Changing the standard melody is the first step to personalizing Xiaomi after the purchase. Owners of Redmi and POCO smartphones often find that the usual algorithm for installing music here does not work as well as on “pure” Android. MIUI system and the new HyperOS shell have a specific file structure, which may not appear in the list of downloaded tracks available for call.
The main difficulty is that modern versions of the operating system strictly regulate the access of applications to memory. If it was enough to just copy a file to the root of the memory card, now you need to follow the exact hierarchy of folders. Incorrect placement of the file leads to the fact that the menu of the selection of the melody displays only a standard set of sounds.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to install ringtones, including working with system folders, using cloud services and specialized applications. You will learn how to circumvent the limitations of the system and make your smartphone truly unique.
Audio file preparation and format requirements
Before you start setting up, make sure your audio file meets the system’s specifications. The optimal format for installing a call in Xiaomi is MP3. While the system supports other codecs such as WAV or OGG, MP3 ensures that it displays correctly and plays back without delay.
⚠️ Attention: Files from DRM-protection (e.g., tracks from offline streaming services) cannot be set as a ringtone.
Note the length of the track. Too long tracks may be cropped by the system or play incorrectly when an incoming call is made. It is recommended to use passages lasting 15 to 40 seconds. You can use built-in tools or third-party editorial applications to edit.
Sound quality also plays a role. There is no point in installing a file with a bit rate of 320 kbps if the smartphone speaker is physically unable to reproduce the full spectrum. An average quality of 128-192 kbps is enough, which will also save space in the device's memory.
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Use the dealer apps (Cut Ringtone) to precisely trim the track to the desired beat, so that the beginning of the melody is not lost at the horns.
Classic Method Through File Manager
The most reliable method, which works on all firmware versions, including the latest security updates Android 13 and 14.It requires manually moving the file to the system directory. Open the standard Explorer (Files) app on your device.
Find the downloaded audio file. It's usually in the Download or Download folder. Click on the file and hold your finger to highlight it. In the menu that appears, select Copy or Move.
Now you have to go to the root directory of internal memory, and the path should be: Internal drive → MIUI → sound → ringtone. It's in the ringtone folder that you have to insert the copied file, and if you don't have MIUI folders or sound folders, you can create them manually, observing the register of letters.
☑️ Algorithm of installation through a conductor
Once you copy it, the file will instantly appear in the list of available tunes. If that doesn't happen, try restarting the device. The system scans the media library at launch, and the new file will be indexed.
Installation through system settings and theme of design
A lesser known but convenient method is to use the built-in Themes app, which allows you not only to upload your files, but also to download popular tracks from the MIUI catalog. Go to the Themes app, which is system-based.
In the lower menu, go to the Melody tab, and you'll see the top of the popular calls, but we're interested in installing your file, click on the music note icon or profile icon in the upper right corner, then select Local Melodies or Select a file.
The system will suggest selecting an audio file from memory. After selecting a track, click the Apply button. This method is good because it automatically places the file in the desired system folder, saving the user from manual copying.
It is important to note that in some regions (such as the global firmware version), the functionality of the tune store may be limited, in which case the system will simply open a standard file manager to select a track, and then perform the installation automatically.
Set up individual calls for contacts
Often, you need to hear different tunes for different people. At Xiaomi, this is done through the Contacts app or Phone, open your contact list and select the right person.
Click on the contact name to expand the details. Find Melody (the default is "Default"). Click on it and select the track you previously installed from the list. If you do not find the file you want in the list, make sure it is in the ringtone folder, as described in the previous sections.
For contact groups (like Family or Work), the logic is similar: Open a group, click three dots in the corner or edit button, and find a sound setting, which allows you to know who's calling you without looking at the screen.
⚠️ Warning: If you change your SIM card or phone number, the individual melody may be tied down. SIM-map.
Also, keep in mind the "Silence for Unknown Numbers" feature, if activated, calls from numbers that aren't in your notebook won't interrupt you with a sound, even if you've set up a loud ringtone.
Separation of sounds for SIM-maps in two-symbol models
Redmi and Xiaomi smartphone owners often use two SIM cards, and the system allows you to assign different tunes to each to distinguish which line a call is coming to. Go to Settings → Sound and vibration.
Scroll down to the Rington block, and you'll see the separation between the SIM 1 Rington and the SIM 2 Rington, and you can click on each item and you can select a unique composition, which is especially convenient if one SIM card is working and the other is personal.
In some versions of the HyperOS shell, the menu may look a little different.Look for Settings SIM-The cards are at the top of the audio settings screen, and there's also a flexible setup of audio notifications for each line separately.
| Parameter | SIM 1 (Main) | SIM 2 (Additional) | General settings |
|---|---|---|---|
| The ringing melody | Separately configured | Separately configured | No. |
| Vibrosignal | Individual pattern | Individual pattern | Common pattern |
| Loudness | Adjustable by buttons | Adjustable by buttons | Depends on the profile. |
| Name display | Yes. | Yes. | Depends on the contact. |
Remember, if one of the SIM cards is not active or has no coverage, the ringtone setting will remain for it, but you will not hear calls, of course. When switching cards in standby mode, the sound settings are applied dynamically.
Installation problems: why the system can't see the file
The most common problem is that the file is copied, but it's not on the selection list. 90% of the time, it's due to the wrong path to the file. Make sure you use the /MIUI/sound/ringtone/ path, not just the memory root or the Music folder.
The second reason might be the file format: If the extension is not.mp3, the system may ignore the file in the context of calls, rename the extension or convert the track, and check if the file is hidden (the attribute "hidden").
Hidden Systemic Limitations
If you use a third-party file manager (such as Total Commander or Solid Explorer), make sure you give it permission to manage files, without which it can copy the file to a sandbox rather than a real system folder.
⚠️ Note: After updating the firmware folder MIUI Keep your favorite ringtones in the cloud or on your computer to quickly restore them.
Sometimes cleaning up the media cache helps. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find Media Storage (or Media Storage) and click Clear. Once you restart, the phone will scan the memory again.
Using third-party applications for sound management
If you find standard methods uncomfortable, there are a lot of specialized tools in the Google Play Market, apps like Zedge or Ringtone Maker take the setup process over their heads, and they automatically put files in the right directories.
However, with Android 11 and newer, these apps require broad permissions. When installed, read access requests carefully. Some may request access to all files on the device, which is not always secure.
A popular solution is to use audio players with a call setup function, such as AIMP or PowerAmp, which lets you click "Put on a Call" directly from the player interface, which works because the application has the necessary system privileges.
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Third-party applications are convenient, but the standard method through the folder MIUI/sound/ringtone It is the most stable and does not require the installation of extra software.
When using such programs, make sure that they do not create duplicate files, sometimes after deleting the application, the ringtones created by it can remain in the system, taking up space.