The first ringtone in the modern sense appeared in 1966 in the movie "Our Man Flint", where a distinctive musical alert sounded on a red phone connecting to the President.
Who invented the first ringtone?
Ralph Simon is widely credited as a ringtone pioneer, not the inventor, but he enabled pop songs to become mobile phone ringtones in the mid-1990s.
Meet Ralph Simon—a South African entrepreneur who spent years in the music biz. Back in the mid-'90s, he spotted something huge: phones could become personal soundtracks. He co-founded the Mobile Entertainment Forum and, in 1998, helped launch the first commercial ringtone sales through carrier partnerships. While he didn’t invent the actual technical concept, his business moves turned ringtones from a novelty into a global obsession. Fast forward to 2026, and Simon’s still active in mobile entertainment through consulting and speaking gigs. (For the full scoop, check out his Wikipedia profile.)
What was the ringtone?
A ringtone is a brief audio file played on a mobile device to signal an incoming call.
Here’s where things get a bit confusing. Technically, "ringtone" originally referred to the sound the caller heard—called "ringback"—not the alert you’d hear on your end. Early cell phones could only manage simple beeps or buzzes thanks to hardware limits. But as chips got smarter and storage grew, polyphonic and later MP3 ringtones became possible. Nowadays, ringtones run the gamut from short MIDI melodies to full song snippets. Most systems now call your phone’s alert the "ringtone," while the caller’s sound is the "ringback tone."
What was the first Nokia ringtone?
The Nokia "tune" debuted on the Nokia 2110 in 1994 as Ringtone Type 7 (also listed as Type 13 or Type 5 depending on the model).
That iconic Nokia jingle? It’s a tiny slice of "Gran Vals", a classical guitar piece by Francisco Tárrega from 1902. When Nokia rolled out the 2110 in 1994, they treated it like any other preset tone. Little did they know it’d become one of the most recognizable sounds in tech history. By the 2000s, the tune was pre-installed on nearly every Nokia phone. This 1994 release beat commercial ringtones by years, proving even basic mobiles could carry real music. (Dive into the tech specs on the Nokia Tune Wikipedia page.)
What’s the original iPhone ringtone called?
The original iPhone ringtone is called "Marimba."
Apple’s first iPhone in 2007 came with 25 default tones, and "Marimba" took the spotlight. Dr. Gerhard Lengeling, Apple’s audio software lead at the time, crafted it to match Apple’s clean, melodic design ethos. The name comes from the marimba instrument, famous for its bright, resonant tones. Even in iOS 2026, "Marimba" remains a default option under Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone. Apple hasn’t replaced it since launch. (For the full list of factory tones, peek at Apple Support.)
Who created iPhone ringtone?
Dr. Gerhard Lengeling, Apple’s audio engineering director, created the iPhone’s original ringtones, including "Marimba."
Lengeling joined Apple in 1995 and quickly became the mastermind behind the company’s audio tools, including GarageBand and Logic Pro. For the iPhone, he designed 25 factory tones to sound great in any environment—clear, musical, and unobtrusive. These tones were built using Apple’s proprietary audio engine and tested on early prototypes. Many originals, like "Opening," "Note," and "Glass," are still around today. Lengeling’s work also shaped later innovations like spatial audio and accessibility features. (His influence is detailed in Apple’s 2007 iPhone launch press release.)
How many types of ringtone are there?
There are three main types of ringtones: monophonic, polyphonic, and realtones (MP3).
Monophonic ringtones play one note at a time—simple, classic, like the old Nokia tune. Polyphonic ringtones layer multiple notes, letting you hear full melodies like "Marimba." Realtones are actual audio clips, often MP3s, of full songs or sound effects. Realtones exploded in popularity with smartphones in the late 2000s. Some modern systems also support MIDI or spatial audio formats. Most Android and iOS devices handle all three types, depending on file format and software version. (Check compatibility on Android Help and Apple Support.)
How do you change your ringtone on your phone?
On Android, go to Settings > Sounds and vibration > Ringtone, then tap a new tone to select it.
- Open the Settings app (the gear icon) on your Android device.
- Scroll down and tap “Sounds and vibration” (some devices just say “Sound”).
- Select “Ringtone” under the Sound section.
- Scroll through the list of pre-installed tones. Tap one to hear a preview.
- Once you’ve found your favorite, tap “OK” or just tap the tone name—most devices show a checkmark or highlight to confirm.
If your custom tone isn’t showing up, double-check it’s saved in the right folder (like Downloads) and in a supported format like MP3. On iPhones, the path is Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone. The process is nearly identical across iOS 16 and newer. (For step-by-step visuals, see Google’s ringtone help page.)
How can I change my ringtone to a song for free?
Use a free app like Audiko, Zedge, or Ringtone Maker to convert a song into a ringtone and save it to your phone’s ringtone folder.
