PDA technology has expanded exponentially over the past few years. In the span of just over a year, Research in Motion released the BlackBerry 8700, the BlackBerry Pearl, and most recently the BlackBerry 8800, all of which offered upgrades or alternatives to the previous models. While BlackBerries were once for just e-mail, you can now surf the web, send an instant message, and play your favorite songs, all with the one device.
And, of course, you can set your own custom ringtones. When you’re one of the millions of BlackBerry users, your ringtone may be the only thing that separates you from the crowd. Thankfully, there are a number of Internet sites that can help you find the perfect ringtone for your personality. Unfortunately, a Google search for BlackBerry ringtones yields confusing results. There are thousands of results, and most of them don’t provide what is advertised. In fact, of the 2,580,000 search results for the term “BlackBerry ringtones,” only a small handful actually provide that. Instead of wading through all those results, we’ve compiled a few lists that will make your search much easier. First there’s the list of free ringtones, unlimited ringtones (pay services), and ringtone editors that allow you to make your own. If, however, you can’t find exactly what you want and decide to roam through the jungle of search results, please keep in a mind a few things that will save a lot of frustration along the way: 1) Just ignore any site on a .edu server. Half of these are dead links, the other half are just advertisements for ringtone sites (half of which are dead, themselves). 2) Watch out for WAP sites, as they are mainly advertisements, too. 3) Most sites will make you enter your provider and number as a prerequisite. Beware when entering information into these sites. You never know what telemarketing lists you’ll end up on. Plus, there’s a good chance you won’t find what you’re looking for, anyway. 4) If the site title is very long, chances are it’s that way to generate the most search results. You’ll be disappointed if you think you’ll find something useful at these sites. Now onto the sites that will give you BlackBerry ringtones. Free Ringtones The official BlackBerry site has an area where you can browse ringtones (http://mobile.blackberry.com — it must be accessed by a BlacBerry browser). Some are pay, but there is a free section you can look through and find something fitting for you. They may not be great, but at least you know no one’s going to slap you with a lawsuit for using them. An increasingly popular site for BlackBerry ringtones has been Tuneusin.com. It has a large library of free ringtones that you can save and use on your BlackBerry. In addition, it offers a program that allows you to make ringtones from your own music library (more of these to follow). However, this program isn’t free — it’s $14.99, which is about on par with similar programs. Free Ringtones (http://www.cyzeal.com/free-ringtones.html) is exactly what the name says: a program that allows you to access free ringtones. It’s comparable to download clients like Kazaa and Limewire, but it is dedicated solely to ringtones — polyphonic, mp3, and realtones. It may not be the best service out there, but once again, it’s free, and certainly worth browsing around to see if you can find something you like. Crackberry (http://www.crackberry.com) now has a decent selection of free ringtones. Many of these you can’t really find anywhere else, which helps make up for a lesser mainstream selection than some other BlackBerry ringtone sites. Plus, they have the best “phone ringing” ringtone we’ve ever heard (it’s like one you’d hear in a Bugs Bunny cartoon). The only downside, as we see it, is that the tones aren’t labeled very well, making it a bit tougher to find what you’re looking for. But if it’s off-beat ringtones you seek, Crackberry should be your first stop. Pay Sites The bad news: if you want a good selection of BlackBerry ringtones, you’ll probably have to pay. The good news is that unlike ringtone sites for most cell phones where you have to pay per tone, BlackBerry ringtones are available in an unlimited format. Just pay an up-front fee, and have access to extensive libraries of mp3 ringtones. Instead of browsing through a website, these services come in the form of a software download. Jamster.com is a great resource for Ringtones for your BlackBerry. For only $9.99 a month you are granted access to ringtones of all types (polyphonic, RealTones etc.) covering music from thousands of artists and the tones are the real songs and not midi type files. For those with video capabilities on their BlackBerry devices you can also get video tones from Jamster! They also have a coupon for a free ringtone.
