How to play a melody on the call Xiaomi MIUI 12

Changing the standard ringtone to a personalized composition is the first step to personalizing your smartphone. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices often encounter features of the MIUI 12 shell, which differs from pure Android by the logic of the file system.

Unlike many other manufacturers, MIUI has a specific directory structure that may not show music tracks in the list of available ringtones, which is puzzling for users who have just moved to the platform or updated the firmware.

This article will help you understand the nuances of working with audio files. We will look at several proven installation methods, including working with system folders and using third-party applications so that you can enjoy your favorite music on every incoming call.

Preparation of an audio file for use as a ringtone

Before you go to the system settings, you need to make sure that the audio file itself is ready to use. MIUI 12 supports most popular formats, however, MP3 or M4A files are best suited for correct operation. If your music is downloaded in high quality FLAC or WAV, the system can ignore it in the call selection menu.

It is also important to consider the length of the track, because too long songs can be cut by the system or played incorrectly at the beginning of a conversation, the optimal ringtone length is from 15 to 30 seconds, which allows you to hear the beginning of the melody and does not annoy the interlocutor with a long introduction.

• 🎵 Use formats MP3 or M4A for maximum compatibility with the shell.
• ⏱️ The optimal length of the file should not exceed 30-40 seconds.
• 📂 Make sure the file is not protected by digital rights (DRM) streaming.

If you download music from the Internet, check the source of the file carefully. Some sites may add extra characters or advertisements to the file title that appear in the contact list, "Rock_Call.mp3", It is easy to find him in the general list.

Classic method of installation through system settings

The most reliable way to change the sound of a call is to use the built-in settings menu, which ensures that the melody is set systemically and does not disappear after you reboot the device. First, go to the main menu and find Settings.

Next, you have to go down the list and select the Sound and Vibration section, and that's where all the audio output controls on your smartphone are concentrated, and at the top of the screen you'll see volume sliders, and just below you'll see Ringtone.

⚠️ Note: If you use Do Not Disturb or Silent, the set melody will not play until the phone changes mode.

Clicking on Rington, you'll open a list of available songs. By default, there are standard MIUI sounds. To select your music, click on the plus icon (+) in the upper right corner or the "Select local ringtone" button if it appears immediately.

Solving the problem of missing files in the list

A common situation is that you go to the ringtone selection menu, but your file is not there, although it is definitely in the phone's memory. This is because MIUI 12 scans only certain system directories to look for sounds. Standard Downloads or Music folders can be ignored by the media scanner service in the context of calls.

To fix this, you'll need a file manager. Open the Explorer app (or download Files by Google/MI File Manager). You need to move your audio file to a special hidden folder of the system. The path to it is as follows: Internal memory → MIUI → sound → ringtone.

If you can't see MIUI or sound, you can probably hide it, so you can create it manually, by following the letter register, and then you can move the file to that directory, restart your smartphone, and when you turn it on, the system will index the new folder, and the melody will appear in the general list.

Sometimes it’s helpful to clear the cache of Media Storage if they never show up after moving the files, go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find Media Storage, and click Clear Cache, which will cause the system to scan the memory again.

Using the Themes app to upload sounds

The MIUI shell offers a built-in Theme Store, which is a powerful tool not only for changing icons, but also for finding audio. Unlike file managers, here the content is already adapted to the resolution and format of the system.

Open the Themes app and at the bottom of the screen, find the Sounds tab (or note icon) and there are thousands of free tracks, categorized as nature, electronics, classics, notifications, and you can listen to any track before downloading.

Once you download the sound you like, it's automatically added to your library, and the advantage of this method is that you don't have to mess around with the paths to the files, but it's worth remembering that some sounds can only be accessed in conjunction with certain themes.

• 🎨 Thousands of free tracks sorted by genre.
• 📥 Automatic installation without the need to work with files.
• 🔄 Regular update of the sound collection by developers.

If you think the standard sound store is limited, you can download a third-party theme that contains the right audio pack, apply it, and then select a specific ringtone from that theme in the sound settings, and then you can change the theme back to the standard one after you select the melody.

Customization of individual melodies for contacts

One of the most useful features of a smartphone is the ability to make a unique call to a particular subscriber, which allows you to know who is calling you without taking your phone out of your pocket. In MIUI 12, this process is implemented through the Contacts or Phone app.

Open the contact list and select the person you want. In the profile menu that opens, find Melody (sometimes hidden under the "More" button or three dots). Click on it and the system will suggest you select a track from the list or download a new one.

⚠️ Note: If you have assigned an individual ringtone, but the call is standard, check if this contact is set to "No Sound" or the contact is not blacklisted.

The alternative is through the settings of the Phone app itself. Click three dots in the corner, select Settings → Incoming Calls → Incoming Call Melody. You can set a global style here, but you better use a contact card for customizations.

Working with third-party players and applications

The standard MIUI Music player is not always convenient for managing call files. Many users prefer third-party solutions such as Ringdroid or Timbre. These applications allow you not only to install, but also edit tracks: crop the excess, do fade (fade-in/fade-out).

Ringdroid is a classic for Android, and it allows you to visually select the desired portion of a song and save it as a ringtone, and once saved, the app will prompt you to set the file as the main call or assign it to the contact.

Also worth mentioning is the possibility of using widgets. Some launchers and call apps (replacements for the standard caller) have their own audio settings that are prioritized over the system. If you use Google Dialer instead of MIUI Dialer, the settings may be inside the application itself.

Remember that installing third-party apps requires careful permissions. A player application doesn't have to give access to all contacts if its only job is to work with sound. Limit access rights to the Settings menu → Apps → Permissions.

💡

Use the “Danger” function in audio editors so that the abrupt start of the track does not scare you and others when you call.

Frequent errors and ways to fix them

Despite its apparent simplicity, users often encounter bugs, such as when MIUI 12 updates, all audio settings can be reset to standard, which is normal for major updates, as system audio files change.

Another common problem is the quiet sound of the call, even at maximum volume, which may be due to the Pocket Mode feature enabled or the codec features, try switching the audio format in the developer settings (if available), or simply restart the device.

• 🔇 Check if the “Vibration Only” mode in the sidebar is activated.
• 📱 Make sure the speaker is not covered with a cover or dust.
• ⚙️ Reset the sound settings to factory if there is a desynchronization.

If neither method helped, the file of the melody itself may have been corrupted. Try converting it to a different bitrate (e.g. 128 kbps instead of 320 kbps), as older speakers in Redmi's budget models may not properly decode heavy files.

💡

The /MIUI/sound/ringtone/ system folder is a priority for MIUI, and putting a file there solves 90% of the problems with displaying a tune.

Additional sound profile settings

In addition to choosing the melody itself, MIUI 12 allows you to fine-tune the behavior of the sound. The Sound and Vibration menu has a Vibration on Call feature, and you can create your own vibration pattern that will be synchronized with the rhythm of your new melody.

Also, notice the setting of "Dire Sound." Many users forget about it, but it can be annoying. It can be turned off or replaced with a more pleasant click. All these little things create an overall impression of using a smartphone.

⚠️ Note: When using Bluetooth headsets, system bell sounds may be ignored in favor of sound embedded in the call app. Check the Bluetooth device settings separately.

Don't forget about automation scenarios. In the Security app or through third-party macros, you can adjust the tune to the time of day or location, for example, at night, turn on a quieter and softer ringtone automatically.

Questions and Answers (FAQ)