How to change the ringtone on Xiaomi smartphone: all ways

Changing the standard tune to Xiaomi is one of the first things a new smartphone owner wants to do. Even the most advanced models like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra or the budget Redmi Note 13 come with a set of template ringtones that get boring quickly, but not everyone knows that in addition to the standard ways through customization, you can set custom tunes, use files from cloud storage, or even create unique sounds through special applications.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of changing the ringtone on Xiaomi, from basic replacement through the settings menu to advanced tricks using the file manager and third-party utilities. Particular attention will be paid to the typical problems: why the melody is not saved, how to circumvent the MIUI limitations on sound duration and what to do if user ringtones disappear after the system update. All instructions are tested on the latest versions of MIUI firmware 14/15 and are relevant for models from 2020 to 2026.

Method 1: Standard Replacement through Phone Settings

The simplest method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones, from the POCO M6 Pro to the flagship Xiaomi 13T. It does not require additional applications or technical skills.

Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen) and go to the Sounds and Vibrations section. Here you'll see a few tabs, but we're interested in Call Melody. Click on it and you'll see a list of available ringtones, broken down into categories: standard, downloaded and system. Choose your favorite tune and confirm the choice with the OK button.

• 🎵 Standard tunes – preset sounds from Xiaomi (usually 10-15 variants).
• 📥 Downloaded – Ringtones you have added manually (more on this below).
• 🔊 Systemic – the sounds of notifications, alarms and other events.

Note: In some versions of MIUI (e.g. Redmi 12), the list of tunes may not be immediately displayed. If the screen loads for a long time, try restarting settings or clearing the Settings app cache through Settings → Applications → Application Management.

Method 2: Install custom melody from a file

If you don't like standard ringtones, you can use any audio file from your phone, the main condition is that the file must be in.mp3,.m4a or.ogg format, and its duration should not exceed 30 seconds (otherwise the system will cut the melody automatically).

To set the custom ringtone:

1. Download or transfer the audio file to your phone (for example, to the Music or Ringtones folder).
2. Open Settings → Sounds and vibration → Call melody.
3. In the upper right corner, click on the + icon (or Add in older versions of MIUI).
4. Select a file from the device memory and confirm the choice.

If the + buttons are not, then your version of MIUI does not support direct import.

Download the melody in MP3 format (max. 30 seconds)

Transfer the file to the Ringtones folder on the internal drive

Rename the file in Latin (without spaces and symbols)

Reboot your phone if the melody doesn’t show up

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Tip: Use apps like Ringtone Maker or MP3 Cutter to cut out the desired fragment and save it to the Ringtones folder immediately.

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If the melody doesn't appear in the list after adding, check if the file is in the Ringtones root folder (without nested directories). MIUI sometimes doesn't see the files in the subfolders.

Method 3: Using Third-Party Applications

For those who want more options than MIUI offers, specialized applications are suitable.

• 🎼 Zedge is the largest database of ringtones, notification sounds and wallpaper. There is a Russian-language interface and categorization by genre.
• 🔊 Ringtone Maker – a utility for cropping tracks and creating unique melodies from your music.
• 🎵 MP3 Cutter and Ringtone Maker – allows you to cut snippets of songs with millisecond accuracy.

To install the ringtone through Zedge:

1. Download the app from Google Play and open it.
2. Select the Ringtones section and find your favorite tune.
3. Click on it and select Set as a ringtone.
4. Confirm permissions (access to storage and sound settings).

Zedge has the advantage of regularly updating the base and being able to download tunes without registering, but some sounds can be labeled as premium (subscription required).

Method 4: Set up different tunes for different contacts

The custom ringtones feature is useful if you want to know who is calling you without looking at the screen, for example, you can assign one tune to your family, another to your work, and a third to your friends.

1. Open the Contacts app and select the contact you want.
2. Click Edit (pencil icon).
3. Scroll down to the Melody of the Call (or Call Sound in newer versions).
4. Choose a tune from the list or add your own.
5. Save the changes.

Limitations:

• 🚫 It does not work for numbers not saved in the phone book.
• 🔕 If the contact has multiple numbers, the melody will apply to all.
• 📱 In some models (for example, POCO X5) The feature is only available for contacts synchronized with a Google account.

If the individual melody doesn’t work, check:

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 14+ There is a bug that causes custom contact ringtones to reset after rebooting. To fix this, turn off battery optimization for the Contacts app in auto-start settings.

Solving the problems with changing the melody

Sometimes users are faced with the fact that the new melody is not saved, disappears after a reboot or does not play.

If none of the methods helped, try resetting the sound settings to the factory:

1. Go to Settings → System and device → Resetting.
2. Select Resetting Sound Settings (not to be confused with a full reset!).
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

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Before resetting your sound settings, record the current tunes and volume levels – they will return to default values.

Additional features: vibration and LED-indication

On Xiaomi, you can not only change the melody, but also customize the accompanying effects:

• 📳 Vibration when calling - in Settings → Sounds and vibrations → Vibration when calling you can choose one of 10+ templates or create your own rhythm.
• 💡 LED-indicator - on models with LED (for example, Xiaomi) 12T) In the same menu, the color of flashing is available.
• 🔕 Scheduled Quiet Mode – automatically turns off the sound at a given time (useful for sleep or work).

To create a custom rhythm of vibration:

1. Go to Settings → Special features → Vibration and tactile sensations.
2. Choose to create a rhythm of vibration.
3. Record the sequence of vibrations by pressing the screen.
4. Save and assign for calls or notifications.

Some models (e.g. POCO F5) have Adaptive Sound, which automatically adjusts the ringtone volume based on indoor noise levels. To enable it, go to Settings → Sounds and Vibrations → Adaptive Sound.

Tips for choosing a melody

Choosing a ringtone is a matter of taste, but there are some practical recommendations:

• 🎧 Loudness and clarity - the melody should be heard well in noisy environments. Avoid quiet or too bass tracks.
• ⏱️ Length is the optimal length of 15 to 25 seconds. Ringtones are too long to annoy others.
• 🎼 Recognition — pick a tune that you immediately identify as your own. Popular hits don't fit.
• 🔊 Format —.mp3 128-192 kbps bitrate will provide good quality without excess file weight.

Popular sources for downloading ringtones:

• 🌐 Zedge is the largest database with regular updates.
• 🎵 Mob.org – Ringtones based on popular songs (legal remixes).
• 🎼 MyInstants – Short Sound Memes and Effects.

If you want to create a ringtone from your music, use services like MP3Cut or AudioToolkit, which allow you to crop a track online without installing programs.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the tune to Xiaomi