How to install your song on a call in Xiaomi Redmi 8: detailed instructions

Are you tired of the standard ringing melodies on your Xiaomi Redmi 8 and want to play your favorite song? This guide will help you do it quickly and without errors. Unlike many smartphones, where the process is intuitive, MIUI (firmware from Xiaomi) has its own nuances β€” especially if you want to use a custom audio file. We will analyze all the available ways, from built-in tools to third-party applications that expand the capabilities.

It's important to consider that Redmi 8 (codenamed olive) has Android 9-10-based MIUI firmware, and the interface may vary slightly depending on the version. If you upgrade to MIUI 12/13/14, some menu items may have changed location β€” but the essence remains the same. Also remember that not all audio formats are supported by default: it's better to use.mp3 or.m4a with a bit rate of no higher than 320 kbit / s to avoid playback problems.

1. audio file preparation: requirements for ringtone

Before you set a song to a call, you have to prepare it correctly. MIUI imposes restrictions on the duration and format of the file:

  • 🎡 Duration: optimal for up to 30 seconds, the system automatically cuts tracks longer than 1 minute, but the result may sound ugly.
  • πŸ“ Format: supported.mp3,.m4a,.wav (no compression),.ogg. Avoid.flac - it may not play.
  • πŸ”Š Volume: Normalize the sound in an audio editor (such as Audacity) so that the melody is heard in a loud environment.
  • πŸ“± Placement: The file must be in the phone’s memory (not on the phone’s memory) SD-The map!, or the system may not detect it.

If your track is longer than 30 seconds, cut it in advance, free apps like MP3 Cutter or Ringdroid (available on Google Play) can be used, and online services like MP3Cut can be used to cut it right in the browser without installing any additional software.

⚠️ Note: If you downloaded a song from the Internet (for example, from the Internet) VK Music or YouTube, check it for availability DRM-Some files can play in a player, but not work as a ringtone. 4K Video bootloader for download without protection.

Once you have the file ready, move it to the Ringtones folder on your internal drive, and if you don't have one, create it manually through any file manager (such as Mi File Manager or Total Commander), making it easier to find the tune in the settings.

πŸ“Š Where do you usually store music for calls?
In the memory of the phone
Nana SD-map
In the cloud storage.
I don't know.

Method 1: Installation through standard MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It does not require installing additional applications and works on all firmware versions for Redmi 8.

Instructions:

  1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
  2. Go to the section Sound and vibration.
  3. Slap on the call melody item.
  4. At the top of the screen, select the Local tab (if not, the list of available tunes will immediately open).
  5. Click Add a melody and select the prepared audio file from the phone’s memory.
  6. Confirm your choice – now your song will be on the list of standard tunes.

If you don't add a tune, your file doesn't meet the system's requirements (wrong format, too large size, or wrong location) and try moving it to the MIUI/ringtone folder, which sometimes helps.

β˜‘οΈ Preparation of the file for MIUI

Done: 0 / 4

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI 12+ If you add a tune, you may reset to a standard sound. To avoid this, restart your phone after you set the new tune.

This is a way for most users, but it has a limitation: you can't assign different tunes to individual contacts through a standard menu.

Method 3: Assigning a unique melody to contact

If you want a particular subscriber to have a song, you have to use a workaround. MIUI doesn't provide a direct function for that, but there's a solution.

Steps:

  1. Open the Contacts app (or Phone β†’ Contacts tab).
  2. Find the right contact and tap on it for editing.
  3. Click More (three dots in the upper right corner) β†’ Set the melody.
  4. Select Local Melodies and specify the prepared audio file.
  5. Save the changes.

If you don't have a Set Melody, your version of MIUI doesn't support that feature, and then a third-party app will help, as discussed in the next section.

Also note that the contact melody will only play when you call in, not when you send SMS or notifications from messengers, and you will have to configure the settings separately for them.

πŸ’‘

To quickly find a contact to edit, use a search at the top of the Contacts app screen – this will save time if you have a large phone book.

Method 3: Use of Third-Party Applications

If standard methods don’t work or you want more flexibility (e.g. assigning different tunes to your music) SIM-Maps, use apps from Google Play.The best options for Xiaomi Redmi 8:

  • 🎢 Zedge: a huge library of free tunes and wallpaper, lets you download tracks directly to the Ringtones folder.
  • πŸ”„ Ringtone Maker: Editor for cropping songs and converting them to supported formats.
  • πŸ“± Ringdroid: A simple tool to create tunes from any audio files on your phone.
  • 🎡 MP3 Cutter and Ringtone Maker: Supports Fade-out for melodies.

Example of installation via Zedge:

  1. Download and install Zedge from Google Play.
  2. Open the app and go to the Ringtones tab.
  3. Find your favorite tune and click Download.
  4. After downloading, tap Set as ringtone β†’ select Phone ringtone.
  5. Confirm your choice in the system window.

Zedge has the advantage of automatically optimizing files for Android, but keep in mind that the app will require storage access and permission to change system settings.

