The ringtone on Xiaomi is not just a beep, itβs part of your daily comfort. Standard MIUI calls get boring quickly, and finding the right sound can become a real problem if you donβt know where to look. In this article, weβll look at all the current ways to download and install tunes on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, from built-in tools to third-party applications, including bypassing system constraints.
Itβs important to understand that the process depends on the firmware version: MIUI 12-14 algorithms differ, and some methods (such as downloading through File Manager) may not work on new versions due to changes in security policy. We tested each method on current devices β from the budget Redmi 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra β to ensure that the instructions work.
If youβre looking for a unique melody (like a song or voice recording), thereβs a section on creating custom calls using free tools, and weβll also explore the nuances of working with file formats β why.mp3 might not play, and.m4a or.ogg might be the best choice.
1. Download the call through the built-in MIUI tools
The safest and easiest way is to use the standard features of the system, and MIUI has a built-in catalog of tunes that many users overlook.
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to the section Sound and vibration.
- Choose the ringing melody.
- Click on the + icon (or Add in older versions).
Here you will see a list of preinstalled calls, as well as the option to Download (not available on all devices). If the button is not available, then your version of MIUI does not support it, move to the next method.
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In MIUI 14, the Download button can be hidden behind a long tap on any standard tune. Try holding your finger on the bell for 2-3 seconds.
Please note the limitations:
- π File length: The system can cut off tunes longer than 30 seconds.
- π Format: only supported.mp3,.m4a,.ogg and.wav (but not all codecs).
- π± Memory: Uploaded files are saved to /MIUI/ringtone/ And they take up space in the internal vault.
β οΈ Note: On certain devices (e.g, POCO F5) post-update MIUI 14.0.5, the built-in directory of the bells may disappear. This is a firmware bug, the solution is described in the section on resetting the audio settings.
2. Download call from official Xiaomi theme store
Few people know, but MIUI Themes has a section with tunes that can be downloaded for free, which works on all devices, including the Redmi Note 12 and Xiaomi 13T, but requires authorization to the Mi Account.
Instructions:
- Open the Themes app (if not, download it from Google Play).
- Go to the Sounds section (bottom of the screen).
- Select the category of the ringtone.
- Listen to your favorite call and click Apply.
Advantages of the method:
- π΅ Great selection: more than 1000 tunes on different subjects (classics, electronic music, natural sounds).
- π Automatic installation: no need to manually copy files.
- π Free: All calls from the official catalog are available without purchases.
Disadvantages:
- π Regional restrictions: in some countries (e.g. Europe) the sound section may be empty.
- π₯ File weight: Some tunes weigh up to 5MB, which is critical for devices with low memory capacity.
3. Installation of the call through the file manager
If you've already downloaded a tune to a computer or other smartphone, you can transfer it to Xiaomi manually, which is universal and works even on MIUI for POCO, where standard options are often disabled.
Step-by-step:
- Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB-cable (select File Transfer Mode).
- Copy the audio file to /MIUI/ringtone/ (if not, create it manually).
- Turn off the device and go to Settings β Sounds and vibrations β Call melody.
- Your call will appear on the Locals list.
Alternatively, use the built-in file manager:
- π Open the Files app.
- π Find the downloaded audio file (for example, in Downloads).
- π Keep your finger on the file. β More. β Move it.
- π Select a folder. /MIUI/ringtone/ and confirm.
β οΈ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 Android 13+ folder /MIUI/ringtone/ To see it, turn on the hidden files in the file manager settings (Three dots) β Settings β Show hidden files).
| File format | Support for MIUI | Max. Duration. | Recommended bitrate |
|---|---|---|---|
| .mp3 | β Yes. | 30 seconds. | 128β192 kbps |
| .m4a | β Yes (better for iOS adapters) | 45 seconds | 256 kbps |
| .ogg | β Yeah (lower weight) | 60 seconds. | 96-160 kbit/s |
| .wav | β οΈ Partially (depends on the codec) | 20 seconds | 1411 kbps (CD-quality) |
4.Use of third-party applications for calls
If the built-in methods don't work, specialized applications will come to the rescue. 10 popular programs and selected the top-3, That is guaranteed to work on Xiaomi:
1. Zedge (Google Play)
- πΆ Pros: more than 1 million tunes, weekly updates, support.mp3 and.m4a.
