Changing the standard ringtone to your favorite song is one of the first steps to personalizing a new smartphone. Users Xiaomi Redmi 9A often encounter the fact that the usual algorithm for installing music differs from pure Android due to the shell MIUI. The system has its own navigation and file management features that can confuse the owner of the gadget.
Fortunately, the procedure does not require connecting to a computer or installing complex utilities. All the necessary tools are already built into the operating system. It is enough to have an audio file in the device's memory to turn it into a unique ringtone. We will analyze each stage in detail so that you do not have any difficulties finding the necessary menus.
The main difficulty is that the “Select ringtone” button in the sound settings does not always immediately provide access to all folders. Sometimes the system only offers preset tracks. However, if you know the correct path through the file manager or theme settings, you can easily bypass this limitation and install any track from the directory Download.
Preparing an audio file and checking the format
Before proceeding with the settings, you need to make sure that your music is saved in the correct location and format. Smartphones in the series Redmi work correctly with most popular audio codecs, but there are certain requirements for system calls. The file must be in a readable area of the internal memory.
The ideal option is the format MP3, since it is supported by all versions of Android without exception. The system can also recognize files OGG or WAV, but sometimes problems arise with them when installed on a specific contact. Make sure that the track has been downloaded completely and is not damaged.
⚠️ Attention: if the file has the extension m4a (Apple format), the system may not see it in the list of ringtones. In this case, the easiest way is to convert the track to MP3 through online services before installation.
Check the file size. Songs that are too long (more than 3-4 minutes) may be cut off incorrectly by the system or create a delay when playing a call. It is recommended to use excerpts up to 30-40 seconds long for comfortable viewing.
Use tracks with a bitrate of 128-320 kbps. Too high quality (Lossless) will not improve the sound of the speaker, but will take up extra memory space.
File search through a standard explorer
In the shell MIUI a powerful file manager is preinstalled, which allows you to quickly find downloaded data. Open the File Explorer app from your Home screen. It usually has a yellow folder icon. In the interface you will see categories of files, such as “Images”, “Videos”, “Documents”.
We are interested in the section Music or the “Recent” category. If you downloaded the track from a browser, it is most likely located in the folder Download. Click on the folder icon in the top menu of the explorer to go to the root directory structure.
- 📂 Find the folder
Download(Downloads) in the list of internal storages. - 🎵 Open it and find the desired audio file by name.
- ⏱️ Check the duration of the track by clicking on it and selecting "Properties" or simply listening.
If the file is found, hold your finger on it for one second to highlight it. An action bar will appear at the bottom of the screen. Here you need to find the “More” button (three dots) and select “Set to call”. This is the fastest method, which works in 90% of cases on devices Xiaomi.
Installation via the sound settings menu
Sometimes direct selection from Explorer does not work, or you want to set up different ringtones for different SIM cards. In this case, you should use the system menu. Go to Settings your smartphone Redmi 9A. This is the gear at the top of the list of applications.
In the list of parameters, find the section Sound and vibration. This item is responsible for all audio notifications from the device. Inside you will see volume and ringtone selection settings. The interface may differ slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the logic remains the same.
| Parameter | Setting description | Where to find |
|---|---|---|
| Melody call | Basic sound for incoming calls | Sound and vibration → Ring melody |
| Notification sound | Signal for SMS and applications | Sound and vibration → Notification sound |
| Vibration when calling | Tactile response to a call | Sound and vibration → Vibration when calling |
| Ring volume | Sound level dynamics | Slider at the top of the settings screen |
Click on the item Ringtone. A list of system songs will open. At the top of the screen or in the corner there is often a plus icon + or the words “Select local file”. Clicking on this item will open the file manager right inside the settings menu.
☑️ Check before installation
Setting a ringtone for an individual contact
The uniqueness of the smartphone lies in the ability to identify the caller even before looking at the screen. You can assign a custom song for your loved ones or boss. To do this, open the standard application Contact or "Phone" and go to the tab with the list of subscribers.
