How to remove or replace the default melody on Android: all methods

The standard ringtone on Android is the first thing your interlocutors hear when you call. But not everyone likes factory sounds: some seem too loud, others are annoying, and others are simply tired of them after years of use. Fortunately, Android allows you to flexibly customize sound signals, you can remove the default melody in several ways - from simple to advanced.

In this article you will find step-by-step guide for all versions of Android (from 9 to 14), including proprietary shells MIUI (Xiaomi/Redmi), One UI (Samsung) and ColorOS (Oppo/Realme). We will also look at what to do if the system does not allow you to change the sound, and how to return the factory settings if the experiments go wrong.

Important: some methods require superuser rights (root) or working with system files. If you are a beginner, start with safe methods - they will suit 90% of users.

Method 1: Replacement through standard Android settings

The simplest and most universal method is to use the built-in system tools. It works on all smartphones, regardless of the manufacturer, and does not require additional applications.

Open the application Settings and go to the section Sound and vibration (on some devices it may be called Sound or Sounds and notifications). Here you will see several categories:

• 🔔 Ringtone — the main sound of an incoming call.
• 📳 Notification sound —signals for SMS, instant messengers and other notifications.
• 🔕 Alarm sound —melody for waking up.

Click on Ringtone, after which a list of available sounds will open. Depending on the version of Android and the shell, there may be:

1. Standard ringtones (for example, Over the Horizon on Samsung).
2. Sounds uploaded by the user (if you previously added your files).
3. Option Silence or No sound — completely disabling the melody.

If you want completely remove the melody, select option Silence or No. To replace it with your own sound, press Add melody (or a similar button) and select a file from the device memory.

Method 2: Using a file manager (for experienced users)

If the standard settings do not allow you to remove the melody (for example, on some versions MIUI), you can try remove or replace system sound files. This method requires caution, as incorrect actions can lead to failures.

You will need a file manager with access to system folders, for example Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer. You may also need root accessif you want to change files in the folder /system.

Action algorithm:

1. Open the file manager and go to the folder /system/media/audio/ringtones (for ringtones) or /system/media/audio/notifications (for notifications).
2. Find the file with the name of the standard melody (for example, ringtone.ogg or Over_the_horizon.ogg).
3. Rename the file by adding .bak at the end (for example, ringtone.ogg.bak), or delete it.
4. If you want to replace the sound, copy your file to this folder and rename it the same way as the original file was named.
5. Reboot the device.

What to do if you do not have access to the /system folder?

Without root access you will not be able to change files in the system directories. In this case, use other methods from this article or get root access (but remember that this will void the warranty and may disrupt the operation of the device).

⚠️ Attention: Changing system files without a backup can lead to loss of sound at all or other errors. Before experiments, create a backup of important data.

On some firmware (for example, LineageOS) system sounds are stored in the folder /product/media/audioIf you do not find the files in the standard location, use the system search.

Method 3: Applications for customizing sounds

If you don't want to delve into settings or system files, you can use third-party applications. They offer more features than standard Android tools, including melody scheduler, different sounds for different contacts and even dynamic volume change.

Top 3 applications for replacing ringtones:

• 🎵 Zedge —the largest database of ringtones, notifications and wallpapers. There are social functions (ratings, comments).
• 🔊 Ringtone Maker — allows you to trim songs and create your own melodies from tracks.
• 🎶 MP3 Cutter and Ringtone Maker - a simple editor for cutting fragments from audio files.

How to install a melody via Zedge:

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

If the melody has not changed after installation, check:

• Is the phone in mode Do not disturb.
• Is the sound blocked by a third-party application (for example, Truecaller).
• Are the settings reset after the update system.

Method 4: Mute sound through Do Not Disturb and Vibrate modes

If your goal is completely turn off the ringer sound, but leave vibration or notifications, you can use the built-in Android modes. This is convenient, for example, at work or at night.

How to set up the mode Do not disturb:

1. Open Settings → Sound → Do Not Disturb.
2. Activate the switch Enable now.
3. Set exceptions:
   • 📞 Calls —you can allow calls from selected contacts.
   • 🔔 Notifications —select which applications can interrupt the silence.
   • ⏰ Alarms —usually remain active.

Set a schedule if want to automatically turn on the mode at a certain time.

An alternative option is vibration mode. To do this:

1. Press the volume button on the side panel of the phone.
2. In the menu that appears. select Vibration or Quiet mode.
3. In some shells (for example, One UI) you can adjust the vibration intensity in Settings → Sound → Vibration.

