How to change the ringtone of a call on Xiaomi Redmi 9C: 5 ways + solving errors

Why Redmi 9C can’t change the ringtone: the main reasons

Xiaomi Redmi 9C (model M2006C3LG) runs on the shell of MIUI, where the change of the ringtone should theoretically be intuitive. However, users often find that standard settings are not saved, and downloaded files are not displayed in the list of available ringtone, the reasons are rooted in three key points:

First, the MIUI file format limitations. The shell only supports.mp3,.m4a and.ogg with bitrates up to 320 kbit/s. Files in.wav or high resolution (e.g. FLAC) will be ignored by the system even if you copy them to the Ringtones folder. Second, the wrong file location: MIUI scans only specific directories (/storage/emulated/0/Ringtones/, /storage/emulated/0/Notifications/Download) and if it does not appear in the musicload or melod settings.

Third, firmware bugs, especially those for MIUI 12.0.8-12.5.3 (which shipped the Redmi 9C out of the box) have been partially solved after upgrading to MIUI 13/14, but some users still face the fact that the changes do not apply without restarting the device. It is also worth considering that the Redmi 9C has two modifications - global (Global) and Chinese (China), and in the latter the functionality of the audio configuration may differ.

Before proceeding to the instructions, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. If you have 12.0.8 or lower, we recommend you upgrade.
• 🎵 The format of your file: convert it to MP3 with a bitrate of 192-320 kbit / s through an online converter.
• 📁 Storage folder: Create a Ringtones folder at the root of internal memory if it is not available.

Method 1: Standard Rington Change through MIUI Settings

The easiest method is to use built-in shell tools, which is suitable for those who want to select a tune from a pre-installed list or previously added files. MIUI 12–14:

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
2. Go to the section Sound and vibration.
3. Slip on the item "Melody of the call" (or "rington" in some localizations).
4. In the list that opens, select one of the categories: 🎶 Standard – Melodies from Xiaomi (for example, Mi Mix, Bamboo). 📱 Local – files you have added to the Ringtones folder. 🎵 Music - tracks from the Music app (requires) MIUI 13+).

OK.

Ready.

If you don’t see your tune on the list, even after copying it to Ringtones, try this:

⚠️ Attention: MIUI caches a list of ringtones. After adding a new file, restart your phone or use the file manager to update your media library (Settings) → Warehouse → Clear the media cache).

Convert to MP3 (bitrate 192-320 kbps)|Rename the file in Latin (no spaces)|Put in /Ringtones/|Reboot the phone

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Method 2: Using a File Manager for Custom Melodies

If the standard method didn’t work, you can manually add a tune through the file manager, which is suitable for users who want to use any audio files, including recorded voice notes or cropped tracks. Importantly, the file must be short (up to 30 seconds) and monophonic (single channel), otherwise MIUI can ignore it.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the file manager (such as Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer) from Google Play.
2. Create a folder at the root of the internal memory called Ringtones (if it's not there), and the path should look like this: /storage/emulated/0/Ringtones/.
3. Copy your audio file into this folder. Make sure the file name contains only Latin characters and has no spaces (e.g., the file name contains only Latin characters, my_ringtone.mp3).
4. Reboot your phone, and it will force the media scanner to update.
5. Go to Settings → Sound and Vibration → Call Melody and select your file in the Locals section.

Method 3: Install ringtones through the Zedge app

Zedge is one of the most popular audio and wallpaper customization solutions on Android, offering over 100,000 free ringtones, including user-generated ringtones (from movies, games) and features, plus Zedge, which automatically optimizes files for MIUI requirements, so compatibility issues are kept to a minimum.

How to install ringtone through Zedge:

1. Download Zedge from Google Play.
2. Open the app and go to the Ringtona tab.
3. Find your favorite tune (you can use a keyword search, such as a game or movie).
4. Slip on the ringtone and select Set as ringtone.
5. Confirm your choice in the open MIUI window.

The advantages of Zedge:

• 🎵 Categories: Melodies are broken down by theme (cinema, games, natural sounds).
• ⚡ Automatic optimization: files are already tailored to Android requirements.
• 🔄 Regular updates: New ringtones are added daily.

⚠️ Attention: There are paid ringtones in Zedge (marked with an icon) 💎). To avoid accidental purchase, in the application settings, turn off the option to Show Premium Content.

Method 4: Assigning a ringtone to a specific contact

MIUI allows you to set individual tunes for individual contacts, which is convenient if you want to distinguish calls from family, colleagues or important customers, and works even if the overall ringtone is unchanged.

How to set up:

1. Open the Contacts app (the person icon on the home screen).
2. Find the right contact and tap it.
3. Click Edit (pencil icon in upper right corner).
4. Scroll down to the ring melody block and select Add a melody.
5. In the window that opens, select a file from the standard list or your custom ringtones (if added to Ringtones).
6. Save the changes.

Limitations of the method:

• 📞 Only for saved contacts: for unknown numbers will be used a common ringtone.
• 🔕 Does not work in Do Not Disturb mode: individual settings are turned off along with the common sound.
• 📱 Not supported in some versions MIUI China ROM.

💡

If you want to assign a unique tune to an SMS from a particular contact, use the same editing menu, but select the Notification Melody item instead of the Call Melody.

Method 5: Using ADB to force a ringtone change (for advanced)

If none of the above methods worked, you can resort to manual replacement of system files through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable for users with unlocked bootloader or root rights, but requires caution - incorrect actions can lead to system failure.

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB Tools on your computer.
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to activate Developer Mode), then Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging over USB.
3. Connect Redmi 9C to your PC and execute the command in the terminal: Adb devices Make sure the device is identified.
4. Copy your ringtone to the system folder (root rights required): adb push my_ringtone.mp3 /system/media/audio/ringtones/
5. Change the rights to the file: adb shell chmod 644 /system/media/audio/ringtones/my_ringtone.mp3
6. Reboot the phone.

Risks of the method:

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 9C s MIUI 12.5+ systemfolder /system/media/audio/ringtones/ It can be protected from writing even from root, in which case use an alternative path: /data/data/com.android.providers.media/ringtones/.

Problem Solving: Why the Ringtone Doesn't Change or Replay

If after all the manipulations the ringing melody has not changed or the phone rings without sound, check the following points:

• 🔇 Do Not Disturb Mode: Open the notification curtain and make sure it is turned off.
• 📴 Sound Profile: in Settings → Sound and vibration check that the Sound mode is selected, not Vibration or No Sound mode.
• 🔊 Call volume: Press the volume button up during an incoming call - possibly a slider at zero.
• 🔄 Resetting sound settings: in Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset the sound settings.

If the problem persists, try:

1. Remove the app cache Settings: Settings → Apps → Application Management → Settings → Storage → Clear the cache.
2. Update MIUI to the latest version: Settings → About Phone → System Update.
3. Reset all settings to factory (pre-reverse!).

💡

If the sound is completely gone after the ringtone change, check if the vibration only mode is activated in the special features settings (Settings → Special features → Hearing → Monoaudio).

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the ringtone to Redmi 9C