Changing the standard horn is the first step to personalizing any smartphone. Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi devices often encounter the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS, where the logic of working with audio files can be different from pure Android. Standard ringtones preinstalled by the manufacturer often seem boring or too intrusive, so the desire to put a favorite track is quite natural. In this material, we will analyze all the nuances of replacing the sound so that your phone rings exactly the way you want.
The installation process does not require root rights or complex software on the computer. All the necessary tools are already built into the system, and the algorithm of actions takes no more than a minute. However, there are specific features of the Xiaomi file system that you need to know about, so that the music file really appears in the list of available tunes. We will look at ways both through built-in tools and using third-party applications.
It's important to understand that the sound of the call, the notifications and the alarm are set in different sections of the menu, and that setting the track to a particular subscriber has its own features that are often overlooked by beginners. In this article, we will describe each of these processes in detail, paying attention to possible errors and their solution, which will allow you to fully control the sound of your gadget.
Preparation of an audio file for installation
Before you start setting up the system, you need to make sure that the audio file itself is ready to use. Not every file format is supported by the Android operating system by default. The most versatile and recommended format is MP3, which plays on any device without additional codecs. Formats like FLAC or WAV can take up more space, and AAC sometimes requires conversion to work as a system ringtone.
The file must be stored in the device’s memory, not just in cloud storage or streaming service. If you use Yandex.Music, Spotify or VK Music, you can’t just pick a track from the playlist — the file must be physically in the smartphone file system. Download the song in advance so that it can be accessed offline. The file size also matters: too long tracks (more than 30-40 seconds) can be cropped by the system or sound incorrect on an incoming call.
For ease of management, it is best to store ringtones in a separate folder, which will quickly find the right file among hundreds of other downloads. Xiaomi’s built-in Explorer allows you to sort files by date of addition, but creating a thematic directory makes navigation much easier. It is recommended to give files clear names so as not to get confused in the list «Track_001», «Audio_55» similar.
💡
Use online services to trim tracks up to 30 seconds before downloading to your phone – this will speed up selection and save memory.
If a file is downloaded but the system doesn't see it, check its properties. Sometimes the files can be corrupted when downloaded or have a file that is not visible. DRM-It's a security that prevents them from being used outside the source application, and it's a good way to make sure that the track is played in any standard player, and only after a successful test run can you go to system settings for the sound.
Installation of a melody through the standard Music app
The easiest and fastest way to replace the standard horn is to use Xiaomi’s built-in Music app, which already has access to the system audio settings and does not require additional software, a method ideal for those who want to quickly put the track on the entire phone without going deep into the file system.
To start, open the app and find the track list you want to install. Click three dots next to the track title or pin the track to call the context menu. In the action list that appears, select Set up (or Set up on a call). The system will automatically redirect you to the audio type selection menu.
☑️ Algorithm of installation through the player
In the window that opens, you will be asked to choose what the track will be used for. There are options available: a call, a notification, an alarm clock or a sound when you connect the charge. Choose the desired option, and the system will confirm the change. If you choose Call, the melody will replace the standard for all incoming calls. Note that in some versions of MIUI this item may be called the Call Theme.
It’s worth noting that this method doesn’t work for all formats and not in all regions of the firmware. Global shells can be slightly stripped down compared to Chinese builds. If you don’t have a customization option on the menu, try the following method using system settings, which is more versatile and reliable for any Android modifications.
Setup via the Sound and Vibration menu
The classic way through the system settings guarantees a result 100% of the time, regardless of the firmware version. This method allows you not only to set the melody, but also fine-tune the sound parameters, such as volume and vibration. Go to the main menu of the smartphone settings and find the section Sound and vibration.
Inside the section, you'll see a list of all the audio events: call, notifications, alarm, lock screen, etc. Click on Phone Call (or just "Call"). You'll see a list of available tunes divided into categories: "All", "Classic", "Popular" and most importantly, "Local" or "User" and this is where the files you add are displayed.
If your track is not listed, click the + button or Select a local file (usually at the top or bottom of the list). The file manager will open. You need to find the folder where you saved the music (usually Download, Music or MIUI/Sound).
You can also set up Vibration to call in this menu, and users often forget that you can change the vibration pattern or create your own. Next to the choice of melody, there's often the Vibration item, where you can have different rhythmic patterns, and this is especially useful in No Sound mode, where it's important to feel the call through tactile recoil.
How to put a melody in a separate contact
Personalizing calls for specific people is a very useful feature, which allows you to know who is calling you without taking your phone out of your pocket, and you need to open the Contacts app or Phone app and go to the list of all the records, find the right subscriber and open their card.
In the contact card, find the option menu (three dots in the corner) or the "Set the ringtone" option. If there is no such item immediately, click Change (pencil icon), scroll down and find the Melody field. The default is "Default" or "Standard".
You'll open a standard audio selection window, identical to what we saw in the previous section, and you can select a track from the system list or click + to download a local file. After selecting a particular track, save the changes by clicking a tick or a Save button. Now, when that person calls, a unique composition will play.
