Install music on Xiaomi Mi 9: the complete guide

Owners of the flagship Xiaomi Mi 9 often face the desire to personalize their device, starting with the installation of a unique ringtone.The standard set of tunes in the shell of MIUI, while varied, can seem boring or too intrusive after several months of use. Fortunately, the Android system makes it easy to replace standard sounds with any tracks from your personal collection, whether it is a favorite song, voice message or a podcast excerpt.

The process of replacing an audio file with a Xiaomi Mi 9 does not require superuser rights or complex software.All the necessary tools are already built into the operating system or available through standard file management applications. However, due to the peculiarities of the Android file system and the MIUI security policy, there are nuances that need to be considered for successful application of changes.

In this guide, we will take a look at all the ways you can set music, take a look at computer- and non-computer-based methods, discuss format conversion, and explain why some tracks may not appear on the available tune list.

Preparation of the audio file for installation

Before you start setting up a call, you need to make sure that your audio file meets the technical requirements of the system. Xiaomi Mi 9, like most modern Android smartphones, natively supports the MP3 format, which is the most common audio compression standard. If your track has the extension.m4a,.wav or.ogg, the system can try to play it, but the guaranteed compatibility is MP3.

Special attention should be paid to the length of the track if you plan to use it as a call for an incoming call. The optimal ringtone length is 15 to 30 seconds. Long tracks may be cropped by the system or sound incorrect when the call is received.

⚠️ Attention: Files DRM-Protection (for example, purchased from iTunes with extension.m4p Spotify subscription tracks cannot be used as ringtones without first removing protection and converting.

If you download music from the Internet, make sure the source is secure. Files with the.apk or.exe extension disguised as music may contain malicious code. Always check the file extension in the Manager before launching. You can use the built-in MIUI voice recorder or third-party editor apps available in the Google Play Market to edit the duration of the track.

Installation of ringtones through Explorer (without PC)

The fastest way to install music on the Xiaomi Mi 9 is to use the built-in Explorer app, which does not require a connection to a computer and allows you to manage files directly on the device. First download the desired audio file from the browser or messenger, saving it to the memory of the phone.

Open File Manager on the home screen or in the Tools folder. Go to Downloads or the directory where the file was saved. Find the track you want in the list and click on it. The system will suggest you select the playback app; select Music or the built-in MIUI player.

Once the track starts playing, click on the "More" button (three dots) in the player interface. In the drop-down menu, select "Install as" and then the system will suggest options: "Call Melody", "Notification Sound" or "Alarm Ring Sound".

If the file context menu does not have "Install as" in it, you can use an alternative way: press your finger on the file name to highlight it, then click the "More" button at the bottom of the screen and select "Install as a melody." This method works in most versions of the MIUI shell installed on the Xiaomi Mi 9.

Using a computer to download music

For users who store a large music library on their computer, it will be more convenient to transfer files via a USB cable. Connect your Xiaomi Mi 9 to your PC using a USB-C cable. A notification of the connection mode will appear on the smartphone screen; click on it and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.

On your computer, open My Computer, find the Xiaomi Mi 9 device, and go to internal memory. In order for the system to automatically recognize audio files as ringtones, it is best to place them in a special folder called Ringtones. If there is no such folder, create it at the root of internal memory. You can also use the Notifications folder for notification sounds.

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Create a separate folder on your computer with short versions of your favorite tracks specifically for calls, so you don’t need to look for the right moments every time.

After copying files, disconnect your smartphone from your computer. Go to the sound settings. Now your tracks should be displayed in the list of available tunes. If you have placed files in an arbitrary folder, such as Music, you will have to select them through the file manager, as described in the previous section, since the standard list of ringtones scans only certain directories.

Setup via the Sound and Vibration menu

The classic way to change the tune is through system settings, which allows you not only to select a file, but also to adjust the vibration, volume and behavior of the phone in different modes. Go to Settings → Sound and vibration. Here you will see sections for setting the call, notifications and alarm.

Click on Call Melody. A list of MIUI standard tracks will open. To select your track, scroll down to the bottom and click on Select Melody on Device (or +, depending on the version of MIUI) and the file manager will open to find the previously downloaded file.

Vibration mode can be set up in the same menu. The Xiaomi Mi 9 has an advanced vibration editor that allows you to create your own patterns. Click on Vibration → Create and draw the rhythm with your finger on the screen, synchronizing it with the selected ringtone.

The Smart Call feature, which allows the phone to not vibrate or ring if it is lying down or in your pocket, is worth a special attention, and ensure that this feature does not conflict with your expectations if you do not hear the calls.

Individual contact ringtones

One of the most useful features is to set a unique tune for a particular subscriber, so you can learn the importance of a call without taking your phone out of your pocket, and to do that, open the standard Contacts or Phone app and go to the list of all contacts.

Find the right person and open their card. Click on the Change button (usually a pencil or three dots). In the editing menu, find the Melody field (or Rington); the default box is Default. Click on this box and select from the list any available composition, including those you have previously installed through Explorer.

⚠️ Note: If you delete a melody file from your phone's memory after assigning it to a contact, that caller will again sound a standard honk.

You can also assign text messages (SMS) from specific contacts. In the contact card, find the "Message Sound" item and select a short audio file, which is especially convenient for picking up messages from loved ones or colleagues in noisy environments.

Solution: track not visible or not working

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where a file is in memory, but the system does not see it or refuses to install it, one of the common reasons is the wrong location of the file. As mentioned earlier, for an automatic appearance in the Call Melodies list, the file must lie in the Ringtones folder at the root of internal memory, not in the folder. SD-cards (if used).

Another common problem is with application permissions: If you use a third-party file manager, make sure that it is given permission to access memory. Android 10 and higher (relevant to the Xiaomi Mi 9) has strict file system access.

If the sound is played but not set to the call, check the file format.Some high bitrates (e.g. 320 kbps VBR) may not be handled correctly by the system ringtone maker. Try recoding the track to a standard CBR 128 kbps.

It's also worth checking if Do Not Disturb mode is enabled, in which calls can be silenced regardless of the tune chosen, and the mode settings are in the same Sound and Vibration menu.

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Android scans media files when you download, and if you just copied music and it's not on the list, try restarting your smartphone.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions