Yes, You Can Still Buy Ringtones on Android—Here’s How
So, you’re wondering, can you buy ringtones on Android? In an age of silent vibrations and smartwatch notifications, this question might seem like a throwback. Yet, the desire for a personalized ringtone that perfectly captures your personality or announces your favorite person is as strong as ever. The short answer is a resounding yes, you absolutely can still buy and set custom ringtones on your Android device. However, the process isn’t quite the same as it was in the flip-phone era.
Gone are the days of texting a code to a premium number to get the latest polyphonic hit. The landscape has evolved. While Apple users have the straightforward, integrated iTunes Store for purchasing tones, the Android ecosystem offers a more flexible, albeit slightly more fragmented, approach. This flexibility, though, is actually one of Android’s greatest strengths!
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know. We’ll explore the modern methods for purchasing ringtones, from dedicated apps to buying full music tracks and creating your own custom clips. We’ll provide detailed, step-by-step instructions so you can confidently find, purchase, and set the perfect sound for your incoming calls.
The Changing World of Android Ringtones
Why isn’t there just one big “Android Ringtone Store”? Well, a few years ago, there almost was. The Google Play Music store used to be a primary place where you could purchase individual tracks that could then easily be set as ringtones. When Google phased out Play Music in favor of YouTube Music, which is a streaming-focused service, it left a gap in the market for direct, simple ringtone purchases.
This shift didn’t kill the ringtone; it just changed how users acquire them. Instead of a single, centralized store, the Android world now relies on a few different avenues:
- Third-Party Apps: The Google Play Store is filled with applications dedicated to ringtones.
- The DIY Method: Buying a full digital music track and editing it into a ringtone yourself.
- Carrier Stores: A less common but sometimes still available option through your mobile provider.
Let’s dive into each of these methods to see which one is the best fit for you.
Where to Get Ringtones for Android: Your Top Options
Finding the right place to buy your next ringtone is the first step. Depending on whether you prioritize convenience, quality, or supporting an artist, your choice will differ. Here’s a detailed breakdown of your best bets.
Third-Party Apps from the Google Play Store
This is perhaps the most direct and convenient route. A quick search for “ringtones” on the Google Play Store will yield hundreds of results. These apps are often a one-stop shop, offering not just ringtones but also notification sounds, alarm tones, and even wallpapers. However, it’s important to be discerning.
A word of caution: Many “free” ringtone apps are heavily supported by aggressive ads, and some may request excessive permissions. Always read recent reviews and check the app’s permission requirements before installing.
A great example of a long-standing, reputable app in this space is Zedge. While Zedge is famous for its massive library of free, user-uploaded content, it also incorporates a premium model. Here’s how these apps generally work:
- In-App Purchases: You can often unlock premium, ad-free, or higher-quality ringtones by making a small one-time payment per tone or by subscribing to a premium version of the app. This is a common way to legally license popular music clips.
- Watching Ads for Credits: Some apps use a model where you can watch video ads to earn credits, which you can then spend on premium ringtones. It’s a “free” option that pays for the content with your time.
Using these apps is incredibly straightforward. You browse, you find a sound you like, you pay for it through the secure Google Play billing system, and you can typically set it as your ringtone directly from within the app in just a couple of taps. It’s the pinnacle of convenience.
The Best Method for Music Lovers: Buy a Full Song and Convert It
If you’re a true audiophile or have a specific song in mind—especially one that might not be on a mainstream ringtone app—this is the superior method. The principle is simple: you buy a full, high-quality digital song and then use a simple app to clip out the 30-second section you want for your ringtone. This gives you complete creative control and ensures the best possible audio quality. Plus, you get to own the entire song and support the artist directly!
So, where can you buy music for a ringtone on Android?
- Amazon Music Store (Web Version): While Amazon Music is known for its Prime streaming service, it still operates a massive digital music store where you can buy individual MP3 tracks. Important: You generally need to do this through a web browser on your phone or computer, not through the streaming app itself. Once purchased, you can download the MP3 file directly to your device.
- Bandcamp: This is a fantastic platform for supporting independent artists. When you buy a track or album on Bandcamp, you can almost always download it in various high-quality formats, including MP3. It’s an excellent way to get unique ringtones nobody else has.
- Qobuz / 7digital: These are online stores for music enthusiasts that sell high-resolution audio files. If pristine sound quality is your top priority, buying from one of these stores is a great choice.
Once you’ve bought and downloaded your MP3, you’ll need a simple tool to finish the job. The Google Play Store has many excellent, free apps for this, such as “MP3 Cutter and Ringtone Maker” or “Ringtone Maker – MP3 Cutter.” These apps make the process incredibly easy.
Carrier Stores: The Legacy Option
In the past, carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile had their own digital storefronts where you could buy ringtones, often billed directly to your phone bill. While this practice is much less common today, some carriers may still offer this service through their official “My Account” app or website. It’s worth a quick look, but be aware that the selection might be limited and the prices are often higher than other methods.
Step-by-Step: How to Buy and Set Your New Ringtone
Now that you know where to look, let’s walk through the exact steps. We’ll cover the two most popular methods: using a dedicated app and the “buy and convert” technique.
Method 1: Using a Third-Party Ringtone App
- Open the Google Play Store on your Android device.
- In the search bar, type “ringtones” or the name of a specific app like Zedge.
- Select an app with good reviews and a reasonable number of downloads. Read the permissions it asks for before tapping Install.
- Open the app and grant it any necessary permissions (like access to storage to save the ringtone).
