files up to 30 seconds long (long tracks are cut automatically).
• 🔹 Not all formats are supported – for example,.wav or.flac may not show up.
• 🔹 The melody is tied to a specific contact or global settings, but not to notification groups.

If the file you want isn’t listed, check its format and length, and make sure the file isn’t DRM-protected (for example, downloaded from Apple Music or Spotify, which you can’t use).

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To quickly find a folder with ringtones, type in the file manager search for media/audio. System melodies are stored in /system/media/audio/ringtones, and custom ones are stored in /storage/emulated/0/media/audio/ringtones.

2. Download ringtones through Zedge and other apps

If you don't want to mess around with file trimming, use specialized services. The most popular app is Zedge, where you can download free ringtones, notification signals and wallpaper for Xiaomi.

How to install ringtone through Zedge:

1. Download Zedge from Google Play.
2. Open the app and select the Ringtones section.
3. Find your favorite melody (you can filter by genre: movies, games, natural sounds).
4. Click on the track → “Download” → “Install as a ringtone”.

The advantages of Zedge:

• 🎵 More than 1 million free tunes for every taste.
• 🔄 Automatic pruning up to 30 seconds (but you can download the full version).
• 📱 Support MIUI — The application integrates correctly with the sound settings.

Alternatives to Zedge:

• 🎶 Ringtone Maker – to trim their tracks.
• 🔔 Notification Sounds – specializes in notification signals.
• 🎼 MP3 Cutter and Ringtone Maker – if you need to cut a snippet from a song.

3. Copying ringtones from PC to Xiaomi

If you have a collection of tunes on your computer, you can transfer them to your smartphone via cable or cloud, a method that works for files of any size and format, but requires manual placement in the correct folder.

Instructions for transfer via USB:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your PC via USB-cable (select File Transfer mode in the notification curtain).
2. On your computer, open the phone folder and go along the way: Internal Drive → Media → Audio → Ringtones If there is no Audio or Ringtones folder, create them manually.
3. Copy the files you need to file in Ringtones (.mp3,.m4a,.ogg,.wav formats are supported).
4. Disconnect the phone from your PC and restart it (sometimes no new ringtones are displayed without a reboot).
5. Go to Settings → Sound → Phone Rington – your files should appear in the list.

Important nuances:

• 📁 The Ringtones folder should be right on the way. Media/Audio/. If you put files in the root of memory or in Download, they will not be available as ringtones.
• 🔊 The file name should not contain Cyrillic or special characters (for example, my ringtond.mp3 better to rename ringtone1.mp3).
• 🔄 If the melody does not appear after copying, check if the system files are hidden in the file manager settings.

File name in Latin | MP3/M4A/OGG| Length up to 30 seconds (optional) | Media/Audio/Ringtones folder

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An alternative way is to upload files to Google Drive or Telegram and then download them directly to your phone to the folder you want.

1. Upload the melody to Google Drive from PC.
2. Open the Drive on your phone, find the file and click “Download”.
3. Move the downloaded file to Media/Audio/Ringtones via the file manager.

4. Use of a file manager with root rights (for advanced)

If your Xiaomi has an unlocked bootloader and root rights, you can replace the system ringtones or add your own directly to the secure /system/media/audio folder.This method is risky (may cause crashes), but gives you complete control over the system sounds.

Step-by-step:

1. Install a root-enabled file manager, such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer.
2. Go to /system/media/audio/ringtones
3. Copy your files into this folder (make sure the names don’t match your existing system ringtones).
4. Change the file access permissions to 644 (rw-r----).
5. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Incorrectly changing files in the folder /system This can cause a cyclic reboot or sound failure.Before editing, back up the original ringtones (copy them elsewhere).

Advantages of the method:

• 🔧 Full control of system sounds (you can even replace the alarm clock melody).
• 📛 Melodies will be available even after resetting settings (if not formatted) /system).

Disadvantages:

• 🛠 Requires root rights, which deprives of warranties and increases the risk of failure.
• 🔄 After updating MIUI System ringtones can be reset.

5.Shot song clipping under ringtone on phone

If you want a specific part of a song (like a chorus), you can cut it straight to Xiaomi without a computer, and you can do it with apps like Ringtone Maker or MP3 Cutter.

How to cut the track in Ringtone Maker:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Select a song from your phone's memory.
3. Drag the sliders to mark the beginning and end of the fragment (optimally 20-30 seconds).
4. Click Save and select Set as a ringtone.

Trimming tips:

• 🎶 For ringtones, choose a dynamic fragment (for example, the beginning of the chorus).
• 🔊 Check the volume – quiet tracks may be hard to hear in noisy environments.
• 📏 Optimal length – 15–30 seconds (long ringtones are annoying and take up a lot of space).

If you want to create a ringtone from YouTube videos, download the audio first through a service like YTMP3, and then clip it in Ringtone Maker.

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Trimming a track for up to 30 seconds not only saves space, but also speeds up the loading of the ringtone when an incoming call is made. Long files can cause sound delays on weak smartphones (such as the Redmi 9A or POCO C31).

6 Problem Solving: The ringtone is not installed or disappears

Sometimes users find that the downloaded melody does not appear in the settings or resets after a reboot. Let's consider the typical causes and ways to eliminate them.

Problem 1: The file is not visible in the ringtones list

• 🔍 Reason: The file is in the wrong folder or has the wrong format.
• 🛠 Solution: Move it to Media/Audio/Ringtones Check the extension (should be.mp3 or.m4a).

Problem 2: Ringtones reset after MIUI update

• 🔍 Reason: Update resets settings or overwrites folder Media/Audio.
• 🛠 Solution: Re-copy files to the folder and restart the phone. If the problem recurs, use the root method (section 4).

Problem 3: The melody plays with a delay

• 🔍 Reason: File is too large (such as a high quality.wav) or phone is weak.
• 🛠 Solution: Convert the file to.mp3 with a bitrate of 128-192 kbit / s via an online converter.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note) 10 pro POCO X3 Pro after updating to MIUI 14 file's missing Media/Audio In this case, use Total Commander with the option "Show hidden files" enabled».

Table of format compatibility:

FAQ: Frequent questions about ringtones on Xiaomi