How to install a downloaded ringtone on a call in Xiaomi: 5 working ways for MIUI

Installing your own ringtone on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones often becomes a non-trivial task due to the features of MIUI firmware. Unlike “pure” Android, where it is enough to copy a file to the Ringtones folder, owners of Xiaomi devices face system limitations: the standard menu of selecting tunes simply does not display user files. The reason lies in the security policy of MIUI, which by default blocks access to third-party audio files in system applications.

In this article, we will analyze 5 proven ways to install custom ringtones - from simple (through file manager) to advanced (using the use of custom ringtones). ADB-We will pay special attention to common errors: why the file does not appear in the list of tunes, how to circumvent the limit on the duration of the track (maximum 30 seconds in some versions). MIUI) What to do if the ringtone is dropped after the system update. MIUI 12, 13 and 14 on all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO F5 Xiaomi 13 Ultra.

1. File preparation: formats and technical requirements

Before installing the ringtone, make sure your audio file is MIUI compliant, supports only certain formats and limits the length of the track.

• 🎵 Formats:.mp3,.m4a,.ogg,.wav (preferably.mp3 bitrate 128-320 kbit/s).
• ⏱️ Duration: up to 30 seconds (in) MIUI 14 restriction lifted for some models, but it is better to crop the track in advance).
• 📁 File size: no more than 5 MB (for stable operation).
• 🔊 Loudness: normalize the sound to -16 LUFS, avoid distortions during reproduction.

If your file does not meet the requirements, use the free online services to convert:

⚠️ Note: Files with a bitrate above 320 kbps can be played with stutters on Xiaomi budget models (for example, Redmi). 10A or POCO M5). Optimal bitrate - 192 kbit / s.

Method 2: Installation through a standard MIUI file manager

The simplest method that works on most Xiaomi devices without root rights.

1. Download the audio file to your phone (for example, via a browser or Telegram).
2. Open the Files app (standard MIUI file manager).
3. Find the downloaded file and hold your finger on it to create a context menu.
4. Select Set How → rington.
5. Confirm the choice in the window that opens.

If you have not set the menu, follow the following steps:

Move the file to the Internal Storage folder → Ringtones|Reboot the phone.|Check that the file is not hidden (turn off the display of hidden files in the manager settings)-->

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) After installing the ringtone through the file manager, it may not appear in the call settings. In this case, use Method 3 (via the Sounds app").

In MIUI 14 for European firmware (EEA), the “Install How” option may not be available even after the file has been moved to the Ringtones folder, due to the GDPR policy restricting access to system folders.

Method 2: Use of the MIUI Sound Picker

MIUI has a hidden sound management system app that lets you select custom ringtones to open.

1. Go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Rington of the phone.
2. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) → My sounds.
3. Click Add and select your audio file from the device’s memory.
4. After adding the file will appear in the main list of ringtones.

If there are no My Sounds buttons, follow an alternative path:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three dots (⋮) → Show all applications → Find Sound Picker → Open

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If the Sound app is not listed, try typing the "ringtone" (without quotes) request in the settings search - this sometimes causes a hidden menu of selecting tunes.

Method 3: Manual copying to the system folder (for experienced)

This method requires access to hidden MIUI folders and is suitable for users willing to work with the file system.

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (in File Transfer mode).
2. Open the internal memory of the device and go to the folder: Internal Storage → MIUI → ringtone If the ringtone folder is not – create it manually.
3. Copy your audio file into this folder. Importantly, the file name should contain only Latin characters (e.g., Latin characters, my_ringtone.mp3).
4. Disconnect the phone from the PC and restart it.
5. Go to Settings → Sound and Vibration → Phone Rington – your file should appear in the list.

If the MIUI folder is missing or unavailable for recording:

• 🔧 Use a root-access file manager (e.g., Root Explorer).
• 📱 Install the app MIUI Hidden Settings from 4PDA to unlock hidden functions.
• 💻 Connect through ADB and execute the command: adb shell mkdir /sdcard/MIUI/ringtone

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI Global Stable for Redmi Note 11) folder MIUI/ringtone Resets after system updates. To avoid ringtones loss, back up your folder on your PC.

5. Method 4: Applications for installing ringtones (the utility side)

If the system methods didn’t work, use third-party apps.

How to install ringtone with Ringtone Maker:

1. Open the application and select From the files.
2. Find your audio file and crop it (if necessary).
3. Click Save How → rington.
4. The application will automatically add the file to the system list of tunes.

Method 5: Installation via ADB (for advanced users)

If none of the above methods worked, use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which is guaranteed to work on all versions of MIUI, but requires a connection to a PC.

1. Install. ADB-PC drivers.
2. Turn on the developer mode on the phone (go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and press 7 times).
3. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the commands: Adb devices adb shell su cp /sdcard/Download/your_ringtone.mp3 /system/media/audio/ringtones/ chmod 644 /system/media/audio/ringtones/your_ringtone.mp3 exit exit exit Replace your_ringtone.mp3 Your file name and path to it.
5. Reboot the phone.

If the su command is not working (no root rights), use an alternative path:

adb push C:\path\to\your_ringtone.mp3 /sdcard/MIUI/ringtone/


adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.MEDIA_SCANNER_SCAN_FILE -d file:///sdcard/MIUI/ringtone/your_ringtone.mp3

⚠️ Attention: When in use ADB Ringtone without root rights may disappear after update MIUI. To fix the changes, create a task in Automate or Tasker to automatically copy the file after the reboot.

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ADB-The method is the only reliable way to install a ringtone on Xiaomi with custom firmware (for example, Xiaomi.eu or Pixel Experience), where system folders are protected from writing.

7. Solving typical problems

Even after a successful ringtone installation, there may be problems.

• 🔇 Rington won't play: Check if the phone is in Do Not Disturb mode. Make sure the file isn't corrupted (try playing it in a player, POCO X5 Pro) you need to manually assign a tune to each SIM-map.
• 🔄 Rington resets after update: Create backup folder MIUI/ringtone. Use the Titanium Backup app (requires root) to save your audio settings.
• ⏱️ Duration limitation (30 Seconds: Cut the track at Audacity or MP3 Cutter. MIUI 14 Xiaomi 13/13 Pro restriction removed - try updating the firmware.

If the ringtone is set, but the call settings display a standard tune:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Sounds.
2. Clear the cache and application data.
3. Reboot the phone.

8. Alternatives: vibration and notifications

In addition to ringtones, you can configure MIUI:

• 📳 Vibration when calling: go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Vibration when calling and select a pattern.
• 🔔 Notification Melody: In the same menu, select Notification Sound → My sounds.
• 🎶 Personalized contact ringtones: Open contact → ringtone → select the file.

To create custom vibration patterns:

1. Install Vibration Patterns from Google Play.
2. Create a new pattern (e.g., · · – – · · · · · for SOS).
3. Save and assign it in the MIUI vibration settings.

termux-media-scan


am start -a android.intent.action.RINGTONE_PICKER

This will open the menu of selecting a tune without having to call the phone.-->

FAQ: Frequent questions