How to change the type of call on Android: from melody to screen animation

Are you tired of the standard ringtone that half of your friends have? Or do you want your smartphone screen to look more stylish during an incoming call? Changing the type of call to Android is not only about changing the melody, but also about setting vibration, screen animation, color themes and even individual signals for different contacts. In this article, we will look at all the methods of customization - from basic settings to hidden functions and third-party applications.

It is important to understand that the capabilities depend on the version Android (from Android 10 to Android 14) and the manufacturer's shell. For example, on Samsung One UI the path to the settings will be different from MIUI on Xiaomi or ColorOS on Oppo. But don't worry, we'll give you universal instructions and point out the key differences. You will also learn how to bypass system restrictions if your smartphone does not support a particular function out of the box.

Before you begin, check whether you have administrator rights (if you plan to install third-party applications) and whether there is enough free space on your device. Some high quality ringtones can take up to 10-15 MB each.

1. How to change the default ringtone

The easiest way to personalize incoming calls is to change the ringtone. In most smartphones this is done through the system settings, but there are nuances depending on the version Android and shell.

On a clean Android (for example, on Google Pixel or Motorola) the path is this:

1. Open the application Settings.
2. Go to the section Sound and vibration (or just Sound on older versions).
3. Click Phone call.
4. Select one of the suggested melodies or press Add ringtoneto upload your file (formats supported .mp3, .m4a, .ogg).

On Samsung with shell One UI the algorithm is slightly different:

• 📱 Go to Settings → Sounds and vibration → Ringtone.
• 🎵 At the top of the screen, select the tab SIM card 1 or SIM card 2 (if you have a dual-SIM phone).
• 🔍 Scroll down the list and press Add ringtoneto select a file from the device memory.

On Xiaomi (shell MIUI) and Redmi path more in short:

• 🎛️ Open Settings → Sound → Ringtone.
• 📁 Press Local ringtonesto select your file.

Check the file format (MP3, M4A, OGG are supported)

Make sure that the file does not exceed 30 seconds (otherwise it may be cut off)

Copy the melody to the Ringtones folder on the internal drive

Reboot your phone if the new ringtone is not displayed-->

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example Huawei s EMUI) system ringtones are protected from changing. If you do not see the option to add your file, try using a third-party application from the next section.

2. Installing custom ringtones through third-party applications

If the built-in settings do not allow you to add your own melody or you want more options, use specialized applications. They not only expand the library of sounds, but also allow you to assign unique ringtones to individual contacts or groups.

Top 3 applications for customizing calls:

• 🎶 Zedge —the largest database of ringtones, notifications and wallpapers. There is categorization by genre (electronics, rock, classic) and the ability to preview.
• 🔊 Ringtone Maker —allows you to trim any song from your library and save it as a ringtone. Useful if you need a fragment. track.
• 📱 AudioMP3 Cutter —an advanced editor for creating ringtones with fade effects and volume control.

Instructions for installing a custom ringtone via Zedge:

1. Download and install Zedge from Google Play.
2. Open the application and select the section Ringtones.
3. Find the sound you like and click on it.
4. In the window that opens, select Set as ringtone.
5. Confirm your selection in the system window.

If the application cannot install the ringtone automatically, download the file manually, then move it to the folder Ringtones on the internal drive. After that, it will appear in the system settings.

3. Setting vibration for calls

Vibration is an equally important part of an incoming call, especially if the phone is often in your pocket or on the table. On Android you can not only turn vibration on/off, but also select it. its pattern (rhythm).

How to change vibration on standard Android:

1. Open Settings → Sound and vibration.
2. Select Vibrate on call.
3. Activate the switch if vibration is disabled.
4. Press Vibration pattern and select one of the suggested ones (for example, Heartbeat, Zigzag, Tick-tock).

On Samsung and some other brands you can create own vibration pattern:

• 📲 Go to Settings → Sounds and vibration → Vibrate on calls → Create vibration.
• 🎚️ Tap and hold the screen to record a new rhythm (maximum 5 seconds).
• 💾 Save the pattern and assign a name to it.

For finer vibration settings (for example, changing the intensity) you will need root access or special applications like Vibration Tuner. However, be Be careful: incorrect settings can lead to overheating of the vibration motor.

What to do if vibration does not work?

If vibration during a call does not work, check:

1. Is the Do Not Disturb mode (DND) activated?

2. Is the power saving mode enabled (it can turn off vibration).

3. Does vibration work in other applications (for example, when typing).

If the problem persists, The vibration motor may be faulty - contact the service center.

4. Changing the animation and interface of the call screen

The appearance of the incoming call screen can be changed using themes or third-party applications Unfortunately, most smartphones do not have a built-in option for this setting, but there are workarounds.

