How to replace the charging sound on Xiaomi: a step-by-step guide

Many Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners are thinking of personalizing their device, from visual themes to audio to system events. One such event is the connection of a power cable, which is accompanied by a characteristic but often annoying standard sound in a standard build of a MIUI or HyperOS operating system. Replacing this audio file not only makes it more enjoyable to use the gadget, but also allows you to instantly determine the type of connection by hearing, which is especially useful in noisy environments.

The procedure for replacing the system sound charging on Xiaomi devices does not require root rights, but it involves working with the file system and using built-in tools such as the Explorer application or third-party file managers. It is important to understand that system files are protected from accidental change, so the standard methods through the settings menu to replace the sound. charging_start You will need to find the appropriate audio file, rename it according to the system identifier and replace the original in the device memory.

In this article, we will discuss in detail two main ways to solve this problem: the method of replacing through the file manager for advanced users and the easier way through the installation of themes. You will learn how to properly prepare an audio file, where to look for system folders and what nuances exist when working with different versions of firmware.

Preparation of audio file and technical requirements

Before you start directly replacing system files, you need to prepare the audio file itself, which will be played when you connect the charger. Android system and the shell MIUI have strict requirements for the format and duration of sound effects, ignoring which can lead to the fact that the sound simply will not play or will be played with a delay. The optimal format is.mp3 or.ogg, the latter often weighs less and is processed faster by the system.

The length of the track also matters: a file that is too long can be cut by the system or cause conflicts if you quickly turn off the cable. It is recommended to choose short audio clips lasting from 1 to 3 seconds. You can find such files online on the request for "short charging sound effect" or cut the desired snippet from your favorite song using audio editors.

  • 🎡 The file format should be strictly MP3 or OGG for maximum compatibility.
  • ⏱️ The audio should not exceed 5 seconds for instantaneous system response.
  • πŸ“‚ The file should be saved in the root folder or Downloads folder for easy access.
  • πŸ”Š The volume of the original file should be sufficient, since the system mixer can additionally attenuate short sounds.

Once the file is ready, it needs to be renamed.The system charging sound file in Android is usually called charging_start.mp3 Or WirelessChargingStarted.ogg for wireless charging. To get your file to be accepted as a replacement, give it the exact same name. That's a key point, because it's the file name that the operating system determines which audio file to play at a particular moment.

Search and preparation of system directories

The standard path to system sounds may vary depending on the Android version and shell, but most often it is in the directory /system/media/audio/ui or /product/media/audio/ui. However, access to these folders without special rights or emulation of access with standard means will not work due to the security limitations of Android 11 and above.

To circumvent these restrictions, we will use Xiaomi’s File Manager app, which has a hidden Android folder access function. You need to open the app, go to Files category, and find a folder with the name of your internal storage. If you use a third-party file manager, make sure it supports system partitioning or has a Root access feature (although in this case we will dispense with the root).

It is important to back up the original file before replacing it. charging_start.mp3 in the system folder, copy it and rename the copy to charging_start_backup.mp3, It's safe, and it allows you to get back to where you were at any time if you don't like the new sound or if it causes errors.

⚠️ Warning: There is always a minimal risk of breaking the system's work tab when working with system files. Never delete original files without first creating a copy of them. If you are not sure about your actions, stop at the copying stage.

Replacement method through file manager

Now, let's move on to the practical part of replacing the file. Open your pre-made audio file with the name charging_start.mp3 You can copy it or you can move it to the clipboard, and then you can go down the path where the original system file of the charging sound is. /storage/emulated/0/Android/media/com.android.soundpicker/sounds or similar, depending on the specific model of the Redmi Note or Xiaomi Mi.

Find the original charging sound file. Click on it and select the "Rename" option. Add to the file name suffix old to get, for example, charging_start_old.mp3. The system can request confirmation to change the system file, OK, so now there's a hole in the original file, and we need to put our file in there.

Insert previously copied your new file charging_start.mp3 Make sure the file extension matches the original. If the original was in.ogg, and you pasted it.mp3, Rename your file by changing the extension to.ogg. Then restart the device so that the changes take effect and the cache of the sound system is updated.

If you reboot a new sound when you connect the charger, it means that the operation was successful. If the standard melody sounds, check the permissions to access the file. ADB-commands for forced replacement, but on most Xiaomi devices with enabled access to Android data in Explorer, the renaming method works faultlessly.

