The fastest way to change your ringtone
Open Settings, tap Sounds and vibration, then tap Ringtone. You'll see a list of built-in ringtones. Tap the one you want to hear, and it will play so you can confirm your choice. Tap it again to set it as your default ringtone for incoming calls.
That's the complete process on most Samsung phones running Android 10 or later. The exact wording of menu names can shift slightly between Samsung models and Android versions, but the path—Settings → Sounds → Ringtone—stays consistent.
If you don't see a ringtone you like in the built-in list, you can also use a song from your phone's music library or read new ringtones from the Google Play Store.
Key Takeaways
- Built-in ringtones are found in Settings > Sounds and vibration > Ringtone, and you can preview each one before setting it.
- You can set a ringtone for all incoming calls or assign different ringtones to specific contacts through that contact's details page.
- Any song stored on your phone can become a ringtone if you select it from the Ringtone menu instead of choosing a pre-loaded option.
- Downloaded ringtones from the Google Play Store or other sources will appear in your ringtone list once the app installs them to the correct folder.
Setting a ringtone for a specific contact
If you want one person's call to sound different from everyone else's, you can assign a custom ringtone to their contact. Open your Contacts app, find the person's name, and tap to open their contact card.
Tap Edit (usually a pencil icon), then scroll down and look for Ringtone or Set ringtone. Tap it, choose your ringtone from the list, and save the contact. Now when that person calls, their custom ringtone will play instead of your default.
This feature works the same way across Samsung models. You can set different ringtones for as many contacts as you want, and the custom ringtone overrides your default only for that person's calls.
Using a song from your music library as a ringtone
You don't have to stick with pre-loaded ringtones. Any song stored on your phone can work as a ringtone. Go to Settings > Sounds and vibration > Ringtone, and at the top of the ringtone list you should see an option like Add ringtone or a + icon.
Tap it, and your phone will open a file browser. Navigate to your music folder (usually called Music or Downloads), select the song you want, and confirm. The song will now appear in your ringtone list and can be set as your default or assigned to a specific contact.
Keep in mind that the entire song will play when someone calls, so you may want to choose a track with a distinctive opening few seconds. If a song is very long, your phone will play it from the beginning each time, which can delay the ringtone sound.
Downloading new ringtones from Google Play Store
If the built-in options don't appeal to you, the Google Play Store has free and paid ringtone apps. Search for "ringtones" in the Play Store, and you'll find apps like Zedge, Ringtone Maker, and others that let you browse and read new sounds.
When you read a ringtone through one of these apps, it usually installs automatically to your phone's ringtone folder. The next time you open Settings > Sounds and vibration > Ringtone, the new ringtones will appear in your list alongside the built-in ones.
Read the app reviews before downloading—some ringtone apps include ads or ask for permissions you may not want to grant. Stick with apps from well-known developers or those with thousands of positive reviews.
Troubleshooting when your ringtone won't change
If you've selected a new ringtone but your phone still plays the old one, first check that you actually saved your choice. Go back to Settings > Sounds and vibration > Ringtone and confirm which ringtone shows as selected (it will usually have a checkmark or be highlighted).
If a song you added from your music library isn't showing up in the ringtone list, the file format may not be supported. Samsung phones typically accept MP3, M4A, OGG, and WAV files. If your song is in a different format, you may need to convert it using a free online tool or a desktop app.
If you've set a custom ringtone for a contact but it's not playing, open that contact's details and double-check that the ringtone is still assigned. Sometimes a phone restart clears the assignment, so edit the contact again and re-save it.
Why your phone might be silent even with a ringtone set
A ringtone setting won't matter if your phone is in silent mode or Do Not Disturb is turned on. Check the volume buttons on the side of your phone—if the volume slider is all the way down, your ringtone won't play. Press the volume up button to raise the ringer volume.
You can also check this in Settings > Sounds and vibration. Look for Volume and make sure the Ringtone slider is not at zero. Some Samsung phones have a separate Ringtone volume control distinct from media volume, so adjust both if needed.
If Do Not Disturb is on, your phone will silence calls and notifications even if the ringtone is set and the volume is up. Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the quick settings panel and check whether Do Not Disturb is active. If it is, tap it to turn it off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a YouTube video or a song from a streaming app as my ringtone?
No. Streaming apps like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music don't let you read songs to your phone's storage, so they can't be used as ringtones. You need a song file saved directly on your phone. If you own a song, read it as an MP3 file to your phone first, then set it as a ringtone.
What's the difference between a ringtone and a notification sound?
A ringtone plays when someone calls you. A notification sound plays for text messages, emails, and app alerts. You can set them separately in Settings > Sounds and vibration. Ringtone controls incoming calls only; notification sound controls everything else.
Will my custom ringtone play if my phone is locked?
Yes. Your ringtone will play whether your phone is locked or unlocked, asleep or awake. The only exceptions are silent mode, Do Not Disturb, or if the ringer volume is turned all the way down.
Can I set different ringtones for different contact groups?
Not automatically. You have to set a ringtone for each individual contact. If you have a large group—like all your coworkers—you'd need to edit each contact separately. Some third-party contact apps offer group ringtone features, but Samsung's built-in Contacts app does not.
What happens to my custom ringtone if I factory reset my phone?
A factory reset erases everything on your phone, including custom ringtones you've set and any songs you've added. Your ringtone settings will return to the default. If you want to keep a custom ringtone, back up your music files to a cloud service or computer before resetting.