How to Assign Specific Ringtones to Specific Friends

An important note before starting

All cell phones are different, and the labels, menus, signature ideas, and options on your phone may not exactly match the items listed here. However, if you follow the instructions posted below, you should be able to assign a specific ringtone regardless of your cell phone knowledge.

Why do I need a specific ringtone?

With cell phone address book systems, it is possible to have hundreds of numbers stored in your phone’s memory. Almost all cell phones feature a Caller ID system which will identify a caller based on the number they are calling from. At times, it can be important to know who is calling. Maybe you’re expecting a call from your sister about the health of your mother, or you’re waiting for an employer to return your call. In these cases, it isn’t always feasible to check your phone every time someone calls. Cell phones have been designed so that users can assign specific ring tones to specific callers, so you will always know when your sister, or anyone else whom you assign a specific ringtone to, is calling.

What are the steps to setting up specific ringtones?

Setting up specific ringtones is easier than you think. There are two different methods presented here. If you’re familiar with your phone, you may not need more than these steps. If you’re having a hard time, feel free to look over the steps, and then move on to the troubleshooting section.

Method 1

1. Open your phone and locate the address book

2. Scroll to the number/person that you wish to assign the specific ringtone to

3. Select the options menu for the number

4. Select “Edit” under the options menu

5. Scroll through the “Edit” menu until you find “Ringtone,” “Ring Id” or something similar, select it

6. Browse through your phone until you find the file you wish to use as a specific ringtone, select it

7. Your specific ringtone should now be applied

Troubleshooting Method 1

If you don’t hear your specific ringtone, try walking through the steps slowly. You can usually open your address book by pressing the bottom of your on the scroll pad, or by opening the phone’s menu from the home screen, and then scrolling through the menu options until you find “address book.” Different phone companies use different names for their address books, and you will sometimes find them under other labels like phone book, people, or contacts.

Scrolling through your address book can be accomplished by either using the buttons on the scroll pad, or typing in the name of the person that you wish to add the specific ringtone to. Similarly to accessing the address book, there are several ways to access the options of each number. Generally you can access the options menu directly from the address book by clicking the options key. You may have to select the number with the select key before the options menu becomes available.

The “edit” menu should be one of the first options under the “options” menu. From the “edit” menu there should be an easy to find “ringtone” setting. Browsing through your phones selection of music and sound files will vary greatly depending on the phone that you have. However, selecting the “ringtone” option will take you to one of the possible locations where music is stored. If your phone has multiple storage folders, you will be able to select from voice recordings, sounds, music and other audio files. Selecting the desired audio file will assign it to the desired number

Method 2

This method required better knowledge of your phone, but may save time.

1. Push the menu button and locate the “media,” “tones,” “music” or whatever other heading your audio files may be stored under.

2. Scroll to the desired audio file

3. Push the “options” key

4. Select “set as,” “apply as ringtone,” or something similar.

5. Your phone may give you two ringtone options, be sure to select the “individual ringtone” setting

6. scroll through your address book until you find the desired number, select it

Troubleshooting Method 2

Locating your audio files may be harder than locating your address book. Unlike phone numbers, which are stored in a similar matter on most phones, audio files can be stored in many different ways. In general, you should be able to find the audio files on your phone my accessing the “menu” from the home screen, and the selecting something similar to “media” or “audio.”

Newer phones allow more options for storing audio, and different types of audio will be stored under different headings. Knowing which audio file you want to use will help you find it. For instance, downloaded music will be stored under “songs” or “music,” while voice recordings will be stored under “voice recording.” The “options” key should be available as one of the selection keys.

After you have selected the “options” key, you will once have to find the label that your phone gives you for assigning a specific ringtone. This label can vary greatly from phone to phone, but should be similar to “apply as ringtone,” or “set as ringtone.” Once again, if the option is presented, be sure to select the “individual” option if it is available.

Almost Done…

Now that you’ve assigned a specific ringtone, you may want to test it to make sure that the assignment was set up correctly. To do this, assign a specific ringtone to a friend or your home number and have them call you. If you hear the ringtone that you assigned, then you've assigned the ringtone successfully. Never again will you have to step out of the shower or rush away from something important when someone calls. With a specific ringtone, you will always know who is calling, even if you are not near your phone when it rings.