How to change the notification sound of Xiaomi Redmi 8

Personalizing the smartphone interface isn’t just a matter of aesthetics, it’s a way to make the device more comfortable and intuitive. Owners of budget but popular models like the Xiaomi Redmi 8 often face the need to customize sound alerts to their liking to highlight important messages amid the overall noise. Standard ringtones can seem boring or too quiet, so replacing them with their own tunes becomes a pressing task for many users.

The MIUI operating system installed on Redmi 8 provides a lot of customization options, but the menu structure may not be obvious to beginners. Changing notification sounds requires understanding the file system logic and shell settings. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the steps of replacing audio files for system events and third-party applications.

The setup process affects both the phone's built-in resources and the files downloaded from the Internet. It's important to know where the system sounds are stored and how to properly put new tracks there so that they are determined by the system. Deep tuning will allow you to create a unique sound atmosphere of your smartphone.

⚠️ WARNING: Before making changes to system files or installing third-party themes, make sure you have a backup of important data, although a standard tune replacement is usually safe.

Access to basic sound system settings

The process of personalization should begin by learning the standard settings menu, which is the central node for managing device parameters. In Xiaomi Redmi 8, audio profiles are accessed through the main menu, where the user can adjust the volume and select preset options. This is a baseline level that does not require an Internet connection or additional software installation.

To enter the audio control section, you need to find the gear icon on your desktop or in the notification curtain. Inside the menu, you're interested in the sound and vibration item, and this is where the main switches that allow you to control the behavior of your smartphone when you call and text.

The system offers multiple profiles, such as General, No Sound and Vibration Only, and switches between them instantly, but to replace a particular melody, you need to delve into the parameters of each type of event, and clicking on the appropriate item, you will see a list of available system compositions.

• 🔊 Standard profile – includes all default sounds.
• 🔇 Silence mode – completely shuts down the audio, leaving only vibration.
• 📳 Vibration mode - sound is replaced by tactile recoil.
• 🌙 Do Not Disturb – Blocks notifications other than selected contacts.

It is important to note that some versions of MIUI may have slightly different interfaces, but the logic remains the same. If you can't find the right item, use the search bar at the top of the settings screen to type in "Sound".

Install your own tune for SMS and system notifications

Replacing the standard signal with your own music composition is the most popular feature among users. To set your sound to notifications, the file must be in the device's memory in MP3 or M4R format. The system automatically scans certain folders, but sometimes manual path selection is required.

First, upload the desired audio file to your phone and place it in the root folder or in the MIUI/ringtone directory. After that, go to the audio settings menu and select "Notification Sound." In the list that opens, scroll down to the add button or select a track from the list if it appears automatically.

If the automatic search didn’t work, click on the plus icon or the “Select from Files” button (depending on the theme version). The file manager will open where you want to find the previously saved track. Once the selection is confirmed, the new sound will become active for all system events that are not tied to specific applications.

⚠️ Attention: Files from DRM-Protection (bought from secure music stores) may not be reproduced as system notifications due to license restrictions.

Customize individual sounds for applications

Modern smartphones allow you to flexibly manage notifications from different applications, so you can assign a unique sound to WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber, so you can immediately understand where a message came from without looking at the screen, which is especially useful in noisy environments or meetings.

To set up, go to a specific application, such as the messenger. Open its settings, find the Notifications section, and select the event type (message, call), and there will be a Sound item that will take you either to the system menu or to the selection of files within the application itself.

There is a feature in MIUI: some applications can ignore system settings and use their own lists, in which case you will have to choose a tune from the list suggested by the application itself, or import the file through its internal file manager.

Separate settings allow you to create a sound map of your communication, so you can distinguish between work emails, messages from loved ones and notifications from social networks only by sound.

• 📱 WhatsApp: Settings → Notifications → Message sound.
• ✈️ Telegram: Settings → Notifications → Private chat rooms → Sound.
• 💬 Viber: More → Settings → Notifications → Melody.
• 📧 Mail: Account settings → Notifications → Sound.

Work with themes and the Mi Themes store

The official MIUI Themes store is a powerful tool that changes not only icons and wallpaper, but also the soundtrack of the system. Installing a new theme is the fastest way to completely transform the acoustic experience of using Redmi 8.

There are thousands of themes available in the store, many of which are free, and each theme contains a set of sounds for calls, notifications, lock screens, and even keyboards, and you can download the theme, apply it in its entirety, or go to a particular theme settings and apply only the audio package.

To find a topic with the right sounds, use a keyword search or browse category. After installing the theme, be sure to check if it has been fully activated. Sometimes you need to reboot the device to correctly use all audio resources.

Use of Third-Party File Managers

The standard file explorer in Xiaomi is functional, but sometimes third-party solutions like FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer provide more convenient access to hidden directories.This may be necessary if you want to put a file in a system folder that the standard manager does not show.

When using third-party managers, you may need to grant special permissions. Android security will request proof of access to the file system. Once granted, you can copy and move audio files to any directories, including /system/media/audio/notifications (root rights required) or user folders.

Be careful when working with system partitions. Incorrectly deleting or renaming files can cause the phone to lose the audio accompaniment completely. It is critical not to delete the original files, but only to add new or change the settings in the menu.

💡

Use the Hide feature in the file manager to remove unnecessary folders with music from public access, leaving only the tracks necessary for the system in the visible directories.

The solution: Why the sound doesn't change

Users often encounter situations where seemingly everything is done correctly but the sound is not changing or the old one is playing.One common reason is the "No Sound" or "Do Not Disturb" mode on at a particular time, which blocks playback.

Another reason is the app's data caching. If you change the audio for the messenger and it's playing the old one, try clearing the app's cache in the phone's settings. Also make sure the melody file is intact and has a compatible bitrate.

Sometimes the problem is a conflict of topics. If you have a third-party theme installed, it can override the system's sound settings. Try switching to a standard Classic or Default theme temporarily to see if the custom tune works.

• 🔊 Check the overall volume of media and notifications.
• 🔄 Restart the device after all the changes.
• 📂 Make sure the file is in the available folder.
• 🚫 Turn off the "Do Not Disturb" mode".

⚠️ Warning: If the sound is lost in the entire phone after the change, check if the headset is connected via Bluetooth, as the system could redirect the audio stream to an external device.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

💡

Flexible audio customization on Xiaomi Redmi 8 allows not only to personalize the device, but also to improve the efficiency of interaction with the smartphone, instantly identifying the source of the notification.