Are you tired of standard ringtones on Samsung Galaxy and want to set your favorite song? It's easier than it seems! Modern smartphones based on Android with One UI shell (versions 5.0, 6.0 and later) offer several ways to personalize notification sounds - from built-in tools to third-party applications. But many users face difficulties: where to store audio files, what format is supported, and why some tracks are not displayed in the list of ringtones?

In this article we will look 5 proven methodshow to set a song as a ringtone on Samsung - from the classic way through Settings to using specialized applications like Zedge or Ringtone Maker. You'll learn how to trim a track to the desired length, convert the format if your phone doesn't see the file, and even how to set different ringtones for individual contacts. And also why sometimes after an update One UI custom ringtones disappear and how to fix it.

It doesn’t matter whether you want to put a hip-hop track on a call, a relaxing melody or a voice message from a loved one - our instructions cover all scenarios. Important: on devices with Android 13+ (One UI 5.1 and higher) the path to the folder with ringtones has changed - we took this into account in the guide.

📊 Which method of setting a ringtone do you prefer?
Through standard settings
Using an application (Zedge, Ringtone Maker)
Manually uploading files to a folder
Another method

1. Preparing an audio file: format, length and where to get the song

Before installing a song as a ringtone, you need to make sure that the file meets the requirements Samsung. Not all formats are supported out of the box, and tracks that are too long may be cut off or play incorrectly.

Requirements for an audio file for a ringtone:

  • 🎵 Format: .mp3, .m4a, .ogg, .wav (most universal MP3 with a bitrate of 128–320 kbps).
  • ⏱️ Length: optimally 20–40 seconds (maximum - 5 minutes, but long tracks may be cut off during a call).
  • 📁 Size: up to 5 MB (for stable operation).
  • 🔊 Volume: The file must be normalized (without sudden changes in volume).

If your song does not meet these parameters, it needs to be prepared. To do this:

  1. Cut the track to the required length using applications Audacity (PC) or MP3 Cutter (Android).
  2. Convert the format to MP3 via Online-Convert or MediaHuman Audio Converter.
  3. Check the volume in any audio editor - tracks that are too quiet will be difficult to hear during a call.

Where can I get a song for a ringtone? Here are verified sources:

  • 💿 Local files: download the track to your phone from YouTube Music, Spotify (via screen recording) or transfer it from your PC.
  • 🌐 Free libraries: Zedge, Ringtone Maker, Mobile9 (check the license!).
  • 🎤 Your own record: use a voice recorder or applications like Voice Recorder to create unique melodies.
⚠️ Attention: Not all songs from streaming services (Spotify, Apple Music) can be legally used as a ringtone. If a track is protected by DRM, it cannot be installed through standard means. In this case, download audio with the permission of the author or use free melodies (for example, from Free Music Archive).
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If you download a song from YouTube, use services like YTMP3 or 4K Video Downloader with a quality setting of at least 192 kbps. Too low bitrate will lead to poor ringtone sound.

2. Method 1: Setting the ringtone through standard Samsung settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in tools One UI. It is suitable for most models Samsung Galaxy (from S21 to S24, as well as series A, M, F. The main condition is that the audio file must be in the phone's memory.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Place the prepared audio file (for example, song.mp3) in any internal folder memory or on an data-i="104">Sounds and vibration SD card.
  2. Open the application Settings (icon ⚙️).
  3. Go to section Sounds and vibration → Ringtone.
  4. Press + Add (or My files, if there is no button).
  5. Select source: Device memory or SD card, then find your file and confirm your choice.

If there are no buttons, then your version + Add no, that means your version One UI requires manual placement of the file in the system folder. More on this in the next section.

☑️ Check before installing ringtone

Done: 0 / 4

What to do if the song is not displayed in the list?

  • 🔄 Reboot the phone - sometimes Media Scanner does not have time to index new files.
  • 📂 Move file to the folder Ringtones (more about it below).
  • 🔍 Check if the file is hidden (in My files turn on the display of hidden folders).
⚠️ Attention: On some models Samsung (for example, Galaxy Z Fold/Flip) after updating to One UI 6.0 the custom ringtone may be reset. To avoid this, save a backup copy of the files in Samsung Cloud or on SD card.

