How to Put a Rington on Xiaomi: 5 Proven Ways to Get a MIUI 14/15

Installing a customized ringtone on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge faced by every second MIUI device owner. Despite its apparent simplicity, the process has nuances, from the limitations of audio file formats to hidden settings in the firmware. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways – from standard tools to circumventing system restrictions for Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 13 and others.

Many users mistakenly believe that to change the tune, you just need to download MP3 and select it in the settings. In practice, MIUI 14/15 blocks the use of files longer than 30 seconds and with a bitrate higher than 192 kbit / s, which leads to errors such as "File is not supported." We will show how to circumvent these restrictions without root rights using both built-in functions and third-party utilities.

We will focus on the problems that are common in the latest firmware versions: why custom ringtones disappear after an update, how to return factory tunes if they are missing from the menu, and what to do if the phone does not see the downloaded files. All instructions were tested on current models from 2023-2026.

1. Standard method: through MIUI settings

The most obvious method is to use the built-in MIUI functionality, which is suitable for most models, including the Redmi 10C, POCO F4 and Mi 11 Lite, but has file format limitations.

Open the Settings app and go to the Sound and Vibration section. Here, select the Melody of the Call. The system will offer a list of standard ringtones, as well as the option Local Melodies, which allows you to add your own files.

• 📁 Ringtones folder: files should be in /storage/emulated/0/Ringtones/ (Create a folder manually if it is not available). MIUI automatically scans the directory.
• 🎵 Supported formats:.mp3,.m4a,.wav (but not all codecs!) Maximum duration is 30 seconds.
• 🔄 List Update: If the file doesn’t appear, restart the phone or use the Update button in the top right corner of the tunes menu.

Important nuance: MIUI caches a list of ringtones if you have replaced a file with the same name (e.g, my_ringtone.mp3), The system may show the old version, in which case rename the file or clear the Settings cache through Settings. → Annexes → Application management.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 14 Global) Local Melodies may not be available, due to regional restrictions, so change your phone region to India in the settings → Region.

Download the melody in MP3 format (bitrate up to 192 kbit / s)

Cut the file to 30 seconds (use Audacity or online services)

Rename the file in Latin (without spaces and special characters)

Place the file in the /Ringtones/ folder

Reboot the phone.-->

2.Using the MIUI file manager

If the standard method didn’t work, try adding ringtone through the built-in Explorer, which is especially useful for models with customized firmware where local tunes are not available.

Open the Files app and go to the Audio section. Find the file you want, click on it and hold your finger, then select More → Set as → Call Melody. The system automatically copies the file to the Ringtones folder and makes it available in the settings.

• 📂 Alternative folders: If Ringtones doesn't work, try Notifications (for notifications) or Alarms (for alarm clocks).
• 🔍 File Search: Use the Explorer search bar if you can’t find the downloaded melody.
• 📱 For POCO: on some devices POCO You must first allow access to files in the Files application settings.

If the option is set as missing, it means that the file does not meet the requirements of MIUI.

Bitrate: ≤192 kbit/s


Sample rate: 44.1 kHz




Channels: mono or stereo

⚠️ Attention: On firmware MIUI For example, in Russia (Redmi Note 11 Pro)+ 5G) If you have a copying error that says "No access", try using a third-party file manager (e.g. Solid Explorer).

Standard settings of MIUI

File manager

Third-party annexes

Ruth methods

I don't change my ringtone.-->

3 Third-party apps: Zedge, Ringtone Maker

When the built-in tools fail, Google Play apps come to the rescue, with Zedge and Ringtone Maker being the most popular. Not only do they provide a library of tunes, but they also allow you to crop tracks, adjust volume, and even create ringtones from videos.

Zedge specializes in free ringtones and wallpaper.

1. Open the app and select the Ringtones section.
2. Find your favorite tune and click Download.
3. After downloading, tap Set and select the Call Melody.

The application will automatically place the file in the correct folder and update the list in the MIUI settings.

Ringtone Maker is useful if you want to create a ringtone from your music:

• 🎶 Select a track from your phone’s memory.
• 📏 Cut the desired fragment (up to 30 seconds).
• 🔊 Set up a smooth attenuation at the beginning and end.
• 💾 Save it as the ringtone.

Important: After installing the ringtone through a third-party app, restart the phone. MIUI sometimes doesn't update the tone list in real time, especially on power optimization firmware (e.g., on the Redmi A2+).

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If it does not appear in the settings after installing the ringtone through Zedge, check the application permissions: Settings → Apps → Zedge → Permissions → Memory (should be “Allowed”).

