Xiaomi’s smartphones, and in particular the popular Redmi 9, feature a flexible personalization system that allows users to customize the device to their preferences. One of the basic but often questionable features is replacing standard tunes with their own tracks, not only for calls, but also for notifications of messengers, alarms and calendar events.
Unlike some other manufacturers, the Chinese giant uses a MIUI shell, which has its own features of working with the file system and access rights. The process of installing audio files may not seem obvious to a beginner, especially if you have previously used devices with pure Android. However, once you understand the structure of folders and settings, you can easily manage the sound of your gadget.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to download music on Xiaomi Redmi 9. We will look at how to connect to your computer, use cloud storage, work with built-in system tools, and even touch on the topic of creating your own ringtones from any audio files. Follow the instructions to make using your smartphone as comfortable as possible.
Preparation of audio files and support formats
Before you start downloading files directly into the device’s memory, you need to make sure they are compatible with the operating system. The Redmi 9 smartphone runs on Android with the MIUI shell, which supports most popular audio formats. However, for stable operation of all system functions, including calls and alarms, it is better to use certain types of files.
The optimal format for ringtokes and system sounds is MP3. It provides good sound quality at a relatively small file size, which is important for saving internal storage. Also, the system easily reproduces the formats of WAV, OGG and M4A. If your files are in rare formats, such as FLAC or APE, they may play in the player, but the system may not see them in the list of selection of tunes for a call.
Special attention should be paid to the length of the track if you plan to use it as a bell. Too long songs may break off or not appear correctly in the contact list. It is recommended to use edited versions of tracks ranging from 15 to 40 seconds.
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Use online converters or editorial apps to crop your favorite song to the right length before downloading to your phone, which will save space and make it easier to find the right moment when you call.
It is also important to consider the bitrate of the audio file. For a mobile device, it makes no sense to download tracks with extremely high bitrate, since the built-in speaker or standard headphones may not reveal their potential, and space in memory will be spent inefficiently. The optimal value is considered to be 192-320 kbit / s.
How to transfer music to Redmi 9
There are several proven methods of transferring music files to a Xiaomi device, depending on whether you have a computer at hand, how fast you need to complete the task and how much data you plan to transfer.
The most classic and reliable method is the use of USB-To do this, you will need an original or quality Micro-USB cable that comes with your phone. Connect your smartphone to your computer, unlock the device screen, and select File Transfer Mode from the menu that appears» (MTP). After that, the phone will be defined as an external drive.
- 📂 Direct connection via USB-Cable is the fastest way to get large amounts of data.
- ☁️ Cloud storage (Google Drive, Mi Cloud) – convenient for wireless transfer of several tracks.
- 📡 Services like Mi Drop or ShareMe – high speed transfer between Xiaomi devices without Internet.
- 💿 MicroSD card usage – relevant if the phone has an additional card installed.
If you don't have a computer at hand, you can use cloud services. Download music to your Google Drive or Yandex.Disk account from another device, and then download files through a browser or application on Redmi 9. This method is convenient because it does not require wires, but depends on the speed of the Internet connection.
MicroSD cardholders are the luckydest. You can insert the card into your computer through a card reader, record music on it, and then just insert it into the smartphone slot. The MIUI system automatically indexes new files and they appear in the player. This is ideal for owners of models with a small amount of internal memory.
Instructions for installation via computer (USB)
Using a computer gives you the most control over your phone's file system, which allows you to quickly copy entire albums or playlists. To properly install music on Xiaomi Redmi 9 via PC, it is important to follow the folder structure, otherwise the system may not recognize files as ringtones.
Once you connect your phone to your computer in file transfer mode, open the device's internal memory, and you'll see a lot of system folders, and in order for the music to appear on the standard call melodies list, you have to put it in a special directory, and if you don't have one, you can create it manually.
☑️ Algorithm of actions when connecting
Create a folder at the root of internal memory called Ringtones (for calls), Notifications (for notifications) or Alarms (for alarm clocks). The folder name should be written in English. Copy the prepared audio files into the appropriate folder. Once the cable is turned off and the phone is rebooted, new tracks will appear in the audio settings.
⚠️ Warning: Do not copy files directly to root-accessor folders if you have no experience. This can lead to system conflicts. Use only custom directories or specially created folders at the root.
If you don't want to create separate folders, you can just upload music to a shared Music or Download folder, and then you can see the files in the player, but you have to search them every time you want to install them on the call through the file manager when you select the tune in the settings, and file structuring saves time in the future.
