How to change the ringtone on an Android phone

2 min read · 5 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Short answer

Open Settings, tap Sound & vibration, then Phone ringtone, choose a sound and tap Save. To use your own music file, tap My Sounds and the plus button.

Android lets you choose from built-in tones or use any audio file on the phone. You can also give single contacts their own sound.

Menu names below are from Google Pixel phones on a recent Android version. Samsung, Xiaomi and other brands rename some of them, so the Samsung name is given where it differs. The pictures are simplified diagrams of the screen, not screenshots.

Step by step

  1. SettingsAppsNotificationsBatteryStorageSound & vibration

    Open Settings and tap Sound & vibration

    On Samsung, tap Sounds and vibration.

  2. Sound & vibrationRing & notification volumeDo Not DisturbPhone ringtoneDefault notification sound

    Tap Phone ringtone

    On Samsung, tap Ringtone.

  3. Choose a sound and tap Save

    Tap a category, then a tone to hear it.

  4. Use your own file

    Tap My Sounds, then the plus button, and choose an MP3 or other audio file stored on the phone. On Samsung, tap the plus in the top corner.

  5. Set a ringtone for one person

    Open Contacts, choose the person, tap the three dots and Set ringtone.

Good to know

Default notification sound, on the same page, changes the sound for messages and apps.

If the phone does not ring at all, check the ring volume on the same page and make sure Do Not Disturb is off.

In short: Settings, Sound & vibration, Phone ringtone.

Sources
  • Google Android Help: Change volume, sound and vibrate settings

Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.