ringtone

A ringtone is a short audio signal used to indicate an incoming call or alert on a telephone or other mobile device. It can be a simple built-in tone, a musical excerpt, or a user-selected file. Ringtones may be monophonic or polyphonic, and on modern devices they can be full-length music tracks or synthesized tones. They are often paired with vibration and visual cues to help users recognize callers or events.

Historically, early mobile phones used limited monophonic ringers. In the late 1990s, manufacturers introduced polyphonic ringtones based on MIDI-like technology, enabling more complex melodies. In the 2000s, users gained the ability to download or purchase custom ringtones, including excerpts from popular songs. The rise of smartphones shifted toward standard audio formats and user-generated content, enabling wider customization and easier integration with music libraries.

Common formats for ringtones include MIDI for polyphonic tones, MP3, AAC, WAV, and OGG. On specific platforms, there are dedicated formats such as M4R for iOS. Devices may generate tones internally or play back user-supplied audio files. In many ecosystems, tones can be assigned to individual contacts, groups, or notification types, and they can be accompanied by vibration and LED indicators for additional cues. Unlike ringback tones, which the caller hears, a ringtone is heard by the recipient when receiving a call.

Copyright and licensing affect commercially released songs used as ringtones, leading some users to prefer royalty-free or self-created tones. Ringtones remain a common means of personalizing a device and signaling incoming communication.