How to change the ringtone on Android Xiaomi: all ways

Changing the standard ringtone on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that every user faces after buying a device. Even the flagship Redmi, POCO or Black Shark models come with a limited set of ringtone ringtone that quickly swells. Fortunately, the MIUI system offers several ways to personalize the soundtrack, from choosing built-in tunes to installing your own audio files.

In this article, we will look at all the current methods: through standard settings, with the file manager, and solutions for cases when new ringtones are not used or reset after a reboot. We will focus on the features of different versions of MIUI (12 to 14) and models with a HyperOS shell, where the interface may differ. If you want to stand out from other subscribers or are just tired of factory sound, read on.

Method 1: Change the melody through standard settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It is suitable for all modern Xiaomi smartphones, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Xiaomi 13. The main advantage of this method is that you do not need to install third-party applications or copy files manually.

To change the ringtone:

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
2. Go to the section Sound and vibration.
3. Select the Melody of the Call (or the Sound of Notifications if you need to change the SMS signal).
4. In the list that opens, tap on your favorite melody - it will be played automatically.
5. Confirm the choice with the OK or Ready button (depending on the MIUI version).

In MIUI 14 and HyperOS, the interface may be slightly different: instead of a separate item called "Call Melody," you'll see the Call, Notification and Alarm tabs, and there's also a feature called adaptive sounds that automatically adjusts the ringtone volume to the noise level in the room.

There are both classic signals (Call 1 by default) and more modern songs (Energy, Horizon), but there are limited numbers, usually no more than 15-20 options. If you want something unique, move on to the next way.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) A2 or POCO M5) After upgrading to HyperOS, you may lose the ability to select custom ringtones, in which case resetting the sound settings to Settings will help. → Annexes → Application management → Settings (three points) → Resetting settings.

Method 2: Install custom melody from files

If you don’t like the built-in ringtones, you can download your own audio files. MIUI supports.mp3,.m4a,.wav and.ogg formats, but there are limits on duration (usually up to 30 seconds) and file size (no more than 5 MB).

Instructions for adding a custom ringtone:

1. Download your favorite tune to your phone (for example, from Zedge sites or from the Internet). Mobile9) Or move it from the PC through USB-cable.
2. Place the file in one of the folders: 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Ringtones/ — ring-melodies; 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Notifications/ — notice-in; 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Alarms/ — alarm-box.

Restart the device (required! otherwise the file may not appear in the list).

Settings → Sound and vibration → Melody of the call

If Ringtones, Notifications, or Alarms folders are not available, create them manually through any file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager or Total Commander).

File format: MP3, M4A, WAV or OGG|

Duration - no more than 30 seconds |

Bitrate - 128-192 kbit/s|

File is placed in Ringtones/Notifications| folder

The device is restarted after adding a file

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Some firmware (especially custom ones like Pixel Experience or LineageOS) may require additional permission to read files.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Settings (or Sounds) app and open its permissions.
3. Activate access to Warehouse and Media Files.

To install the ringtone through Zedge:

1. Download and install the app from Google Play.
2. Launch Zedge and allow access to the storage.
3. Select the Ringtones tab and find your favorite tune (you can use search or filters by genre).
4. Slip on the track, listen to it and tap Set as ringtone.
5. Confirm the choice in the system window (MIUI settings will open).

Zedge has the advantage of regularly updating the library and being able to download ringtones in high quality, but please note that some tunes may be copyrighted, so use them only for personal use.

⚠️ Note: Apps like Ringtone Maker require permission to record audio. If the sound gets distorted or interrupted after installing the ringtone, check if the antivirus (such as Mi Security) is blocking access. → Confidentiality → Special permits.

Method 4: Set up individual tunes for contacts

V MIUI You can assign unique ringtones to individual subscribers, and that's convenient if you want to know who's calling right away, whether it's a boss, a relative, or a spammer. SMS-notice.

To set a personal melody:

1. Open the Contacts (or Phone) application.
2. Find the right contact and tap on it.
3. In the upper right corner, click Edit (pencil icon).
4. Scroll down to the ringtone block (or notification sound).
5. Select a standard tune or click Add to upload your file.
6. Save the changes.

