Setting a unique melody for an incoming call on smartphones Xiaomi (including Redmi i POCO) is easier than it seems. But many users encounter problems: standard ringtones quickly become boring, and downloaded MP3 files do not appear in the list of available ringtones. In this article we will look all current methods from using built-in tools MIUI to installing third-party applications.

The peculiarity of the firmware MIUI (even in the latest versions 14/15) is the restrictions on format and location of audio files. For example, not every MP3 file can be selected as a ringtone directly - the system may simply not see it. We will show you how to bypass these restrictions, where to look for high-quality free ringtones and how to set individual signals for different contacts.

Important: if you use Xiaomi with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), some instructions may not work. In this case, refer to the section about third-party applications - they are universal for all versions of Android.

1. Standard method: selecting from built-in ringtones

The simplest method is to use ringtones preinstalled in MIUI. Their list is updated with each new firmware version, and MIUI 14/15 there are already modern options, including minimalistic signals and melodies with a vibration effect.

To change the melody:

  1. Open the application Settings.
  2. Go to section Sounds and vibration.
  3. Select Ringtone.
  4. Listen to the available options and click on the one you like.
  • 🔍 Where to look: Built-in melodies are stored in the system folder /system/media/audio/ringtones. It is impossible to remove or replace them without root access.
  • 🎵 Features: In MIUI 15 a function has appeared Adaptive sounds —the system selects a melody to suit your mode (work/home/sleep).
  • ⚙️ Vibration: Here you can also configure the vibration pattern for calls (option Vibration on calls).
⚠️ Attention: If after the update MIUI the standard ringtones are gone, reset the sound settings in Settings → System → Reset settings → Reset sound settings. This will return the factory ringtones.
📊 How often do you change your ringtone?
Once a month
Once every six months
Never changed
Only when buying a new phone

2 Setting your own melody from a file. MP3

To play your own melody (for example, a segment from a song or a recorded voice), you need to properly prepare the audio file. MIUI supports formats MP3, WAV, OGG, but with limitations:

  • 🕒 Duration: no more 30 seconds (otherwise it will be cut off automatically).
  • 📏 File size: up to 5 MB (optimally - 1–2 MB).
  • 🔊 Bitrate: no higher 192 kbps (otherwise there may be lags during playback).

Instructions for adding:

  1. Place the file in the folder Ringtones on the internal memory (create it manually if it is missing).
  2. Open Settings → Sounds and vibration → Ringtone.
  3. In the upper corner, click Add (icon +).
  4. Select your file from the list.
Format MIUI support Recommendations
MP3 ✅ Yes Optimal choice. Use a bitrate of 128–192 kbps.
WAV ✅ Yes No loss of quality, but large size.
OGG ✅ Yes Light format, but not all players cut it correctly.
M4A (AAC) ❌ No Does not appear in the list of ringtones.
FLAC ❌ No The bitrate for the ringtone is too high.

If your file does not appear in the list, even after rebooting the phone, check its metadata. MIUI ignores files without the tag TIT2 (track name) you can fix this through apps like MP3Tag on. PC.

Cut to 30 seconds|Rename to Latin (no spaces)|Place in Ringtones folder|Check bitrate (max. 192 kbps)|Add TIT2 tag (title)

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3. Using ringtone applications (Zedge, Ringtone) Maker)

If the built-in tools MIUI seem limited, third-party applications will come to the rescue. The most popular:

  • 🎶 Zedge —the largest database of free ringtones and notifications There is categorization by mood (calm, energetic, funny).
  • ✂️ Ringtone Maker — allows you to trim any song from your library and save as a ringtone.
  • 🔊 Audiko - specializes in short signals (5-10 seconds) with effects.

How to set a ringtone via Zedge:

  1. Download the application from Google Play.
  2. Select a category (for example, Top or For Xiaomi).
  3. Click on the ringtone you like → Install.
  4. Confirm permissions (access to storage).
  5. Go to the sound settings MIUI —your melody will appear in the list.
⚠️ Attention: Some applications (for example, Audiko) require a subscription to download without watermarks. data-i="138">free ringtones are marked with a green checkmark. Zedge free ringtones are marked with a green checkmark.
💡

If after installing the application the ringtones do not appear in the settings, restart the phone. MIUI caches the list of ringtones, and the changes are applied only after a reboot.

4. Setting up individual ringtones for contacts

You can assign MIUI can be assigned unique signal to each contact. This is convenient if you want to immediately understand who is calling without looking at the screen. Instructions:

  1. Open the application Contact.
  2. Select the desired contact and press Edit (pencil in the upper right corner).
  3. Scroll down to the block Ringtone.
  4. Select standard melody or click Addto upload your own.

Features:

  • 📞 If the contact is saved in Google Account, the individual melody is synchronized with others devices.
  • 🔕 For groups of contacts (for example, Family or Operation), you can assign a common melody.
  • 🚫 If a contact calls via WhatsApp or Telegram, the messenger ringtone will be used, not the system one.

