Personalizing a smartphone is not just a matter of aesthetics, it’s a way to make it truly your own. For owners of the Xiaomi Android ecosystem (including Redmi and POCO models), replacing the standard horn is often the first step to deep-tuning the system. Unlike many other manufacturers, the Chinese corporation uses its own MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, where multimedia algorithms have their own unique features.
Standard tunes preinstalled in the factory quickly get bored and merge with thousands of other devices in the subway or office. You may need to put your favorite track from the playlist to keep an important call, or use a specific notification sound for instant messengers. The process of uploading an audio file to the system requires understanding the Android file structure, since simply uploading to the Downloads folder often doesn’t work in the list of available calls.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to install ringtones on modern Xiaomi smartphones. We will consider working with a standard file manager, settings through the system audio menu and the nuances of working with the computer. SIM-We'll also focus on the frequent problems where music just doesn't show up on the list, and we'll offer workable solutions.
Preparation of audio file and file manager
Before you change the audio settings, you have to make sure that the audio file is in the right place. MIUI is quite demanding on access paths. Most often, users download music from the Internet or receive it through messengers, and the files are in disparate folders. For proper operation, the best way to move the desired track to the Ringtones system directory.
Xiaomi's smartphones use the File Manager app, which has a yellow icon with a folder, and if you're used to third-party solutions, you can use Google Files or Total Commander, but the standard tool has all the necessary permissions without additional permissions. Open the app and go to Audio or Music to find the downloaded file.
If the file is not found, check the folder where the browser saves data by default. MIUI/sound_recorder, If you're recording with a voice recorder, click on the file, select Copy or Move. Now you need to find the root folder of internal memory. Some versions of the shell have limited access to the root, so it's easier to search through files inside the conductor.
Where to look for hidden folders on Xiaomi?
The key is to create or choose the right directory. Android scans certain folders when you update the tone list. If you put a file in a random music folder, it can be defined as a track for a player, but it won't appear on the call list. So the target folder should be called Ringtones (for regular calls) or Notifications (for SMS and notifications).
☑️ Preparation of the file for installation
Installation of ringtones through system settings
The most reliable and official method of changing a tune on Xiaomi is to use the system settings menu, which ensures that the sound will stick to the profile and will not disappear after the reboot. First, open the Settings app (the gear icon) and find the Sound and Vibration section. In new versions of HyperOS, this item may be simply called Sound.
In the menu that opens, you'll see some options: Call Melody, Vibration, Notification Sound. We're interested in the first item. When you click on it, the system will suggest you choose a source. Here, it's important to understand the difference between Online Resources (themes) and Local Files. We need the second option. Click on the plus icon or the select melody from files button.
It'll open up a built-in audio player with access to the file system. Find a track you've prepared before. Once you've selected, the system will automatically copy the file to the system directory you want and apply it to, you'll hear a short preview version. If the volume seems too quiet, check the call volume slider at the top of the audio settings screen.
⚠️ Note: If you have selected a file but it does not appear in the list of available, try renaming it by removing Russian letters and special characters from the name.
It's important to note that you can set the volume for different types of events in the settings menu. Media, alarm and bell are different channels. Make sure that when you test a new ringtone, it's the volume of the call that's twisted, not the multimedia, and often users forget this and think that the file is not working, even though the corresponding channel is simply turned down.
Set up individual melodies for contacts
Personalizing calls from specific people is a very useful feature, which allows you to know who is calling you without taking your phone out of your pocket. On Redmi and Xiaomi smartphones, this is done through the standard "Contact" or "Phone" app. Open a contact list, find the right subscriber and click on his name.
In the contact card, find Melody (may be in a three-dot menu or a swipe down). The default is Default. Click on this item. It will open the same audio selection menu as the general settings. Select Add Melody and select a file from the device's memory.
Now, when that caller calls, you'll hear a unique sound, which works even if the phone is in No Sound mode, but the vibration is on for contacts (depending on the version of MIUI), and for important contacts, you can set the loudest and sharpest ringtone possible so that you don't miss the call in a noisy place.
| Type of setup | Where to find | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| The common melody | Settings → Sound | Low (baseline) |
| Contact | Annex Contacts | High (interrupts general) |
| Contact group | Not supported | - |
It's worth mentioning that linking a melody to a contact only works if the call comes from a number that's in memory, and if the person calls from another number, even if they're recorded under a different name, the standard melody will play, and the feature may not work for hidden numbers.
Features of installation on two SIM-cards
Most of the Xiaomi smartphones support two SIM-This creates a situation where you have to split calls from different numbers, like work and home. On the Sound and Vibration menu, you'll see two separate items: Call melody (SIM (1)” and “The ringing melody (SIM 2)".
The installation process is identical to the general call setup, but you need to apply it to each SIM card separately, so you can put a strict, quiet sound on the work number and fun music on the personal one, which helps you instantly respond to the call in a way that you can't look at the screen.
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Use different styles of music for different SIM cards, such as classics for work and rock for personal calls, this will create a stable audio anchor in the mind.
Some older versions of the shell had a bug where when you change the melody on one SIM card, it changes to the second, and if you're faced with this, try setting Silence on one of the cards first, then adjusting the desired melody to the second, and then returning the sound to the first. In current versions of MIUI 14 and HyperOS, this bug is fixed.
Also, look at the notification settings for SIM cards. SMS messages can also have different arrival sounds. This is configured in the Messages app through the settings menu, where you can select SIM 1 Notifications and SIM 2 Notifications independently of each other.
Use of the "Themes" application to download sounds
Xiaomi’s ecosystem has a powerful built-in Themes store. It’s not just wallpaper and icons, but also a huge database of ringtones. Many users ignore this resource, preferring to download music from the browser, but the theme store offers optimized, short and high-quality sounds, ideal for calls.
To use this method, open the Themes app. In the bottom bar, look for the Sounds tab (or Audio) and you can see a collection of free tunes, categorized as popular, classic, effects, nature, and you can listen to any track right in the app.
If you like the track, click the Download button (down arrow). Once you download it, it will change to Apply. The system will automatically install the selected audio file on the call, and the advantage of this method is that the file is already in the correct format and length, you don't need to edit or convert anything.
⚠️ Note: Themes app requires an internet connection and a Mi Account. In some regions, content may be restricted, in which case changing the region in your phone settings will help.
In addition, the theme store allows you to create your own ringtones from your music. In the "Mine" → "Audio" section, you can select a track from your phone's memory, trim it to the desired length (usually up to 30 seconds) and save it as a new ringtone. It's a built-in audio editor that eliminates the need to look for third-party programs to trim MP3.
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The theme store is the safest source of ringtones, as files are tested for viruses and system compatibility.
The solution: Why the ringtone doesn't work
Despite the simplicity of the process, users often face problems. The most common situation is that the file is selected, the settings are applied, but the call is played by a standard melody or silence. Most often the reason lies in the file format. Android natively supports MP3, M4A, OGG, WAV. Formats like FLAC or protected DRM tracks from streaming services will not work.
The second common problem is (access rights): Once you update the system, the Explorer or Music app may lose the memory reading permission. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps, find your player or explorer, go to Permissions, and make sure that Files and Media Content is allowed.
It's also worth checking Do Not Disturb. If it's active, the phone can block the sound from playing even if the ringtone is set correctly. In the Do Not Disturb settings, you can create exceptions for selected contacts, but globally the sound will be turned off.
If nothing works, try to clear the cache of the Themes or Sound app. Sometimes the system cache stores old data about the media library and does not see new files. Rebooting the phone after all the manipulations is also a must-have step for updating the media scanner system.