How do I download a song as a ringtone on my Android?
What are ringtones and why customize them?
A ringtone is a short audio clip that plays when you receive an incoming call or notification on your mobile phone. The default ringtones that come with phones can get repetitive and boring over time. Customizing your ringtone allows you to personalize your device and set a unique tone that represents your style and personality.
According to a Reddit discussion thread, custom ringtones used to be much more popular 15 years ago despite being more difficult to create. Now with smartphone apps and music services, customizing a ringtone is simpler than ever, yet fewer people take advantage of this feature.
Setting a custom ringtone offers many benefits:
- Lets you express your musical tastes and interests
- Helps you identify who is calling without looking at your phone
- Makes your phone stand out when it rings in public
- Adds a personal touch to your device
While exact statistics are hard to find, anecdotal evidence suggests that only a small percentage of mobile users actively customize their ringtones today. However, for those who want to personalize their phones, creating a custom ringtone from a favorite song is a simple way to make your device feel more unique.
Things to consider before downloading an Android ringtone
There are a few important considerations to keep in mind before downloading or creating a custom ringtone for your Android device:
Copyright and legal issues – Be mindful of copyright laws if using portions of copyrighted songs or audio clips for your ringtone. It’s generally acceptable to create ringtones for personal use from legally purchased audio files, but redistributing or selling them could violate copyright. See this article for more details on legal uses of ringtones.
File formats – The most common ringtone formats compatible with Android are MP3, M4A, WAV, and OGG [1]. MP3 is the most widely supported format. Consider the format when downloading potential ringtones.
Finding ringtones – You can find free or paid ringtones online to download. Some apps and websites also let you create ringtones from your own music files. Take care to use reputable sources and check file formats.
How to Download Music Files to Use as Ringtones
There are a few different ways to download music files that you can use for ringtones on your Android device:
Downloading from Streaming Sites
Many popular music streaming services like YouTube Music, Spotify, and Pandora allow you to download songs for offline listening. To download from these services:
- Open the streaming app and find the song you want to use as a ringtone.
- Look for a download button or option to save the song offline. This will download the song file to your device storage.
Downloading Purchased Music
If you’ve purchased songs through services like iTunes or Amazon Music, you can download the files to your computer and then transfer them to your Android device. To download purchased music files on a computer:
- Open the music service’s app or website and go to your library of purchased songs.
- Find the download button which will save the song file on your computer.
Once you’ve downloaded the music files, you can connect your Android device to your computer and transfer over the song you want to use as a ringtone.
Converting a song to a ringtone format
To convert a song to a ringtone format for Android, you’ll need to use converter apps or software to trim and convert the audio file. Here are some tips:
Use an app like Ringtone Maker to trim and convert mp3 files into the m4r format used for ringtones on Android.
The m4r format is the most widely compatible ringtone format for Android. You can convert an mp3 file to m4r format using free audio editing apps.
Make sure to trim the audio file to 30 seconds or less. Android limits ringtone lengths to 30 seconds maximum.
Cut any intros or outros so you just have the main recognizable part of the song for the ringtone.
Save and export the trimmed m4r file to use as your custom ringtone.
Transferring the ringtone file to your Android device
Once you have converted the song file to a ringtone format, you need to transfer it to your Android device. There are a few different ways to do this:
Using a USB cable: Connect your Android device to your computer using the USB cable that came with your phone. On your Android, you may get a notification that says “USB for charging – Tap for more options.” Tap that notification, and select File transfer mode. This will allow you to access your phone’s storage from your computer and copy over the ringtone file.
Emailing the file: Attach the ringtone file to an email and send it to an email account configured on your Android device. Open the email on your device and download the attachment.
Using cloud storage apps: Upload the ringtone file to a cloud storage service like Google Drive, Dropbox, etc. Install the app on your Android device, sign in to your account, and download the file.
Saving the ringtone file on your Android
Once you have downloaded or created the ringtone file, you need to save it in the proper location on your Android device for it to be available as a ringtone. Here are the steps:
1. Open the File Manager app on your Android. This may be called Files, My Files, File Explorer, etc. depending on your device.
