Changing the standard tone is the first step to personalizing your Xiaomi Redmi 8T. Standard tunes preinstalled by the manufacturer often seem boring or too quiet, so many users tend to replace them with their favorite tracks. Owners of devices based on the MIUI shell may encounter certain nuances when choosing an audio file from the device’s memory, since the system has its own features with multimedia.
The installation process does not require root rights or complex software, but it is important to know where to move files to correctly display them in the system menu. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to set up calls for incoming calls, messages and notifications. You will learn to install ringtones for both the entire system and individual contacts, which will allow you to instantly recognize the caller without taking the phone out of your pocket.
Special attention should be paid to file formats and ways of their placement, as these parameters are the most common questions for beginners. We will look at the work with the standard application “Themes”, which is the main tool of customization in the Xiaomi ecosystem. Also, the issue of setting up individual sound profiles for different SIM-cards, which is important for owners of two-symbol smartphones.
Audio file preparation and format requirements
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that your audio file meets the technical requirements of the system. Android, on which MIUI is based, works best with MP3 format, however, other common codecs such as AAC or WAV are supported. For calls, it is recommended to use files that last no more than 30-40 seconds, so that the playback cycle is comfortable and does not break down abruptly.
Sound quality also plays a role: files that are too heavy in high resolution can be mishandled by the system player. The best choice is a file with a bitrate of 128-192 kbps. If you download a ringtone from the Internet, make sure that the source is reliable and the file does not contain viruses or malicious code that can be activated when opened.
⚠️ Note: Do not use copyrighted files (DRM) from streaming services, as the system will not be able to play them as a system call without special unlocking.
Once a file is uploaded to your smartphone, it needs to be found through the file manager. The standard Explorer or Files app will allow you to move the track to the right directory. While modern versions of MIUI can find music in the Download folder, moving to the Ringtones system folder ensures that the track appears in the common list of available tunes.
💡
For better sound quality, cut the tracks so that the loudest and most recognizable parts of the composition fall within the first 5-10 seconds of playback.
Installation of ringtones through the standard settings menu
The easiest and most reliable way to change a tune is to use the built-in audio settings menu, which requires no additional applications and works consistently on all versions of Redmi 8T firmware. To start, open the settings menu and find the section responsible for the audio of the device.
Inside the menu, you'll see several subsections that allow you to customize the audio response of your smartphone in detail, and the system allows you to separate sounds for different events, making notification management more flexible, and you can assign different tracks for calls, messages and system notifications.
- 🔔 Notification sound: short signal for messages from messengers and SMS.
Click on Call Melody to open the list of available songs. At the top of the list are usually Xiaomi standard tracks, and below are user files, if they were correctly recognized by the system. If your file is not in the list, use the select button from memory, often indicated by the + icon or plus in the circle.
☑️ Checking the sound settings
Once you select a track, the system will suggest listening to its preview. Make sure the volume and quality are good for you. The volume of the call can be separately adjusted by a slider on the same menu without mixing it with the volume of the media, which is especially important so that you don't miss an important call in a noisy place.
Using the Themes app to download ringtones
Themes is a powerful MIUI shell tool that is often underrated, not only to change wallpaper and icons, but also to download new ringtones from a huge online catalog. To access this feature, open the app and go to the bottom menu by selecting the Sounds or Melodies tab.
Inside the catalog, you'll find thousands of tracks, from classic tunes to modern hits. Many of them are free, but some may require payment in domestic currency or subscriptions. Genre and popularity filtering helps you quickly find the right option. After selecting a track, click Download and then Apply.
An important advantage of using the Themes app is the automatic optimization of the file for the smartphone speaker. The system itself will cut the track to the desired length and adjust the frequencies for better sound on the built-in Redmi 8T speaker. This eliminates the need to use third-party audio editors on the computer.
The Secret of Regional Settings
Once you apply a melody through the app, it automatically becomes system. However, if you want to use your file through this application, you need to first add it to Favorites within the Music app, and then select from the Local Tracks section of the Themes app if such an option is available in your firmware version.
Customization of individual melodies for contacts
One of the most useful features of the smartphone is the ability to assign a unique call to a specific person, which allows you to know who is calling without even looking at the screen. In Xiaomi Redmi 8T, this feature is implemented through the standard phone book and the Contacts app.
To set up a customized call, open the Contacts app and find the entry you want in the list. Click on the contact name to open the card. In the upper right corner or in the menu (three dots), find the "Appoint a ringtone." If there is no such item right away, click "Change" and scroll down to the "Call Melody" field.
| Type of contact | Where to look for settings | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Contact from SIM | Phone menu -> Settings -> Ringtones | Limited functionality, it is better to copy to the memory of the phone |
| Contact Google | Annex Contacts -> Card -> Modify | Syncs with all account devices |
| Contact Mi Account | Appendix Contacts -> Card -> Rington | Full integration with Xiaomi ecosystem |
| Hidden number. | General sound settings | Uses a standard melody by default |
Once you select the destination of the ringtone, you will see a list of available tracks, so you can choose both the standard tune and any file from the device's memory, the changes will take effect instantly, and the next call from that caller will already pass with a new sound, which is especially convenient for picking up calls from close relatives or important business partners.
If contact is maintained SIM-In this case, the system will prompt you to copy the contact to your phone memory or Google account, it is recommended to always store contacts in the cloud, as this ensures their safety when resetting or changing devices.
Separate call settings for two SIM-map
Redmi owners 8T frequently SIM-So, to avoid confusion about which line the call is being made, the system allows you to assign different tunes to each SIM card, a critical setting for effective communication management.
To separate audio profiles, go to Settings → Sound and Vibration → Call Melody. At the top of the screen, you'll see a switch or tabs for "SIM 1" and "SIM 2." By clicking on the appropriate tab, you can select a unique track for each line. For example, you can put a strict classic ringing to work, and for a personal SIM, a fun tune.
You should also pay attention to the vibration settings. Each SIM card can be set to a different vibration pattern, which, when combined with different tunes, creates a double guarantee that you do not confuse the source of the call. In Do Not Disturb mode, you can also configure exceptions so that important contacts can be reached even when the sound is turned off.
⚠️ Note: When changing the main SIM-Call cards in settings, the outgoing call melody (the beeps you hear) may not change automatically, check this option separately in the phone book menu.
Remember that some carriers offer Caller Tunes, where instead of beeping, the caller hears music, a separate paid service that is customized via the operator's phone. USSD-codes or application of the operator, and it does not depend on the settings of the smartphone.
The Solution: Why the Melody Doesn't Work
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the set melody is not playing, reset to a standard one or sounds too quiet, most often the problem lies in the access rights or file format, and if the system can not read the file, it will automatically replace it with a default one.
Check to see if No Sound or Do Not Disturb mode is on, and make sure the call volume slider is not twisted to a minimum. MIUI has a separate "Close up in your pocket" setting that can affect speaker behavior when you remove the phone.
- 🎵 Format: Convert the file to MP3, if a rare codec is used.
If the problem persists, try rebooting your smartphone, which will clear the media cache that is responsible for scanning audio files. In rare cases, cleaning the Themes or Sound app data through the application management menu helps, but this will reset your settings to standard ones.
💡
The system media scanner doesn’t update instantly — if you’ve just downloaded a file, wait a few minutes or restart your phone to make it appear on the list.