Owners of flagship smartphones often face the desire to personalize their device, making it unique not only in appearance, but also on hearing. Xiaomi Mi 9, with a high-quality stereo speaker, allows you to implement any musical preferences, replacing the standard monotonous ringtone with your favorite track. The process of tuning the soundtrack in the shell of MIUI has its nuances that can confuse the beginner, but with the right approach takes only a couple of minutes.
However, before you start replacing sounds, you need to prepare the audio file itself. Standard libraries of the system can be limited, so downloading tracks from third-party sources or using your own music collection is the most flexible solution. It is important to consider the file format and its location in the device's memory, since the Android system requires a certain folder structure to correctly display the tunes in the selection list.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to set music to an incoming call, as well as the settings for messages and application notifications. You will learn how to use the built-in Themes app to access cloud resources, and how to manually write a path to the file through the system Explorer. To correctly work the volume of the call, make sure that the silent mode is turned off in the audio settings and the call volume slider is raised to a comfortable level.
Audio file preparation and formats
The first step on the way to personalization is to have the music file itself. Xiaomi Mi 9 supports most modern audio codecs, however, for maximum compatibility and stability of the system, it is best to use MP3 or M4A formats. These formats are universal and guaranteed to be played by the system without the need to install additional players or codecs.
Sound quality also plays a role, especially given the stereo speakers in this model. Too low bitrate (less than 128 kbps) can sound hoarse, especially at maximum volume, whereas Lossless files (FLAC, WAV) can take up too much space if you plan to install dozens of tunes. The optimal balance is considered to be a bitrate of 320 kbps for MP3 format.
- 🎵 Download tracks from trusted sources or copy them from your computer.
- 📂 Make sure that the files are not protected. DRM-copy-protection.
- 🔊 Check the file playback in any media player before installing.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to rename system sound files in Android folders, this can lead to errors in the interface. Create new files or copy tracks to user directories.
The location of the file in the device's memory is critical. MIUI scans certain folders to find available ringtones. If you place a track deep in the archives or in the root-access system folder, it may not appear in the shared list. It is recommended to use a standard Music folder or create a special Ringtones directory at the root of the internal memory.
Installation through the “Themes” app
The easiest and most integrated way to change a tune is to use the standard Themes app, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi devices, allowing you not only to change the visual style, but also to download audio content. The app interface is intuitive, although it contains advertising integrations that you can ignore.
To get started, you have to open the app and go to the bottom menu where the main categories are located, and we're interested in the section that deals with sounds, often marked with a note icon or a "Sounds"/"Ringtones" signature, and here's a catalog of free and paid tunes, sorted by genre and popularity.
The installation process takes a few clicks. If you choose a composition you like, click the download button or example button. Once downloaded, the system will suggest using the track. It is important to note that some of the sounds in the catalog can be tied to specific themes of design, but most are available for separate installation.
- 📲 Open the “Themes” app on the main screen.
- 🔊 Go to the “Sounds” tab in the lower menu.
- ⬇️ Click "Download" on the selected track.
- ✅ Confirm the application by selecting “Call” or “Notice».
⚠️ Attention: Themes app requires an active internet connection and a Mi Account to download content from the online catalogue.
If you want to use your file through this application, the functionality can be limited depending on the firmware region (Global or China). Some versions of MIUI have a Local button that allows you to select a file from the device's memory, but most often this method only works with pre-installed content, so for your own files, it is better to use the method through system settings.
Configure through the system menu Sound and vibration
The classic method, which works on all firmware versions without exception, is to manually select a file through system settings, which gives you complete control over which file will be installed, and allows you to use any music stored in the Xiaomi Mi 9 memory.
You have to go to the settings menu, and the path may vary slightly depending on the MIUI version, but the logic remains the same. Open Settings, look for Sound and Vibration, and that's where all the parameters for audio-enabled devices are concentrated.
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. At the top of the screen, there's usually a "Choice Local File" button or a plus icon. Clicking on this item opens the system file manager, allowing you to navigate the device folders.
Settings → Sound and vibration → Phone call → Select fileNavigating the file system may not be as convenient as in specialized applications, so it is important to know the path to the file in advance. Once you select the track, the system will automatically apply it and return you to the settings menu, where you can immediately listen to the result. If the sound has not changed, check if the phone is worth it in Do Not Disturb mode.
☑️ Checking the sound settings
Using a conductor to assign a track
An alternative and often faster way is to assign a tune directly from the file, which works if you have any file manager on your smartphone that can open a contextual file menu, such as the standard Explorer from Xiaomi or Google Files.
Find the folder in your device's memory where you previously saved the music file, which could be the Downloads folder, the Music folder, or whatever. Find the track you want in the list. Unlike the previous method, here we do the opposite: we don't look for settings to select the file, but we choose a file to set the settings.
Make a long tap (tap and hold) on the audio file name. A context menu with actions available will open. The options for Copy, Delete or Rename should be "Set on a Call" or "Appoint a Rington"; in some versions of the firmware, this item may be hidden under the "More" menu (three dots).
| Action. | The result | Where to find |
|---|---|---|
| Single tap | Replaying the track | In any player. |
| Long pressing | Opening the action menu | In the Guide |
| Choice "To Call" | Rington installation | In the context menu |
| Editing | Track trimming | In the file menu (if any) |
What to do if there is no “call” item?
This method is especially useful when you download a new track and want to put it on the phone right away without wandering through the deep settings menu, and it also allows you to quickly change tunes depending on mood or time of day.
Set up separate contacts and SIM-map
Xiaomi Mi 9 supports two of the SIM-It allows you to assign different tunes to each of them, and it's a useful feature to separate work and personal calls if they're coming to different numbers, and you can assign a unique tune to a specific contact from the phone book.
To tune tune tune tunes SIM-Go to the Sound and Vibration menu, and you'll see the separation: «SIM 1" and «SIM 2" By clicking on each item separately, you can select a custom track. When you call in, you immediately know which number is being called without even looking at the screen.
To set up a personal contact call, open the Contacts or Phone app. Find the person in the list and open the contact card. At the bottom of the screen or in the menu (three dots), find the "Install Rington" option.
- 📞 Open the contact card in the phone book.
- ⚙️ Click on the action menu (three dots or “More»).
- 🎵 Select "Rington" or "Call Melody».
- 💾 Save changes to this contact.
⚠️ Note: If the contact is synced with a Google account or social media, ringtone settings may sometimes be reset when you re-sync.
This feature also works for messages. You can customize unique SMS sounds from certain people, which will allow you to avoid missing an important message even in noisy environments without taking your phone out of your pocket.
Solution and technical nuances
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users sometimes encounter situations where the installed music is not playing or only part of the track is played. Often the problem lies in the length of the audio file. Android system and MIUI shell may not properly handle too long songs as a system call.
It is recommended to use cropped versions of tracks with a duration of no more than 30-40 seconds, this time is enough to hear the melody and answer a call. Long files can cause a delay before playing or break in the middle of a word.
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Use audio clipping apps to create the perfect ringtone 15-30 seconds long, which will save CPU resources while playing and make the call more recognizable.
Another common problem is the lack of sound after installation, check if the In-pocket mode is activated with too high sensitivity, or if the silent mode for a particular one is turned on. SIM-Also make sure the file is not corrupted and has correct metadata.
If the call remains standard after all the manipulations, try restarting the device, which will update the system's media library and force the audio service to reread the available files, and in rare cases, cleaning the Topic or Sounds app cache through the application settings helps.
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The optimal ringtone duration for the Xiaomi Mi 9 is 15 to 40 seconds. files longer than a minute may not be handled correctly by the system player of the call.