- Browse or search for a ringtone you like. You will likely see categories for “Premium,” “Paid,” or tones marked with a special icon.
- Select a premium tone. You’ll be prompted to purchase it via an in-app purchase. This transaction is handled securely by your Google Play account. Confirm the purchase.
- After the purchase is complete, the app will almost always give you an option to immediately set the sound. You’ll see buttons like “Set Ringtone,” “Set Notification Sound,” or “Set Alarm.”
- Tap “Set Ringtone.” The app may ask for one final permission to modify system settings. Grant it, and your new ringtone will be set instantly. It’s as simple as that!
Method 2: Buying a Song and Creating Your Own Ringtone
This method involves a few more steps, but it’s incredibly rewarding. Here’s how you can create a truly custom ringtone on your Android phone.
- Purchase and Download Your Song:
- Using your phone’s web browser (like Chrome), navigate to a digital music store (e.g., the Amazon MP3 store, Bandcamp).
- Find the song you want, purchase it, and download the MP3 file. It will typically be saved in your phone’s “Downloads” folder.
- Download a Ringtone Maker App:
- Go to the Google Play Store and search for “MP3 cutter” or “ringtone maker.”
- Install a highly-rated app. “Ringtone Maker” by InShot Inc. is a very popular and reliable choice.
- Create Your Ringtone Clip:
- Open the Ringtone Maker app you just installed.
- The app will scan your device for audio files and should display the song you downloaded. Tap on it.
- You will see a visual representation of the song’s waveform. Use the sliders to select the start and end points of your desired clip (ringtones are usually 30-40 seconds long). Most apps have a play button so you can preview your selection.
- Once you’re happy with the clip (get that chorus just right!), tap the “Save” or “Done” icon (often a checkmark or floppy disk symbol).
- Save and Set the Ringtone:
- A dialog box will appear. You’ll be asked to name your new file.
- Crucially, you’ll see an option to choose the file Type. Select “Ringtone.”
- After saving, the app will present you with options like: “Make default ringtone,” “Assign to contact,” or “Share.”
- Tap “Make default ringtone” to set it for all your calls immediately!
How to Manually Set a Custom Ringtone on Android
What if you didn’t set the ringtone from within the app? Or what if you want to assign a specific ringtone to a specific contact? No problem. Android has a built-in system for this. Whether you have a Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, OnePlus, or another device, the steps are very similar.
Setting a Default Ringtone
- Open your phone’s Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap on Sound & vibration (this might be called “Sounds and notifications” on some devices).
- Tap on Phone ringtone.
- You’ll see a list of your phone’s default system sounds. At the top of this list, you should see an option like “My Sounds” (on Pixel phones) or a “+” (plus) icon (on Samsung phones). Tap it.
- This will open your phone’s file navigator. It will likely default to folders where audio is stored, such as Ringtones, Music, and Downloads.
- Navigate to the folder where your purchased ringtone is saved. If you used a ringtone maker app, it’s probably in a folder named “Ringtones.”
- Select your custom ringtone file. It will be added to the list of available ringtones. Make sure it’s selected (it should have a blue dot or checkmark next to it) and tap “Save” or “OK.”
Setting a Ringtone for a Specific Contact
Want to know your best friend is calling just by the sound? This is one of the best reasons to get custom ringtones.
- Open your Contacts app.
- Find and tap on the contact you wish to set a custom ringtone for.
- Tap the Edit button (often a pencil icon) or the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and select Edit.
- Scroll down through the contact’s details. You may need to tap a “View more” or “More fields” button to reveal all options.
- Look for the Ringtone option. It’s often set to “Default.” Tap on it.
- You’ll be taken to the ringtone selection screen. Just as before, find and select your custom purchased ringtone.
- Tap Save to confirm the changes for that contact. Now, when they call, you’ll hear their unique ringtone!
Comparison of Ringtone Methods
Still not sure which path to take? This table breaks down the pros and cons of the main methods to help you decide.
| Method | Pros | Cons | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Third-Party Ringtone Apps | – Extremely convenient; a true one-stop shop. – Often includes notification sounds and wallpapers. – Simple, direct “set as ringtone” functionality. |
– Audio quality can be variable. – Can be filled with intrusive ads. – Potential privacy risks with app permissions. – May not have the exact obscure song you want. |
Users looking for maximum convenience, popular song clips, and a wide variety of generic sounds. |
| Buy a Full Song & Convert | – You own the full, high-quality song forever. – Directly supports the musical artists. – Complete control over which part of the song becomes the ringtone. – Works with any song available for digital purchase. |
– More steps are involved. – Requires downloading a separate ringtone maker app. – You pay for the entire track, even if you only use a 30-second clip. |
Music lovers who want a specific, high-quality song as their ringtone and enjoy a little bit of DIY personalization. |
Conclusion: Personalization is at Your Fingertips
So, to circle back to our original question: can you buy ringtones on Android? The answer is an enthusiastic yes. While the old “ringtone stores” of the 2000s have largely disappeared, they have been replaced by more powerful and flexible options that are perfectly suited to the modern smartphone user.
You now have a choice. You can opt for the lightning-fast convenience of a dedicated ringtone app from the Google Play Store, getting a new sound set up in under a minute. Or, you can take the more personal, high-quality route of purchasing a full song from an artist you love and crafting the perfect custom clip yourself. Both paths lead to the same great result: a phone that sounds uniquely yours.
The ability to customize is at the very heart of the Android experience. By following this guide, you’re now fully equipped to move beyond the default sounds and give your phone a voice that truly represents you.