Changing the standard call is one of the first steps that the owner of a new smartphone makes to personalize the device. Xiaomi Mi 9, with its excellent speaker and high-quality sound codec, allows you to play complex musical compositions without distortion. However, the MIUI shell on which the system is based, has its own navigation features that differ from pure Android, which sometimes confuses users when searching for the right settings.
In this detailed guide, we’ll take a look at all the ways ringtones can be installed, from using embedded themes to manually copying files through a computer. You’ll learn to customize unique tunes for different contacts and understand why your phone can be silent even when the sound is on. The right audio configuration for your gadget is not just beautiful, but also functionally convenient in everyday use.
Before we start making changes, it’s worth noting that MIUI strictly separates system sounds from custom tracks, and understanding this structure will help you avoid situations where all settings are reset after a firmware update.
Preparation of audio files for installation
The first step to successfully installing a ringtone is to prepare the file itself.The Android system installed on the Xiaomi Mi 9 supports most popular formats, such as the one that is used in the first place. MP3, M4A, WAV and OGG. However, for the correct operation of alarms and calls, it is recommended to use files without any problems. DRM-Sound quality also matters: too low bitrate can sound hoarse on the powerful flagship speaker.
It is important to organize the file structure inside the smartphone memory correctly. Unlike older firmware versions, modern MIUI builds require placing files in specific directories to automatically detect them. If you plan to use a file manager, create a Ringtones folder for calls and Notifications for notifications at the root of internal memory or in the MIUI folder.
⚠️ Note: Files downloaded from instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) often have restrictions on use as system calls due to the peculiarities of encoding..».
For users who want to have full control over audio, it is useful to know about bitrate and sampling frequency. The optimal choice for a ringtone is a file with parameters of 128-320 kbit / s and a frequency of 44.1 kHz. Higher values will only increase the file size, but will not add audible quality on the mobile speaker, but only land the battery faster when decoding.
Installation of ringtones through the built-in “Themes” application
The easiest and most integrated way to change the sound of your Xiaomi Mi 9 is to use an official theme store.This method is ideal for those who do not want to mess with files and prefer ready-made, optimized solutions. Themes Maze offers not only visual shells, but also a huge library of sounds, broken down by category.
To use this method, look at the Topic app shortcut on your desktop (tube icon). At the bottom of the screen, go to the Call tab. Here you can listen to popular tracks, new arrivals or choose a genre. After selecting a favorite song, click the Download button and then Apply. The system automatically sets the track to the incoming call.
- 🎵 Open the Topics app and go to the Calls section».
- 🔍 Use search or categories to find the right genre.
- ⬇️ Click “Download” and confirm the installation with the “Apply” button».
- ✅ Check the result by making a test call.
A feature of this method is the ability to install super-wallpapers with audio accompaniment that respond to touch or events. However, it is worth considering that some audio packages may be paid or require viewing ads to activate. Also, if you change the region in the phone settings, the catalog of available sounds may change, as the content is licensed by country.
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If the theme store doesn’t download content, try changing the region in settings (Settings → Additional settings → Region) to India or USA – this often expands the list of free ringtones available.
Manual installation through file manager
For advanced users with their own music collection, the most flexible option is manual installation through a standard conductor.This method gives full control of the file system and allows you to use any tracks that are not available in the official store. Xiaomi Mi 9 is equipped with a fast UFS drive, so reading audio files is instant.
First, you need to put the audio file in the right directory. Open the Explorer app and go to the internal storage. MIUI, Create a folder inside it or find a folder. sound_recorder Or just the Ringtones root folder, and if you don't have a Ringtones folder, you can create it manually, and once you copy it to that directory, it should appear on the list of files you can choose from.
☑️ Pre-installing check
Then we go to settings. Open Settings, select Sounds and Vibrations. Click on Phone Call. The list that opens at the top of the screen often has a "Select from Files" button or just a "+" icon. By clicking on it, you'll be in a list of all the audio files that the system has found in memory. Select the track you want and confirm the action.
| Parameter | Description | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| File format | Type of audio encoding | MP3, M4A |
| Location. | The path in the file system | /Ringtones/ or /MIUI/sound_recorder/ |
| Duration | Optimal sound time | 15-30 seconds. |
| File size | Affects loading speed | Up to 3-5MB |
Sometimes the system may not immediately “see” a new file, which can be done by simply restarting your smartphone or clearing the Explorer cache, and make sure that the file is not hidden by the Hidden File attribute, as system services may ignore such objects when scanning your media library.
Customization of individual melodies for contacts
One of the most useful features of the smartphone is the ability to assign a unique tune to a particular subscriber, which allows you to understand who is calling without taking the phone out of your pocket. On the Xiaomi Mi 9, this feature is implemented through a standard “Bell ringer” and a contact book, working steadily and without third-party applications.
To set up, open the Phone app and go to the Contacts tab. Find the right person in the list and open their card. At the bottom of the screen or in the menu (three dots in the corner), find the "Set a ringtone" option. The system will suggest you select a track from the standard list or from your files if you have previously performed the actions from the previous section.
⚠️ Note: If you have multiple numbers for a single person (e.g. mobile and work) in your contacts, you should assign a tune to each number separately if required. Global setting to the contact name may not work for all number types.
There is also an alternative way through the Contacts app (a yellow icon with a human silhouette), and the logic is the same: select a subscriber, edit a contact, and search for the Melody field.
What to do if the melody is dropped?
Resolving sound problems and setting up profiles
Even after the ringtone is properly set up, users can encounter a situation where the phone is silent. Often the problem lies not in the file, but in the settings of the sound profiles or the Do Not Disturb function. Xiaomi Mi 9 has a flexible sound script management system that needs to be configured correctly.
Check the sidebar (top-down swipe). Make sure Do Not Disturb (crescent icon) mode is off. In this mode, the phone can block all sounds, ignoring even the ringtones installed. Also check the volume slider: MIUI has volume separation for media, alarm and call. Press the volume slider and select the gear or arrow down to deploy all channels, and make sure the Call channel is not at a minimum.
- 🔇 Check if the Do Not Disturb or On-Plane mode is activated».
- 🔊 Adjust a separate call volume slider in the notification curtain.
- 📵 Make sure that SIM-card is active and there is a network signal (without a SIM call will not pass).
- 🔄 Reboot the device after installing a new ringtone.
Another common reason is to conflict with third-party call apps if you have installed one from the Play Market. They can intercept audio stream control, in which case it is recommended to return to a standard call or check the permission settings in the Applications section → Application Management → Phone → Permissions.
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90% of the audio problems on Xiaomi are solved by checking the “Do Not Disturb” mode and adjusting the volume of the call separately, as it is independent of the volume of media files.
Using third-party applications to create ringtones
If you don't have the right length, you can create it right on your smartphone. There are a lot of cutting apps in the Google Play Market that allow you to cut a snippet out of any song, add damping effects, and save the result in the right format, which is especially important for creating short, capacious signals.
A popular and reliable tool is the application "MP3 Cutter and Ringtone Maker" or analogues from the developer BigBang Inc. The process is simple: you download the track, sliders highlight the desired segment (for example, the most energetic chorus), apply the Fade In effect (smooth surge) so that the call does not start abruptly, and save the file.
When using third-party software, it's important to pay attention to the permissions they're asking for. They need access to storage (files) to work. Try not to give unnecessary applications access to contacts or a microphone if their functionality does not require it. Once you create a ringtone, the cutter application is no longer needed to run the call, the file remains in the phone's memory.