How do I make a song my ringtone on Android for free?

Having a custom ringtone on your Android phone allows you to personalize your device and make it stand out when you get calls or notifications. According to StatCounter, over 70% of mobile devices run Android, across thousands of different makes and models. With so many identical ringtones out there, setting a custom tone helps your phone sound unique.

The best part is there are simple ways to convert songs into ringtones on Android phones using just built-in tools. You don’t need any extra apps or purchases. Whether your phone runs older Android versions like Marshmallow or Nougat, or newer ones like Android 10, 11, 12, 13, etc. the process is straightforward. We’ll cover step-by-step methods to make custom ringtones for free using your phone or PC.

Locate the Song File

To set a song as your ringtone, you’ll first need to locate the song file on your device. You can find song files that you’ve downloaded or transferred from a computer. To access your files, open the Files app or another file manager app such as Files by Google.

You can find your music files in the Music folder. You may also have a Downloads folder for files recently downloaded or a separate folder for files transferred from a computer. Browse these folders to locate the song file you want to use as your ringtone.

You can also download songs directly to your device from streaming apps or sites that offer song downloads. Follow the app’s instructions to download a song file that you can then access from your file manager.

Edit the Song File

The song file needs to be edited before it can be set as a ringtone on an Android device. By default, Android only allows ringtones that are 30 seconds or less. If the song file is longer than that, it will need to be trimmed down.

Here are the steps to edit the song file on an Android:

1. Open the preloaded Android audio editing app, such as Audio Editor.
2. Import the song file you want to use as your ringtone. Tap on the song file to open it.
3. Use the audio editing tools to select a 30 second clip of the song. Tap the “Trim” icon and adjust the blue handles to select exactly 30 seconds.
4. Tap the save icon to export this 30 second song clip as a separate file.

Now you will have an edited 30 second version of the song ready to use as your custom ringtone.

Setting a Custom Ringtone

Setting a custom ringtone on Android typically involves the following steps:

1. Open your device’s Settings app
2. Navigate to Sounds or Sound & vibration
3. Select Ringtone or Phone ringtone
4. Tap the + button or Add icon to select a sound file from your device’s storage
5. Browse and select the song file you want to set as your ringtone
6. Confirm the selection

The location of these sound and ringtone settings can vary depending on your Android version and device manufacturer skin. For example, on Samsung devices running One UI, you may need to go to Sounds and vibration > Ringtone. On Xiaomi devices running MIUI, these options are located under Additional Settings. Always check your device’s settings menu for the exact locations.

Here are example screenshots showing how to set a custom ringtone on a Google Pixel running stock Android:

And on a Samsung Galaxy device running One UI:

As you can see, the settings menus are arranged slightly differently but the overall process is the same. Follow the steps for your specific Android version and device skin to successfully set a custom ringtone.

App Alternative Method

Another option for creating free ringtones on Android is by using reputable ringtone maker apps. For example, InShot MP3 Cutter and Ringtone Maker allows you to import songs from your device, trim and cut audio clips, and export them as ringtones to set for calls, notifications, and alarms.

Similarly, MP3 Cutter and Ringtone Maker provides the ability to edit audio files to customize ringtones. You can adjust volume, fade in/out effects, amp the bass, normalize volume, and more. Once the perfect ringtone clip is created, save it and apply it as your default system ringtone or assign it to specific contacts.

The process involves first downloading the ringtone maker app, granting it necessary permissions, importing your chosen song, using the editing tools to trim and customize the clip, exporting/saving the final ringtone file, and lastly applying it as a system or contact ringtone through your device’s sound settings.

Troubleshooting

If your custom ringtone isn’t appearing as an option after setting it, there are a few troubleshooting steps to take:

First, check that the song file is in a compatible format like MP3 or M4R. Some file types like FLAC may not work properly (source). Try converting the file to MP3 and setting it again as a custom ringtone.

Next, confirm you edited the song file correctly by opening it in an audio editor like Audacity. Make sure there is at least a second of silence at the beginning and end of the file so it can properly loop as a ringtone.

You may also need to check app permissions – open Settings > Apps > choose the Phone app > Permissions and enable access to storage. This allows the app to detect custom ringtones saved on your device storage.

As a last resort, uninstall any ringtone maker apps and try setting the custom ringtone directly through your device settings. Some apps can interfere with the native ringtone options.

If you continue having issues, search the web or consult your device manufacturer for further troubleshooting tips.

Customize Notification Sounds

Note that custom notification sounds can also be made using the same process for ringtones. Users may want to set different notification sounds for different apps in order to easily identify which app is sending a notification without having to look at their phone. Unique sounds for each app allows you to know what notification just came in, even from another room.

Here are the steps for changing notification sounds for individual apps in Android settings:

1. Open the Settings app on your Android phone.
2. Tap on “Apps & notifications.”
3. Select “Notifications.”
4. Find the app you want to change the notification sound for in the list and tap on it.
5. Tap on “Advanced.”
6. Tap on the current “Sound” option and select a new sound from your ringtones or notification sounds.
7. Tap “OK” to confirm the new sound.

The notification sound for that app will now be changed. Repeat these steps for any other apps you want to customize notification sounds for.

More Customization Options

In addition to setting custom ringtones, there are other sound customization options available on Android devices. You can set unique sounds for incoming calls and text messages from specific contacts. To do this, open the Contacts app, select a contact, tap Edit contact, then tap the Ringtone or Text tone field to choose a custom sound.

You can also customize alarm sounds so you wake up to your favorite song or sound effect. Open the Clock app, select an existing alarm or create a new one, tap Alarm sound and select from the available tones or choose a music file. Calendar alerts, email notifications, and other system sounds can be customized in the Settings app under Sound & vibration.

For even more advanced audio customization and sound modding, check out guides on sites like Android Source and XDA Developers. You can tweak audio drivers, apply equalizer effects, adjust gain levels, and more. Just be careful when altering system files that you don’t cause performance issues.

Additional Resources

If you need more help setting a custom ringtone on your Android device, here are some additional resources:

The official Android Help Center has guides on customizing your ringtone and managing app notifications.

The Android Forums on XDA Developers has tips on making ringtones and custom notification sounds.

Some alternative apps for creating ringtones include Zedge Ringtones and Ringtone Maker. However, compatibility may vary across Android devices and OS versions.

Note that setting custom ringtones and sounds may not work on certain carrier-branded devices with restrictions. Contact your carrier for support if needed.

Summary

In this article, we covered the key steps to make custom ringtones for free using songs you already have on your Android device:

First, you need to locate the song file you want to use as your ringtone. This is usually in your Music folder or Downloads folder.

Next, use an audio editing app to open the file and edit it down to a 30 second clip – the maximum time allowed for ringtones on Android. Save this shorter version of the song.

Then, you can use your Android device’s settings to set this new file as your default ringtone or a custom ringtone for specific contacts. Just go to Sounds > Ringtones and select your edited song file.

Alternatively, you can use ringtone maker apps to help convert songs into ringtones and automatically apply them. This streamlines the process.

Custom ringtones are a great way to personalize your mobile device and make it your own. With your favorite songs welcoming your incoming calls, you’re sure to smile every time your phone rings. We invite you to try this easy process to create free custom ringtones using music you already own.