How to install your ringtone on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions for all models

Why Xiaomi’s Standard Melodies Are Irritating and How to Fix It

Are you tired of the monotonous factory ringtones on your Xiaomi that sound like half of the smartphone owners on the subway? Or want to set your favorite song as a call signal but don't know how to get around the limitations of MIUI? The problem is that the manufacturer artificially narrows the choice of tunes in standard settings, offering only 10-15 options to choose from.

In this article, we’ll break down 5 working ways to install custom ringtone on any Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO device – from simple methods through built-in tools to advanced solutions using file manager and ADB. All instructions are relevant for MIUI 14/15 and Android 12/13/14, including the latest models like Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Redmi Note 13 Pro+ and POCO F6.

Important: Some methods require permission to modify system files or install third-party applications, and we have noted all the potential risks so that you can choose the most secure option for your case.

Method 1: Install ringtones through standard MIUI settings

The simplest method that works without additional software, but with a serious limitation: Xiaomi allows you to select only files from the Ringtones folder in internal memory. If your tune is already there, you are lucky. If not, read on to how to put it there.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings app → Sounds and vibrations
2. Slip on the Call Melody (or Notification Melody if you need to change the SMS signal)
3. In the upper right corner, click on three dots → Select a melody from files
4. Go to the Ringtones folder and select the file you want (.mp3,.m4a,.ogg formats)

If you don’t have a Ringtones folder or your file is in a different directory:

Download the tune to your phone (length up to 30 seconds is recommended)

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

Transfer the file to the Internal Storage/Ringtones folder

Reboot your phone if the melody doesn’t show up-->

⚠️ Attention: MIUI caches a list of tunes. If you added a file to a folder but it doesn't appear in the list, try clearing the Settings app cache (Settings). → Annexes → Application management → Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache).

Method 2: Using a file manager for manual placement

If the first method didn't work, it's probably a problem with the file's location, and it only looks for ringtones in certain folders, and you have to create them manually. MIUI:

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC or use a file manager (such as Mi File Explorer or Solid Explorer)
2. Create a Ringtones folder at the root of internal memory (if it isn’t)
3. Put your audio file (.mp3 or.m4a format, bitrate no higher than 320 kbps)
4. The file name should contain only Latin characters, numbers and underline (example: my_ringtone.mp3)
5. Reset the device

After the reboot, your tune will appear in the list of standard ringtones. If not, check the permissions to the folder (should be rw-r).--r--) Try changing the owner of the folder to media_rw through ADB.

Using standard settings MIUI| Created the Ringtones folder manually |Used third-party apps |Never changed the ringtone |Other way-->

Method 3: Applications for installing ringtones (without root)

If manual methods seem complicated, you can use specialized applications that automate the process of copying files to the right folders and even bypass some of the limitations of MIUI. We tested 3 of the most reliable solutions:

• 🎵 Zedge is the largest database of ringtones and wallpapers with easy search by genre, allows you to download files directly to the desired system folders.
• 🔊 Ringtone Maker -- not only sets melodies, but cuts tracks to the right length, supports smooth attenuation of sound, plus: works without the Internet.
• 📱 MIUI Ringtone Changer is a specialized application for Xiaomi devices that can replace system sounds without root rights.

Instructions for Zedge (the most popular option):

1. Install the app from Google Play
2. In the search box, enter the name of the song or select a category (for example, "Electronics" or "Classics")
3. Click on your favorite track → Download → Install as a ringtone
4. Select the type: Call melody, Notification or Alarm

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Ringtone Maker) ask for permission to change system settings. Do not grant it if the application is not downloaded from an official store - this may be an attempt to gain control of the device.

💡

If the ringtone is not used after installation through the application, try manually selecting it through the standard MIUI settings (Method 1).

Method 4: ADB-Teams for Advanced Users

If your device does not allow custom ringtones to be installed due to Xiaomi’s policy, you can bypass the restrictions via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which works without root rights, but requires a connection to a computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (7 times to tap) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB)
• 🎵 Audio file in.ogg format (MIUI This format is better understood for system sounds)

Step-by-step:

Connect your phone to your PC and execute in the command line:


adb devices # Checking the connection




adb shell # Going to the shell of the device




su # Request root rights (if any)




cp /sdcard/Download/my_tone.ogg /system/media/audio/ringtones/




chmod 644 /system/media/audio/ringtones/my_tone.ogg




chown root:root /system/media/audio/ringtones/my_tone.ogg




exit #Out of the shell




adb reboot

After the reboot, your tune will appear on the list of standard ringtones. If the commands with the su do not work (no root), you can try an alternative path through /data/local/, but it will only work until the next reboot.

Method 5: Replace system ringtones (requires root)

For the bravest, it's completely replacing standard MIUI tunes with their files, which requires root rights and changes system files, which can cause malfunctions when used carelessly, but once performed, your tunes will be available even after the settings are reset.

Where the system ringtones are stored:

/system/media/audio/


├── alarms/ #Alarms




├── notifications/ # Notifications




├── ringtones/ #Bell melodies




└── ui/ # Interface Sounds

Instructions:

1. Root Explorer or FX File Explorer go to /system/media/audio/ringtones/
2. Copy your file there (for example, my_ringtone.ogg)
3. Change the file permission to 644 (rw-r-----)
4. Find the owner of root:root
5. Reset the device

⚠️ Note: Do not delete standard files MIUI (miui_tune.ogg, basic_tone.ogg This can lead to errors in system applications. It is better to add your files without touching the original ones.

💡

If the system ringtones are replaced, the sound is quieter or distorted, check the bitrate of your file. MIUI is optimized for files with a bitrate of 128-192 kbps. Files with a bitrate of 320 kbps may sound worse due to software quality drops.

Problem Solving: Why the Rington is Not Set

Even after you've completed all the instructions, you may run into problems.-5 Why custom ringtones don’t work on Xiaomi, and how to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI: on some firmware for the Redmi Note 8/9 There are bugs with custom ringtones.
• 🔒 Antivirus: Mi Security can block system files from being changed. Add a folder with ringtones in exceptions.
• 🎧 Connected headphones: sometimes MIUI Resets the sound settings when connecting Bluetooth devices.

FAQ: Frequent questions about installing ringtones on Xiaomi