Once you copy files, be sure to remove the device safely through the computer's operating system to avoid damaging the file system. On modern Xiaomi smartphones, this is done by simply disconnecting the cable after the data transfer stops, but it does not hurt to be safe.
Setting up ringtones and notifications in MIUI
Once the files are uploaded, they need to be activated. The MIUI shell has a sophisticated audio configuration interface. To set the downloaded track to an incoming call, go to the Settings menu and select the Sound and Vibration section, and this is where all the basic audio settings are.
In the menu that opens, you'll see "Calling Melody" (or "Calling Melody"). Clicking on it will take you to the list of available tracks. If you put a file in the Ringtones folder, it will be at the top of the list. If the file is in a shared folder, select the "Choice Melody on Device" or the plus icon to find the file through the file manager.
| Type of sound | Path in settings | Recommended format | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incoming challenge | Sound and vibration → Phone call | MP3 | 15-40 sec. |
| Notification of SMS | Sound and vibration → Additional sound | MP3 / WAV | 2-5 seconds |
| Alarm clock | The clock → Settings of alarm clock | MP3 | Anybody. |
| Systemic sounds | Sound and vibration → Additionally. | WAV / OGG | 1-3 seconds |
Separately, you should mention setting notifications for specific applications, such as WhatsApp or Telegram. In MIUI, app notification settings can override system ones. Go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Notification Management, find the desired application and select Notification Sound. Here you can also select the file you downloaded.
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System-based audio settings take precedence over in-app settings, but setting a specific contact in the phone book takes the highest priority.
For alarm clocks, the process is a little different, so you have to open the standard Clock app, go to the settings of the specific alarm clock, and then select "Sound," which allows you to assign a unique wake-up melody to each alarm clock, which is very convenient for separating work and weekends.
Using theme and theme store for music
Xiaomi’s ecosystem offers another source of audio files, a built-in theme store. Although its main function is visual design, many themes contain unique sets of sounds and ringtones. You can download a theme you liked with the sound design and apply only sounds without changing the wallpaper or icons.
To access this functionality, open the Themes app on your desktop. Search for "Ringtone" or "Sounds." You'll see a lot of free and paid sets. You can listen to (preview) theme audio before downloading.
After you download the theme, take your time to apply it fully. Click the "Tune theme" button or go to your profile, select the downloaded theme and use only the Sounds component, which will allow you to integrate quality audio files into the system without changing the appearance of the interface.
⚠️ Warning: When downloading themes from third-party sources or unofficial stores, be careful.Some packages may contain promotional modules or unoptimized sounds that will be annoying if repeated frequently.
Also found in the theme store are audio packs from popular artists or movie soundtracks, a legal way to get high-quality licensed sounds tailored specifically for Redmi smartphone speakers.
The solution: When the music doesn't work
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where downloaded music is not displayed in the list or is not played. The most common reason is the wrong location of the file. Make sure that the file is not deep in the folders of the messenger cache (for example, in Android/media/com.whatsapp), since the system can only scan the main media folders.
Another possible problem is file formatting. DRM-It's a security (buyed in a restricted store), it can't be used as a system ringtone. The file must be in a free format. Also check if the file itself is damaged, play it in a third-party player, for example, VLC Mi Music or Mi Music.
What to do if the sound is quiet or wheezing?
In rare cases, cleaning the media cache helps. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find Media Service or Media Storage and click Clear Cache. Once you restart, the phone will scan the memory again and the file indexing will be updated.
If you use a memory card, make sure it is working and has no file system errors. The speed of reading the card also affects playback: if the card is very old or slow, the phone may not have time to load the data for the call, and the standard melody will sound.
Creating your own ringtones from any tracks
You don't have to look for pre-made short versions of songs. You can create a unique ringtone from any song using built-in features or simple apps. MIUI has a feature called Rington Editor, which is often built into a standard player or available when selecting a ringtone.
When you select a file, you often have an edit button or scissors in your audio settings, and by clicking on it, you can visually select the right track segment, adjust the smooth fade-in/fade-out, and save the result as a new file, eliminating the need to install third-party software.
If the built-in editor isn't enough, there are plenty of free apps on the Google Play store, like Ringdroid or MP3 Cutter, that allow you to cut a piece with high precision, add effects, and immediately set the result on a call with a single click.