⚠️ Attention: In Do not disturb mode, some applications (for example WhatsApp or Telegram) can ignore system settings and produce sounds. To fix this, open the settings of each messenger and. turn off sounds manually.

Mode	Calls	Notifications	Alarms	Media
Sound	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Vibration	✅ Vibrates	✅ Vibrates	✅ There is sound	✅ Yes
Do not disturb (full)	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Yes	❌ No
Do not disturb (partial)	⚠️ Only favorites	⚠️ By settings	✅ Yes	❌ No

Method 5: Reset sound settings to factory settings

If, after experimenting with sounds, something went wrong (for example, the sound disappeared altogether or the settings were lost), you can return everything to the factory settings. This will not delete your data, but it will reset all audio preferences.

How to reset audio settings:

1. Open Settings → System → Reset settings (the path may vary on some devices).
2. Select Reset sound settings or Reset all settings (read the description carefully so as not to erase unnecessary information!).
3. Confirm the action. The phone will reboot.

After the reset:

• The ringtone will return to standard (for example, Over the Horizon on Samsung).
• The volume of the ringer, notifications and media will be reset to a medium level.
• Settings Do not disturb and vibrations will also return to factory settings.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Xiaomi s MIUI) resetting sound settings can be combined with other parameters. Before confirming, check if Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or accounts settings will also be reset.

💡

Resetting sound settings is the most reliable way to return the factory melody if other methods do not work. But use it only as a last resort, since you will have to configure everything again.

Common problems and their solutions

Sometimes users are faced with the fact that the melody does not change or resets by itself. Here are the most common causes and how to fix them:

Problem 1: The ringtone is reset after a system update.

Solution: This happens because the update overwrites some system files. To avoid the problem, before updating:

• Save your ringtone to a safe place (for example, Google Drive).
• Use third-party applications (for example, Zedge) to set the sound - they often save settings after updates.

Problem 2: It is impossible to select your own melody - the "Add" button is inactive.

Solution: This is a limitation of some shells (for example, EMUI on Huawei). Workarounds:

• Place your audio file in a folder /Ringtones on the internal memory (create it manually if it does not exist).
• Use a file manager with rights rootto replace the system sound (see Method 2).
• Install an alternative launcher (for example, Nova Launcher), which sometimes allows you to bypass restrictions.

Problem 3: On some contacts the sound does not change.

Solution: In Android you can assign individual ringtones for contacts. If the sound does not change:

1. Open application Contact.
2. Select the desired contact and click Edit.
3. Find the option Ringtone (or similar) and set a new sound.
4. Save changes.

Why do some phones not have the option of an individual ringtone for contacts?

This function depends on the firmware and the Contacts application. For example, in the standard application Google Contacts it is, and in some proprietary ones (for example, on Meizu) - no. Solution: install Google Contacts from the Play Market.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to remove the ringtone only for unknown numbers?

Yes, but it depends on the firmware. On Samsung s One UI close the application Phonethen open Settings → Additional features → Unknown numbers and select Silent mode.

On other devices, use applications like Truecaller or Should I Answer? —they allow you to customize sounds for spam calls.

Why did the sound become less after changing the melody? quieter?

This can happen for two reasons:

1. The new sound file has a low volume. Solution: edit it in Audacity or MP3 Cutter, increasing the volume.
2. Android system restrictions on volume of custom ringtones. Solution: convert the file to .ogg format - it often plays louder.

How to remove the ringtone sound, but leave the notification sounds?

Go to Settings → Sound → Volume and move the slider Ring all the way to the left. Sliders Notifications and Media leave at the same level.

Alternative: in mode Do not disturb allow notifications, but block calls (see Method - there will be an option to add your file.).

Can I set my own melody for an alarm clock?

Yes, but not on all devices. On pure Android and Pixel open the application Clock, select an alarm and press Melody — there will be an option to add your own file.

On Samsung i Xiaomi this functionality is often missing Solution: use third-party alarm clocks, for example Sleep as Android or Alarmy.

Why did all my melodies disappear after changing the firmware?

When changing the firmware (for example, from MIUI to LineageOS), the system folders are overwritten, and user files in /Ringtones may remain untouched. To restore:

1. Copy your sound files to your computer before flashing the firmware.
2. After installing the new firmware, return the files to the folder /Ringtones.
3. Restart the device.

If the ringtones were installed through applications (for example, Zedge), just install them again.