How to install sound on SMS in Xiaomi: 3 working methods + error solving

Getting SMS messages with a dull standard signal - like eating the same porridge every day. MIUI Or the new HyperOS, which makes it easy to change the melody of notifications, whether it's a factory sound from a collection or your favorite song. But where exactly is this setting hidden? Why does a modified signal sometimes reset after a reboot? And how do you get the phone to play back full-fledged performances? MP3-files longer than 30 seconds (which is not officially supported by the MIUI)?

In this article you will find:

  • πŸ” 3 proven ways to change the sound of SMS – from basic to advanced (including bypassing the limitations of the system).
  • πŸ“ Where to store system melodies in Xiaomi and how to add your files there without root rights.
  • βš™οΈ Step-by-step instructions for different firmware versions: from MIUI 12 to HyperOS 1.0.
  • ⚠️ Typical errors (such as why the sound doesn't change in the Redmi Note 12) POCO X5) and how to fix them.

Whether you want to put a funny meme signal on a bank message or a quiet vibrational pattern on a work chat, we'll take it all down. And if you've tried to change the sound and it didn't work, look at the problem-solving section.

πŸ“Š What firmware is used by your Xiaomi?
MIUI 12/13
MIUI 14
HyperOS
I don't know.
other

1. Basic method: changing the sound of SMS through settings MIUI/HyperOS

The simplest method, which works on 90% of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices without any additional applications, is suitable for changing the sound to any of the preinstalled melodies in the system.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

  1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
  2. Go to the Sound and Vibration section (in HyperOS, it can be called Sound).
  3. Slip on the default notification or the notification sound.
  4. In the list, select Messages (or SMS in some firmware versions).
  5. Scroll down and click on the current tune (like Bamboo or Reflection).
  6. Select a new sound from the list and confirm the choice with the OK button.

Now, all the incoming texts will be accompanied by the chosen melody, but what if there is no suitable option on the list?

Download the desired audio file (MP3 or M4A format, up to 30 seconds)

Connect your phone to Wi-Fi (if you download tunes from the network)

Battery charge of at least 20% (in case of failure)

Check what's in the Settings β†’ Annexes β†’ Application management β†’ There are no restrictions on notifications-->

2. How to Put Your Melody on SMS: Bypassing the Limitations of MIUI

Officially, MIUI and HyperOS only allow you to select sounds from the system list, but there is a life hack: you can manually add your file to the folder with system tunes, and it will appear in the settings. This method works without root rights, but requires a file manager with access to hidden folders (for example, Mi File Explorer or Solid Explorer).

Follow the instructions:

  1. Download or prepare a sound file: 🎡 Format:.mp3,.m4a or.ogg. ⏱️ Duration: up to 30 seconds (otherwise the system will cut off). πŸ”Š Volume: Normalize the sound (through Audacity) so there is no distortion.
/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/ringtone/

If you don’t have a MIUI or ringtone folder, create them manually.

ringtone

Reboot your phone (required!).

first-way

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi) K60) folder MIUI It can be hidden. To see it, turn on the hidden files in the file manager settings.

What if the file does not appear in the list?
If after the reboot your melody did not appear in the settings, check: 1. Access rights: Make sure the file is not blocked (there should be read rights for everyone). 2. File Name: Do not use Cyrillic or special characters (e.g. my sound.mp3 better to rename mysound.mp3). 3. System cache: Clear the Settings app cache through Settings β†’ Annexes β†’ Application management β†’ Settings β†’ Warehouse β†’ Clear the cache. 4. Alternative path: Try putting the file in /storage/emulated/0/Ringtones/ (sometimes MIUI reads melodies and from there).

3.Use of third-party applications for flexible customization

If the previous methods didn’t work or you need advanced features (for example, different sounds for different contacts), third-party utilities will come to the rescue.

AnnexOpportunitiesConsReference
Zedge🎢 Large library of free tunes and notification sounds. πŸ”„ Automatic addition to system settings.Advertising requires registration for some functions.Google Play
Ringtone Makerβœ‚οΈ Pruning MP3-file length. πŸ“‚ Save directly to the Ringtones folder.The interface is overloaded, there are paid functions.Google Play
Notification Sounds🎡 Specialized sounds for SMS, calls, alarm clock. πŸ” Search by category (calm, loud, funny).Not all sounds are free.Google Play

How to set up SMS sound via Zedge:

  1. Install and open the application.
  2. Go to the Notification Sounds section.
  3. Choose the sound you like and click Set.
  4. In the list of options tap SMS/MMS Notifications.
  5. Confirm your choice.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Truecaller or WhatsApp) may block notification system settings. If the SMS sound hasn't changed, check the settings of those programs or temporarily disable them.

πŸ’‘

To prevent the sound of SMS from matching the sound of other notifications, in Settings β†’ Sounds and vibration β†’ Notifications by default set a unique melody for Messages, and for other applications – another.

4 Different Sounds for Different Contacts: How to Set Up

Do you want messages from your mom to be accompanied by a gentle ringing and from your boss to be accompanied by an alarm? In MIUI and HyperOS, this is implemented through the standard Messages app (not to be confused with Google Messages!).

