How to set a custom ringtone on Android

Before you start: make the ringtone

You need the ringtone as an audio file on your phone. Open the Android ringtone maker, pick a song or recording, trim it and tap Download. The MP3 lands in your Downloads folder, ready for the steps below.

Steps for your brand

• Samsung Galaxy (One UI)
• Google Pixel
• Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO (HyperOS / MIUI)
• OnePlus (OxygenOS)
• OPPO and realme (ColorOS / realme UI)
• vivo and iQOO (Funtouch OS / OriginOS)

Which file works best on Android

MP3 works on every Android phone, old or new, which is why FoneVibe's Android option always makes MP3. Most phones also accept M4A, OGG and WAV, but some sound pickers skip them. Android has no strict length limit, but FoneVibe stops at 60 seconds: calls rarely ring longer, and a short file loads instantly when a call comes in.

Give the ringtone a clear name before you download. That name is what you'll see in the ringtone list, so “Mum calling” is easier to find than “track_01”.

How to pick a clip that works as a ringtone

• Start on the hook. People hear the first two or three seconds most. Begin on the chorus or the most recognisable line, not a slow intro.
• Keep it short. Most calls ring for 20 to 30 seconds before going to voicemail, so a 20 to 30 second clip is plenty. Longer clips simply never get heard.
• Make it loop cleanly. A ringtone repeats until you answer. Fade out stops the jump back to the start from sounding like a glitch.
• Match the volume. Songs are often quieter than the phone's built-in tones. Even volume levels it out, and Louder helps if you miss calls in noisy places.
• Choose something you won't tire of. You'll hear it many times a day. Test it on the phone speaker before you commit: it sounds different from headphones.

Notification sounds and alarms

The same MP3 can be your notification sound or alarm. For notifications, a short clip of 1 to 3 seconds works best: make one with the notification sound maker.

Notifications: open Settings → Sound & vibration → Default notification sound (Samsung: Sounds and vibration → Notification sound), then tap + or Choose local and pick your file.

Alarm: open the Clock app, tap an alarm, tap its sound, then + Add new (or From device) and pick your file. A gentle start helps: the alarm tone maker adds a slow fade-in for you.

One contact only: see contact ringtones on Android.

Ringtone set but the phone doesn't ring?

• Check Do Not Disturb in Quick Settings (swipe down from the top). It silences calls unless the caller is on its allowed list.
• Check the ring volume, not just the media volume. Press a volume button, then tap the ⋯ or settings icon to see all the sliders.
• Dual-SIM phones keep a ringtone for each SIM. Set yours on the SIM that receives the calls.

Ringtone not showing in the list?

• Open the Files app → Downloads and check the file is there. Some browsers save to a folder called Download.
• If the browser played the file instead of saving it, long-press the download and choose Download.
• Close the ringtone list and open it again. Restarting the phone also makes it show up.
• Rename the ringtone without emoji or special characters and download it again.
• Still missing? Use your Files app's Move option to put the file in the Ringtones folder of your phone's internal storage. Android lists everything in that folder as a ringtone. For notification sounds, use the Notifications folder.

Questions