How to change the ringtone Xiaomi Redmi 9: 5 ways + error solving

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but even experienced users sometimes have questions about basic setup. Changing the ringtone seems like a simple task, but in MIUI this process has nuances, from hidden menus to restrictions on user tunes. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to change the ringtone of a call, including bypassing standard system restrictions, and also solve typical problems like a “gray” menu item or no sound after a change.

It is important to understand that the interface may differ depending on the firmware version (MIUI 12, 13 or 14). We will consider all options and show universal methods that work on any Redmi. 9 (including Redmi modifications 9A/9C/9T). You will also learn how to install a custom ringtone longer. 30 This is possible despite the limitations of the system!

1. Standard method: through MIUI settings

The most obvious method is to use the built-in tools of the system, which is suitable for most users and does not require additional applications.

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 versions of MIUI).
4. Select one of the preset tunes in the list. To listen, click on the track.
5. Confirm the choice with the OK button or tick in the upper right corner.

If the Call Melody item is inactive (grey), it means that the phone has a No Sound or Do Not Disturb profile. To unlock the menu, go back to Sounds and Vibration and turn on any sound profile (such as Normal).

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If there is no melody on the list, try pinching any track for 2 seconds – in some versions of MIUI, this opens up additional editing options.

Note: Standard ringtones in Redmi 9 are stored in /system/media/audio/ringtones. You can't delete or replace them without root rights, but you can add your own, as we'll explain later.

2 How to Play Your Melody: Bypassing the Limitations of MIUI

By default, MIUI only allows you to set tunes up to 30 seconds long and in.mp3 or.m4a format. However, there are legal ways to get around these restrictions without root rights.

1. Prepare the file: 🎵 Edit the track in any audio editor (e.g. Audacity or MP3 Cutter) so that it does not exceed 5 minutes. 📁 Save the file in format.mp3 or.m4a (bitrate is 320 kbps). 📲 Move the file to the Ringtones folder on the phone’s internal memory (create it manually if it’s not there).
2. Update the tone list: Reboot your phone — it will force you to update your media library. Or use a file manager (like Files by Google) and manually run the file scan.

Set up a custom ringtone

• Return to Settings → Sounds and vibration → Call melody.
• At the top of the screen will appear tab Local - tap it.
• Select your file from the list.

File format: MP3 or M4A|

Duration - up to 5 minutes |

Destination folder - /Ringtones/|

Bitrate – no higher than 320 kbps

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If your ringtone doesn’t appear on the list even after a reboot, check if the file is hidden (the name shouldn’t start from a dot) and if it’s in cloud storage (like Google Drive or Mi Cloud).

3. Use of third-party applications

If embedded tools MIUI They seem to be limited, you can use third-party apps, and they offer advanced features like editing tunes, installing different ringtones for you to use. SIM-maps, schedule of sound profiles.-3 tested applications:

When using third-party applications, consider:

• 🔒 Some programs request access to Contacts and Warehouse, which is necessary for integration with system settings.
• 📱 After installing the ringtone through a third-party application, check whether the settings have reset in the MIUI (Sometimes the system returns a standard tune).
• 🔄 If the ringtone is not applied, try reinstalling the app or clearing its cache in Settings. → Annexes.

Zedge|

Ringtone Maker|

Standard settings MIUI|

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4. Different ringtones for two SIM-map

Redmi 9 supports two SIM-You can assign a different tune to each card, and that's convenient if you use one card for work and the other card for personal calls:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose the first one. SIM-map, SIM 1).
3. Slip on the item Melody of the call for SIM 1.
4. Set your desired tune from a standard or local list.
5. Repeat steps 2-4 for SIM 2.

If the SIM Melody is not on the menu, it means that your MIUI version does not support this feature (relevant for firmware older than 2021).

Also note that with active mode "Do not disturb" individual settings of ringtones for SIM-To avoid this, add important contacts to the Exceptions (in the Do Not Disturb mode settings).

5 Problem Solving: The ringtone does not change or play

Sometimes, after a change in the ringtone, users encounter errors: the sound does not change, the standard melody is played or not at all.

• 🔇 Sound turned off in profile: Check what is in Settings → Sound and vibration selected profile Normal or Vibration + sound.
• 📵 Contact has a custom ringtone: Open contact in Phone, tap Edit and reset tune settings.
• 🔄 Cash Media Libraries Are Outdated: Go to Settings → Annexes → Music (or Media Storage) and clear the cache.
• 📱 Error after update MIUI: Reset the sound settings to standard in Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset the sound settings.

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If the ringtone is reset after the reboot, it is a sign of a malfunction in com.android.providers.media, the system module responsible for media files. Solution: clear the data of this module in Settings → Apps → Show system → Media storage (confirmation required).

A special case is that the ringtone is played but with a delay (1-2 seconds after the start of the call), which is due to the optimization of the battery in MIUI.

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Consumption Management.
2. Find the Phone (or Contacts) app and select Without Limits.
3. Reboot the phone.

6 Advanced settings: ringtones for specific contacts

MIUI allows you to assign unique tunes to individual contacts, which is useful if you want to know who's calling right away without looking at the screen.

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Select the contact you want and tap Edit (pencil icon).
3. Scroll down to the Melody of the Call (or Rington) item.
4. Select a tune from the standard list or click Add to download yours.
5. Save the changes.

If the call melody option is not in the contact card, it means that:

• Contact saved not on the phone, but on the phone SIM-Map (transfer it to Google Account or Local Memory).
• MIUI version older than 12.0.2.0 – Update the firmware through Settings → System Update.
• Activated mode Simple version in the settings of special features (disable it in Settings → Special. features → Simple version).

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To quickly find contact with the custom ringtone, search for Contacts for ringtone: (without space) and the system will show all contacts with individual tunes.

You can also assign vibration patterns to your contacts, and to do this, select Vibration in your contact card and create a unique sequence (e.g., two short signals + a long one) that works even in silent mode.

FAQ: Frequent questions about ringtones on Redmi 9