Instructions:

  1. Open the Messages app (the envelope icon).
  2. Find a dialogue with the right contact in the list and tap it.
  3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Details.
  4. Slip on the contact name, then click Change (pencil).
  5. Scroll down to the Notification Sound and select the melody.
  6. Save the changes.

If there is no notification sound option:

  • πŸ“± Make sure that the contact is saved in the phone book (not just in the phone book). SIM-map).
  • πŸ”„ Reinstall updates for the Messages app via Google Play.
  • πŸ› οΈ On some firmware (for example, MIUI 12.5 for Redmi 9) this feature is disabled - try to update the software.

5 Why the sound of SMS does not change: typical problems and solutions

You did everything according to the instructions, but the phone stubbornly ignores the new settings? Let's look at the most common causes and ways to eliminate them.

Problem.Possible causeDecision
The sound is reset after rebootingCache failure of the Settings or Messages app.Clear the cache of both applications in Settings β†’ Apps.
No β€œNotification Sound” option in the settingsThird-party set SMS-Application (e.g. Textra).Return to the standard Messages app or adjust the sound in a third-party messenger.
The added file is not displayed in the listIncorrect format or path to the file.Check that the file is in /MIUI/ringtone/ and has the.mp3 extension.
The sound is playing, but very quietly.Volume limit for notifications in Settings β†’ Sounds β†’ Volume.Increase the Notification slider or turn off Do Not Disturb.

πŸ”Ή A specific problem for POCO F5 Xiaomi 12T: On these models, after upgrading to HyperOS, the Sound and Vibration section in the settings may disappear:

  1. Open the Settings. β†’ The phone.
  2. Tap 5 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
  3. Go back to the main settings menu and find a new section for developers.
  4. Activate the option to Show audio settings (or similar).

πŸ’‘

If the SMS sound doesn’t change despite all the effort, try resetting the Messages app to factory settings (in Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Messages β†’ Storage β†’ Reset) this will delete the message history, but will return the notifications to work.

6. Advanced settings: vibration, LED-indicator and quiet

Sound isn't the only way to customize notifications. You can configure Xiaomi to:

  • πŸ“³ Vibrational patterns: Create a unique vibration for SMS in Settings β†’ Sounds and vibrations β†’ Notification vibrations, for example, short pulses for messages and long pulses for calls.
  • πŸ’‘ LED-indicator: On models with LED (For example, Redmi Note 11) you can set the flashing color for SMS: β†’ Notifications β†’ LED indicator.
  • πŸ”‡ Quiet Mode on Schedule: Turn off SMS sound at night automatically via Settings β†’ Don't disturb. β†’ Schedule.
  • 🎧 Output of sound to Bluetooth devices: C Settings β†’ Connected devices β†’ Bluetooth select where to play notifications (earphones or phone speaker).

πŸ’‘ Hidden chip: On Xiaomi with MIUI 14+ You can assign different sounds to SIM1 and SIM2. For that:

  1. Open the Settings. β†’ SIM-maps and mobile networks.
  2. Choose. SIM-map, SIM 1).
  3. Slip the notification sound and set a unique tune.

7. FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

πŸ”Ή Can I make a SMS sound lasting more than 30 seconds?
Officially, no, MIUI trims files longer than 30 seconds. But there's a workaround: With Audacity or online services (like mp3cut.net), trim the file to 30 seconds. Save it at 128 kbps bitrate (so there's no distortion). Place it in /MIUI/ringtone/ as described in Section 2. Playback full tracks will require a root or third-party app like Tasker.
πŸ”Ή Why the section β€œSounds and vibration” disappeared after the HyperOS update"?
In HyperOS, the menu structure has changed. Now the path is: Settings β†’ Sound (Displayer icon). Default notifications β†’ Messages. If there is no partition at all, try resetting through Settings β†’ System β†’ Resetting β†’ Reset all settings (data will not be deleted).
πŸ”Ή How to bring back standard sounds MIUI, If I removed them?
Standard tunes are stored in the system partition, and deleting them requires root rights. If you accidentally erase files from /MIUI/ringtone/: Download the archive with the original MIUI sounds (for example, with XDA Developers). Unpack and place the files back in the /MIUI/ringtone/ folder. Reboot the phone. If the MIUI folder is missing, create it manually.
πŸ”Ή Can you assign different sounds to different SMS topics (e.g., bank and social media)?
Standard Annex Messages in MIUI It doesn't support keyword filtering, but there are workarounds: πŸ“² Use it. IFTTT Tasker to create automatic rules (requires customization). πŸ’¬ Set up an alternative. SMS-client, for example, Pulse SMS or QKSMS, where there are extended notification settings.
πŸ”Ή Why SMS sounds are played twice?
This is due to duplication of notifications. Check: Open Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Application Management β†’ Messages β†’ Notifications. Disable duplicate categories (e.g. Inboxes and New SMS). If you use Google Messages, turn off notifications in it or uninstall the app.