How to Set Up a Call on Xiaomi Redmi: A Complete Guide to Setup

Changing the standard tune is the first step to personalizing Xiaomi Redmi or Poco. Standard sounds can be pleasant, but they get boring quickly, and you want to distinguish your smartphone from thousands of others. The process of installing your own music in the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS has its own features that often confuse new users.

Unlike many other manufacturers, Xiaomi has implemented its own system restrictions and file managers that hide the ringtone folder from direct access through standard applications. This is done for security, but makes life difficult for those who are used to just copying mp3 files. You will have to perform a few additional steps to make the system “see” your music.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways to replace audio files, from simple installation through settings to manually moving files to system directories, learning to set unique sounds on contacts, messages and alarms, and how to get around the limitations of the new version of the operating system.

Preparation of audio file and format check

Before you start setting up, you need to make sure your music file is compatible with the Android operating system. Redmi smartphones work perfectly with MP3 format, which is the most common, and WAV, OGG and AAC formats are also supported.

If you downloaded the ringtone from the Internet, it can be in the archive.zip or.rar. In this case, the file must be pre-unpacked. You can use the built-in Explorer app or third-party utilities like ZArchiver. Just click on the archive and select the option "Unpack".

Note the length of the track. For an incoming call, the optimal duration is 15 to 30 seconds. For too long a track can be cut by the system or playback incorrectly when the second call arrives. You can edit the track directly on your phone using audio editors.

• 🎵 Make sure the file has an extension.mp3,.wav or.ogg for maximum compatibility.
• ✂️ The optimal ringtone length should not exceed 40 seconds for a comfortable listening experience.
• 📂 Save files in a clear folder, such as Music or Ringtones, to easily find them.

💡

Use ringtone-creating apps (like Ringtone Maker) to automatically crop tracks and add fade-in/fade-out effects right on your smartphone.

Installation of ringtones through standard settings

The easiest way to do this, which works most of the time without having to manipulate the file system, is to use a built-in settings menu, which is ideal if you want to pick a tune from your phone's memory or from the MIUI online directory.

To start, go to the settings menu. Find the Sound and Vibration section. In some firmware versions, it may be simply called Sounds. Here you will see the Phone Call item. When you click on it, the system will suggest a list of preset tunes.

To add your file, scroll down the list and select Select Local Rington or All Melodies. The file manager will open where you need to find a previously saved music file. Once you select a track, it will automatically stand up for playback when an incoming call comes in.

⚠️ Note: If you don't see your music in the file list, it may be that the file is too deep in the folders or has a secure format".

Manual installation through Explorer (File Manager)

If the standard method didn’t work or you want your ringtone to appear in the common list of available tunes for all applications, you will need to manually install. There is a hidden system folder in the MIUI and HyperOS shell where you want to put the file.

Open the File Manager app. Go to Device Memory. You need to find a folder called MIUI. Inside it is the sound folder, and inside it is the ringtone folder. That's where you should copy your audio file.

The full path will look like this:

/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/sound/ringtone/

Once you copy the file to this directory, reboot your smartphone or just go to the sound settings. Your track will now be available in the general list of ringtones on par with the standard ones. This is the most reliable way to ensure that the melody does not disappear after the system update.

Set up individual calls for contacts

One of the most useful features is to set a unique call to a particular subscriber, so you can know who's calling you without taking your phone out of your pocket, and on Xiaomi smartphones, this is done through the Contacts or Phone app.

Open the contact list and select the person you want to know. Click on their name to open the card. At the bottom of the screen or in the menu (three dots in the corner), find the Assign ringtone. The system will suggest you select a tune from the list or download a new one.

It is important to note that if the contact is maintained in several places (e.g., in the SIM-You may not be able to use the settings on your map or Google account, and it is best to keep your contacts in your Google or Mi Account to sync your settings.

If you want to make one call to a whole group of contacts (e.g., "Family" or "Work"), create the corresponding group in the Contacts app. Then, in the group settings, you can specify a common beep for all of its members.

• 📞 Open the contact card and find the Rington field for personalization.
• 👥 Create contact groups to assign common tunes to colleagues or relatives.
• 🔇 For important contacts, you can set up a repeat signal to avoid missing the call.

Replacement of notifications and alarm clock

Not only incoming calls need personalization, but notification sounds from messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram) and system applications often merge into one pile, and to highlight important messages, you can change the sound of notifications by default or for specific applications.

To change the system sound of notifications, go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Notification Sound. Here the principle is the same: select a file from memory. However, many applications have their own audio settings inside their menus. For example, on Telegram you need to go to Settings → Notifications and sounds → Sound.

The situation is similar with an alarm clock. When you create or edit an alarm clock, click on the Sound field. You can choose any track from your phone's memory, which is a great alternative to the standard bad signals that are annoying in the morning.

⚠️ Warning: Make sure the alarm clock volume is not set to zero. MIUI There is a separate volume slider for the alarm clock, which is independent of the overall volume of the media.

For deep customization, you can use the Themes app. In the Xiaomi theme store, there are entire packages of sounds available that change the audio experience of the entire system, from unlocking the screen to charging the device.

💡

System sounds of notifications and alarms are stored in separate folders (notification and alarm), so you need to copy files for them to the corresponding directories, not to the ringtone.

The solution: Why the ringtone doesn't work

Users often experience a situation where, after installation, music stops playing or is reset to standard. One of the most common reasons is the "Do Not Disturb" or "No Sound" mode on. Check the side curtain of notifications and make sure that the sound profile is set to General.

Another issue is access rights. Themes or Sounds may not have permission to read memory. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Sounds (or Temas) and check permissions. File permissions must be activated.

Also worth considering is that newer versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14 have changed the file structure. If the MIUI/sound path doesn't work, try creating a Ringtones folder at the root of internal memory and putting the file there. Android 13 and above often scans this folder by default.

• 🔍 Check if the phone is in silent mode or "Do not disturb" mode".
• 📂 Make sure the file is not corrupted and is played in a standard player.
• 🔄 After copying files, always restart the device to update the media base.