Changing the ringtone on an Android device is a straightforward process that varies slightly depending on your phone model and Android version. Most devices allow you to customize both the default ringtone and assign unique tones to specific contacts. The process generally involves accessing the Settings menu, navigating to Sound & vibration (or similar), and selecting a new ringtone from preloaded options or custom files. For advanced customization, you can set any song as your ringtone by creating a dedicated "ringtones" folder or using third-party apps like Zedge.

• Standard method: Go to *Settings > Sound & vibration > Ringtone* to choose from default options ^[5]
• Custom ringtones: Create a "ringtones" folder in your device storage to add personal audio files ^[7]
• App-specific ringtones: Manage notification sounds for individual apps via *Settings > Notifications > Advanced* ^[3]
• Device variations: Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel have slightly different menu paths ^[5][8]

Changing Your Android Ringtone

Standard Ringtone Customization

The most common way to change your Android ringtone is through the device's Settings menu. This method works across most Android versions, though menu names may vary slightly between manufacturers. For Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy devices, the process is particularly streamlined.

Start by opening your device's Settings app. On most Android phones, you'll find a Sound & vibration (or simply Sound) section. Tapping this will reveal options for phone ringtone, notification sounds, and alarm tones. Select Phone ringtone to view the available options. The system provides a list of default ringtones, which may include classic tones like "Marimba" or "Reflection," as well as newer additions like Google's "Pixel Minimal" tones introduced in recent updates ^[5].

• The default ringtone selection screen typically includes:
• Pre-installed system ringtones (varies by manufacturer)
• Recently added tones from system updates
• A "Default" option that resets to the original ringtone
• A preview function to test tones before selecting ^[5]
• For Samsung Galaxy devices, the path is *Settings > Sounds and vibration > Ringtone* ^[5]
• Google Pixel users should navigate to *Settings > Sound & vibration > Phone ringtone* ^[5]
• Some devices may require you to tap "Save" or "OK" to confirm your selection

The Verge's guide specifically notes that these instructions were tested on a Pixel 6 and Galaxy S23 running Android 14, suggesting they apply to most modern Android devices. The process remains largely consistent across versions, though older Android versions might have slightly different menu organization ^[5].

Setting Custom Ringtones and Advanced Options

For users who want more personalization than the default options provide, Android supports custom ringtones using your own audio files. The most reliable method involves creating a dedicated "ringtones" folder in your device's internal storage. This folder must be placed in the root directory (not inside other folders) and named exactly "ringtones" (all lowercase). Once created, any audio files (MP3, WAV, etc.) placed in this folder will automatically appear in your ringtone selection menu ^[7].

• Steps for custom ringtones:
• Create a folder named "ringtones" in your device's internal storage
• Place audio files (MP3, M4A, WAV, OGG) into this folder
• Files will appear in *Settings > Sound > Phone ringtone* under custom options
• No additional apps required for this method ^[7]
• Alternative method via Phone app:
• Open Phone app > Tap More (three dots) > Settings > Sounds and vibration
• Select "Phone ringtone" to choose from available options ^[6]
• For app-specific notification sounds:
• Navigate to *Settings > Notifications > Advanced settings*
• Select individual apps to customize their notification categories ^[3]

Third-party apps like Zedge offer extensive ringtone libraries with both free and premium options. The Zedge app categorizes ringtones by genre, popularity, and new releases, allowing users to preview and download tones directly to their device. After downloading, these tones appear in your standard ringtone selection menu alongside system defaults ^[8]. Some users prefer this method for accessing professionally created ringtones without manually transferring files.

For those wanting to use specific songs as ringtones, the process involves either:

1. Using a file manager to move the song to your ringtones folder, or
2. Using the "Add ringtone" option in some Android versions (look for a "+" icon in the ringtone selector) ^[4]