How to choose and install a ringtone on Xiaomi Redmi: 5 proven ways

Choosing a call melody on Xiaomi Redmi is a seemingly simple task, but many users face unexpected difficulties. From standard ringtones quickly get bored, downloaded tunes do not appear in the list, after updating MIUI settings are reset. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to install the ringtony on Redmi Note 12/13, Redmi 10/11 and other models - from basic settings to hidden firmware chips.

Xiaomi’s customized MIUI shell is a feature that is updated regularly, which means that the audio menu interface can be different even on devices of the same line, but released in different years. We have taken into account all the nuances and prepared universal instructions that work on MIUI 14 and later (including global and Chinese versions), and you will learn how to circumvent the system limitations if your favorite track does not want to install as a ringtone.

1. Standard method: selection from built-in tunes

The fastest method is to use preset sounds, and Xiaomi Redmi has more than 20 of them, including classic signals and tunes from Mi Sound Lab.

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to the section Sound and vibration.
3. Slap on the call melody item.
4. Select your favorite sound from the list and click OK.

In the latest versions of MIUI, the built-in tunes are categorized as Classic, Natural sounds and Mi Tones. If you want silence, select the No Sound option, which will turn off the melody, but the vibration will remain (it can be deactivated separately in the notification settings).

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) A2 or Redmi 9A) Inline tunes may not be available due to the lightweight version MIUI. In this case, use the methods from the following sections.

2. Install custom melody from phone files

If the built-in sounds don't work, you can upload your own tune.

1. Download the audio file (.mp3,.m4a,.ogg or.wav formats) and save it to your phone’s memory, which is 30 seconds long or the system may crop the track.
2. Open Settings → Sounds and vibration → Call melody.
3. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) and select Add ringtone.
4. Go to the folder where the file is saved (usually Downloads or Music) and highlight it.

The system will automatically trim the track to 30 seconds and save it to the user's tune list. Importantly, the file should weigh no more than 5 MB, otherwise MIUI will not accept it. If your track is heavier, use audio cropping apps (such as MP3 Cutter or Ringdroid).

Cut the track to 30 seconds

Convert to MP3 format (bitrate 128-192 kbit / s)

Rename the file in Latin (without spaces and symbols)

Save to the root folder of the phone (not on the phone) SD-map)

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If your file does not appear in the list, check:

• 📁 Location: The file should be in internal memory, not in the SD-map (MIUI Restricts access to external ringtones).
• 🎵 Format: Only supported.mp3,.m4a,.ogg and.wav..flac or.aac files are not suitable.
• 🔤 File Name: Should not contain Cyrillic, spaces or special characters (e.g, my_ringtone.mp3 — That's right, my tune!.mp3 — no).

3.Use of ringtone applications

If manual downloading seems difficult, use specialized applications. They offer ready-made collections of tunes and convenient tools for cropping tracks.

After installation of the annex:

1. Choose your favorite ringtone in the catalog.
2. Click Set as and select the Melody of the Call.
3. Confirm the action – the system will redirect you to the MIUI settings, where you will need to save the choice.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (e.g. Zedge) require permission to access files and contacts. If you refuse permission, you will not be able to download ringtones. To avoid data leakage, after installing a melody, turn off unnecessary permissions in Settings. → Annexes → Permits.

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If the ringtone is not used after installing it through the app, restart the phone. Sometimes MIUI caches the old sound settings.

4. Customize individual tunes for contacts

Xiaomi Redmi allows you to assign unique ringtones to different contacts, which is convenient if you want to know who is calling right away without looking at the screen.

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Find the right contact and tap on it.
3. Click Edit (pencil icon).
4. Scroll down to the Melody of the Call block and select the sound from the list.
5. Save the changes.

If there is no suitable melody in the list, pre-add it through Settings. → Sounds and vibrations → Add a ringtone (as described in Section 2). Note: customized tunes only work for contacts stored in the phone's memory, not on the phone. SIM-map.

On Redmi models with dual SIM-card (Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G, Redmi 12 5G, etc.), you can assign different tunes for each SIM.

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose. SIM-map, SIM 1).
3. Slip the ringing melody and set a unique sound.

5. Problem Solving: Why is the melody not set?

Sometimes users encounter errors when trying to change the ringtone, and consider typical scenarios and ways to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, try resetting the sound settings:

1. Go to Settings → System and device → Resetting.
2. Select Resetting Sound Settings (not to be confused with a full reset!).
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

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If the problem persists after a reset, check the integrity of system files through Settings → About Phone → System Check. In rare cases, the cause may be a damaged firmware that requires reinstallation.

6. Backup and transfer of tunes to a new phone

When you change your smartphone or reset your settings, all user ringtones may go missing. To avoid this, create a backup:

1. Connect Xiaomi Redmi to your computer via USB (in file transfer mode).
2. Go to Internal Storage → Ringtones (if not, create it manually).
3. Copy all audio files from this folder to your PC.

To recover the tunes on the new device:

1. Copy the saved files back to the Ringtones folder on your new phone.
2. Restart the device – the system will automatically scan the folder and add sounds to the list of ringtones.

To automatically transfer audio settings between Xiaomi devices, use the Mi Cloud function:

1. Enable synchronization in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization.
2. Make sure that the system settings option is active.
3. When you first start a new phone, log in to the same Mi Account and recover the data.

⚠️ Note: Sync through Mi Cloud doesn't always save custom ringtones, only system settings. Use manual file copying for reliability.

7 Hidden Chips: How to Make Vibration Unique?

In addition to the melody, Xiaomi Redmi allows you to customize unique vibration patterns for calls, which is useful in situations where the phone is in your pocket or bag, to create a custom pattern:

1. Go to Settings → Sounds and vibration → Vibration when calling.
2. Choose to create a vibration.
3. Record your pattern by tapping on the screen (maximum 5 seconds).
4. Save and assign it to contacts or by default.

You can also select ready-made patterns from the list:

• 📞 Classic: Alternating short and long vibrations (like in old push-button phones).
• 💡 Pulse: Gradually increasing vibration – suitable for important calls.
• 🎵 Rhythmic: Vibration to the beat of a standard melody (works only with built-in ringtones).

On the linear vibrator models (Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Redmi K60) additional vibration intensity settings are available to activate them:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the Vibration option when touching and adjust the response strength.

8.Alternative methods: ringtones through ADB and third-party launchers

For advanced users who want to get around the limitations of MIUI, there are two non-obvious methods:

Method 1: Installation of ringtones via ADB

If the system does not see your audio file, you can manually add it to the system folder:

adb shell


su




cp /sdcard/Download/my_ringtone.mp3 /system/media/audio/ringtones/




chmod 644 /system/media/audio/ringtones/my_ringtone.mp3




reboot

Important: This method requires root rights and can disrupt the system if it is not executed correctly. Use only if other methods have not worked.

Method 2: Using third-party launchers

Some launchers (such as Nova Launcher or Action Launcher) allow you to assign ringtones to a call through their settings.

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Open its settings and find the Sounds or Personalization section.
3. Select the Call Melody option and specify the path to the file.

⚠️ Note: Third-party launchers may conflict with MIUI, especially on shell models POCO Launcher (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro). Create a restore point in Settings before using → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the ringtones of the Xiaomi Redmi