BlackBerry Ring Tone Megaplex (http://www.handango.com/) is considered to be one of the top sites in this category. It offers a selection of over 1,000 different ringtones. They are updated frequently, and a subscriptions lasts for a whole year. The cost is $19.95 for the year, which is at the upper end. But, you get upper end service for the price, so it works out well. Funtonia.com is a comprehensive ringtone site, with over 450,000 ringtones in their library. It is a bit more expensive than the others: $23.88 for a year. However, they do offer a plan for those who don’t want the whole year: $17.97 for three months of access. If you’re looking for something specific (and with their large library, you’re bound to find it) and want to keep your expenses under $20, the three-month plan is ideal. SendMe Mobile offers over 50,000
choices of mobile entertainment content. You can purchase single ringtones
or subscribe for $9.99/month, which gets you 20 credits. Create Your Own Ringtones The greatest advancement in ringtone technology has been the ability for users to create their own ringtones from any music library. While most of these services and programs are fee-based, it can be well worth it for people who like to change their ringtones frequently. For detailed video instructions on how to take mp3s on the Internet and convert them into ringtones for your BlackBerry, visit http://crackberry.com/how-add-free-ringtones-your-BlackBerry. They use tuneusin as an example, but it can be used for any mp3 freely available on the Internet. BlackBerryTunes.com offers an Internet-based way to create your own ringtones. You can upload your songs to the site, convert and edit them, and bring them back to your BlackBerry as a ringtone. Choose any portion of your favorite song, upload it, edit it, and it’s yours. The service costs $29.99 for four months of unlimited access. It’s best for those who want to convert a lot at once. After that, there are a number of programs that allow you to make the conversion right on your desktop. They’re all similar in nature. What differs is how much the program does (conversion, editing, wallpaper, etc.), and the price. The Ringtone Maker (http://www.theringtonemaker.com). The cost is $16.49, and it offers creation and editing services. DJ Tone Xpress (http://djtonexpress.com). It’s very similar to The Ringtone Maker, right down to features and price ($16.95). It does offer a free trial, though. Kylix Ringtone Maker (http://all4ringtone.com). It offers conversion and editing, though the price is a bit higher ($19.95). However, if you can get an article published in a renown Internet or print source, or can translate a help file, they offer it free of charge. If you’re a writer or programmer, this is definitely worth a look. Ringtone Media Studio (http://ringtonemediastudio.com). In addition to the conversion and editing features, this program allows you to compose your own custom ringtones. It also offers wallpaper and screensaver creation, and a video editor. This is an absolute must-have if you’re playing with a new BlackBerry 8800. Ring Factory (http://ringfactory.net). This offers the cheapest solution to creating ringtones ($9.95), but that’s just for the conversion program. It does offer program bundles, though, that can allow you to rip DVDs to your computer or iPod. The program is simple, but it works and it’s cheap, so if you’re looking for the best value, this is it. There are hundreds of other sites that claim to offer these ringtone services. However, with so much scamming going on around the Internet, it’s best to stick with these ones. Why go experimenting when you can get any song you want using one or any of these methods? And lastly, we leave you with that coupon for a free Jamster ringtone!
38 comments… read them below or add one
Awesome list – thanks a lot. I think I’m going to give making my own ringtones a shot.
I’d recommend this easy tool for mp3 ringtones
http://www.makeownringtone.com
WARNING!! 2 – 3 trojans (VIRUSES) tried to install on my system when I went to the monkeybongo site and download some of thier “free” but not of viruses software.
Thanks Scott – we’ve removed them from the list.
if its free you want, go for wavepad. i’ve heard good things about audacity as well, but i’ve never used it. and a great wav to mp3 (and back) converter is meowmultisound.
Can I assign a ringtone for incoming forwarded calls?
You mention Ringtone Media Studio as the software to get for us Blackberry 8830 users, yet when I installed the trial software to test it out, Blackberry was not an available phone option.
Ventones
Go to that site and you can get and create free blackberry ringtones.
They also have a video tutorial of a blackberry curve. Go to their AT&T help section, and you’ll see it.
Sometimes you just cant be bother to make ringtones on your own. Why shouldnt you spend time on something else?
Also check out Ringtone Junkie from Handmark, designed specically for the Blackberry. It includes 400 tones for just $10 plus access to an extensive premium tone catalog within the app.
Sorry. Forgot to include the link!
http://www.rtjunkie.com
Any tools for Mac OSX? I just want to convert mp3 files into ringtones. Free. Any ideas?
The Cyzeal client requires me to select a country and then forwards me to the Jamster service, which is for pay. I haven’t found any free ringtones there.
