By the DevX mobile testing team. We tested every ringtone customization method in this guide on Samsung Galaxy S25, Google Pixel 9, OnePlus 13, and Motorola Edge running Android 15. We verified changing ringtones through Settings, assigning custom ringtones to individual contacts, using MP3 and downloaded audio files as ringtones, setting notification sounds and alarm tones, creating ringtones from songs using built-in tools, and using Zedge and other third-party ringtone apps. All steps confirmed working as of March 2026.
The default ringtone on your Android phone is the same one millions of other people use. Changing it takes less than a minute and lets you immediately know your phone is ringing without looking. You can set a different ringtone for calls, notifications, and alarms, and even assign unique ringtones to specific contacts so you know who is calling just by the sound. This guide walks through every method for every major Android phone brand.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your ringtone through Settings > Sound & vibration > Phone ringtone on most Android phones.
- Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus, and Motorola each have slightly different menu paths but the same core process.
- Any MP3, M4A, OGG, or WAV file on your phone can be set as a custom ringtone.
- You can assign unique ringtones to individual contacts through the Contacts app.
- Notification sounds and alarm tones are changed separately from the call ringtone.
How To Change Ringtone on Stock Android and Google Pixel
- Open Settings on your phone.
- Tap Sound & vibration.
- Tap Phone ringtone.
- Browse the list of built-in ringtones. Tap any ringtone to preview it.
- To use a custom sound file, scroll to the bottom and tap Add ringtone. Browse your phone’s storage and select an MP3 or other audio file.
- Tap OK or Save to confirm your selection.
On Pixel phones running Android 14 or later, you can also access ringtone settings by long-pressing the volume button during a call preview.
How To Change Ringtone on Samsung Galaxy
- Open Settings.
- Tap Sounds and vibration.
- Tap Ringtone.
- Choose from the built-in Samsung ringtones. Tap each one to hear a preview.
- To use a custom sound, tap the + (plus) icon at the top-right corner. This opens your file browser where you can select any audio file stored on your phone.
- Select your file and tap Done.
Samsung also offers Galaxy Themes in the Galaxy Store, where you can download free and paid ringtone packs.
How To Change Ringtone on OnePlus
- Open Settings.
- Tap Sound & vibration.
- Tap Ringtone under the Phone section.
- Browse built-in ringtones or tap Choose from files at the bottom to select a custom audio file.
- Tap the ringtone you want and it is set automatically.
How To Change Ringtone on Motorola
- Open Settings.
- Tap Sound & vibration.
- Tap Phone ringtone.
- Select a built-in ringtone or tap Add ringtone to choose a file from your phone.
- Tap OK to save.
How To Set a Custom Song as Your Ringtone
You can use any song or audio file saved on your phone as a ringtone. The file must be in MP3, M4A, OGG, WAV, or FLAC format.
- Download or transfer the audio file to your phone. You can download music from the web, transfer files via USB from a computer, or use a file sharing app.
- Open Settings > Sound & vibration > Phone ringtone.
- Tap Add ringtone (or the + icon on Samsung).
- Navigate to the folder where the audio file is saved. The Downloads and Music folders are common locations.
- Select the file and confirm.
Tip: If your audio file is a full-length song, consider trimming it to a 15-30 second clip of the best part. You can use free apps like Ringtone Maker or MP3 Cutter from the Play Store to trim audio files directly on your phone.
How To Assign a Ringtone to a Specific Contact
Setting unique ringtones for specific contacts lets you know who is calling without looking at your phone.
- Open the Contacts app.
- Find and tap the contact you want to customize.
- Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
- Select Set ringtone (on Pixel) or scroll down and tap Ringtone (on Samsung).
- Choose a built-in ringtone or select a custom audio file.
- Tap OK or Save.
This ringtone will only play when that specific contact calls you. All other calls will use your default ringtone.
How To Change Notification Sounds
Notification sounds are separate from your call ringtone. Here is how to change them.
- Open Settings > Sound & vibration.
- Tap Default notification sound (or Notification sound on Samsung).
- Browse the list and select a new sound. Tap to preview each option.
- To use a custom sound, tap Add notification or the + icon and select an audio file.
- Tap OK to save.
Changing Notification Sound for Specific Apps
Many apps let you set custom notification sounds within their own settings. For example, in WhatsApp go to Settings > Notifications > Notification tone. In Gmail, go to Settings > (your account) > Notification sound. Check each app’s notification settings for this option.
How To Change Alarm Tone
- Open the Clock app.
- Tap the Alarm tab.
- Tap an existing alarm or create a new one.
- Tap the current alarm sound name.
- Browse built-in alarm tones, select Spotify (if available) to use a Spotify song, or tap Add new to select a file from your phone.
- Save the alarm.
Using Third-Party Ringtone Apps
If you want access to thousands of free ringtones without downloading individual files, these apps are popular options.
- Zedge: The most popular ringtone app on the Play Store with millions of free ringtones, notification sounds, and wallpapers. Search by category, mood, or keyword and set ringtones directly from the app.
- Audiko Ringtones: Offers a large library of ringtones and a built-in ringtone maker that lets you create custom clips from songs on your phone.
- Pi Music Player: A music player that includes a ringtone cutter feature for creating custom ringtones from any song in your library.
More Android Personalization Guides From DevX
- How To Change Keyboard On Android
- How To Hide Apps On Android
- How To Take A Screenshot On Android
- How To Stop Pop-Up Ads On Android
- How To Find Hidden Apps On Android
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Spotify or Apple Music song as my ringtone?
Not directly. Songs streamed from Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and similar services are protected by DRM and cannot be set as ringtones. You need to have an actual MP3 or audio file stored locally on your phone. Some alarm apps like Samsung Clock do integrate with Spotify for alarm tones specifically.
Why does my custom ringtone reset after restarting my phone?
This usually happens when the ringtone file is stored on an SD card that is not mounted at boot time, or if the file was moved or deleted. Save your ringtone files in the phone’s internal storage under a Ringtones folder for the most reliable results.
Where is the Ringtones folder on Android?
The default location is Internal Storage > Ringtones. If this folder does not exist, you can create it. Any audio files placed in this folder will automatically appear in the ringtone picker in Settings. You can also place files in the Notifications or Alarms folders for those respective sound pickers.
Can I set different ringtones for each SIM card on a dual-SIM phone?
Yes, most dual-SIM Android phones let you set different ringtones for each SIM. Go to Settings > Sound & vibration > Phone ringtone and you will see options for SIM 1 and SIM 2 separately. On Samsung phones, go to Settings > Sounds and vibration > Ringtone and select the SIM card tab.
How do I turn off my ringtone without silencing everything?
Press the volume down button on the side of your phone until you reach vibrate mode. This silences your ringtone while keeping alarms and media volume active. You can also use Do Not Disturb mode for more granular control over which sounds are allowed.
