How to change the sound of a SMS Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: 5 ways + error solving

The standard sound of SMS notifications on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro can get bored quickly — especially if you get a lot of messages a day. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several ways to personalize the soundtrack. In this article, we will analyze not only the basic settings through the phone menu, but also the hidden capabilities of MIUI, as well as workarounds for installing custom tunes.

It is important to understand that the MIUI interface is regularly updated, and the location of some menu items may vary slightly depending on the firmware version. All the instructions below are relevant for the Redmi Note 8 Pro based on MIUI 12/13/14 (Android 9-12). If your smartphone is running on an older version, some options may not be available, in which case we recommend you first update the software.

Before you start making changes, make sure that:

• 📱 You have enough free memory to download new audio files (minimum 50 MB)
• 🔊 Notification volume is not set to a minimum in sound settings
• 📲 The Messages app is not blocked in the background (check Settings). → Annexes → Auto-start permits)

Method 1: Standard sounds via MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use built-in tunes. Xiaomi offers about 20 different types of notification sounds, including classic signals and more modern compositions.

1. Open Settings (cog icon on the main screen)
2. Go to the section Sound and vibration
3. Select the item Notification Sounds
4. Slip on Messages (or SMS in some versions)
5. Listen to the available options and choose the one you like.

Note that in some firmware, the Messages option may be hidden behind Other Sounds or Apps. If you don’t see the desired section, try updating the Messages app via Google Play — sometimes this solves the problem with displaying settings.

Standard sounds are stored in system memory and don't take up extra space, but they're limited in range. If you want a unique tune, read on to how to set custom sounds.

Method 2: Install custom sounds through the file system

For those who want to use their own tunes (for example, a segment from a favorite song or a unique signal), Redmi Note 8 Pro allows you to download custom audio files. The main condition is that the files must be in the format of.mp3,.wav or.ogg, and their duration should not exceed 30 seconds.

Installation instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your computer via USB or use a file manager on your smartphone
2. Create a Notifications folder in the root directory of internal memory (if not)
3. Put your audio files in this folder.
4. Restart the device (required!)
5. Go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Notification sounds → Messages
6. The list will appear in the section My sounds - select the desired file

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For short tracks up to 30 seconds, use free apps like MP3 Cutter or Ringtone Maker from Google Play.

Important detail: files must have Latin names without spaces or special characters, "sms_tone.mp3" — It's fine, but "my text melody.mp3" — No, this requirement is related to the processing of media files in Android.

Method 3: Using Third-Party Applications

If the system methods are not good, you can use specialized utilities, for example, the Zedge app offers a huge library of free notification sounds, including thematic collections (natural sounds, retro signals, melodies from movies).

How to set the sound through Zedge:

• 📥 Install the app from Google Play
• 🔍 In the search box, enter "SMS tone or “notification sound"
• 🎵 Listen to your favorite options and click "Install"
• 📲 In the window that appears, select "Notification Sound"
• ✅ Confirm installation – the sound will automatically appear in the system settings

The advantage of this method is that you don’t have to manually copy files and reboot your phone. However, be careful with permissions: some applications request access to contacts or messages. We recommend using only proven utilities with a high rating (4.5+ stars) and a large number of downloads (10M+).

Method 4: Configure via the Messages app

In some versions of MIUI, you can change the sound of SMS directly in the Messages app, which does not work on all firmware, but it is worth trying if the system settings do not work.

Procedure:

1. Open the Messages app
2. Slip on the three-point menu in the upper right corner
3. Select Settings
4. Go to Notifications or Notification Sound
5. Select the desired sound from the proposed list

If you don’t have one in your app, then this feature is disabled in your version of MIUI, in which case go back to the first method or use third-party utilities.

Method 5: Solving SMS Sound Problems

Sometimes, when the notifications are changed, they don't play or they're reset to a standard one, and there are several reasons why:

If none of the methods worked, try resetting the sound settings to factory:

1. Go to Settings → System and device → Reset settings
2. Select Resetting of Sound Settings
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone

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Before resetting your sound settings, write down the current settings (loudness, vibration, alarm clock sounds) to quickly restore them later.

Additional personalization tips

In addition to changing the sound of SMS, you can configure the Redmi Note 8 Pro:

• 🎶 Personalized Melodies for Contacts: Open Contact → "Change" → "The sound of the notification"
• 🔄 Vibrational patterns: In the sound settings, select “Vibration at Notifications” and create your rhythm.
• 📱 LED-indication: Settings → Lock screen → Notification indicator
• 🔔 Priority Notifications: Allow sound for important contacts even in Do Not Disturb mode"

For advanced users, if you use custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS), the process of changing sounds may be different, and in such cases, manual copying of files to the system folder /system/media/audio/notifications is often required, which requires root rights.

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To check how the tune sounds, send yourself a test text from another phone or use online services like SMS Receive Free.

Frequently asked questions

If you encounter a problem not described in this article, check out the 4PDA or XDA Developers forums – they often discuss specific bugs of specific MIUI versions for the Redmi Note 8 Pro.

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Check updates for the Messages app on Google Play regularly – newer versions often fix bugs with sound notifications.