When the first cell phones were released, ringtones were included. These ringtones allowed the owner to customize the sound that rings when an incoming call came in. Before then, the sounds that came with the phones were limited to factory presets. It was not possible to create ringtones of other sounds. A Finnish entrepreneur, Vesku Paananen, took advantage of this situation and began a business making custom ringtones.

There are several places that allow you to download ringtones for free. You can also use certain websites to download ringtones to your phone. Most of these websites have a search function that is a bit cumbersome, but there are over 300,000 ringtones to choose from. If you do not have your own ringtone, you can download and transfer the one you want to your phone from your computer using a USB cable or Bluetooth. You will find your phone under My Computer when you connect it to your PC.

Another great option for free ringtones is the CellBeat app. It's a free app that offers a library of ringtones, notification sounds, and alarm sounds. The ringtones are categorized by genre. There are also tons of free options available for recording your voice. The app offers a designer and recorder module, as well as many different unique wallpapers. If you have a passion for music, you'll surely find some ringtones that you'll love.