3. Method 2: Manually downloading the file to the Ringtones folder

If the standard method did not work, the most reliable way is to place the audio file in the system folder RingtonesThis method works on all versions. data-i="144">, including outdated ones (up to Android, including outdated ones (up to One UI 4.0).

How to find or create a folder:

  1. Open the application My files (or any file manager, for example Solid Explorer).
  2. Go to the internal memory of the phone (not SD card!).
  3. Find the folder Ringtones. If it is not there, create it manually (click Create folder and name it the same way, with a capital letter).
  4. Copy your audio file to this folder.
  5. Restart your phone (required!).

After reboot, the file will appear in the list of ringtones in Settings → Sounds and vibration → Melody call.

Folder Destination Example path
Ringtones Ringtones /storage/emulated/0/Ringtones/
Notifications Notification sounds /storage/emulated/0/Notifications/
Alarms Sounds alarm clock /storage/emulated/0/Alarms/
Media/Audio All audio files (alternative) /storage/emulated/0/Media/Audio/Ringtones/

Why does the file not appear in the list? Possible reasons:

  • 🚫 Incorrect folder name (case is important! It should be Ringtones, and not ringtones or Ringtones).
  • 🔄 The media cache is not updated. Try manually starting the scan using the application Rescan Media from Google Play.
  • 📱 The file is damaged or has an incompatible format. Check it on another device.
How to update the media cache without rebooting?

Open Settings → Applications → Media storage → Memory → Clear cacheThe files should then appear in the list of ringtones.

4. Method 3: Using the Zedge app for ringtones

If you don't want to tinker with files manually, the application Zedge is one of the most convenient ways to set a ringtone on Samsung. It offers a huge library of free ringtones, notification sounds and wallpapers, and also allows you to upload your own tracks.

How to set a ringtone through Zedge:

  1. Download Zedge from Google Play and open it.
  2. In the bottom menu, select the section Ringtones.
  3. Find the melody you like (you can use the search) or click My filesto upload your track.
  4. Click on the song → Set as → Ringtone.
  5. Confirm your choice in the system window.

Zedge Pros:

  • 🎶 Huge database of free ringtones (from popular hits to rare sounds).
  • 🔄 Automatic library updates.
  • 📱 Support for user files.

Cons:

  • 📦 Ads in the free version (can be disabled through purchase Zedge Premium).
  • 🔒 Some tracks may be copyright protected (check the license!).
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Zedge automatically optimizes downloaded tracks for Android requirements, so you don't have to manually trim files or convert formats.

If you want to upload your own song in Zedge:

  1. Click My files in the upper right corner.
  2. Select an audio file from the phone memory.
  3. Trim the track (if necessary) using the built-in editor.
  4. Save and set as a ringtone.

5. Method 4: Ringtone Maker application for fine tuning

If you need not just to install a song, but cut it to the perfect fragment, change the volume or add effects - use Ringtone MakerThis application allows you to manually. select the best 30 seconds of the track and save them as a ringtone.

Instructions for working with Ringtone Maker:

  1. Download Ringtone Maker from Google Play (developer Big Bang Inc.).
  2. Open the application and allow access to files.
  3. Select a song from the list or find it through Browse.
  4. The waveform of the track will appear on the screen. Drag the sliders to select the beginning and end of the fragment (optimally 20–30 seconds).
  5. Click Save and select Ringtone.
  6. Give a name to the file (for example, My_Ringtone) and confirm.

Additional functions of Ringtone Maker:

  • 🎛️ Editing volume: increase or decrease the sound of a fragment.
  • 🔄 Effects: add attenuation (fade-in/fade-out) for a smooth start and end.
  • 📂 Export: save the ringtone to a folder Ringtones or install it directly.

App also supports batch processing - you can create several ringtones from one track (for example, for calls, SMS and alarms).

⚠️ Attention: In the free version Ringtone Maker a watermark is added to the output (a quiet voice tag). purchase Pro version or use alternatives like MP3 Cutter.

6. Method 5: Setting different ringtones for contacts

On Samsung you can assign individual melody for each contact in the phone book. This is convenient if you want to immediately find out who is calling - by a unique sound.

How to set it up:

  1. Open the application Contact (or Phone → tab Contact).
  2. Select the desired contact and press Edit (✏️ icon).
  3. Scroll down to Ringtone (or Advanced → Melody on older versions One UI).
  4. Select Add and specify an audio file (from the standard list or your collection).
  5. Save changes.

