How to transfer a ringtone from one Android smartphone to another: all working methods

Transferring ringtones between Android devices seems like a simple task - until you encounter the limitations of the operating system or the features of specific smartphone models. Unlike photos or documents, ringtones are often stored in secure system folders, and their format may not be supported by standard sharing methods. This article will help you figure out how to correctly export and import ringtones without losing quality, taking into account the nuances of different versions of Android and brands (Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel etc.).

We will look at both universal methods (via Bluetooth, cloud services or wired connection), and specific solutions for cases when standard methods do not work. We will pay special attention to problems with file formats (.mp3.m4a.ogg) and manufacturer restrictions —for example, why some ringtones are not displayed in the list of melodies even after successful transfer. At the end of the article you will find an FAQ with answers to common questions, including copyright and compatibility issues.

1. Preparation: where are ringtones stored on Android and what formats are supported

Before transferring a ringtone, you need to understand where exactly it is located in the file system of your device. In most cases, standard ringtones are stored in one of the following folders:

• 📁 /system/media/audio/ringtones — system ringtones (read-only, cannot be edited without root access)
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Media/Audio/Ringtones — custom ringtones (can be changed)
• 📁 /storage/emulated/0/Notifications — notification tones (sometimes used for calls)

If you downloaded a ringtone from the Internet or created it yourself, it could be saved in the folder Downloads or Music. In order for the melody to be displayed in the call settings, you need to transfer it to one of the standard folders (best of all - Ringtones).

Android supports the following audio formats for ringtones:

Format	Support	Features
.mp3	✅ Full	The most universal format, but can take up a lot of space at high bitrates
.m4a (AAC)	✅ Full	The best ratio of quality and size, recommended for modern devices
.ogg (Vorbis)	✅ Partial	Not supported by all manufacturers, may not appear in the list of melodies
.wav	⚠️ Limited	No compression - large file size, suitable only for short melodies
.flac	❌ No	Not supported as a ringtone, only for listening in the player

Critical detail: if your ringtone in .ogg or .wav format is not displayed in the call settings after transmission, convert it to .mp3 or .m4a with a bitrate no higher than 192 kbps - this is guaranteed to work 99% devices.

2. Method 1: Transferring a ringtone via Bluetooth - fast, but with limitations

Bluetooth is the most obvious way to share files between smartphones, but there are nuances with ringtones. Firstly, not all devices allow you to transfer files to system folders (Ringtones, Notifications) directly. Secondly, some manufacturers (for example, Huawei and Xiaomi) limit the types of files that can be sent via Bluetooth.

Step-by-step guide:

1. On source device open a file manager (for example, Files by Google or standard My file on Samsung).
2. Find the ringtone in the folder Ringtones, Music or DownloadsClick on the file and select. “Share” → “Bluetooth”.
3. On target device turn on Bluetooth in the settings and make it visible to other devices.
4. Select the target device from the list and confirm receiving the file.
5. After transfer, move the received file to the folder Ringtones (if it was saved in Downloads or Bluetooth).

If the ringtone is not displayed in the call settings after transfer:

Check the file format (should be .mp3 or .m4a)

Reboot the device

Make sure that the file is in the folder /Ringtonesand not in /Notifications

Check the folder permissions (some firmware requires write permission)-->

Method limitations:

• 🚫 Does not work for system ringtones (from /system/media/audio/) - they cannot be copied without root access.
• 🚫 On some devices (for example, OnePlus) Bluetooth limits the size of the transferred file to 10 MB.
• 🚫 If the ringtone is protected by DRM (for example, purchased in Google Play Music), the transfer may be blocked.

3. Method 2: Transfer via USB cable (OTG or PC) - reliable, but requires additional devices

Using a USB cable is one of the most reliable methods, especially if you need to transfer several ringtones or large audio files. There are two options here: direct connection via USB OTG (if both devices support host mode) or copying via computer.

Option A: Direct connection via USB OTG

For this method you will need:

• 🔌 USB OTG cable (or adapter) with connector Type-C/Micro-USB (depending on the device ports).
• 📱 Both smartphones must support USB Host Mode (most modern devices support).

Instructions:

1. Connect the OTG cable to receiving device (where you want to transfer the ringtone).
2. Connect the second end of the cable to source device (from where we copy the ringtone).
3. On the receiving device, open the file manager and select USB drive (appears as an external device).
4. Find the folder with ringtones on the source device and copy the desired file to the folder Ringtones on the receiving device.

Option B: Copying via computer

If OTG is not available, use a PC or laptop as an intermediary:

1. Connect source device to the computer via USB (select mode Transfer files or MTP in the notification shade).
2. Copy the ringtone from the folder Ringtones (or another) to the computer.
3. Disconnect the first device, connect the second and transfer the file to the folder Ringtones.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works for any file formats.
• ✅ You can transfer several ringtones at the same time.
• ✅ There are no file size restrictions (unlike Bluetooth).