2. Navigate to the Downloads folder. This is where your ringtone file should be after downloading it to your device.
3. Long press on the ringtone file and select “Cut” from the menu.
4. Now go back to the main File Manager menu and navigate to the Ringtones folder. The path is usually internal storage > Ringtones.
5. Long press in an empty space in the Ringtones folder and select “Paste” to move the ringtone file there.
That’s it! By moving the ringtone file to the Ringtones folder, your Android will now recognize it and allow it to be selected as a ringtone in your Sound settings.
If you have trouble finding the Ringtones folder in your File Manager, you can refer to this guide for the typical locations on different Android devices.
Setting the Song File as Your Ringtone
Once you have transferred the ringtone file to your Android device, you need to set it as your default ringtone. Here are the steps to do this using your device’s Settings:
1. Open the Settings app on your Android device.
2. Tap on Sound or Sound & vibration. This is where the ringtone settings are located.
3. Tap on Phone ringtone or Default ringtone. This will open up the list of ringtones.
4. Locate the song file you want to set as your ringtone. Tap on the file name to select it.
5. Confirm that you want to set this as your ringtone. The song will now be set as the default ringtone on your Android device.
Whenever you receive a call, text or notification, your selected song will play as the ringtone. You can follow these same steps to customize the ringtone for specific contacts, if supported by your Android device.
For more details, see this helpful guide from The Verge.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you run into issues setting a custom ringtone on your Android, here are some troubleshooting tips to try:
File Format Issues
Make sure the song file you are using is in a compatible format for ringtones on your device. Common formats include MP3, M4R, and AAC. Check your device specifications to confirm which formats it supports.1
Also check that the file was properly converted to a short ringtone format (30 seconds or less). If the file is still the full length song, it may not set properly as a ringtone.
Transfer Issues
If you are transferring the ringtone file via USB, email, or cloud storage, confirm the file was not corrupted or altered during transfer. Try resending the file in a different format like MP3 if the original transfer did not work.
Additionally, check that you have proper permissions to add files on your Android device from your computer or cloud storage app.
Default App Issues
Your default phone or contacts app may override any custom ringtone settings. Go into the default app settings and switch off any option that uses a global ringtone rather than contact-specific tones.2
You can also try setting the custom ringtone through a different app like your contacts app instead of the phone app.
Customizing notifications and alarm tones
You can use the same process for downloading songs and converting them to ringtones to customize your notification and alarm tones on your Android device. The only difference is that you’ll need to save the ringtone files to your notifications or alarms folder rather than the ringtones folder.
Here are some apps that make it easy to create custom notification and alarm tones:
- Zedge – This app has a library of notification sounds you can browse and download. You can also upload your own audio files to use.
- ToneCraft – Design custom notification tones by combining sound effects and music clips. Export your creations as ringtone files.
- Ringtone Maker – Convert songs into alarm tones and save them directly to your alarms folder.
So if you want your favorite song to wake you up in the morning or alert you to a text, customize your alarm and notification tones. Just be sure to save the ringtone files to the proper folder on your device. This WikiHow guide has more details on where to find the alarms and notifications folders on different Android versions.
Creative uses for custom ringtones
One of the most common creative uses for custom ringtones is to set unique ringtones for different contacts. This allows you to identify who is calling without even looking at your phone. You can set a specific song or sound for your spouse, parents, boss, close friends, etc. When you hear that custom ringtone, you’ll instantly know who’s calling. This can be helpful if you want to quickly answer an important call or send other calls to voicemail.
Another fun creative use is making ringtones using sound clips from videos, speeches, or other audio sources. For example, you could take a motivational quote from a speech and turn it into a ringtone to inspire you throughout the day. Or make a ringtone with your kid’s laugh or your pet’s funny noises. The options are endless! Just make sure not to use copyrighted material without permission.
Overall, custom ringtones allow you to personalize your mobile experience and show off your personality. Whether you want practical ringtones to identify callers or silly sound clips to make you smile, you can get creative and have fun making unique ringtones for your Android device.
