How to Customize Your Ringback Tones

Consumer Information | Mobile Phones

Ringback tones allow callers to hear a song when they call you, rather than the standard ringing. Take a look at this to find out how to customize your ringback tones.

AT&T Ringbacks

If you are an AT&T customer, you know ringback tones as “answer tones.” To setup your answer tones, all you need to do is visit the AT&T wireless Web site. You’ll see a list of available answer tones where you will be able to preview them to see if that’s what you want your callers to hear. Once you have chosen an answer tone you like, click the “Buy” button. Answer tones cost $1.99 each per year, and the service will cost $0.99 per month. At this point, you will be prompted to login to your account. If you do not have an AT&T wireless account, you will have to create one.

Once you have logged in to your account, you will be able to complete your purchase and use the answer back tone. Within the account, you should see the option to “Manage My Answer Tones.” This will allow you to set which answer tones callers will hear. Answer tones can be set for days of the week, each contact, or certain times of the day. Setting up answer tones can also be done through your handset if you have access to MediaNet or Media Mall. Prepaid customers can also get answer tones for an additional $1.00 delivery fee.

T-Mobile Ringbacks

T-Mobile customers know ringback tones as “caller tones.” To setup caller tones, visit the T-Mobile Web site. To access the tones, you’ll need to subscribe to the service for $1.49 per month and $1.99 per tone. Subscribe to the service through your online account. From there, you’ll be able to preview, purchase, and setup caller tones.

To setup caller tones from your device, dial: *TUNE (*8863). Currently, caller tones are not available to prepaid customers.

Verizon Ringbacks

Verizon customers know ringback tones by that name. To setup ringback tones, visit the Verizon Web site. Simply preview a tone, click “buy” and login to your account to complete the purchase. From within your account, you’ll see an option to “Manage Ringback Tones.” From here, you’ll be able to set ringback tones for individual callers, days of the week, and times of the day.

Ringback tones are available for a fee of $1.99 per tone per year and $0.99 per month for both contract and prepaid customers. They can be purchased and managed from your handset by going to: Get It Now > Tunes and Tones > Get New Tones > VZW Tones Deluxe. If you don’t have the VZW Tones Deluxe app on your phone, you can choose the “Get New Application” option after the “Get New Tones” menu. The app will allow you to find, preview, purchase, and set ringbacks.

Sprint Ringbacks

Sprint customers know ringback tones as “call tones.” To make use of this service, you’ll need to visit the Sprint PCS Web site and login to your Sprint account. If you do not have one, you will have to create one. Once in your account, look for the “PCS Vision Services” link. Choose “Content Catalog.” This will allow you to preview the call tones before making a purchase. When you find one you want, purchase it. It will then move to the “My Content Manager” where you will be able to handle assignments to callers based on groups, individuals, or time of day.

To purchase and manage call tones from your phone: Use your phone’s web browser to navigate to the Sprint PCS Vision Web site. Choose: Downloads > Caller Tones. Find the call tone you want and choose “Buy Now.” From here, you can choose assignments following these steps: Click “Add/Remove Numbers.” Then enter the 10 digit phone number to assign the call tone to and repeat as necessary for all numbers you want to hear the call tone.

Ringback and Ringtones

Ringback tones are different from regular ringtones in the sense that ringbacks are offered and hosted by your carrier. This is why there is a monthly or annual charge for the service, and also why you cannot find and download your own ringbacks.

Ringtones can be purchased and downloaded directly from your wireless carrier or from a variety of Web sites. The following Web sites require registration and verify your phone via text message.

• Myxer offers free ringtones to many wireless customers, though you will have to pay for the download if you’re not using an unlimited data plan. Verizon wireless customers receive their tones through a PIX message so they will pay a text messaging fee.
• PhoneZoo is another service very similar to Mxyertones, offering free and custom ringtones to nearly all wireless customers.
• SendMeMobile Ringtones is similar to Myxtones and Phonezoo, except a $9.99/month service charge is billed to your cell phone bill for each month the service is used and carries ringtones for all of the major cellular services including harder to find Sprint ringtones.