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Xiaomi with MIUI firmware) folder Ringtones can be hidden. To see it, enable the display of hidden files in the file manager settings or use a third-party explorer (for example, Solid Explorer).

4. Method 3: Cloud services (Google Drive, Dropbox, Telegram) - convenient, but depends on the Internet

If you do not have a cable or Bluetooth does not work, cloud services will be a good alternative. The main advantage is that you can transfer ringtones even at a distance, without having physical access to devices. Let's consider the three most reliable options.

Google Drive

Instructions:

1. On the source device, open the application Google Drive.
2. Click “+” → “Download” and select the ringtone file.
3. After downloading, open Google Drive on the target device, find the file and download it.
4. Move the downloaded file to the folder Ringtones.

Telegram (Saved Messages)

The fastest way, if both devices are authorized in the same account:

1. Open Telegram on the source device and go to “Saved messages.”
2. Send the ringtone file as a document (not as audio!).
3. On the target device, open Saved Messages, download the file and move it to Ringtones.

Dropbox or Yandex.Disk

Similar to Google Drive, but with some limitations:

• 🔹 Dropbox automatically compresses audio files when downloading through a mobile application - use the web version for lossless transfer.
• 🔹 Yandex.Disk can block downloading of files with “suspicious” names (for example, containing the words “ringtone” or “melody”).

Comparison of cloud services for transferring ringtones:

Service	Max. file size	Audio compression	Registration required
Google Drive	up to 15 GB	❌ No	✅ Yes
Telegram	up to 2 GB	❌ No	✅ Yes
Dropbox	up to 50 GB	✅ Yes (in the mobile application)	✅ Yes
Yandex.Disk	up to 50 GB	❌ No	✅ Yes

⚠️ Attention: If you are transmitting a ringtone, downloaded from the Internet, make sure that it is not protected by copyright. Some services (for example, Google Drive) may block the downloading of files with DMCA tags.

5. Method 4: Transfer through instant messengers (WhatsApp, Viber) - quickly, but with loss of quality

Messengers are convenient for fast transfer, but almost all of them compress audio files, which can degrade the quality of the ringtone. However, if you urgently need to transfer a melody and there are no other ways, this option will work.

How to minimize quality loss:

• 🎵 Send the file as document, and not as an audio message (in WhatsApp and Viber less compression).
• 🎵 Use instant messengers without compression: Telegram (best choice), Signal or Skype.
• 🎵 If the ringtone is longer than 30 seconds, trim it before sending (for example, in the application MP3 Cutter).

Instructions for Telegram (recommended option):

1. Open a chat with yourself (“Saved Messages”) or with the recipient.
2. Click on the paperclip (📎) → “File” and select a ringtone.
3. On the target device, download the file and move it to Ringtones.

For WhatsApp:

1. Open a dialogue with the contact.
2. Click on the paper clip → “Document” → select a file.
3. After receiving, click on the file → “Save” (in some versions you need to click “Open in..” and select the file manager).

Limitations:

• 🚫 The WhatsApp maximum file size is 100 MB (enough for a ringtone, but can be a problem for long melodies).
• 🚫 Viber compresses audio to a bitrate of 64 kbps, which is noticeable degrades the quality.
• 🚫 In Facebook Messenger files are automatically converted to .m4a low bitrate format.

Why does the ringtone sound worse after transmission via WhatsApp?

Messenger compresses audio files by default up to a bitrate of 96–128 kbps and re-encodes them into the format .opus (for voice messages) or .m4a (for documents). This reduces the file size, but degrades the quality, especially for music with a wide dynamic range, the compression will be less, but it will not be possible to completely avoid losses.

6 Method. 5: Using specialized applications (Zapya, Shareit, Xender)

Applications for quick file sharing (for example, Zapya, Shareit, Xender) are often advertised as a universal solution for transferring data between devices. However, they have their own characteristics with ringtones.

Pros:

• ✅ High transfer speed (up to 20 MB/s when connected via Wi-Fi Direct).
• ✅ No file size restrictions (unlike Bluetooth or instant messengers).
• ✅ Works without the Internet (creates a local network between devices).

Cons:

• ❌ Many applications (for example, Shareit) show intrusive advertising.
• ❌ Some ask for unnecessary permissions (access to contacts, SMS).
• ❌ May not preserve the original folder structure (you will have to manually transfer the file to Ringtones).

Instructions for Zapya:

1. Install Zapya on both devices from Google Play.
2. On the original device, select “Send” → “Files” and find the ringtone.
3. On the target device, select “Receive” and connect to the access point created by the first device.
4. After transfer, check where the file was saved (usually in Downloads/Zapya), and move it to Ringtones.

Alternative applications:

• 📱 Xender - supports folder transfer, but requires registration for some functions.
• 📱 Send Anywhere - generates a 6-digit code for transfer, convenient for one-time transactions.
• 📱 LocalSend - open source software without unnecessary water, but less known.