Advanced Method: via ADB (no root rights)

For users who are ready for technical manipulation, there is a way to get around the limitations of MIUI using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which works on all models, including the POCO F5 and Xiaomi 13T, but requires a connection to a computer.

First, turn on USB debugging:

1. Go to Settings → About phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times to activate Developer Mode.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.

Next, connect your phone to your PC and execute commands in the terminal (or PowerShell for Windows):

adb shell


su -c "cp /sdcard/Download/my_ringtone.mp3 /system/media/audio/ringtones/"




su -c "chmod 644 /system/media/audio/ringtones/my_ringtone.mp3"

Replace. my_ringtone.mp3 in the name of your file.

• 🖥️ Requirements: PCs must be installed ADB Drivers and platform-tools (downloaded from Google website).
• 🔐 Restriction: Without root rights, the file will only be available until the next update MIUI.
• 📌 Alternative: if ADB It doesn’t work, try adb push. my_ringtone.mp3 /sdcard/Ringtones/.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 15 China) folder /system protected from recording even through ADB. Use the command adb shell am broadcast. -a android.intent.action.MEDIA_SCANNER_SCAN_FILE -d file:///sdcard/Ringtones/my_ringtone.mp3, to forcefully update the media base.

5. Problem Solving: The ringtone is not installed

If you followed the instructions but the melody never appeared in the settings, check out the following points:

Problem 1: The file is not listed.

• 🔄 Reboot the phone — MIUI Updates the media base at launch.
• 📂 Check the path to the file: it should be in the /Ringtones/, Not in the subfolders.
• 🎵 Make sure the file is not corrupted (try to play it in any player).

Problem 2: When selecting a ringtone, the error "File is not supported" appears.

• 🔊 Convert the file to MP3 128-192 kbps bitrate (use Audacity or Online-Convert).
• ⏱️ Cut the track to 30 seconds (MIUI Ignore files longer than).
• 📛 Rename the file by removing the Cyrillic alphabet and special characters (for example, ringtone_1.mp3).

Problem 3: After the MIUI update, all user ringtones were lost.

• 📥 Download the files again and re-install.
• 🔄 Reset the sound settings: Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset the sound settings.
• 📁 Check if the permissions for the Ringtones folder (must be rw-r) have been reset--r--).

💡

If none of these methods worked, try installing the ringtone through the Files by Google app, which often bypasses the limitations of MIUI through integration with Android 13+.

6. Installation of ringtones for specific contacts

MIUI allows you to assign customized tunes to individual contacts, which is convenient if you want to distinguish calls from family, colleagues or spammers.

Open the Contacts app, select the contact you want, and click Edit. Scroll down to the Call Melody and select one of the options:

• 🎼 Standard melody: from the list MIUI.
• 📱 Local Melody: Your file from the Ringtones folder.
• 🔕 No sound: vibration instead of melody.

On models with MIUI 15 (such as Xiaomi 14), the function of Contact Category has been introduced, and you can now assign unique ringtones to groups (such as "Work" or "Family").

1. Create a group in Contacts → Groups.
2. Add the right contacts to it.
3. In the group settings, select the ring melody.

Please note: if the contact is maintained SIM-If you have a card, you don't have a customized melody, you can transfer it to your phone or your Google account.

💡

To quickly find contact with an individual ringtone, use a filter in the Contacts app: click on the search icon and select With a Melody.

7. Alternative methods: via PC and cloud services

If transferring files to your phone is difficult, you can use cloud services or USB connectivity, and consider both.

Method 1: Through USB-cable

1. Connect your phone to your PC in File Transfer mode (when you notice your phone, select this option).
2. On your computer, open the phone folder and go to Internal Storage → Ringtones.
3. Copy the prepared ones. MP3-file.
4. Turn off the phone and restart it.

Method 2: Through Google Drive or Telegram

• 📤 Upload the file to Google Drive or send it to yourself on Telegram (save as a file, not as an audio message).
• 📥 On your phone, download the file and move it to the Ringtones folder via Explorer.
• 🔄 Update your media base with the Files by Google app (open the file and select Use as a ringtone).

Mac owners may need additional software, such as Android File Transfer, as the Finder does not always correctly display the Xiaomi file system.

⚠️ Note: When connecting through USB on some models (e.g. Redmi) K50i) Ringtones folder can be hidden. Enable the display of hidden files in Windows Explorer settings or use dir command /a into CMD.

FAQ: Frequent questions about ringtones on Xiaomi