Setting a custom ringtone is one of the easiest ways to personalize your smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 9. Unlike some other manufacturers, the MIUI system installed on these devices provides the user with ample customization options, but sometimes the standard settings can seem confusing to a newbie. You no longer have to put up with monotonous melodies from the factory set.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available ways to replace the standard call sound with your favorite song. We will consider methods both through the built-in tools of the system and using a file manager or computer. Understanding the folder structure in Android will help you avoid common mistakes when the phone simply “does not see” the downloaded file.
Before you start setting up, make sure that you already have a suitable audio file in the device’s memory. This could be a track downloaded from the Internet, or a recording you created yourself. If your file has the extension FLAC or OGG, it may also work, but converting to MP3 guarantees compatibility in 100% of cases.
Preparing the audio file and checking the format
The first step is to prepare the file itself. Often users download music, but forget where exactly it was saved. On smartphones Redmi 9 by default, all downloads go to a folder Download in the internal storage. However, for correct display in the system calls menu, it is better to move the file to a special directory.
The system MIUI has its own features of indexing media files. If you just leave a song in your downloads folder, it may not appear in the list of available ringtones right away. You will need to open any file manager, find the downloaded track and copy it. This action will only take a few seconds, but will save your nerves in the future.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that the duration of your track does not exceed 30-40 seconds for an incoming call. Songs that are too long may be cut off by the system or played incorrectly when a second call arrives.
The optimal ringtone length is about 15-20 seconds. This time is enough to hear the beginning of the melody and understand who is calling, without waiting for the development of the musical part. Long intros are often annoying if you are in a noisy place and cannot respond immediately.
Use online services to trim mp3s before downloading to your phone so as not to install unnecessary audio editing applications.
Once the file is prepared, you can proceed to install it. There are several ways to solve this problem, and the choice of a specific method depends on how deeply you want to dive into the settings of the file system of your gadget.
Installation through system sound settings
The most obvious and recommended method for most users is to use the standard settings menu. This method is the most secure and does not require connection to a computer. You need to go to the section Settings on the main screen or in the notification shade.
Next, find the item Sound and vibration. This section contains all parameters related to the device's audio output. We are interested in the string Ringtone (or Ringtone). Clicking on it will open a list of preinstalled songs from Xiaomi and Google.
At the top of the list that opens you will see an icon «+» or button Selecting a ringtone from memory. By clicking on this element, the system will prompt you to select an application to search for the file. Usually this is the built-in “Explorer” or “File Manager”. You just need to specify the path to the previously prepared song.
- 🎵 Open the settings and go to the sound section.
- 📂 Click on the ringtone selection item.
- ➕ Use the add button (+) to search file.
- ✅ Confirm your selection by clicking “OK” or check the box.
After confirmation, the new track will be set as the main one for all incoming calls. You will immediately hear a short passage to check. If the volume seems insufficient, do not forget to check the ringer volume sliders in the same settings menu.
Using the Explorer application to move manually
Sometimes the standard menu does not display the desired folder or file. In such cases, the manual method of moving data to the system directory comes to the rescue. For Redmi 9 there is a special folder that the system scans first when updating the list of ringtones.
Open the application Explorer. Go to internal storage (Internal shared drive). You need to find a folder with the name MIUI, and inside it - a folder sound_recorder or create a new one with the name ringtones in the root of the memory. However, the most reliable way for user files is to create a folder Ringtones (with a capital letter) in the root of the internal drive.
/storage/emulated/0/Ringtones/Copy your audio file to this created directory. After that, restart your phone or simply go back to the sound settings. The system will automatically scan the new folder and add the contents to the general list of available tunes. This method is especially useful if you want to make a song available for selection not only as the main call, but also as a notification.
⚠️ Attention: Folder names are case sensitive. Folder
ringtones(with a small letter) may not work, be sure to useRingtoneswith a capital letter for a guaranteed result.
If you do not see the folder Ringtones, create it manually through the file manager. This is standard practice for the operating system Android, which is also observed in the MIUI shell. This approach gives you complete control over which files will be visible in the system menu.