- β οΈ Cons: advertising, some calls paid.
2. Ringtone Maker (to create custom tunes)
- βοΈ Allows you to cut any audio file to the desired length.
- π Supports volume normalization (important for quiet calls).
3. Audiko (web service + application)
- π Available via browser (no need to install).
- π Search by song and film.
Download the app from Google Play| Register (optional)| Select "Ringtones" | Press "Set as ringtone" after download | Check the sound in the settings-->
One important thing to note is that once you have installed a call through a third-party app, be sure to check it in your settings. Sometimes MIUI resets the choice to the standard tune after you reboot.
- Go to Settings β Applications β Application Management.
- Find the application that installed the call (e.g., Zedge).
- Select Permissions and enable System Settings Change.
5.Creating a custom bell from your music
If you want to use a snippet from a favorite song or a voice record as a ringer, you'll need an audio editor. We recommend two options:
Method 1: Through the Ringtone Maker app
- Download the app from Google Play.
- Select an audio file from the device memory.
- Cut the fragment (optimally - 15-25 seconds).
- Press Save as Ringtone.
Method 2: Through PC (for better quality)
- π§ Use Audacity (Free Editor) to trim and normalize sound.
- π€ Save the file in format.m4a bitrate 192 kbit/s.
- π± Transfer the file to the folder /MIUI/ringtone/ smartphone.
Critical information: If the call is not played, check its bitrate. MIUI blocks files with a bitrate above 320 kbps due to the limitations of the processor on budget models (for example, Redmi A2 or POCO M5).
Why is my call quiet?
6. Problem Solving: The call is not installed or is not playing
If after all the manipulations the melody does not appear in the list or does not play, use this instruction:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The call is not displayed in the settings | Wrong folder or format | Transfer the file to /MIUI/ringtone/ and convert it to.m4a |
| The sound is interrupted or distorted | High bitrate or corrupted file | Resave a file with a bitrate of 128-192 kbit / s |
| After resetting, it is reset to standard | MIUI restrictions for third-party applications | Give the application permission to change system settings (see section 4) |
| No sound on the incoming call. | Disabled profile sound or firmware bug | Check Settings β Sounds β Sound Profile (should be General) |
For devices with MIUI 14 and later, there is an additional caveat: the system can block user calls due to security policies.
- Go to Settings β Special features β Sound enhancements.
- Turn off the Noise Filter option when calling.
- Reset the device.
β οΈ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13 Pro after updating to MIUI 14.0.6 file goes missing /MIUI/ringtone/. In this case, create it manually through the file manager with root rights or use the application. FX File Explorer (enable superuser mode).
7. Alternative ways: Cloud services and ADB
If standard methods don't work, try advanced ones. They take longer, but they guarantee results.
Method 1: Google Drive or Yandex.Disk
- π€ Upload the audio file to the cloud.
- π₯ Download it to your smartphone via browser.
- π Move to the /MIUI/ringtone/ (see section 3).
Method 2: Use of ADB (for power users)
If you have access to ADB, you can set up a call with the command:
adb push C:\path\to\your\ringtone.m4a /sdcard/MIUI/ringtone/
adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.MEDIA_SCANNER_SCAN_FILE -d file:///sdcard/MIUI/ringtone/ringtone.m4aThis method works even on locked devices (for example, Xiaomiβs enterprise smartphones with restrictions).
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On devices with MIUI Global Stable (e.g. Redmi Note 11), the /MIUI/ringtone/ folder may be called /MIUI/sound/ringtone/. Always check the path through the file manager.