Features:

  • 🔕 If the contact is saved on SIM card, you cannot assign an individual melody - transfer it to the phone memory.
  • 📞 For groups of contacts (for example, "Family") you can set a common melody via Settings → Sounds → Ringtone for groups.
  • 🔊 If a contact calls via WhatsApp or Telegram, the melody will be taken from the settings of these applications, not the system ones.

To check if it works If you want an individual ringtone, ask the contact to call you or use the function Test call in the sound settings.

7. Solving problems: the ringtone does not install or does not play

Sometimes, even after correct settings, the ringtone does not play. Considered problems and their problems. solutions:

Problem Possible cause Solution
Ringtone does not appear in the list The file is in an unsupported format or in the wrong folder Convert to MP3 and place in /Ringtones/
The sound is interrupted or distorted The bitrate is too high or the file is damaged Resave the track with a bitrate of 192–256 kbit/s
The ringtone is reset after the update Reset settings in the new version One UI Reinstall the ringtone or restore from backup
The melody plays too quietly Low volume in the file or system limitations Increase the volume in the audio editor or turn on Sound boost in the settings

Additional tips:

  • 🔄 If after updates One UI all custom ringtones have disappeared, check the folder /Media/Audio/Ringtones/ —sometimes files are transferred there automatically.
  • 📵 On some models (Galaxy S22 Ultra, S23+) there is a bug with playback of M4Afiles - convert them c MP3.
  • 🔕 If the ringtone does not play in headphones, check the settings Sound → Quality and effects → Adaptive sound.
⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 14 (One UI 6.0+), additional permission may be required to access media files. If the ringtone is not installed, go to Settings → Applications → [Application name] → Permissions and enable access to Storage i Media.

8. Alternative methods: for advanced users

If standard methods are not suitable, you can use more complex (but effective) methods:

1. users):

If you have access to ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can manually enter the path to the ringtone in the system settings. This method is useful if One UI blocks user files.

adb shell settings put system ringtone /storage/emulated/0/Ringtones/my_tone.mp3

After executing the command, restart the phone.

2. Using Tasker for dynamic ringtones:

Application Tasker The application allows you to automatically change the ringtone depending on time, location or other conditions. For example, you can set a quiet sound at work and loud at home.

3. TikTok):

If you liked the audio from the video, use services like YTMP3 or Snaptikto extract the audio, and then trim it to Ringtone Maker.

4. Ringtones for Dual SIM:

On Samsung with two SIM cards (Galaxy A54, S23 Ultra), you can assign different ringtones to each SIM. To do this:

  1. Open Settings → Sounds and vibration → Ringtone.
  2. Select SIM 1 or SIM 2 and set a separate melody.
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For devices with One UI 5.0+ the most reliable way is a combination of manually downloading the file to the folder Ringtones and use Zedge for a backup option.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about ringtones on Samsung

Is it possible to set a ringtone longer than 5 minutes?

Technically yes, but One UI will cut it to ~30 seconds during playback. For the full version of the track, use it as Music on hold (in call settings).

Why is my ringtone quieter than standard melodies?

This is due to the normalization of the volume in Android. To fix:

  1. Increase the volume of the file in the audio editor (for example, in Audacity with effect Normalize).
  2. Or turn on Sound boost in Settings → Sound → Quality and effects.
How to transfer ringtones when changing phone?

Copy the folder Ringtones from the old device to the new one via:

  • Smart Switch (official Software Samsung),
  • Cloud storage (Google Drive, Samsung Cloud),
  • Flash drive or PC (via cable USB-C).

After transfer, reboot the phone.

Can I set a ringtone for an alarm clock?

Yes, for this:

  1. Place the file in the folder Alarms (similar to Ringtones).
  2. Open the application Clock → Alarm clock → create a new one or edit an existing one.
  3. Click Sound and select your file.
Why did all my ringtones disappear after the update?

This is a well-known problem One UI when upgrading to a new version. To restore:

  1. Check if the files have been moved to /Media/Audio/Ringtones/.
  2. If not, copy them again from the backup.
  3. Restart the phone and reassign the ringtones in the settings.

In the future, make a backup of the folder Ringtones before updates.