How to install a ringtone on Xiaomi Redmi 9A: all ways + secrets MIUI

Xiaomi Redmi 9A with a MIUI shell offers several ways to change the standard ringtone melody, from built-in tools to using third-party applications. However, many users face typical problems: not all audio files are displayed in the list of ringtones, and after the MIUI update, settings can be reset. In this article, we will discuss all working methods for installing ringtone on Redmi 9A, including hidden shell functions and bypassing system restrictions.

The Redmi 9A (codenamed dandelion) is a simplified version of MIUI without some of the features of Xiaomi's flagship devices. For example, there is no built-in audio editor, and the list of supported ringtones formats is limited. We tested all methods on the MIUI 12.5 and MIUI 13 firmwares, the results are summarized in the table below. If your smartphone is running on an older version, some menu items may differ.

1. Installation of the ringtone through standard MIUI settings

The easiest way is to use built-in shell tools, which is suitable for those who want to select a tune from a preset list or add their file to a standard folder.

Algorithm of action:

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to the section Sound and vibration.
3. Slap on the call melody item.
4. At the top of the screen, select the Local tab (for custom files) or MIUI (for standard tunes).
5. Select the desired track and press OK.

If your audio file doesn’t appear in the list, check:

• 📁 Location of the file: it should be in the folder /MIUI/ringtone/ or /Ringtones/ memory.
• 🎵 Audio format: MIUI supportive.mp3,.m4a,.ogg, but it is better to use MP3 bitrate not higher than 192 kbit/s.
• 📏 Duration: optimally up to 30 seconds. files longer can be cropped.

Rename the file in Latin (without spaces)|Check the bitrate (max. 192 quid)|Copy the file into a folder /Ringtones/|Restart your phone after copying it.-->

An important nuance for Redmi 9A is that once you copy the file to /Ringtones/, you have to restart the device, otherwise it won't appear in the list of available tunes, which is due to the features of scanning media files in the simplified version of MIUI.

2. Adding ringtones through file manager

If the standard method didn't work, you can manually place the audio file in the right folder, and this method is universal and works even after you reset the settings.

Instructions:

1. Get Redmi on board. 9A PC-only USB-cable (file transfer mode).
2. Open the internal memory of the device and find the Ringtones folder. If it's not, create it in the root directory.
3. Copy the prepared audio file (see requirements above) into this folder.
4. Disconnect the smartphone from the PC and restart it.
5. Check for the file in the ringtone settings (Settings → Sound and vibration → Call Melody → Local).

Alternatively, use the file manager on the smartphone itself (e.g., Mi File Explorer or Solid Explorer):

• 📂 Open the manager and go to the root directory (/storage/emulated/0/).
• 🔍 Find or create a Ringtones folder (registration is important!).
• 📎 Transfer the audio file to this folder.
• 🔄 Reset the device.

💡

If the Ringtones folder doesn’t appear in the file manager, turn on the hidden files in the app settings.

On Redmi 9A with MIUI 12.5 and below, an additional step may be required: after copying the file, go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Media Storage and clear the cache. This will force the scanning of new media files.

3.Use of third-party ringtone apps

If the built-in methods don't work, you can use specialized utilities from Google Play, which offer more features: audio cropping, format conversion, installation of different tunes for the user. SIM-map.

Top.-3 Proven applications for Redmi 9A:

How to install ringtone through Zedge:

1. Download and install the app from Google Play.
2. Launch Zedge and allow access to the storage.
3. Select Ringtones (ringtones) from the menu.
4. Find your favorite tune and click Download.
5. After downloading, tap Set as ringtone and select Phone ringtone.

Standard settings MIUI|File manager|Appendix side (Zedge et al.)|I don't change my ringtone.-->

Attention! On the Redmi 9A with MIUI 13, some applications (such as Ringtone Maker) may request permission to access the Settings of Sound. If the ringtone is not used after installing it through a third-party utility, check:

• 🔓 Application permissions in Settings → Annexes → Permit management.
• 📱 Availability of updates for the application (in Google Play).
• 🔄 Rebooting the smartphone after installation.

4 Problems and Solutions: Why the Ringtone Is Not Installed

Even after completing all the steps, the melody may not apply. Consider the typical errors and their solutions for the Redmi 9A:

Problem 1: The file does not appear in the ringtones list.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI caches media files. If you add audio to the Ringtones folder but it doesn't appear in the settings, clear the Media Store app cache (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Media storage → Clear the cache).

Problem 2: The ringtone resets after the reboot.

• 🔄 Check if the energy saving mode is included in the Settings → Battery – it can block background processes.
• 📲 Install the ringtone through a third-party app (like Zedge) rather than through settings MIUI.
• 🔧 Reset the sound settings: Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting the sound settings.

Problem 3: You can’t select a user file in the settings.

This is a typical error for Redmi 9A with MIUI 12.5 and below.

1. Copy the audio file to /MIUI/ringtone/ (create it if it is not available).
2. Rename the file in Latin without spaces (for example, mysong.mp3).
3. Reboot your smartphone and check for the file in Settings → Sound → Call Melody → Local.

5. Installation of different ringtones for two SIM-map

Redmi 9A two-way SIM-You can assign a different tune to each card, and this feature is only available through standard settings. MIUI.

How to set up:

1. Open Settings → Sound and vibration → Call melody.
2. At the top of the screen, select the SIM 1 or SIM 2 tab.
3. Set different tunes for each SIM-map.
4. Press OK to save.

Limitations:

• 🔢 You can’t assign different ringtones to contacts on one. SIM-map (only through third-party applications).
• 🎵 User tunes should be the same for both SIM, If you use the Ringtones folder.

💡

To assign unique ringtones to contacts, use the Contacts+ app or the built-in contact editor in MIUI (Google Contacts sync should be enabled).

6.Creating a ringtone from a favorite song

If you want to use a snippet of a song as a ringtone, you can cut the track directly on your smartphone, and this is the Ringtone Maker app or the built-in audio editor in Google Photos (if the file is.m4a).

Step-by-step instructions via Ringtone Maker:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Select an audio file from the device memory.
3. Move the sliders to cut the desired fragment (optimally - 15-30 seconds).
4. Press Save and select Set as ringtone.
5. Confirm the installation in the window that opens.

Requirements for the cropped file:

• 🕒 Duration: not more than 30 seconds (otherwise) MIUI can be cut automatically).
• 🔊 Loudness: Normalize the sound so that the ringtone is well heard.
• 🎛️ Format: Save in MP3 bitrate 128-192 kbit/s.

Alternatively, use Google Music (if the app is installed):

1. Open the track in Google Music.
2. Press three points (⋮) and choose to use as a ringtone.
3. Cut the fragment and save it.

7. Resetting the ringtone to factory settings

If you want to return a standard tune after experimenting with sounds, do the following:

1. Open Settings → Sound and vibration → Call melody.
2. Select the MIUI tab (instead of Local).
3. Slap on any standard tune (e.g. MIUI Ringtone).
4. Confirm the choice with the OK button.

If the standard tunes have disappeared after the MIUI update, restore them through reset:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Resetting Sound Settings.
3. Confirm the action.

Attention! A full reset (Reset to factory) will remove all user ringtones from the Ringtones folder. Pre-copy important files elsewhere.

FAQ: Frequent questions about ringtones on Redmi 9A