Personalise Your Phone with Bollywood Ringtones

Whether it's a classic AR Rahman composition or the latest chart-topping hit, setting a Bollywood song as your ringtone is a great way to carry your love of South Asian music everywhere. The process differs between Android and iPhone, but both are straightforward once you know the steps.

Setting a Bollywood Ringtone on Android

Android gives you the most flexibility when it comes to custom ringtones. Here's how to do it:

Step 1 — Get the Audio File

You'll need an MP3 or M4A file of the song clip you want to use. Many legal music apps allow you to use tracks already stored on your device. Alternatively, trim a clip using a free audio editor app like Ringtone Maker or AudioLab, available on the Google Play Store.

Step 2 — Move the File to the Right Folder

  1. Open your phone's File Manager app.
  2. Navigate to Internal Storage → Ringtones (create this folder if it doesn't exist).
  3. Copy or move your audio clip into this folder.

Step 3 — Apply the Ringtone

  1. Go to Settings → Sound & Vibration → Phone Ringtone.
  2. Your Bollywood clip should now appear in the list.
  3. Select it and tap Save or Apply.

Pro tip: You can also long-press a contact in your Contacts app and assign a unique ringtone to individual people — perfect for setting different Bollywood tunes for family members!

Setting a Bollywood Ringtone on iPhone

Apple is more restrictive, but it's still very doable using GarageBand (a free Apple app) or iTunes/Finder on a computer.

Method 1 — Using GarageBand (No Computer Needed)

  1. Download GarageBand from the App Store (it's free).
  2. Import your audio clip into GarageBand using the Audio Recorder track.
  3. Trim it to a maximum of 30 seconds (iPhone ringtone limit).
  4. Tap the down arrow, select My Songs, then long-press your project.
  5. Tap Share → Ringtone, give it a name, and tap Export.
  6. Choose Use sound as → Standard Ringtone.

Method 2 — Using a Computer (iTunes / Finder)

  1. Import the MP3 into iTunes or Finder on your Mac/PC.
  2. Right-click the track → Get Info → Options — set start and stop times (max 30 seconds).
  3. Right-click again → Create AAC Version.
  4. Change the file extension from .m4a to .m4r.
  5. Drag the .m4r file into the Tones section of your library and sync your iPhone.

Finding Good Bollywood Ringtone Clips

  • Choose the hook or chorus of a song — it's the most recognisable part.
  • Aim for clips between 15 and 30 seconds for the best ringtone experience.
  • Instrumental versions often work better as ringtones than vocals-heavy sections.
  • Classic intros from Bollywood films — like iconic flute or sitar openings — make memorable ringtones.

Wallpapers: Matching Your Screen to Your Ringtone

While you're at it, consider setting a matching Bollywood movie poster or film still as your wallpaper. Most official Bollywood production house websites and apps release high-resolution promotional artwork. Look for 1080×1920 or higher resolution images to ensure they look crisp on your screen.

Wrapping Up

Setting a Bollywood ringtone takes just a few minutes and makes your phone feel genuinely personal. Android users have the easiest path, while iPhone users have two solid options via GarageBand or a computer. Either way, you'll be hearing your favourite Hindi hits every time someone calls.