How to change the tune on Xiaomi Redmi 8

Smartphone personalization is not just a fashion homage, but a way to make interaction with the device more comfortable and understandable. The owner of Xiaomi Redmi 8 often faces the need to replace the standard system sound with something more pleasant or recognizable. Standard ringtones preinstalled by the manufacturer can quickly get bored or merge with notifications of other applications. The process of replacing the melody in the shell of MIUI has its own features that distinguish it from pure Android.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all possible ways to install audio files, learn how to set up individual calls for specific contacts, which is especially useful for filtering incoming calls, and also discuss the nuances of working with file formats and possible errors that can occur when trying to install a track from an unverified source.

It should be noted that the correct sound setting directly affects the user experience. If the ringtone is too quiet or, conversely, sharp, it can cause discomfort in everyday use. Redmi 8 has a high-quality speaker that is able to reproduce a wide range of frequencies, so the choice of a quality audio file is critical here. We will consider the technical aspects that will help unlock the potential of your acoustic system.

Preparation of audio files for installation

Before you start setting up, you need to make sure you have the right files. The Android system that runs MIUI supports many formats, but the most stable and high-quality MP3 files are played. Less common are WAV or OGG formats, which can also be used, but require careful attention to bitrate.

Sound quality is directly dependent on the source file. If you download tracks with a low bitrate (for example, 128 kbit / s), on the speaker of the smartphone they can sound flat and distorted. It is recommended to look for files with parameters at least 192 kbit / s or 320 kbit / s. This is especially true for musical compositions with a complex spectrum of frequencies, where detail is important.

⚠️ Warning: Avoid downloading ringtones from dubious sources, as executable files or scripts in archives may contain malicious code masquerading as audio.

Files must be stored in the device memory or on a microSD card if used. It is important to remember the folder structure: although the system is able to scan the entire storage, placing music in a dedicated Music or Ringtones directory makes navigation easier and speeds up the search for the desired track in the system menu.

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Use online converters or editorial apps to crop long compositions, leaving only the most recognizable 15-30 seconds long snippet.

Installation of the melody through standard settings

The most common and reliable way to change a call is to use the built-in settings menu, which ensures that the file is properly processed by the system and attached to the call profile. First, open the main menu and find the Settings icon, which usually looks like a gear.

Next, the algorithm requires careful attention, because menu items may vary slightly depending on the firmware version. You need to go to the Sound and Vibration section. This is where all the parameters related to the acoustic support of the smartphone are concentrated. In this section, you will see the Phone Call item, clicking on which will open the list of available tunes.

πŸ“Š Where do you most often take ringtones?
Downloading from the Internet.
Cutting out of my MP3s
I use standard.
I'm taking it from the rhythm-maker app.

In the list that opens, scroll down to the end, and you'll see a + button or a "Select a Melody on your device," and the system will tell you to select an application to view files if there are more than one, and after you select the right track, it will automatically pick up the call, and you'll hear its preview, and you can immediately see how the composition sounds through the speaker.

  • 🎡 Open Settings and go to the Sound and Vibration section.
  • πŸ“ž Select the phone call to edit the main ringtone.
  • πŸ“‚ Press the badge. + at the bottom of the list and find the downloaded file.
  • βœ… Confirm the choice by pressing OK to apply the changes.

Setup through the β€œThemes” app

MIUI is famous for its powerful Themes app, which allows you to change not only wallpaper, but also system sounds. It is a unique tool that gives access to a huge database of audio files, optimized specifically for Xiaomi devices, and you can find not only short signals, but also full-fledged music compositions.

This section may require a Mi Account account. When you log in, switch to the Calls (or Ringtones) tab, and it features a catalog that's sorted by popularity, genres and novelty, and you can listen to the track directly in the directory without installing it, which is convenient for quick evaluation.

⚠️ Note: Some themes and ringtones in the store may be paid or require a subscription, so look carefully at the price or crown icon before downloading.

Once you have selected the appropriate option, click Download and then Apply. The system will tell you to choose where to set the sound: on an incoming call, notifications or alarm clock, the flexibility of this method is the ability to quickly change (sets) of sounds along with changing the visual design of the interface.

The Secret of the Theme Catalog
The Themes app often provides free alternatives to paid ringtones by searching for English-language keywords, such as β€œnotification sound” or β€œcall tone.”