Methods. customizing the call screen:

Method	Suitable for	Requires root	Difficulty
Changing the theme	Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei	No	Low
Launcher applications (Nova, Apex)	Any Android	No	Average
Modules Xposed/Magisk	Android 7–12	Yes	High
Third-party applications (for example, True Phone Dialer)	Any Android	No	Low

The easiest way is to use dark or light design systems. On Samsung:

• 🌓 Go to Settings → Screen → Dark mode.
• 🎨 Select Always on or Scheduled.

For deep customization (for example, changing fonts, button colors, background), the application is suitable True Phone Dialer:

1. Install the application from Google Play.
2. Open it and go to Settings → Appearance.
3. Select one of the suggested themes or create your own.
4. Assign an application default to calls in settings system.

⚠️ Attention: Some manufacturers (for example, Huawei) block the replacement of the standard phone application. In this case, only obtaining root access or installing custom firmware will help.

5. Personalize your contacts

You can assign unique ringtones, vibrations, and even color themes to individual contacts. This is convenient to immediately understand who is calling without looking at the screen.

How to set up an individual call for a contact on Android:

1. Open the application Contact (or Phone).
2. Select the desired contact and click Edit (pencil icon).
3. Scroll down to the section Ringtone (or Default on some devices).
4. Select a ringtone from the list or add your own.
5. Save changes.

On Samsung i Xiaomi you can also assign a unique vibration:

• 📞 In the contact editor, find the item Vibration.
• 🔄 Select a pattern from the list or create your own.

For advanced customization (for example, assigning different screen themes to different contacts), use the application Contact Photo & Ringtone. It allows you to:

• 🖼️ Set unique contact photos to fill the entire screen.
• 🎨 Change the color scheme of the incoming call.
• 🔔 Assign different ringtones for calls and messages.

6. Problems and solutions: why the call type does not change

Sometimes users encounter problems. that the changes are not applied or are reset after a reboot. Let's look at the most common problems and their solutions.

Problem 1: The new ringtone does not appear in the list.

• 📁 Make sure that the file is in the folder Ringtones (not in Notifications or Alarms).
• 🔄 Reboot the device.
• 🛠️ Check the file format (should be .mp3, .m4a or .ogg).

Problem 2: Vibration does not match the selected pattern.

• 🔧 Reset the vibration settings to standard and select the pattern again.
• 📱 Check if a third-party application is conflicting (for example, MacroDroid or Tasker).

Problem 3: The call screen does not change after installing a new theme.

• 🎨 Make sure the theme supports call screen customization (not all themes do this).
• 🔄 Reinstall the theme or clear the application cache Phone.

If none of the methods helped, perhaps your device is affected by manufacturer restrictionsFor example, on some models Huawei and Honor without root access it is impossible to change sounds.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android Go (light version for weak smartphones) customization options are greatly reduced. In this case, only replacing the firmware will help.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about setting up calls on Android

Is it possible to set your own ringtone without third-party applications?

Yes, but only if your smartphone supports adding local files to the system settings On Clean Android and most shells (for example, One UI, MIUI) have this option. If it is not there, use applications like Zedge or Ringtone Maker.

Why did all my ringtones reset after updating Android?

This is standard system behavior during major updates (for example, from Android 11 to Android 12. To avoid losing settings, before updating:

1. Save all custom ringtones to the cloud (for example, Google Drive).
2. Make a backup copy of contacts with individual settings.
3. Remember or record the selected vibration patterns.

After the update, reassign ringtones and vibrations.

How to make the call screen show the contact's photo in full screen?

To do this, use applications like True Phone Dialer or ExDialer. They allow you to:

• Stretch a contact's photo to fill the entire screen.
• Add blur or darkening effects.
• Change the location of the answer/reject buttons.

On some firmware (for example, ColorOS on Oppo/Realme) this function is available by default in the call screen settings.

Is it possible to change the ringing sound for a specific SIM card?

Yes, if your smartphone supports dual-SIM mode On Samsung:

1. Go to Settings → Sounds and vibration → Ringtone.
2. At the top of the screen select SIM card 1 or SIM card 2.
3. Assign different ringtones for each SIM.

On Xiaomi i Redmi this option is located in Settings → Sound → Ringtone SIM1/SIM2.

How to return the default ringer settings if I broke everything?

To reset all changes:

1. Open Settings → Applications.
2. Find the application Phone and select Storage.
3. Click Clear data and Clear cache.
4. Reboot your device.

⚠️ This will reset all individual settings for contacts! If you need to save ringtones, first export them manually.