Find the desired person in the list and tap on his name to open the contact card. In the upper right corner or in the menu (three dots), select the "Edit" option. Scroll down the page to the section where the current ringtone is indicated.
⚠️ Attention: if a contact has several numbers saved, the ringtone can be assigned to a specific number or to the entire contact. Carefully check which number you are editing.
Click on the field Melody. The system will prompt you to select a track from the list. If your song is not in the list, click on the plus icon or "Select from files". The navigator will take you to the folder Music or Download, where you can mark the desired file. After selecting, do not forget to click “Save” or the checkmark in the corner of the screen.
Now, when this person calls, you will hear a unique composition. This is especially convenient when the phone is in your bag or in another room. The function works stably on the processor Helio G25installed in Redmi 9A.
What to do if the contact is synchronized with Google?
Sometimes the settings are reset during synchronization. To avoid this, after installing the ringtone, make a backup copy of your contacts through the export menu to a .vcf file.
Solving problems with the absence of a file in the list
It happens that the file is physically present in memory, but the system stubbornly does not want to show it in the list of available ringtones. This is a common shell issue related to permissions or indexing of media files. Don't panic, the solution is usually obvious. MIUI, related to access rights or indexing of media files. Don't panic, the solution is usually on the surface.
Try moving the file to the root folder Ringtones. To do this, select a track in Explorer, click “More” → “Move”. Go to the internal storage and find the folder Ringtones. If it is not there, create a new folder with the same name (necessarily in English).
- 📁 Create a folder
Ringtonesin the root of the internal memory. - 📥 Move your audio file there.
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone to update media database.
After the reboot, go back to the sound settings. Now your track should appear in the general list of system tunes, and not just in the “Local files” section. This makes it available for selection at any time without unnecessary navigation through folders.
Creating a Ringtones folder is the most reliable way to force the system to see custom ringtones as built-in.
Using the Themes application to install
In the ecosystem Xiaomi there is another non-standard path through the "Themes" application. This method may seem redundant, but it sometimes helps when the standard menus are glitchy. Open the application Themesthat is preinstalled on your Redmi 9A.
Go to the user profile (the little man icon at the bottom right). In the profile menu, find the item Call. All previously installed ringtones are displayed here. Click on the music icon in the top corner to add a new file.
The system will request access to the storage. Allow access and select a track from the folder Download. The application will process the file and add it to its library. After that, you can apply it as your main ringtone directly from the Themes application interface.
⚠️ Attention: The Themes application may require an Internet connection for some functions to work. Make sure you have an active Wi-Fi connection or mobile network before starting the procedure.
This method is good because it allows you to manage your collection of calls centrally. You can quickly switch between saved tracks without having to navigate through file directories every time. For owners Redmi 9A this is a convenient way to maintain order in multimedia.
The Themes application allows you to trim a track right during installation. Use the slider to select the juiciest moment of the song for the call.
Frequently asked questions and troubleshooting
Why does the ringtone reset to the standard one after a reboot?
This may occur due to a conflict of access rights or energy-efficient MIUI settings. Try moving the file to the folder Ringtones and disable the system from clearing the cache of the Media Storage application in the battery settings.
Is it possible to set a ringtone for WhatsApp messages?
Yes, but this is done inside the WhatsApp application itself. Go to Settings → Notifications → Notification sound. There you can select a local file. System sound settings do not affect this.
The file is visible in Explorer, but is not selected as a call. What is the reason?
Most likely, the file has an unsupported codec or is protected by copyright (DRM). Try converting it to regular MP3 128kbps. Also check if the file is in a protected folder.
How to return the factory ringtone if it is missing?
Go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Ringtone. At the very top of the list there is usually an item “Default” or “Mi Sound”. Selecting this item will return the standard composition.
Does setting your own ringtone affect battery consumption?
No, the effect is negligible (negligible). The processor Helio G25 spends the same amount of energy on playing any audio file of similar duration and bitrate.