# How do you get ringtones for your phone if you don't have internet access on the phone?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-ringtones-for-your-phone-if-you-dont-have-internet-access-on-the-phone/512384
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [October 2, 2009, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-ringtones-for-your-phone-if-you-dont-have-internet-access-on-the-phone/512384 "2009-10-02T19:16:38Z")
**Posts on this page:** 13
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2009, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-ringtones-for-your-phone-if-you-dont-have-internet-access-on-the-phone/512384/1 "2009-10-02T19:16:38Z")
Being new to this planet, I’ve bought a new phone. It has some ringtones on it, but all I want is for the phone to actually ring when someone calls. My old phone had that as an option. This one doesn’t. I’ve found sites that offer free ringtones, although it doesn’t look really free. And some that you pay for. But how do I get it from the site to the phone, since I don’t have a data package on this phone. I just wanted it to make calls. I do have a cable that connects my phone to the computer usb port. I think that should help.
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### Author:  [@pan1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pan1)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2009, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-ringtones-for-your-phone-if-you-dont-have-internet-access-on-the-phone/512384/2 "2009-10-02T19:26:53Z")
there are so many variables in this…
Does your phone allow you to access it via computer? Most don’t without the right software purchased through the phone manufacturer but some do.
Does your phone company allow you to use third party ringtones?
Many of the “ringtone” sites will send the ringtone to the phone. You don’t need internet, this is done over the phone lines.
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### Author:  [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2009, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-ringtones-for-your-phone-if-you-dont-have-internet-access-on-the-phone/512384/3 "2009-10-02T19:28:13Z")
If you have the phone and a data cable to connect to your computer, you should be able to add ringtones using a freeware app called [BitPim](http://www.bitpim.org/). I use it for transfering ringtones, images and contact lists to and from my LG phone.
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### Author:  [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2009, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-ringtones-for-your-phone-if-you-dont-have-internet-access-on-the-phone/512384/4 "2009-10-02T20:12:41Z")
Bitpim is a fine program. It does however only work with CDMA phones (Sprint or Verizon in the US) that don’t mess to much with the chipset software. Specific phone models may or may not work with bitpim.
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### Author:  [@Mogle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mogle)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2009, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-ringtones-for-your-phone-if-you-dont-have-internet-access-on-the-phone/512384/5 "2009-10-02T20:19:45Z")
Since you have a data cable, depending on the phone you might not even need some special ringtone. The phone I have can use several different kinds of audio files as ringtones, no need for any special programs or anything.
Could you tell us exactly what kind of phone you have ?
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### Author:  [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2009, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-ringtones-for-your-phone-if-you-dont-have-internet-access-on-the-phone/512384/6 "2009-10-02T20:21:15Z")
Most phones nowadays (at least, of the ones I’ve looked into) can use data services even if you don’t have a data package in your plan. They just charge you some per-Kb rate.
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### Author:  [@sandra\_nz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandra_nz)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2009, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-ringtones-for-your-phone-if-you-dont-have-internet-access-on-the-phone/512384/7 "2009-10-02T20:22:19Z")
Bluetooth?
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### Author:  [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2009, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-ringtones-for-your-phone-if-you-dont-have-internet-access-on-the-phone/512384/8 "2009-10-02T20:37:08Z")
It’s a Samsung SGH-A767. It does have Bluetooth. I just don’t know how to use half the stuff that’s part of the phone and need even less of it. I’m thinking I ought to go back and downsize to what I had before if I can’t figure this stuff out.
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### Author:  [@Mogle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mogle)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2009, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-ringtones-for-your-phone-if-you-dont-have-internet-access-on-the-phone/512384/9 "2009-10-02T21:21:57Z")
> [@CC](#):
>
> It’s a Samsung SGH-A767. It does have Bluetooth. I just don’t know how to use half the stuff that’s part of the phone and need even less of it. I’m thinking I ought to go back and downsize to what I had before if I can’t figure this stuff out.
Ok, after looking at the [manual](http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/UM/200810/20081009220210062_att_a767_propel_ug.pdf)(pdf), judging from page 89 doing what I said should be possible.
So you should be able to transfer an mp3 file from your computer to your phone and use it as a ringtone.
And after doing some more reading I find instructions for transferring music on page 94 🙂
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### Author:  [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2009, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-ringtones-for-your-phone-if-you-dont-have-internet-access-on-the-phone/512384/10 "2009-10-02T22:23:51Z")
I’m not sure I understand the question; are you saying you don’t like the available ringtones, and want to add one that sounds more like a phone? Have you figured out how to change the “Call” ringtone to any of the files in your “My Stuff” folder?
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### Author:  [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2009, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-ringtones-for-your-phone-if-you-dont-have-internet-access-on-the-phone/512384/11 "2009-10-02T22:57:15Z")
Go to the store where you bought it, and ask them for help. (Or, if that’s not possible, find a store related to your provider and ask for help.) I did this with my last phone, and 'twas easy for them. I got billed for the ring tone ($3, I think) but that was the normal charge.
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### Author:  [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2009, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-ringtones-for-your-phone-if-you-dont-have-internet-access-on-the-phone/512384/12 "2009-10-02T23:00:54Z")
> [@Nametag](#):
>
> I’m not sure I understand the question; are you saying you don’t like the available ringtones, and want to add one that sounds more like a phone?
Yes
> [@Nametag](#):
>
> Have you figured out how to change the “Call” ringtone to any of the files in your “My Stuff” folder?
Yes, but all that’s in that folder is a bunch of song excerpts that I don’t want to use.
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### Author:  [@fireman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fireman)
#### Post date: [October 2, 2009, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-ringtones-for-your-phone-if-you-dont-have-internet-access-on-the-phone/512384/13 "2009-10-02T23:57:51Z")
> [@CC](#):
>
> It’s a Samsung SGH-A767. It does have Bluetooth. I just don’t know how to use half the stuff that’s part of the phone and need even less of it. I’m thinking I ought to go back and downsize to what I had before if I can’t figure this stuff out.
I have the same phone, and transfer ringtones from my laptop to the phone via bluetooth. I download from a site that is free, and have not had any issues with viruses, etc. I’m not sure I am allowed to post the website name here, but if you pm me, I will give it to you.