⚠️ Attention: Applications like Shareit and Xender are often accused of collecting user data. If privacy is important, use LocalSend or standard transmission methods (Bluetooth, cable).

7. Method 6: Export ringtones via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods do not work (for example, you need to copy the system ringtone or the device does not display the folder Ringtones), you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method requires command line skills, but gives full control over the file system.

What you will need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Enabled USB debugging on Android (Settings → About phone → Build number (press 7 times) → Developer settings → USB debugging).
• 🔌 USB cable for connecting to a PC.

Instructions:

1. Connect the device to the computer and confirm permission to debug.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and do:

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed.)

3. Copy the ringtone from the device to the computer (example for a file my_ringtone.mp3):

adb pull /storage/emulated/0/Ringtones/my_ringtone.mp3 C:\Ringtones\

4. Connect a second device and transfer the file back:

adb push C:\Ringtones\my_ringtone.mp3 /storage/emulated/0/Ringtones/

When this method is needed:

• 🔧 To copy system ringtones (from /system/media/audio/).
• 🔧 If the file manager does not display the folder Ringtones.
• 🔧 For mass transfer of ringtones (you can write script).

Limitations:

• 🚫 Requires USB debugging to be enabled (unsafe on other people's PCs).
• 🚫 Some devices (for example, Huawei) require additional drivers.
• 🚫 Errors in commands can lead to data loss.

8. Method 7: Creating a ringtone from music directly on the device (if the transfer does not work). needed)

If the goal is not to transfer a ringtone from one device to another, but simply to set your favorite ringtone, you can do without transferring files. Most modern Android smartphones allow you to create a ringtone from any song in the player.

Instructions for Google Pixel and pure Android:

1. Open the application Music (or Google Play Music, if installed).
2. Select a song and click “⋮” → “Use as ringtone.”
3. Cut the fragment (usually limited to 30 seconds) and save.

Instructions for Samsung:

1. Open Music or My file.
2. Find the audio file, press and hold → “Set as” → “Melody” call."

Instructions for Xiaomi:

1. Open Music or Files.
2. Select a song → “More” → “Set as ringtone.”
3. If there is no option, copy the file to the folder Ringtones manually.

Applications for cutting ringtones:

• 🎛️ Ringtone Maker - a simple editor with preview.
• 🎛️ MP3 Cutter — supports format .m4a and smooth fading.
• 🎛️ Zedge —not only an editor, but also a library of free ringtones.

Why this method is sometimes better than transfer:

• ✅ No need to look for where the ringtone is stored on the old one device.
• ✅ You can immediately trim the melody to the desired length.
• ✅ No problems with formats - Android automatically converts the file to a supported one.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, OnePlus with OxygenOS) ringtones created from music can be automatically saved to a folder Notifications. In this case, they need to be manually moved to Ringtones.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to transfer a ringtone from iPhone to Android?

Yes, but there are nuances:

1. On iPhone open the ringtone file in the application Files or Music.
2. Send it via AirDrop on Mac, and then transfer to Android via cable or cloud.
3. Or use instant messenger (for example, Telegramto send the file as a document.

Important: ringtones from iTunes Store are DRM protected and will not be play on Android.

Why is the transferred ringtone not displayed in the call settings?

Possible reasons and solutions:

• 🔍 Wrong folder: the file should be in /Ringtones, and not in /Notifications or /Alarms.
• 🔍 Unsupported format: convert to .mp3 or .m4a.
• 🔍 Too large size: Cut the ringtone to 30-40 seconds.
• 🔍 Media cache: reboot the device or clear the application cache Settings (Settings → Applications → Settings → Storage → Clear cache).

How to transfer a ringtone from Android to Android without the Internet and cable?

Use one of the offline methods:

1. Bluetooth: suitable for files up to 10–15 MB.
2. Wi-Fi Direct: enable it in the network settings on both devices and use the file manager for transfer.
3. Local network: create an access point on one device, connect the second and use an FTP server (for example, application FX File Explorer).

Is it possible to set a song from Spotify or Yandex Music as a ringtone?

No, if the song is downloaded offline. These services use protected formats (.ogg with DRM) that will not play as ringtones. Solutions:

• 🎵 Find the same song in the public domain (for example, on Zedge or Free Ringtones).
• 🎵 Record audio through a second phone (the quality will be worse).
• 🎵 Buy the song in Google Play Music or iTunes (without DRM).

How to make the ringtone sound louder?

If the ringtone is quiet, try:

1. Increase volume in the sound settings (Settings → Sound → Volume).
2. Use an audio editor (for example, Audacity on a PC) to normalize the volume.
3. Select a ringtone with a frequency of at least 44.1 kHz (low frequencies are better heard).
4. Install an application to enhance the sound (for example, Volume Booster, but this may distort the sound).

On some devices (for example, Samsungthere is a separate volume control for ringtones - check in Settings → Sound → Ringtone volume.