How to Put Your Ringtones on Xiaomi: All the Ways to Work

The default setup melody on Xiaomi is boring after a week of use — too standard, too predictable. The good news is that you can replace it with a favorite track or a unique sound in just 2-3 minutes, and in several ways. Bad news: MIUI (especially in versions 14 and 15) actively restricts users' freedom of choice by hiding settings or blocking the installation of third-party files.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods of installing ringtones on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, including bypassing system limitations. We will understand how to put the melody through standard settings, file system, third-party applications and even through ADB (for advanced users), separately focusing on common errors – for example, why some files do not appear in the list of available ringtones, although they are in the correct folder.

All instructions are valid for Android 12/13/14 smartphones with MIUI 13/14/15 shell. If you have an older version of the software, some menu items may differ - but the general logic remains the same. For models with HyperOS (for example, Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+), separate refinements are added.

1. Standard method: through MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in tools of the system, which is suitable for most users and does not require the installation of additional applications: MIUI You can only select the files that are in the folder. /MIUI/ringtone/ or have been added through the system application "Music".

Here's how to do it:

• 📱 Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the desktop).
• 🔊 Go to the section Sound and vibration → The ringing melody.
• 🎵 At the top of the screen, click Local Melodies (or Add if there is no such option).
• 📁 Select the audio file you want from the list of available ones. If you don't have one, read the next section on manual addition.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5 or Redmi 12) Local melodies may not be available. MIUI Blocks custom ringtones from the standard menu, in which case use the methods in Sections 3 or 4.

If you want to assign different tunes to different SIM-Cards (relevant to dual-SIM models), return to Sound and Vibration → The ringing melody SIM 1/SIM 2. You can select individual sounds for each card.

2. Manually add files to the system folder

If your audio file doesn't appear in the available tunes list, it's probably in the wrong folder. MIUI scans only certain directories for ringtones:

• 📂 /MIUI/ringtone/ — main folder for custom tunes.
• 📂 /MIUI/notification/ — notification.
• 📂 /MIUI/alarm/ — alarm-box.
• 📂 /Ringtones/, /Notifications/, /Alarms/ — Android folders (sometimes working).

To add your ringtone:

1. Connect your phone to your computer via USB (or use a file manager on your smartphone, such as Mi File Manager).
2. Go to the root directory of internal memory (not to the SD-map!).
3. Create a MIUI folder if it is not, and inside it is a ringtone subfolder.
4. Copy audio files in.mp3,.m4a or.ogg format (preferably up to 30 seconds long).
5. Restart the phone – after that, the files will appear in the list of tunes.

⚠️ Note: If files are not displayed in the settings after copying, check: 🔹 Is there any Russian letters or symbols in the file title (for example, my melody.mp3 → rename my_tone.mp3). 🔹 Does the file exceed? 5 MB (MIUI You may ignore too large audio recordings). 🔹 Is the file in the internal memory, not the SD-map (external drives are often not scanned).

Rename the file in English (without spaces)

Convert to.mp3 or.m4a

Cut to 30 seconds.

Place it in /MIUI/ringtone/

Reboot the phone-->

3. Use of third-party applications

If standard methods don't work (for example, on the POCO X5 Pro or Redmi K60 with HyperOS), third-party utilities come to the rescue.

• 🎧 Zedge – the largest database of ringtones and notification sounds with easy search by category.
• 🔊 Ringtone Maker – allows you to crop tracks and save them directly to system folders.
• 📱 Files by Google – file manager with the function of assigning audio files as ringtones (click on the file) → More. → Use it as a ringtone).

Example of installation via Zedge:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Find your favorite tune (for example, through a search by genre or top collections).
3. Press the track. → Set as → Phone ringtone.
4. Confirm the choice in the system window (if it appears).

The advantage of this method is that you don't have to manually copy files to system folders, but some applications (like Ringtone Maker) may ask permissions to access storage and microphones — don't grant them unless you plan to record your own tunes.

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If the ringtone is not applied after installation via Zedge, go to the application settings and turn on the option "Show in system settings".

Installation via ADB (for advanced users)

On some firmware (especially Xiaomi for the global market), MIUI blocks ringtones from changing through standard methods, in which case Android Debug Bridge (ADB) – a tool for debugging through the command line – will help, it requires a computer and basic knowledge of working with the terminal, but it is guaranteed to work even on locked devices.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI until the notification "You're a Developer" appears. Return to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate Debugging on USB.

Connect the phone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.

ADB Tools

cmd

adb.exe

adb devices

(Your phone should be displayed)

adb shell settings put system ringtone /sdcard/MIUI/ringtone/your_tone.mp3

(substitute your_tone.mp3 in the name of your file)

Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: If the ringtone has not changed after the command, check it out: 🔹 Is the file path correctly specified (registrar matters!). 🔹 Does the file have an extension (sometimes adb can't see files without it.mp3). 🔹 Does the antivirus block the connection to the ADB (Turn it off while you're setting up).

This method works even on HyperOS devices, where standard methods often fail, but do not use ADB to install ringtones on other people's phones - this can be regarded as unauthorized access.

5. Features for Xiaomi with HyperOS

The new firmware HyperOS, which debuted on Xiaomi 14 and Redmi Note 13, made changes to the work with ringtones.

• 🔄 folder /MIUI/ringtone/ It may not be scanned automatically – you need to manually reclaim or clear the cache of the Media Storage application.
• 🎛️ In the sound settings, a new section Personalization appeared, where you can assign different tunes for contacts and applications.
• 🚫 Some third-party applications (such as Zedge) may not integrate properly with the system – ringtones are installed but not applied.

If you have HyperOS, try the following algorithm:

1. Place the audio file in /MIUI/ringtone/.
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
3. Find Media Storage → Storage → Clear the cache.
4. Reboot the phone.
5. Now the file should appear in Settings → Sound and vibration → Call melody.

HyperOS also works with ADB (Section 4), but the command is slightly different:

adb shell cmd media_audio set_ringtone /sdcard/MIUI/ringtone/your_tone.mp3

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On HyperOS, before installing the ringtone, be sure to clear the Media Storage cache - otherwise the files will not appear in the settings.

6. Solving typical problems

Even after the ringtone is properly installed, there can be failures, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If after all the manipulations the ringtone has not been established, check:

• 🔹 Do not disturb (it can block the change of sounds).
• 🔹 Is it not worth the sound settings tick Quiet Mode or Vibration.
• 🔹 Does a third-party audio management application (e.g. Volume Booster) conflict with the system).

On models with dual speakers (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra or POCO F4 GT), sometimes there is a problem when the ringtone plays through only one speaker. This is treated by resetting the sound settings to factory (Settings → Sound and vibration → Resetting settings).

FAQ: Frequent questions