Personalization of a smartphone starts with choosing a unique melody that will signal an incoming call. Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 8 devices often find the standard set of sounds boring or too quiet. Fortunately, the MIUI operating system provides ample opportunities for replacing audio files without the need for superuser rights.
The installation process may not seem obvious to beginners, as the settings menu has its own specific structure. In this article, we will examine all the available ways to replace the tune, from using the built-in online directory to manually installing tracks from the device's memory. You will learn to customize sounds for different SIM cards and individual contacts in the phone book.
To get started, you will need the smartphone itself and, preferably, the presence of a downloaded music file in MP3 or M4R. If you do not have a ready file, do not worry - we will consider the use of built-in tools for finding music. The main thing is to carefully follow the instructions steps to avoid typical errors when choosing folders.
Preparation of audio files and format verification
Before you start setting up the system, you need to make sure that your audio file is compatible with the software of the smartphone. Xiaomi Redmi 8 has no problems with popular formats, but for stable operation it is better to use standard codecs. Most often users face problems when trying to install a high-resolution file or a DRM-protected track from a streaming service.
The best solution is to use an MP3 file with a bitrate of 128 to 320 kbps. These files take up a little space and are guaranteed to be played by the system player of calls. If you download music from the Internet, pay attention to the file extension at the end of the name.
- 🎵 Format MP3 — The most universal and supported version for all versions MIUI.
- 🎼 Format M4R — Apple’s standard ringtones format, which also works great on Android.
- 🔊 Format OGG — An alternative format with good compression, often used in system sounds.
- ❌ Formats FLAC or WAV — You may not be identified as a ringtone in the standard selection menu, requiring conversion.
It is also important to consider the length of the track, because the system may cut the track too long or not show up correctly in the list of available tunes, and it is recommended to choose fragments lasting from 15 to 40 seconds for comfortable listening.
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To trim the track directly on your phone, use the built-in voice recorder or download the lightweight cutter app from Google Play to create the perfect version of the song to call.
Using the built-in online catalog of tunes
The easiest way to diversify your Redmi 8 sounds is to use Xiaomi’s built-in library, which doesn’t require pre-downloaded files and allows you to instantly apply your favorite composition, but you should keep in mind that this section requires an active Internet connection to work.
To get into the catalog, go to the settings menu and find the section responsible for the sound, where the system will offer you several categories: popular tracks, classics, nature and others. The directory interface allows you to listen to the track before installation, which is very convenient.
Click on the melody selection box, and a window will open with a list of available options, you can sort them by popularity or novelty, and after selecting a track, the system will automatically download it and set it to the default call.
⚠️ Note: When using an online catalog, some of the tunes can be labeled as VIP-There are plenty of free options, but you have to look for them.
If you don't like the standard library, you can always go back to manual file selection. The online directory is good for its speed, but limited in the selection of specific compositions.
Manual installation of the melody through sound settings
The most reliable method is to manually install a file that is already in the memory of your Xiaomi Redmi 8.This method gives you complete control over what exactly will sound when you call in. The algorithm of actions here is slightly different from standard Android, since the MIUI shell has its own navigation features.
To start, open the main settings menu on your smartphone. Find the Sound and Vibration section. In some firmware versions, it may be simply called Sounds. Inside this menu, you'll see Melody or Rington. You click on it and you'll be on the system sounds list.
At the bottom of the melody selection screen, there's often a button with a + symbol or a Select Local File, which is the interface element that allows you to go beyond the system library, and then you click on the file manager, where you want to find the folder with your music.
☑️ Algorithm of Ringtone Installation
Once you tap the file, it's immediately active. SIM-If you have two cards, you can set that sound up if you have two on your phone, and it's a very useful feature for separating personal and work contacts.
Configure through the file manager
An alternative and often faster way is to use the standard Explorer (or File Manager) app, which is especially useful if you’ve just downloaded music from your browser or received a file via your messenger.
Open Explorer on your Xiaomi. Go to Music category or find the folder where the audio file was saved (often a Download folder or MIUI/DuiXiu).
A long-term click on the file will highlight it and open the context menu of actions. In the list of options that appears, you need to find the item Set on a call or Use as a ringtone. The system will automatically redirect you to the confirmation menu.
| Action. | Where to go | The result |
|---|---|---|
| File search | Application Conductor | File highlighted |
| Contextual menu | Long tap on file. | Options open. |
| Choice of function | Action menu | Installator launch |
| Confirmation | A pop-up window | Rington set up |
The good thing about this method is that it's intuitive and it works on a found-apply principle, but if the file is in a secure folder of an application (like a Telegram cache), a standard explorer may not be able to access it without additional permissions.
What if the file is not on the list?
Install a unique sound for a specific contact
One of the most useful features in MIUI is the ability to assign a customized tune to a specific person from a phone book, which lets you know who's calling you without taking your phone out of your pocket. On Redmi 8, this is done through the Contacts or Phone app.
Open the Contacts app and find the subscriber in the list. Click on their name to open their profile card. The top of the screen or menu (three dots in the corner) should have a default button or a Melody. Click on the current value.
It will open a standard audio selection menu, similar to what we've seen before, and select a track from the list or add a local file, and once confirmed, this sound will only play when you call from that subscriber, ignoring the general settings.
- 📞 Open the Contacts app on Redmi 8.
- 👤 Select a specific person from the list.
- 🔔 Click on Melody (or by default).
- ✅ Select a unique audio file and save the changes.
If the contact is linked to a Google account or SIM-Restricted cards, the function may not be available, in which case it is recommended to copy the contact to the phone memory.
⚠️ Note: If you reset your phone to factory settings, your individual contact settings may be lost if they are not synced with your Xiaomi or Google cloud account.
Troubleshooting and troubleshooting
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where everything seems to be done correctly, but the ringtone does not play or plays too quietly. On Xiaomi Redmi 8, this is often due to the peculiarities of energy saving or media volume. Let's analyze the main reasons and solutions.
The first thing to check is the volume level. MIUI has volume separation for media, alarm and bell. Make sure the slider is raised to maximum. Also check if the Do Not Disturb or Silent mode is on.
The second common problem is file format or bitrade, where if the file is too heavy or has a non-standard sampling rate, the system may ignore it, and then converting the file to a simpler format helps.
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If the ringtone doesn’t work, check not only the sound settings, but also the physical volume switch button on the side of the case to make sure it doesn’t reduce the sound of the call.
It’s also worth checking the permissions of the Themes or Sounds app if you’re using them to install it, and sometimes, after you upgrade, file access is blocked and you need to allow it back in the app settings.