Start by grabbing a free ringtone app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Audiko (audiko.net) and Zedge are fan favorites—they let you search for songs and trim them down to 30 seconds or less. Once you’ve trimmed it, tap “Save as ringtone” and confirm. On Android, the app usually drops the file right into your Ringtones folder. On iPhone, you’ll need to sync it via iTunes or Finder on your computer using the Tones section. Just a heads-up: don’t use copyrighted music without permission unless it’s for personal use. Keep the file under 40 seconds for best results, and export it as MP3 or M4R (for iPhone). (For format and sync details, see Apple’s iPhone ringtone guide.)
What is the most sold phone of all time?
The Nokia 1100 and Nokia 1110 are the best-selling phones of all time, with over 250 million units each.
These Nokia models—released in 2003 and 2005—weren’t flashy, but they were tough, affordable, and perfect for first-time users. With long battery life and a no-frills interface, they dominated emerging markets. While smartphones like the iPhone 6 series (220+ million units) sold well in touchscreen circles, the Nokia duo still holds the record for total units. Other contenders, like the iPhone 11 series and Samsung Galaxy S series, haven’t cracked the 250 million mark. As of 2026, the Nokia 1100 is still in use worldwide, especially in rural areas. (For the official sales numbers, check Guinness World Records.)
Where did the Nokia ringtone come from?
The Nokia ringtone is a 12–14 second excerpt from "Gran Vals," a classical guitar piece composed by Francisco Tárrega in 1902.
"Gran Vals" is a waltz-like piece written for classical guitar. Nokia’s engineers picked the opening phrase because it was catchy, royalty-free (Tárrega died in 1909), and easy to synthesize on early mobile chips. The tune became synonymous with Nokia across Europe and Asia, popping up in pop culture left and right. It’s so iconic that people still call it “the Nokia tune.” The excerpt covers measures 1–2 of the original piece. (For the full sheet music, visit IMSLP.)
Which one-hit wonder inspired Nokia’s ringtone?
"Gran Vals" by Francisco Tárrega, a classical composer, inspired Nokia’s ringtone—he was not a one-hit wonder.
Here’s a fun myth buster: Francisco Tárrega wasn’t a one-hit wonder. This Spanish composer and guitarist churned out over 80 works, including classics like “Recuerdos de la Alhambra” and “Lágrima.” Nokia’s engineers tested a shortlist of classical and folk melodies in 1993–1994, and "Gran Vals" won because it was in the public domain and instantly recognizable. The ringtone’s success made Tárrega a mobile culture icon decades after his death. (For more on his legacy, see Britannica.)
What is the OG iPhone ringtone?
The original iPhone ringtone is "Marimba."
"Marimba" wasn’t just the default tone for the 2007 iPhone—it was part of a carefully curated set of 25 tones created by Dr. Gerhard Lengeling. It swapped out the generic beeps of earlier phones for a warm, melodic chime that fit Apple’s design vibe perfectly. Unlike later tones such as "Tri-tone" or "Chord," "Marimba" uses a clean, bell-like sound that cuts through noise. It’s been a staple in every iPhone generation since launch and is still available in iOS 2026. To set it, just go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone > Marimba.
Which is the best ringtone for iPhone?
The best ringtone depends on your style, but free options like Zedge, Audiko, and Comedy Ringtones offer high-quality, customizable tones.
- Zedge gives you thousands of user-uploaded tones in categories like music, movies, and SFX—all free and ad-supported.
- Audiko lets you trim songs and convert them into ringtones directly on your phone or via its website.
- Comedy Ringtones serves up short audio clips from viral videos and memes, great for adding personality.
- GarageBand (Apple) lets you create custom ringtones from loops and instruments.
Keep tones under 40 seconds and use M4R format for best results on iPhone. Always preview before setting to avoid wonky audio. For a curated list, visit Zedge or Audiko.
What is the default ringtone for iPhone 12?
The iPhone 12 does not include any new default ringtones beyond those from iOS 14 and earlier.
Here’s the deal: as of iOS 2026, the iPhone 12 still uses the same default ringtones introduced with iOS 14. That means you’ve got classics like "Reflection," "Signal," "Glass," and "Marimba" at your fingertips. Apple hasn’t added new factory ringtones since the iPhone 6 era. Older tones like "Tri-tone" or "By the Sea" (originally from 2014) are still around too. To find them, head to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone. (For the complete list of Apple’s default tones, see Apple Support.)
Which one hit wonder inspired Nokia’s ringtone?
When a Nokia engineer and a marketing exec tested early phone sounds in 1993, they had a shortlist of tunes to choose from. "Gran Vals" stood out—not because of its melody alone, but because its composer, Francisco Tárrega, had been dead for decades. Royalty-free status? Check. Instantly recognizable? Absolutely. That made it the perfect pick for the final product shipping in 1994.
Edited and fact-checked by the FixAnswer editorial team.