AnnexSupport for MIUIEditingFree version
ZedgeYes (all versions)No.Yeah (with ads)
RingdroidYeah (must have a license)Yes.Yes.
MP3 CutterYes.Yeah (advanced)Free-of-charge
Ringtone MakerYes.Yes.Yeah (with watermarks)

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Ringdroid) require permission to change system settings. If the melody is not applied after you set the melody, check if the permission to Change system settings is included in Settings. β†’ Annexes β†’ Special access.

5. Problem Solving: Why the Melody Is Not Set

Sometimes users are faced with the fact that the added song is not displayed in the list or is not played.

  • 🚫 File in unsupported format: Convert to.mp3 bitrate 192-320 kbit/s.
  • πŸ“‚ Incorrect location: transfer the file to /storage/emulated/0/Ringtones/.
  • πŸ”• Too quiet: Increase the volume in the audio editor or normalize it.
  • πŸ”„ System cache: Clear the application cache Settings in Settings β†’ Annexes β†’ Application management.
  • πŸ“± Limitations MIUI: Some firmware versions block the installation of tunes from third-party sources. Try using Root access (not recommended for beginners).

If the problem persists, try the following algorithm:

  1. Rename the file to Latin (for example, my_ringtone.mp3).
  2. Reboot the phone.
  3. Check if you have a battery-saving app that blocks background processes (e.g., Xiaomi’s Security).
  4. Update your firmware to the latest version of MIUI via Settings β†’ About Phone β†’ System Update.
What if all the tunes are missing after the MIUI update?
This is a known bug in some firmware versions, and you can restore the tunes by saying, 1. Copy backup files back to the Ringtones folder. 2. Reset the permissions: open the file manager, find the Ringtones folder, click "More" β†’"Properties" β†’"Permissions" and check the read/write boxes. 3. Reboot the phone.

6 Additional settings: vibration and volume

Set up a tune is only half the battle, so to make the call really convenient, set up the associated settings:

  • πŸ“³ Volume: C Settings β†’ Sound and vibration adjust the slider Loudness of the call, recommend setting to 70-80% for the balance between audibility and comfort.
  • πŸ”„ Vibration: In the same menu, select Vibration when calling and adjust the rhythm (e.g., Default or Heartbeat).
  • 🎡 Smooth increase: turn on the option to gradually increase the volume so that the call does not scare the sharp sound.
  • πŸ“Ά Do Not Disturb: Check if it is active in Settings β†’ Don't disturb, otherwise the melody won't play.

Redmi 8 with MIUI 12+ has a Smart Vibration Mode feature that analyzes the environment and adjusts the response intensity. To activate it, go to Settings β†’ Special Options β†’ Vibration and turn on the switch.

Also pay attention to the settings for SIM-(if there are two cards) (C) β†’ SIM-cards and mobile networks can assign different tunes for each card – this is convenient if one is used for work and the second for personal calls.

πŸ’‘

The vibration and volume settings are as important as the melody selection, and the wrong settings can make even the most beautiful song unrecognizable or too intrusive.

7.Alternative options: alarm clock tunes and notifications

The same principles apply to other types of alerts, like putting your song on an alarm clock:

  1. Open the Watch app.
  2. Go to the Alarm tab and create a new one or edit an existing one.
  3. Slip on the current tune and select Add a new one.
  4. Specify the path to the audio file (similar to the call).

For notifications (SMS, messengers):

  1. In Settings β†’ Sound and vibration, select the Notification Sound.
  2. Click Add Melody and specify the file.

Note that some apps (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) have their own notification settings to change the sound for them:

  1. Open the messenger and go to its settings.
  2. Find the Notifications section.
  3. Select the Notification Sound and specify your file.

For Redmi 8, it is especially important to set up notifications separately for each messenger, since the standard MIUI sound can merge with other alerts.

FAQ: Frequent questions about tune-ups on Xiaomi Redmi 8

Can I play a song on a 2 minute call?
Technically, yes, but the system will cut it to 1 minute and the end of the track will be sharp. It is better to cut in advance in the audio editor, adding a smooth fade-out in the last 2-3 seconds.
Why is my tune quieter than the standard one?
The source file is probably low volume, so use programs like Audacity to normalize the sound (Normalize effect), and check if the silent mode is activated in the special settings.
How to get back standard MIUI tunes after experiments?
Go to Settings. β†’ Sound and vibration β†’ Call melody and select one of the preset (for example, MIUI Ring or Classic Ring. If they are missing, reset the audio settings via Settings. β†’ Annexes β†’ Application management β†’ Settings (annex) β†’ Warehouse β†’ Clear the data.
Can I use music from Spotify or Apple Music?
No, because these services use secure files (DRM) download the track in an unsecured format (for example, buy it from iTunes without DRM or convert it through SoundLoaders).
Why did my tunes disappear after the MIUI update?
The update could have reset the Ringtones folder. Restore them through the file manager (there should be read permissions for everyone), and check if the system has moved files to the MIUI/ringtone/backup folder.