If you want a quiet tune for all unidentified numbers, and a loud one for important contacts, use the group ringtones function:

1. In the Contacts app, create a group (e.g., “Family” or “Work”).
2. Add the right contacts to it.
3. Go to the group settings → ringtone and select the common ringtone.

Xiaomi has HyperOS, which allows you to assign vibration patterns to your contacts, which is useful if your phone is often silent.

1. Open the contact and go to edit.
2. Select Vibration (near the ringtone).
3. Create your pattern or choose from the ones suggested (e.g. Heartbeat, Morse).

💡

If you miss important calls often, set a melody to those contacts at a gradually increasing volume. Zedge has a special category called "Increasing Ringtones."

Challenges and solutions

Sometimes, after a ringtone change, it's not applied or reset to a standard one. Let's look at the typical errors and how to fix them.

If none of these methods worked, try resetting the sound settings:

1. Go to Settings → System and device → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset sound and vibration settings.
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

Xiaomi smartphones with a MediaTek processor (such as the Redmi 10C or POCO M4 Pro) may have a bug that doesn’t show custom ringtones in the list. Solution: copy the file not only to /Ringtones/, but also to /MIUI/ringtone/ – this folder is the first thing the system checks.

Features for different Xiaomi models

The interface and the ability to customize sounds may vary depending on the model and version of the firmware.

• 📱 Redmi Note 11/12, POCO X4/X5: Full support for custom ringtones, there are adaptive sounds in MIUI 13/14. HyperOS has a function Sound scenes (automatic switching of melodies depending on the location).
• 📱 Xiaomi 13/14, Mix Fold 2/3: Spatial sound support for ringtones (requires headphones with ringtones) LDAC). In the sound settings there is a separate section Dynamic sound.
• 📱 Redmi A1/A2, POCO M5/M5s: Cut-down settings — you can't install custom ringtones without third-party apps.Solution: Use Files by Google to copy files to a hidden folder /MIUI/ringtone/.
• 📱 Black Shark 5/6: Game mode blocks ringtones from changing during the session. To change the tune, turn off the mode in the notification curtain.

On devices with HyperOS (for example, Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70) there is a new section Sound effects, where you can configure:

• 🔊 Equalizer for ringtones (high/low frequency amplification);
• 🎛 Adaptive volume (automatic adjustment depending on ambient noise);
• 🔔 Vibrational melodies (creating custom patterns).

If your model doesn’t support custom ringtones, try circumventing the restriction with the Ringtone Changer app or Custom Ringtone Maker. They create “wraps” for audio files that the system perceives as standard.

Additional tips for personalizing sound

Changing the ringtone is just part of the way you can customize the sound on Xiaomi, and here are some more useful features:

• 🎶 Musical Notifications: In Settings → Sound and vibration → Notifications can be enabled to play short tunes for different types of alerts (SMS, mail, messengers).
• 🔕 Scheduled Quiet Mode: Automatic nighttime sound shutdown (configured in Settings) → Sound and vibration → Don't disturb).
• 📳 Vibration on call: On HyperOS models, you can adjust the vibration intensity separately for calls and notifications.
• 🔊 Sound amplification: In the engineering menu (#4636##) there is an option Audio → Volume, where you can increase the ringtone volume above the standard limit.

For minimalists, there's a function of monochrome sounds, which is to replace all signals with single beeps.

1. Settings → Special features → Sound → Monochrome sounds.

If you travel frequently, consider the option of automatically switching audio profiles based on location, such as:

• 🏠 Homes: Loud ringtone + vibration;
• 🏢 At work: Only vibration;
• 🚗 In the car: Maximum volume + Bluetooth speakers.

To do this, use the Mi Automation app (pre-installed on most devices) or MacroDroid from Google Play.

💡

On Xiaomi smartphones with stereo speakers (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi K60 Pro), ringtones are played in surround sound. To assess the effect, include the Stereo speaker option in Settings → Sound and Vibration → Speakers.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the ringtone to Xiaomi