HOW TO CHANGE RINGTONES ON IPHONE AND ANDROID

Navigating a smartphone and making it yours can be a delightful experience, especially when personalizing your ringtone. If you’re new to smartphones or haven’t had the chance to customize your ringtone before, you might wonder, “How do I change my ringtone?” Whether you’re using an iPhone or an Android device, changing your ringtone is a straightforward process that can make a big difference in how you experience your phone calls.

For many of us, a specific ringtone can make recognizing when our phone is ringing easier, especially in a room where others might have similar devices. It’s also a fun way to reflect your personal style or identify a particular caller without looking at the screen. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the easy steps to change your ringtone, whether you’re inquiring about “how to change ringtone on iPhone” or “how to change ringtone on Android.”

Let’s start this journey of personalizing your phone in a simple and enjoyable way, even for those who may be new to the world of smartphones.

Customizing Your Ringtone on Smartphones

Personalizing your smartphone experience by changing the ringtone is a simple process on both iPhones and Android devices. Here’s how you can do it:

For iPhone Users: How to Change Your Ringtone

  1. Access Settings:
    • Tap on the ‘Settings’ icon on your iPhone’s home screen.
    • Scroll down and select ‘Sounds & Haptics.’
  2. Choose New Sounds:
    • In the ‘Sounds & Haptics’ menu, find ‘Ringtone’ under ‘Sounds and Vibration Patterns.’
    • Tap on ‘Ringtone’ to view your current ringtone and other options.
  3. Select a Ringtone:
    • You’ll see a list of available ringtones. Tap on a ringtone to hear a preview.
    • When you find one you like, tap on it to set it as your new ringtone. It will be marked with a checkmark.

For Android Users: How to Change Your Ringtone

  1. Open Settings:
    • Go to the ‘Settings’ app on your Android device.
    • Scroll down and tap on ‘Sound & Vibration.’
  2. Ringtone Options:
    • In the ‘Sound & Vibration’ menu, find and select ‘Phone Ringtone’ or just ‘Ringtone,’ depending on your device.
  3. Choose Your Ringtone:
    • You’ll see a list of preset ringtones. Tap on each to listen to a preview.
    • Select the ringtone you prefer by tapping on it. It may automatically set, or you might need to hit ‘OK’ or ‘Apply.’

By following these steps, you can easily change your ringtone and add a personal touch to your smartphone, whether an iPhone or an Android. This small change can make your device feel more personal and tailored to your style.

Assigning a Ringtone to a Contact

Personalizing ringtones for specific contacts is a great way to recognize who’s calling without looking at your phone. The process may differ slightly between iPhone and Android, but both are simple and easy to follow. Here’s how you can set unique ringtones for your contacts on both types of smartphones:

For iPhone Users:

  1. Open Contacts:
    • Tap on the ‘Contacts’ app on your iPhone. You can also access contacts directly through the Phone app.
  2. Select a Contact:
    • Scroll through your contacts list and tap on the name of the person for whom you want to set a custom ringtone.
  3. Edit Contact:
    • In the upper-right corner of the contact’s details, tap ‘Edit.’
  4. Set Custom Ringtone:
    • Tap ‘Ringtone’ and choose the desired ringtone from the list that appears.
    • Once selected, the ringtone will be assigned to that specific contact.

For Android Users:

  1. Access Contacts:
    • Open the ‘Contacts’ app on your Android device. Alternatively, you can access contacts through the Phone app.
  2. Choose a Contact:
    • Find and select the contact you wish to assign a specific ringtone to.
  3. Edit Contact Details:
    • Tap the ‘Edit’ icon, usually represented by a pencil.
  4. Select Ringtone for Contact:
    • Scroll down to find the ‘Ringtone’ option and tap on it.
    • Browse through the ringtone list and select one. You may also have an option to choose a custom ringtone from your files.
    • Confirm your selection and the ringtone will be set for that contact.

By assigning different ringtones to your contacts, you can quickly identify who is calling, adding another layer of personalization to your smartphone experience.

Buying New Ringtones from the iTunes Store and Google Play

Sometimes, the default ringtones on your phone may need to be more appealing, and you may want to customize it with something more personalized or distinctive. If you are an iPhone user, you can buy new ringtones from the iTunes Store, while Android users can purchase them from Google Play. Here’s a quick guide on how to buy new ringtones on both platforms:

For iPhone Users: Purchasing Ringtones from the iTunes Store

  1. Open the iTunes Store App:
    • Find and tap on the iTunes Store app on your iPhone.
  2. Navigate to Tones:
    • Inside the app, tap ‘More’ (usually represented by three dots or lines) and then select ‘Tones.’ This section showcases various ringtones available for purchase.
  3. Select and Purchase:
    • Browse through the ringtones and tap on one to listen to a preview.
    • When you find a ringtone you like, tap on its price to proceed with the purchase.
    • If prompted, enter your Apple ID password to complete the transaction.
  4. Set the Ringtone (Optional):
    • After purchasing, you may get the option to set it as your default ringtone immediately, or you can set it later via the Settings app.