☑️ Checking the file path
Configuration via connection to a computer
For those who have a large collection of music stored on their computer, it is most convenient to use a USB cable. Connect your Redmi 9 to your PC. A notification about the default connection mode (usually “Charge Only”) will appear on the smartphone screen. You need to click on it and select mode File transfer (or MTP).
On your computer, open “My Computer” and find your device. Go to the internal memory. Here you can create that same folder Ringtonesif it doesn’t exist yet, and just drag the one you need there file with the mouse. This is the fastest way to send several call options for different contacts at once.
After disconnecting the cable, the phone may take a few seconds to index new files. Then you can go to the settings and select freshly downloaded tracks. This method eliminates the risk of accidentally deleting files on the phone itself while manipulating the memory.
| Transfer method | Speed | Convenience | Risk of errors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through phone settings | High | Medium | Low |
| Via Explorer | Medium | High | Medium |
| Via computer (USB) | Maximum | High | Low |
| Via cloud | Depends on network | Low | Medium |
Using a cable also makes it easy to organize your folder structure by creating separate directories for different types of notifications if you plan to further customize your device's sound design in the future.
Individual ringtones for specific contacts
One of the most useful features of a smartphone is the ability to assign a unique ringtone for a specific person. This allows you to understand who is calling without taking the phone out of your pocket. On Xiaomi Redmi 9 this function is implemented through the “Contacts” or “Phone” application.
Open the contact list and find the desired subscriber. Click on his name to open the card. At the top of the screen or in the menu (three dots), find the item Sound or Ringtone. By default, the value is “Default”.
By clicking on this item, you will see the same list of melodies as in the general settings. Select a previously prepared song. Now, when this person calls, you will hear exactly this track, and not the general ringtone. This is extremely convenient for highlighting calls from close relatives or important work partners.
What to do if the “Sound” item is inactive?
If the melody selection field is gray and cannot be pressed, check whether the contact is saved in the phone memory or Google account, and not on the SIM card. Contacts on a SIM card often have limited editing functionality. Move a contact to your device's memory to unlock all settings.
You can assign different ringtones to different groups of contacts if you use shortcuts or groups in your address book. However, using standard MIUI tools it is easier to assign sounds to one contact. For mass setup, third-party applications from Google Play will be required.
Solving problems with displaying files
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where a file is copied, a folder is created, but the melody never appears in the list. The most common reason is an unsupported file format or a broken audio header. The system may ignore files with a non-standard bitrate.
Try changing the file extension manually if you are sure of its contents, or use a converter. Also check the permissions of the File Explorer or File Manager app. In new versions of Android, access to the file system is strictly regulated.
Go to Settings → Applications → All applications. Find your file manager, go to Permissions and make sure that access to Memory or Files and media content is allowed. Without this right, the application will not be able to “show” new files to the system for use as a call.
⚠️ Attention: The MIUI interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version (Global, China, Russia). If you do not find an item, use the search in the settings by entering the word “Sound” or “Ringtone.”
In rare cases, clearing the cache of the “Themes” or “Sound” application helps, if such individual applications are present in the system. But usually a simple reboot of the device after copying the files is enough.
The main reason for the invisibility of a file is an incorrect extension or lack of access rights on the file manager. Check these two parameters first.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to set video to a call instead of sound?
You cannot set video to an incoming call using standard MIUI tools on Redmi 9. This feature is only available through third-party apps from the Play Market that create a layer on top of the call screen. However, this may consume more battery.
Why does the ringtone reset to standard after a reboot?
This may happen if the file was deleted or moved to another folder after installation. Make sure that the audio file is in a stable directory (for example, in the created Ringtones folder) and has not been cleared by memory cleaner apps.
How to increase the ringtone volume above the maximum?
Programmatically increasing the volume above the hardware limit is dangerous for the speaker. However, you can go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Additional settings and enable the “Mono Sound” function or check the equalizer by raising the frequencies responsible for voice and signals.
Can I use a voice note as a ringer?
Yes, if you save the voice memo in MP3 format and place it in a folder Ringtones. Standard voice recorders often save in their own formats, so you may need to convert the file before installation.
Where can I find the Ringtones folder if I didn't create it?
If you didn't create it manually, it may not exist. The system does not create it automatically until the user tries to add his own file. Create a folder named Ringtones in the root of the internal drive through any file manager.