How to change the ringtone on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: all the ways from standard to hidden

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is one of the most popular smartphones of the brand, but even its owners sometimes face some unobvious moments when setting up. Changing the melody of a call seems an easy task, but MIUI has nuances, from hidden folders with system ringtones to limitations on the format of audio files. In this article, we will analyze all the working methods, from basic to advanced, including bypassing standard restrictions.

The Redmi Note 8 Pro (codenamed begonia) is that it runs on the MediaTek Helio G90T, not the Snapdragon, which affects audio processing, with some users noticing delays in playing custom tunes or volume problems, and we tested all methods on the latest versions of MIUI 12.5-14 and identified those that work consistently.

1. Standard method: through phone settings

The most obvious way is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which is suitable if you are happy with standard tunes or you have pre-loaded the audio file into the correct folder.

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to the section Sound and vibration.
3. Select the item Melody of the call.
4. Scroll down the list – both system ringtones and custom ringtones will appear here (if they were added correctly).

If your tune is not displayed, check:

• 📁 File location: It must lie in the Ringtones folder (or Notifications for notifications) on internal memory or SD-The way: /storage/emulated/0/Ringtones/.
• 🎵 Audio format: MIUI officially.mp3,.m4a,.wav, but it is better to use it MP3 bitrate not higher than 192 kbit/s.
• 🔄 Reboot: Sometimes after adding a file, you need to restart the phone so that it appears in the list.

⚠️ Note: If you use the topics MIUI, Some custom ringtones may disappear after updating the theme. To avoid this, copy the file to the system folder. /system/media/audio/ringtones/ (Root rights are required).

File in MP3/M4A/WAV format

Length not exceeding 30 seconds (optimum)

Bitrate to 192 kbps

The file is renamed in Latin (without spaces)

Placed in the Ringtones folder-->

2.Use of the "Themes" app to download ringtones

MIUI offers a huge library of themes, including packets with tunes, which is suitable if you don't want to search for audio files manually.

1. Open the Themes app (icon with brush).
2. Go to the Ringtona tab (or find it through search).
3. Select the package you like and click Apply.
4. After downloading, go back to Settings → Sound → Call melody – new ringtones will appear in the list.

Advantages of the method:

• 🎶 Ready-made collections: melodies selected by styles (classics, electronic music, sounds of nature).
• 🔄 Automatic update: when changing theme ringtones remain available.
• 📱 No manual download: no need to search for files online.

Disadvantages:

• 🚫 Limited choice: no more than 20-30 packages are available in the free version.
• 📶 Internet: without a connection to the network, you can not download topics.
• 🔒 Advertising: in some versions MIUI When downloading themes, banners are shown.

Through phone settings

Downloading topics in the "Themes" appendix

I use third-party apps.

I copy files manually via PC

I don't change, I use standard.-->

3. Install custom tunes through the file manager

If the standard methods don’t work (for example, a file doesn’t appear in the list), try adding a ringtone manually through the file manager.We recommend using Mi File Manager (embedded) or Solid Explorer (from Google Play).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the audio file to your phone (for example, through a browser or messenger).
2. Open the file manager and find the downloaded file.
3. Click on the file and select Move (or Copy).
4. Go to the Ringtones folder (if it is not, create it at the root of internal memory).
5. Insert the file and rename it in Latin (for example, my_ringtone.mp3).
6. Reboot the phone.

A critical nuance for the Redmi Note 8 Pro is that if a file weighs more than 5MB, the system may not recognize it. The optimal size is 1-3MB.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using SD-card as the main storage, the Ringtones folder should be on internal memory. MIUI It is not always correct to read ringtones from external drives.

4. Third-party applications for ringtones change

If the built-in tools don't work, you can use third-party utilities, and we tested 5 popular apps and selected the two most reliable ones for the Redmi Note 8 Pro:

4.1. Zedge

Zedge is one of the most popular applications for customizing sounds and wallpaper.

• 🎵 Large Library: Millions of ringtones, notification sounds and alarm clocks.
• 🔍 Convenient search: filters by genres, duration, popularity.
• 📥 Automatic installation: After downloading the file immediately appears in the phone settings.

Cons:

• 📶 Requires the Internet to download.
• 🛑 Advertising in the free version.

4.2. Ringtone Maker

Ringtone Maker is suitable if you want to create a ringtone from your music.

• ✂️ Cutting audio: you can cut a fragment from the song.
• 🎛️ Volume setting and effects.
• 📁 Export to the Ringtones folder.

How to use:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Select an audio file from your phone’s memory.
3. Cut the desired fragment (optimally - 15-30 seconds).
4. Save as Ringtone (Save as Ringtone)

💡

If it doesn’t appear in the settings after installing the ringtone through Zedge, check the app’s permissions: Settings → Apps → Zedge → Permissions → Storage (should be enabled).

5. Hidden capabilities: system ringtones and ADB-team

For advanced users, there are ways to access hidden system ringtones or install custom ringtones via ADB. These techniques require caution, but give more freedom.

5.1 Access to hidden system ringtones

MIUI has hidden tunes that don't show up in the standard list.

1. Install any file manager with root access (such as Root Explorer).
2. Go to /system/media/audio/ringtones/.
3. Copy your favorite files to /storage/emulated/0/Ringtones/.
4. Reboot the phone.

List of hidden ringtones (may vary depending on the version of MIUI):

• Mi_Mix.ogg — Melody of the Xiaomi Mi Mix.
• Mi_Tune.ogg — classic Xiaomi ringtone.
• Over_the_horizon.ogg — The music from Samsung (Yes, it is in the MIUI!).

5.2 Installation of ringtones via ADB

If you have experience with ADB, you can set the ringtone through the command line, which is useful if the phone doesn't recognize files through standard methods.

Instructions:

1. Connect Redmi Note 8 Pro to your PC and enable USB Debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version – Press 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers → USB Debugging).
2. Download ADB Tools on PC and open the command line in the folder with adb.exe.
3. Enter the command to copy the file: adb push C:\path\to\your\ringtone.mp3 /sdcard/Ringtones/
4. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB It can cause failures if the commands are entered incorrectly!

6 Problem Solving: Why doesn't the ringtone change?

Sometimes, even after all the manipulations, the ringtone doesn't change, so let's look at the typical causes and ways to fix them:

If the problem is not solved, try:

• 🔄 Reset the sound settings: Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting the sound settings.
• 📱 Check for updates: sometimes bugs are fixed in new versions MIUI.
• 🛠️ Install an alternative launcher (such as Nova Launcher) that can bypass restrictions MIUI.

💡

If neither method worked, the problem could be firmware. Xiaomi forums (like 4PDA) often post patches to fix audio bugs on specific models, including the Redmi Note 8 Pro.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing ringtones to Xiaomi