Best,
Ben
you can try http://freecellsoltuions.net for tutorials on adding ringtones to your bb.
can anybody give me a link to where i can download blackberry ringtones that comes from the unit itself. i mean if you have the BB and you go to the phones menu to where the ringtones are store, you can see a list of the ringtones installed in your BB, the reason why im looking is i want the ringtone of the BB phone their using in the tv series “the unit” and i want to install it to my nokia phone. thanks.
Great list! Thank goodness I found you. I’m going to go home tonight and start downloading some ringtones. I am now following you on twitter, too. :-)
Another lods of free Blackberry ringtones.
visit http://www.blackberrytune.com/ringtones
Although, not free. Its the leader in paid business ringtones.
Exectones.com
I’m surprised no one mentioned zedge.com
http://www.myxer.com allows you to make your own for free and then it sends it to you in a text message for you to save
You mentioned the cool phone ringer (bugs bunny style) from crackberry – what’s it called exactly? I’m having trouble finding it.
If you know how to edit mp3 files, just email the edited file to your blackberry email account. Open the email, save the mp3 attachment to the ringtone folder. If you get the message that file system is full, open Media, and highlight Ringtones. Click the Blackberry menu, and choose Options. Under General, increase memory limit. Then try it again. For mp3 editor, I’ve used Audacity for years, it’s free and adequate.
http://www.bigasoft.com allows you to make your unique ringtone from unlimited music library, adjust ringtone volume, and directly tranfer to BlackBerry smart card automatically. It works on both Windows and Mac OS X.
This post is in fact close to three years old. My current favorite place to get instant free ringtones for BlackBerry is this:
http://www.blackberrytune.com/ringtones/
It seems like Blackberry software would come with the option to edit(crop) songs in your library to use as ring tones. I had a Motorola before I got my Blackberry, and Motorola phone tools had that option. Wonder if I could use that and put them on my media card to use on Blackberry?
@Rebecca Depending on what format the Motorola phone saves the ringtones as and assuming you can get them off that phone – then yes it is possible.
OK Tried it. Have to switch my SIM to my old motorola. I am able to crop songs from my library and add them to folder on my computer. It is a hassle though. Are there any good(safe)websites that let you edit(crop) your own music and save? I noticed that some of these posts are a little older, thought someone may know of others.
Hey, how do you choose a specific part of the song for your ringtone?
for example i don’t want the start of the song to play when my phone rings, only the chorus..
but i dont know how to change it to choose which times of the song i want?
Thanks x
@branwen You will need a special type of software that allows for the selection of the specific portion of the song.
I covered one of these programs here: http://www.bbgeeks.com/blackberry-ringtones/creating-custom-ringtones-for-your-blackberry-8881/
I have successfully created and downloaded a ringtone to my Blackberry. My question is: Why does the phone actually ring twice audibly before the ringtone starts? Any ideas?
@Steve You mean vibrate twice then play the ringtone? If so check your ringer profiles and make sure you are not set to Vibe and Ring.
Hey I have a pay as u go phone and I was wondering if u could get it to where u hear a song when u get a txt message instead of the boring ass tunes?
I use a powerful FREE audio editor that runs on Windoze, Linux and Mac, Audacity. Making ringtones for a Blackberry is easy, non-smartphones (dumb phones? Sorry, couldn’t help it!) take a little more work. Get it at http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
Learn it at
http://mp3.about.com/od/tutorials/ht/Audacity_ringtones.htm
You can make a ringtone for any phone that can play MP3 ringtones. Remember, most phones have specifications that ringtones must adhere to. Please do the research before starting, or you might not be able to use what you made.
Forgot something~ You can do a search for making a ringtone fro your phone, but look past the first results, most are paid sites and links. It’s kind of a pain to get started, but I thought making ringtones was fun, and having the specific part of the song I like was worth it.
I have a bold 9000. I am wondering how i can make it ring for longer? I have to run to get the bastard before it stops ringing. any one?
@hathfactor You need to contact your service provider and ask them to extend the ring on your phone.
Can I assign a ringtone for incoming forwarded calls?
how do i assign or change the music the caller hears when they call my blackberry phone. i have a song but i don’t know how i did it or how to change it.