Individual Melodies for Contacts

One of the most useful features of a smartphone is the ability to assign a unique sound to a particular subscriber, which allows you to know who is calling you without looking at the screen, which is especially important in noisy environments or at meetings. For Redmi 8, this feature is implemented through a standard phone book.

Open the Contacts or Phone app and go to the list of all the entries. Find the right person and click on their name to open the card. In the upper right corner or in the menu (three dots), select the option to Set the ringtone. If there is no such item at once, they may be hiding under the button More.

The next thing you do is you set up a general call, you select a file from the memory of the device, and once confirmed, that contact will be marked with a special bell icon, and now, even if you have a vibration-free No Sound mode, you can make an exception for select contacts by setting up a separate sound profile, although that requires a deeper setup in Do Not Disturb mode.

  • πŸ‘€ Open the contact card in the phone book.
  • πŸ”” Click on the menu (three dots) and select Ask a ringtone.
  • 🎼 Select a unique audio file from a list or memory.
  • πŸ’Ύ Save the changes by going back.

Use of Third-Party File Managers

Standard Explorer isn’t always convenient, especially if files are scattered across different download packs. Third-party file managers like Total Commander or FX File Explorer provide advanced file system capabilities, allowing you to see hidden folders and edit file metadata.

With these applications, you can (massively) move audio files to the Ringtones system folder, which is located along the /storage/emulated/0/Ringtones path, and if you put a file here, it automatically appears in the system melodies list in the audio settings, even without using the plus button.

⚠️ Note: When working with system folders, be careful not to delete files whose purpose you do not know, so as not to disrupt the system.

File managers also allow you to rename files, which is important, since the list of ringtones often displays the name of the file, not its name. ID3-Tag: Give the file a clear name in Latin or Cyrillic so it can be easily found in the general list, making it easier to manage the sound library in the future.

β˜‘οΈ Pre-installing check

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Not all audio formats are equally well received by the operating system. Below is a table that will help you understand the compatibility of different types of files with the Xiaomi Redmi 8 software. Understanding these differences will help you avoid situations where the file is present, but the phone does not see it.

FormatExpansionSupport for MIUIRecommended use
MPEG Audio.mp3Complete.The main format for ringtones
Waveform.wavComplete.Short system sounds
Ogg Vorbis.oggComplete.Alternative to MP3, open format
Advanced Audio.aacLimited.More often for notifications
Free Lossless.flacConversion requiredNot recommended for calls

As you can see from the table, MP3 remains the leader. Non-compression formats like WAV take up a lot of space, which is not critical for a short call, but less efficient. High-resolution formats like FLAC may not be recognized as ringtone, so it's better to convert them.

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The use of standardized MP3 formats with a bitrate of 128-320 kbps guarantees 100% compatibility and no errors when playing a call.

Solving Sound Problems

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where after installation the melody does not play or only plays part of the standard horn, this can be due to a software failure or features of the file encoding. Often the problem is solved by simply restarting the device, which resets the cache of the audio service.

Another common reason is that the file is damaged when downloaded or has a DRM-protection (digital rights), which is typical for tracks from some streaming services, such files can not be used as system files.

If the sound is quiet, check the equalizer settings. In the Sound and Vibration -> Sound Quality (or Mi Sound) section, you can select a profile, such as Headphones or Speaker, and adjust the frequencies. Also make sure that you don't activate Quiet or Do Not Disturb mode, which blocks playback.

  • πŸ”„ Perform a smartphone reboot to reset audio drivers.
  • πŸ“‰ Check the file for availability DRM-protection or damage.
  • πŸ”Š Adjust the equalizer settings in the Mi Sound section.
  • πŸ“΅ Make sure the flight mode is turned off or "Do not disturbΒ».

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my tune stop before the time?
This can happen if the file has a variable bitrate or an incorrect header structure.Try converting the track to a constant bitrate (CBR) using computer programs or online converters.
Can I put a song on WhatsApp on the phone?
Yes, WhatsApp files are usually saved in the WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Audio folder. When selecting a ringtone, simply go to this directory through the standard file selection window.
How to return a standard Xiaomi call?
Go to Settings -> Sound and Vibration -> Phone Call and select any of the system options preinstalled, such as Mi Classic or Mi Pop.
Does the length of the track affect the phone?
Tracks that are too long (more than 1-2 minutes) may not be handled properly by the call system, and it is recommended to use cropped versions up to 30-40 seconds in length for optimal performance.