Xiaomi’s personalization begins with a unique soundtrack. Standard tunes preset by the manufacturer often seem boring or too loud for everyday use. Many users want to hear the song they associate with joy or important events, rather than a forced system track.
The process of replacing a standard signal with a Miui can seem confusing because of the features of the shell interface. Unlike pure Android, there are additional menu levels and specific volume settings. However, once you understand the structure, you can change ringtones in seconds in any situation.
In this article, we will go into detail about all the possible ways to download audio files, we will look at the options of installing through the built-in file manager, using a computer, and even installing a separate tune for a specific contact, which will allow you to fully control the audio settings of your device.
Audio file preparation and format requirements
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that your music file meets the technical requirements of the system. MIUI is quite loyal to formats, but to work properly, it is better to use universal coding standards. Most often, there are no problems with MP3, M4A or WAV files.
It is important to consider the length of the track if you plan to use it as a standard call. Too long songs can be cropped by the system or play incorrectly at the time of an incoming call. The optimal ringtone duration is 15 to 40 seconds.
⚠️ Attention: Files from DRM-security (for example, purchased from iTunes or taken from streaming services with offline mode) will not be installed on the call.
If your file is in cloud storage or messenger, it must first be saved in the memory of the device. Just open a track in Telegram or Yandex.Music and click "put on a call" is often not enough, since the source application can block access to the file for system services.
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For better sound quality, choose files with a bitrate of at least 192 kbit / s. Low quality will be noticeable on the speakers of Xiaomi flagship models.
Installation of ringtones through the Settings menu
The most obvious, but not always easy for beginners, way to do this is to use the system menu, and this is where the basic configuration of the audio profiles takes place, so to get to the right section, open the Settings app and look for Sound and Vibration.
Within this section, you'll see several subsections that handle different types of notifications, which allows you to flexibly adjust the volume and type of signal for each event, and this allows you to create a unique alert scheme.
- 🎵 Rington: the main sound of an incoming call for a SIM card.
- 🔔 Notifications: Short signals from applications and system services.
- 💬 Sound. SMS: separate setting for text messages.
- ⏰ Alarm clock: a tune that will wake you up in the morning.
Clicking on any of these items will get you into the list of available tracks. At the top of the list are usually standard Xiaomi tunes. To select your song, you need to scroll down the list and click on the plus icon or the "Select local ringtone" button.
Once you select a file from the list, it will automatically apply to the selected event type. If you use two SIM cards, the system will prompt you to choose which card (SIM 1 or SIM 2) the new sound will be installed for, which makes it easy to distinguish calls from different numbers.
Using a file manager for quick installation
A faster way, which is used by experienced owners of Redmi and Poco, involves direct interaction with the file system. Standard Files Explorer (or Explorer) allows you to control audio without deep immersion in the settings of the phone.
Open the Files app and go to Music category or find the folder where your track was uploaded (usually the Download or Music folder) and click on the file to open it in the system player.
Path to folder: Internal memory → Music → My dadIn the player interface or in the three-dot menu (usually in the corner of the screen), find the option "Use as" or "Install as". The system will offer options for the use of the file. Select "Call Melody", and the setting will be applied instantly.
☑️ Pre-installing check
This method is especially convenient when you downloaded the track directly in the browser and it is saved in the download. You do not need to copy it to special system folders, MIUI will find the path to the file.
Configure via computer and connect via USB
If you have a large collection of music on your computer, it's best to just drop files right through the cable. Connect your smartphone to your PC in file transfer mode (MTP), and you'll see a request for permission to access data on your phone screen, confirm it.
You'll have a new device in My Computer. Open up your phone's internal memory. For ease of navigation, create a new folder called Ringtones or Music at the root of your internal memory. Copy your audio files there.
| Type of folder | Appointment | Visibility on the menu |
|---|---|---|
| Ringtones | For incoming calls. | On the ringtones list. |
| Notifications | For annex notifications | In the notification list |
| Alarms | For the alarm clock. | On the alarm clock list. |
| Music | General music | In a media player |
Once you copy the files, turn off the cable. Go to the audio settings, and you'll see that the new tracks are already displayed in the list of available ones. The system automatically scans the media library when the file structure changes.
What to do if your computer can’t see your phone?
Using special folders like Ringtones allows you to structure your storage, which is especially useful if you change your phone’s design frequently and want to keep your call collection in order.
Individual settings for contacts
One of the most useful features in Xiaomi is the ability to assign a unique tune to a particular subscriber, which allows you to know who is calling you without taking your phone out of your pocket.
To do this, open the Contacts or Phone app. Find the right person on the list and open their card. Click on the "More" button (three dots) or immediately find "Call melody."
In the list that opens, select "Your ringtone" and find the file you want in your memory. Now, when that person calls, you'll hear the song you've chosen, even if the rest of the calls are running a standard tone.
⚠️ Note: If you reset your contact settings or move them through SIM-Map, customized tune settings may be lost. Save contacts in your Google or Mi Cloud account.
This also works for messages, so you can set up a message from your boss with one sound and a friend with another, which increases productivity and helps you prioritize responses.
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Individual tunes only work if the contact is stored in the phone’s memory or synchronized account, but not on the phone. SIM-map.
Resolving Sound Problems on Xiaomi
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the set melody is not playing or playing very quietly. Often the problem lies in the volume settings of the media, not the call. In MIUI, these parameters are separated.
Check if Do Not Disturb or Silent Mode is on, and make sure the file is intact. Try playing it through any music player. If there's no sound anywhere, the file is broken.
- 🔇 Check Profiles: Make sure the General profile is active, not No Sound".
- 📉 Volume: Press volume buttons and expand the menu to check the level of "Call".
- 🎧 Bluetooth: Make sure your phone is not connected to wireless headphones that are in another room.
If the problem persists after the reboot, try clearing the Topic or Sounds app cache if you have one on the system. Sometimes temporary interface files interfere with the correct display of the track list.