Alternative method: setting themes

For those who don't want to risk the integrity of system files or tinker with renaming, there's a simpler, but less flexible way to use themes from Themes Store. Many theme writers create customizations that include altered system sounds, including charging, locking and keyboard sound.

Go to the Themes app on your smartphone. Search for queries like "Sound," "Audio Mod," "Charging Sound," or "System Sounds." You'll be offered themes that change only the audio experience of the system without touching the visuals or complex themes. Choose your favorite and click "Download."

Once you download the theme, go to the user profile (the person icon in the corner) and select "Themes." Find the downloaded file and click "Apply." The system will apply all changes, including audio. This method is good because it is completely reversible: to return the standard sound, you just select the theme "Classic" or "Default" in the same menu and click "Apply".

  • 🎨 Themes allow you to change not only the sound of charging, but also the sounds of the keyboard and locking.
  • πŸ”„ Reverse changes take a few seconds through theme management menu.
  • 🌐 The theme store has thousands of options from independent authors from around the world.
  • ⚠️ Some topics may contain ads or require watching videos to activate.

Configuring wireless and fast charging

The sounds associated with wireless charging and fast charging mode activation deserve special attention. In modern Xiaomi models such as Xiaomi 13, Xiaomi 14Mi, these events can have separate audio identifiers. Files for them are often called WirelessChargingStarted.mp3 or FastChargingStarted.mp3.

The replacement procedure is similar to the one described above: find the original, rename it, and put your file with the same name in its place, which allows you to create a unique sound design for each type of connection, such as a quiet "jin" for normal charging and a powerful bass sound for Turbo Charge mode.

Type of eventPossible file nameLocation in the systemRecommended length
Start of wired chargingcharging_start.mp3/media/audio/ui/1-3 seconds
Start of wireless chargingWirelessChargingStarted.mp3/media/audio/ui/1-3 seconds
Achieving 100% chargecharging_complete.mp3/media/audio/ui/2-4 seconds
Low battery levelLowBattery.ogg/media/audio/ui/1-2 seconds

Note that in some regions or on global firmware versions, file names may differ. To know exactly the name of the file that is being played in your case, you can use system logs, but this requires a PC connection and the use of adb logcat. For most users, it is enough to check files with similar names in the ui folder by a selection method.

Possible problems and solutions

Users may encounter a number of difficulties in replacing audio files, the most common being the lack of sound after replacement, often because the file has an unsupported codec inside the MP3 container. Try converting the file to a different bitrate (e.g. 128 kbps) or format.

Another problem is returning the old sound after rebooting, which may mean that the system recovers the original files from a backup or cache, in which case, try clearing the Settings or Sound and Vibration app cache, and also make sure that the audio settings do not have a No Sound or Do Not Disturb mode that can block system notifications.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone starts to behave unstable after file replacement or the charging sound disappears completely along with other system sounds, immediately return the original file from the backup.

If you upgraded to MIUI or HyperOS firmware, all changes made manually are likely to be reset.You will have to repeat the replacement procedure again. Automatic security updates can also affect system partitions, so keep in mind that this is not a one-time "forever" setup, but a periodic procedure for enthusiasts.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Can you change the sound of the charger without a computer?
Yes, it's possible. The whole procedure is done directly on your smartphone using the Explorer app built in or the Play Market-downloaded file manager, and you only need the computer to initially prepare or convert the audio file if you don't have the right app on your phone.
Why does the charging sound not change after the file is replaced?
There may be several reasons: the wrong file name (check the extension), an unsupported audio format, the lack of access rights of the file manager or the caching of old sound by the system.
Is it safe to replace system files with Xiaomi?
Replacing audio files is considered a safe operation, as it does not affect the critical executable files of the system. However, always back up the originals. In the worst case, if you make a mistake, you will simply be left without charging sound or with standard sound, but the phone will not stop working.
Where can I find original MIUI sounds to use?
Original sounds can be found in /system/media/audio/ui/ or /product/media/audio/ui/. They are also often posted on XDA Developers’ developer forums or in 4PDA forum topics dedicated to specific smartphone models.
Will the sound setting reset after the system update?
Yes, when you update your firmware (e.g., from MIUI 14 to HyperOS), the system partition is often overwritten and your changes will be lost.