⚠️ Note: If you changed a contact's phone number or combined duplicate records, the individual ringtone settings may reset.
It is important to know that if a subscriber calls you through messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber), the system setting of the contact will not work. For calls through Internet services, you need to adjust the sounds within the messenger applications themselves, going to their individual notification settings for each chat.
Use of the Sound App in MIUI and HyperOS
Modern versions of Xiaomi’s shell have a separate system app called Sounds (or Themes -> Sound tab), a centralized directory where you can download new ringtones, notification sounds and even alarm sounds. The directory is updated regularly and contains both free and paid options.
To use this tool, open the Topic app and go to the Sounds tab (note icon) where you can listen to a preview of the tracks. If you like any sound, click the download button (arrow down).
The main advantage of this method is that you don't have to search for and download music from external sources. All tracks are already optimized in length and volume. In addition, the application allows you to create your own ringtones from files in your phone's memory. At the bottom of the screen, there is often a button Local or From files that opens access to your media library.
| Type of sound | Where to set up | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Incoming challenge | Settings → Sound and vibration | Replaces the global ringtone |
| Notification by SMS/MMS | Settings → Sound and vibration | Short beep. |
| Alarm clock | Appendix Clock → Settings | May have a separate volume |
| Contact | Contact card → Change. | Priority over general call |
The app also allows you to control the sounds of system events, such as screen lock or camera sound. However, for deep system integration, it is better to use the Sound and Vibration settings section, since the Sound application is primarily focused on downloading content from the directory.
Solution: If the melody is not set
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the selected file does not appear in the list or is not installed on a call.The most common reason is an unsupported file format or a broken file. Make sure the track has a.mp3 extension and is played normally in the player. OGG and M4A formats are also supported, but MP3 is the most stable.
The second reason is the wrong file location: recent versions of Android (11, 12, 13, 14) have changed the file structure, and the Ringtones folder can now be on the Android/media/com.android.providers.media.module path, or just at the root of the internal memory. Try moving the file to the root directory or creating a MIUI/Sound/All folder and putting the track there.
What if the file is visible but not selected?
Another possible problem is a crowded media scanner cache. If you just copied music and it didn't show up, try rebooting your phone. The system should index new files. If that didn't work, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Media Storage (or similar name) and clear the data.
⚠️ Note: Do not use files with a bitrate above 320 kbps or a sampling rate above 48 kHz – older Redmi models may not properly handle such heavy audio streams as system signals.
In rare cases, the problem is a third-party launcher or a design theme that blocks the system sounds from changing. Try temporarily returning a standard Classic or Default theme and checking the sound performance. If the standard theme works, then the third-party design conflicts.
Setting the notification sounds and alarm clock
The alarm clock and the notification sounds deserve special attention, because they have their own specifics. For an alarm clock, it is better to choose tracks with increasing volume or a sharp intro to ensure that you wake up. In the Watch app, when setting the alarm clock, there is a separate Sound item that allows you to select a track from the library or download your own.
Notification sounds (for SMS, mail, messengers) should be short and unobtrusive. Long tunes will be cropped by the system, which can sound unpleasant. The optimal length is 2-5 seconds. Files for notifications are best stored in the Notifications folder in internal memory, so that they are always on hand in the appropriate settings menu.
MIUI and HyperOS have a Smart Alarm feature that gradually increases the volume. When choosing your alarm melody, make sure it doesn't start immediately at maximum volume if you use this feature, otherwise the smooth wake-up effect will be lost.
💡
For alarm clocks, use tracks without long quiet intros, otherwise there is a risk of sleeping until the volume reaches the audible level.
Remember that different types of notifications (e.g. WhatsApp and regular SMS) can be set to different sounds, this is done in the settings of each application in the Notifications → Sound section. System setting of the notification sound applies only to system services, unless the application chooses otherwise.
Using third-party applications to create ringtones
If the built-in means of cropping the track seems inconvenient, third-party apps from Google Play will come to the rescue. MP3 They allow you to visually select the right segment of the song, make a smooth attenuation (fade-in/fade-out) and immediately set the result of the call.
The advantage of these programs is that they have a built-in editor, so you can see the track and pick exactly where the vocals or the bass are coming in, and it's much easier than just guessing for a second, and after editing, the app will save the file to the folder and suggest you set it up as a ringtone.
However, be careful with permissions. Many cutting requires access to all files on your phone, use only proven high-ranking apps, and some may contain intrusive ads that overlap the interface, making it easier to use online services through your phone's browser.
⚠️ Warning: When installing third-party cutter applications, read permission requests carefully. If a simple audio editor asks for access to contacts and geolocation - this is suspicious, it is better to refuse installation.
Once you create a ringtone in a third-party application, it will automatically appear in the system list of tunes. You do not need to manually search for the file in folders - the editor application will prescribe the path to the new file in the Android sound registry.