The fastest way to get a new ringtone on Samsung
Samsung phones come with built-in ringtones, but you can add your own by downloading them from the Google Play Store, using files already on your phone, or creating them from music you own. The method depends on where the ringtone comes from and which Samsung model you have — but all of them start in the same place: the Settings app under Sounds and Vibration.
Most people find new ringtones through the Google Play Store, where apps like Zedge, Ringtone Maker, and Notification Sounds let you browse, preview, and download directly to your phone. Once downloaded, the ringtone appears in your phone's ringtone list and you can assign it to incoming calls or specific contacts.
Key Takeaways
- Open Settings, go to Sounds and Vibration, then Ringtone to see what ringtones are already available on your phone.
- The Google Play Store has free ringtone apps like Zedge and Notification Sounds that let you browse, preview, and download ringtones in seconds.
- You can also convert your own music files into ringtones using apps like Ringtone Maker, which cuts a song down to the length a ringtone needs.
- After downloading a ringtone, return to Settings to assign it to all incoming calls or to specific contacts only.
Finding and downloading ringtones from the Google Play Store
Open the Google Play Store app on your Samsung phone and search for "ringtones" or "notification sounds". The most popular free options are Zedge, Notification Sounds, and Ringtone Maker — each works slightly differently but all let you preview before you download.
Zedge has thousands of ringtones organized by category (funny, classic, movie themes, etc.). Tap any ringtone to hear it, then tap the download button. The app saves it to your phone automatically. Notification Sounds works the same way but focuses on shorter alert tones. Both apps are free and supported by ads, but neither charges money to download ringtones.
Once the download finishes, the ringtone is stored on your phone and ready to assign. You do not need to do anything else in the app — go back to Settings to actually set it as your ringtone.
Converting your own music into a ringtone
If you want to use a song you already own, download Ringtone Maker from the Google Play Store. Open the app, tap the plus button, and select a song from your phone's music library. The app shows you a timeline of the song and lets you drag the start and end points to choose which part becomes your ringtone (usually 15 to 30 seconds).
After you trim the song, tap Save or Export. Ringtone Maker asks whether you want to save it as a ringtone, notification sound, or alarm. Choose Ringtone, and the app stores it in your phone's ringtone folder. You can then assign it in Settings just like any other ringtone.
Other apps that do this include Audacity (more complex but more powerful) and Ringdroid (simpler and older, but still works on most Samsung phones). All three are free.
Setting a downloaded ringtone for all calls
Once you have downloaded a ringtone, open Settings on your Samsung phone. Scroll down and tap Sounds and Vibration (on some older models it may say Sound). Tap Ringtone, and you will see a list of all available ringtones — both the ones that came with your phone and any you have downloaded.
Tap the ringtone you want to use. Your phone plays a preview so you can hear it before you confirm. Tap OK or Done (the button name varies by Samsung model). That ringtone is now your default for all incoming calls.
Assigning different ringtones to specific contacts
If you want different people to have different ringtones, open the Contacts app and find the person you want to customize. Tap Edit (usually a pencil icon), then scroll down to find Ringtone or Notification Sound. Tap it and choose from your downloaded ringtones or the built-in ones.
Save the contact. Now whenever that person calls, your phone will play their assigned ringtone instead of your default. This works for text messages too — look for Notification Sound in the same contact edit screen.
If you want to change the ringtone back to default for that contact, open their contact card again, tap Edit, and select Default Ringtone or remove the custom assignment.
Troubleshooting: ringtone not showing up after download
If you downloaded a ringtone but it does not appear in your Settings list, the app may have saved it to the wrong folder. Open your file manager (called My Files on most Samsung phones) and look in the Ringtones folder. If the file is there but Settings does not show it, try restarting your phone — Samsung sometimes needs a restart to recognize newly added files.
If the ringtone still does not appear, check whether the file format is supported. Samsung ringtones work best as MP3 or OGG files. If you created a ringtone using an app and it saved as M4A or WAV, try a different app or convert the file using an online converter before trying again.
Some ringtone apps also require permission to access your phone's storage. If you downloaded an app but nothing happened, go to Settings, tap Apps, find the ringtone app, tap Permissions, and make sure Storage is turned on.
Using ringtones from websites instead of apps
You can also download ringtones directly from websites like Zedge.net or Notification Sounds without using an app. Open your phone's web browser, find a ringtone you like, and tap the download button. The file goes to your Downloads folder.
Open your file manager, navigate to Downloads, and find the ringtone file. Tap and hold it, then select Move or Copy. Navigate to the Ringtones folder (usually at the top level of your phone's storage), and paste it there. Restart your phone, then go to Settings to assign it.
This method takes longer than using an app, but it gives you more control over which files end up on your phone and where they are stored.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a YouTube video as a ringtone?
Not directly — YouTube's terms of service do not allow that. But you can download the audio from a YouTube video using a third-party app or website, save it as an MP3 file, then use Ringtone Maker to trim it and convert it to a ringtone. Search for "YouTube to MP3" in your browser to find converter websites.
Why does my ringtone sound quiet or distorted?
Ringtones need to be loud enough to hear over background noise, so make sure your phone's volume is turned up. Go to Settings, Sounds and Vibration, and check that the Ringtone Volume slider is not set to low. If the ringtone itself sounds distorted, the audio file may be damaged — try downloading a different ringtone to test.
Do I need to pay for ringtones?
No. Zedge, Notification Sounds, Ringtone Maker, and most other ringtone apps are free. Some apps show ads, but none charge money to download ringtones. If an app asks for payment, you can find the same features in a free alternative.
What happens to my ringtones if I get a new phone?
Ringtones you downloaded from apps stay in those apps, so if you reinstall the app on your new phone, you can download them again. Ringtones you created yourself or downloaded as files can be backed up through Samsung Cloud or Google Drive, then restored on your new phone.
Can I use a ringtone for my alarm instead of my ringtone?
Yes. Go to Settings, tap Clock (or Alarms), select an alarm, and look for Alarm Sound or Alarm Tone. You can choose from ringtones you have downloaded, though alarm sounds work best when they are louder and more attention-grabbing than regular ringtones.