Smartphones of the line Redmi from the company Xiaomi are extremely popular due to their excellent price-quality ratio. However, the proprietary shell installed on these devices often confuses new users with its non-standard interface. This is especially true for multimedia settings, where the logic of actions differs from “pure” Android. MIUI, installed on these devices, often confuses new users with its non-standard interface. This is especially true for multimedia settings, where the logic of actions differs from “pure” Android.
Model owners Redmi 9 often face the fact that the standard procedure for changing the melody does not work as they expected. The file has been downloaded, but it is not in the call list, or the system offers only standard sounds. This is due to the specifics of the file manager and strict rules for accessing system folders in new versions of Android.
Do not worry if you do not find the usual “Set to call” button in the player menu. In this article we will look at all the working ways to personalize your smartphone. You will learn how to properly organize files in the device memory so that they are displayed in the system menu, and how to bypass shell restrictions without obtaining root access.
Preparing an audio file and system requirements
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that your audio file meets the technical requirements of the operating system. Android quite omnivorous in terms of formats, but for To ensure stable call operation, it is better to use proven options. Most often, users download music from the Internet without paying attention to the file extension, which can lead to playback errors.
The optimal format for ringtones is MP3 with a bitrate of at least 128 kbps. Also, the system easily recognizes WAV, OGG and M4Aformats. If you try to install a file in FLAC or another (lossless) format, the smartphone may not see it in the list of available melodies or play it with a delay.
It is also important to pay attention to the duration of the track. Songs that are too long may cut out or not play completely in standby mode. It is recommended to use passages between 15 and 30 seconds long. To trim, you can use online services or special editor applications.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that the file is not protected by DRM copyrights. Such files, downloaded, for example, from some streaming services, cannot be used as system ringtones without removing the protection.
For better sound quality and faster processor load, try to keep the ringtone file size no more than 1-2 MB.
Method 1: Installation through the standard “Sounds” application
The simplest and most obvious method, which is often overlooked due to the non-standard layout of the menu in MIUI. Unlike many other smartphones, here the sound settings are placed in a separate system application, and not just in the settings section.
First, open the main application menu and find the icon with the name Sounds (or Sounds). It usually takes the form of a speaker or a note. If you can't find it right away, use the menu search by entering the name of the application. Inside you will see several tabs, we are interested in the section Call.
Click on the current melody to open the list of available options. Scroll to the bottom of the list. There should be a button Select ringtone from memory or similar wording that allows you to access the file manager. The system will open a file selection window.
- 🎵 Click on the select button and go to the folder where your track is saved.
- 📂 If the file is not displayed, check if it is in a readable folder (not in the system folder).
- ✅ Confirm your choice by clicking the checkbox or the "OK" button in the upper right corner.
After confirmation, the melody will be set to a general incoming call. This method works most stably, since the system itself copies the file to the desired directory. However, it has a drawback: it does not allow flexible management of the sound library in advance.
Method 2: Manual copying via Explorer
This method is considered the most reliable for advanced users, as it guarantees that the file will always be visible to the system, even after resetting the settings or updating the firmware. The idea is to manually move the audio file to a special system directory.
Open the application Explorer (File Manager), which is preinstalled on your Redmi 9. Find the downloaded audio file. Usually it is in the folder Download or MIUI/Music. Tap and hold on a file to select it. In the bottom menu, select the option Copy or Move.
Now the most important thing: you need to go to the root folder of the internal drive. To do this, click on the folder icon at the top and select Internal shared storage. Here you need to find a folder named Ringtones. If there is no such folder, create it manually by clicking the menu button and selecting “Create folder”.
Copy path: /storage/emulated/0/RingtonesPaste the copied file into this directory. After this, restart your smartphone. When turned on, the system will scan the media library and automatically pick up a new file, adding it to the general list of ringtones in the sound settings.
☑️ Manual copying checklist
Setting individual ringtones for contacts
One of the useful features Android is the ability to assign unique calls to specific people from your phone book. This allows you to find out who is calling you without looking at the screen. In MIUI this process is implemented quite conveniently, but has its own characteristics.
Go to the application Contact and select the desired subscriber from the list. Open the contact card and find the field Melody (or Ringtone). By default it is set to "Default". Click on this line.
The standard sound selection menu will open, which we looked at in the first method. You can select either the system melody or any other one you have added to the device’s memory. After selection, save the changes by clicking the checkmark.
| Setting type | Where applied | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| General ringtone | All incoming calls | Low (overridden by contact) |
| Contact ringtone | Selected subscriber only | High |
| SIM card ringtone | Calls to a specific SIM card | Medium |
It is worth noting that if you delete a contact, the individual call setting will be reset. Also, for contacts saved only in the account Google or MI Cloud, ringtone synchronization may take some time.
Using third-party applications for installation
If standard methods seem too complicated to you or do not work correctly, you can use the help of specialized software. In the store Google Play there are many applications that automate the process of installing ringtones.
Popular utilities, such as Zedge or Ringtone Maker, provide huge databases of ready-made sounds and built-in editors. They can trim the track themselves, apply fade effects and immediately apply it to the call. This saves time and eliminates the need to manually dig through folders.
When installing such an application, carefully monitor the requested permissions. The app needs access to memory and contactsto function fully. However, be careful with applications from unknown developers, as they may contain intrusive advertising.
⚠️ Attention: Some ringtone applications may require the right to change system settings. Grant such rights only to proven software with a high rating in the store.
Why may an application not see files?
Often the problem lies in the fact that the application does not have permission to access the storage. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications → [Your application] → Permissions and enable memory access.
Problem solving: why the ringtone is not installed
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users Redmi 9 sometimes encounter a situation where the file copied, but it is not in the list of melodies. This can be caused by several factors, from an incorrect format to the media scanner cache.
The first thing to check is the file name. If the track name contains special characters, emoticons, or is too long, the system may ignore it. Rename the file using only Latin letters and numbers, for example my_ringtone_01.mp3.
The second common reason is a failure in the media file indexing service. Android uses a background process to scan memory for new audio and video. Sometimes this process freezes and does not see new files.
- 🔄 Try restarting the device in safe mode to eliminate the influence of third-party applications.
- 🗑️ Clear the cache of the Media Server or Media Storage application in the application settings.
- 💾 Make sure that the file is not damaged and can be played in any player.
If all else fails, try moving the file to another folder, for example Notifications (for notifications), check if it appears there, and then return it back to Ringtones. This will force a re-scan.
In 90% of cases, the problem is solved by simply renaming the file in Latin and rebooting the smartphone.
Frequent questions and answers (FAQ)
Is it possible to set a ringtone for messages in the same way as for a call?
Yes, the procedure is similar. You need to copy the audio file to a folder Notifications in the internal storage. After the reboot, it will appear in the sound settings in the “Notifications” section.
Why did my ringtones disappear after updating MIUI?
During major system updates, folders may be reset. Check the presence of folders Ringtones and Notifications. If they are deleted, create them again and copy the files back.
How to set a ringtone on a second SIM card?
In the menu Sounds find the “Calls” or “SIM cards” section. There you can select a separate melody for each SIM card if two lines are active in the phone.
Does Redmi 9 support ringtones in AAC format?
Yes, the format AAC (usually with the extension .m4a) completely supported by the Android system and the MIUI shell without the need for conversion.
Where to download free ringtones without viruses?
It is best to use official application stores or trusted aggregator sites. Avoid downloading executable files (.apk) under the guise of ringtones - the sound must be in .mp3 or .wav format.