For Android Users: Buying Ringtones on Google Play

  1. Access Google Play Music or Google Play Store:
    • Open the Google Play Music app or Google Play Store on your Android device.
  2. Search for Ringtones:
    • Use the search feature to find specific songs or browse the ringtone collection.
  3. Purchase and Download:
    • Once you find a ringtone you like, tap on its price to purchase it.
    • Follow the prompts to complete your purchase. The ringtone will be downloaded to your device.
  4. Set Your New Ringtone:
    • Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Sound & Vibration’ > ‘Phone Ringtone,’ where you’ll find your newly downloaded ringtone.
    • Select it to set it as your new default ringtone.

Purchasing ringtones from the iTunes Store or Google Play is a simple way to personalize your phone with a sound that resonates with your style or mood.

Embracing Personalization with Your Smartphone’s Ringtone

Congratulations on taking these steps to personalize your smartphone! Whether you’re using an iPhone or an Android device, changing your ringtone is a simple yet effective way to make your phone more ‘you.’ It’s not just about a unique sound; it’s about creating an experience tailored to your lifestyle and preferences.

Following the instructions provided for iPhone and Android users, you’ve learned how to set a new ringtone, assign unique tones to contacts, and even purchase new sounds to expand your collection. These small changes can greatly impact your daily phone use, making each call a little more personal and enjoyable.

Remember, your phone is a significant part of your daily life, and personalizing it can be a fun and rewarding process. Don’t hesitate to explore and try different tones until you find the ones that suit you best. We hope this guide has made the process easy and enjoyable for you.

Happy customizing, and enjoy the fresh new sounds on your smartphone!

20 Thoughts on "HOW TO CHANGE RINGTONES ON IPHONE AND ANDROID"

  1. zelma l walker says

    would like to purchase a new phone Thanks!

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Hi Zelma, if you have our service already you can do that when logged in here, or by calling us at 888-345-5509. Otherwise, you can start an order here.

  2. Cody says

    When are you going to put more selection on smart phones and flip phones.

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Hi Cody, we don’t have a timeframe for when new phones may be made available but we’re always making changes to our line-up. Whenever we receive new phones, our website is updated immediately.

  3. James Henry Baugh says

    Any chance my new Link 2 Flip Phone can access new ringtones?

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Hi James, since the Link II does not have internet access, new ringtones can only be added from audio files on a microSDHC memory card. You can find steps for this in the manual found here.

  4. Henry Nash says

    What is voice-mail box number for my account? I cannot get the voice-mail setup.

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Hi Henry, all you have to do is hold “1” on your dial pad. After your phone calls your voicemail, you can follow the automated prompts. If that’s not working, please give us a call at 888-345-5509 or chat with us here.

  5. Robb Carpenter says

    I have had my new apple phone for 2 weeks now and feel very comfortable with it. It is very easy to operate and does amazing functions. Wish I had made this decision years ago. Hope to have great service for years to come.

  6. James McCloskey says

    Is there a trade-in allowance if I buy a new phone from you? I purchased my original iphone (SE 1st gen) and would like to upgrade to the new SE 3rd gen. Thanks

  7. DB says

    My voicemail is suddenly only in Spanish. Android phone. How do I switch to English???

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Hi DB, we’d be happy to help switch your voicemail back to English. Please give us a call at 888-345-5509 or chat with us here.

  8. Linda K Jackson says

    How do I make the ringtone last longer? As a disabled person, I need more time to get to my phone before voicemail picks up. My old phone rang for 30 seconds.

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Hi Linda, we can help extend your phone’s ring time. Please give us a call at 888-345-5509 or chat with us here.

  9. Flieg says

    I was hoping to get a new ringtone for my link II. In a previous answer you said that instructions for how to get it off a memory card were in the manual. They aren’t. Is it possible to download an audio file from a computer via bluetooth? If so, what is the correct file format and how do I do it?

    • Hi Flieg, thanks for your message. If the song is on a microSD card you can access it via the music option by going into Menu > Media center > Music. Otherwise, you will want to make sure the file is an mp3 file to move over to the phone. If you have any questions, give us a call at 800-686-4460 or chat with one of our agents here.

  10. uwe a. says

    This is a question that hopefully will get an answer.
    In trying to set up a ringtone for a contact, I get a message that says
    “you have disabled a required permission” What permission is that and how do I get it back? My phone is the ZTE Avid 589 with Android 11 Go Edition.
    The courtesy of a reply will be appreciated.
    Thanks
    UA

    • Hi Uwe, thanks for your question! We’d be happy to look into this to see what is going on with that setting. Give us a call at 888-548-6490 or chat with one of our live agents on our website here for further assistance with this.

  11. Mmarcia says

    I have not been able to set up a password on my phone to receive voice messages. The instructions on the new packet info is not working.

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Thanks for posting, Mmarcia. All you have to do is hold “1” on the keypad until your phone starts the call to your voicemail. You can then follow the automated prompts. If that doesn’t work, I recommend giving us a call at 888-345-5509 or starting a live chat here.