To cancel an individual ringtone, return to editing the contact and select Default.

How to assign a ringtone for unknown numbers?

There is no direct option for this, but you can use a workaround: MIUI There is no direct option for this, but a workaround can be used:

1. data-i="173">an entry with the name "Unknown" and any number (for example, 000). Contacts an entry with the name "Unknown" and any number (for example, 000).

2. Assign the desired melody to it.

3. Set the same ring as Default ringtone in the settings. sound.

Now all unknown numbers will ring with the selected signal.

5. Problems and solutions: why the melody is not installed

If you followed the instructions, but the ringtone did not appear in the list, check these points:

Problem Cause Solution
The file does not appear in the list Wrong folder or format Place the file in /Internal Storage/Ringtones and check the extension (.mp3).
The melody is cut off File is too long Cut to 30 seconds after Ringtone Maker.
Sound is distorted High bitrate Convert to 128–192 kbps.
The melody is reset after the update Reset MIUI settings Save the file to the cloud and repeat the installation.

If the problem persists:

  1. Clear the application cache Settings (Settings → Applications → Manage applications → Settings → Storage → Clear cache).
  2. Check if app permissions are disabled Media (Settings → Applications → Permissions → Storage).
  3. Install an alternative launcher (for example, Nova Launcher) - sometimes this solves problems with displaying files.
⚠️ Attention: On some models Xiaomi (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro s MIUI 13) there is a bug due to which custom ringtones disappear after a reboot. The solution is to update the firmware to MIUI 14+ or use the application Ringtone Maker to fix the file in the system.

6. Alternative sources of ringtones: Spotify, YouTube, TikTok

It is not necessary to look for ringtones in specialized applications. You can create a melody from:

  • 🎵 Spotify/YouTube Music: Trim your favorite part of the song (up to 30 seconds) in Ringtone Maker.
  • 📱 TikTok/Instagram Reels: Many viral sounds are already optimized for short signals. Download audio via Snaptik or InSaver.
  • 🎮 Game soundtracks: Sites like OCRemix have free remixes from games (for example, Minecraft or GTA).

How to download a ringtone from YouTube:

  1. Find a video with the desired sound (for example, "ringtone relax").
  2. Copy the link and paste it into YTMP3 or 4K Video Downloader.
  3. Select format MP3 and quality 128 kbps.
  4. Cut the file to 30 seconds and save to Ringtones.

Example of popular sources:

Service Link (search query) Pros
YouTube "30 second ringtone [genre]" Large selection, can be trimmed online
Spotify "Short instrumental ringtone" High quality, playlists according to mood
TikTok "Viral ringtone sounds" Trendy sounds, already optimized for length
💡

The best formats for ringtones from music are instrumental excerpts without vocals. They are less annoying when played repeatedly and are better heard in a noisy environment.

7. data-i="240">Do you want your phone to ring

Want your phone to ring with your voice or with a unique sound (for example, the barking of a dog or the sound of the sea)? This can be done without special skills:

Method 1: through Dictaphone:

  1. Open the standard application Dictaphone on Xiaomi.
  2. Record a phrase or sound (maximum 30 seconds).
  3. Save the recording and find it in the folder Recordings.
  4. Move the file to Ringtones and rename it to format ringtone.mp3.

Method 2: via Google Assistant:

  1. Activate the Assistant with your voice: “Hey Google, record my voice.”
  2. Say the phrase for the ringtone.
  3. Download the recording from the Assistant history (Settings → History → Audio).
  4. Convert to MP3 via Online-Convert.
  • 🎤 Tip: For best quality, record your voice in a quiet room, holding the microphone 15–20 cm away from your mouth.
  • 🔊 Effects: Add reverb or echo via Audacity (free audio editor for PC) to make your voice sound professionally.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to set a ringtone for a SIM card separately?

Yes, in MIUI there is an option Ringtone for SIM1/SIM2 in the sound settings. This is useful if you have two SIM cards (for example, work and personal).

Why is my melody quieter than the standard one?

This is due to volume normalization in MIUI. To enhance the sound:

  1. Open the file in an audio editor (Audacity).
  2. Apply the effect Normalize (normalization) with the parameter -3 dB.
  3. Save and repeat the installation.
How to set a melody for the alarm?

For the alarm, use the folder Alarms (similar to Ringtones). data-i="282">) select your file.Clock → Alarm → Melody) select your file.

Can I use a melody from WhatsApp as a ringtone?

Yes, but you need to extract audio from the message:

  1. Open chat with an audio message.
  2. Click on the message → More → Export.
  3. Save the file and move it to Ringtones.

Contact attention: WhatsApp compresses audio, so the quality may be worse than the original.

Why did all my melodies disappear after resetting the settings?

When resetting to factory settings, the folders Ringtones and Alarms are cleared. avoid loss:

  • Save copies of files in the cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).
  • Use applications like Zedgethat synchronize ringtones with your account.