Android user swaps silent mode for AI-generated ringtones
A long-time silent-mode user turns to AI ringtones via Zedge, appreciating the personal touch while noting ads, fees and copyright caveats.
The user, who grew up in the 1990s when custom ringtones were a status symbol, said she stopped using them as they became tacky. More recently, she relied entirely on silent mode and vibration because she found the noise annoying and almost always had the phone in reach. But after she started leaving the phone behind in another room, she missed a few calls from clients, friends, or family.
She decided to try AI to craft tones that felt her own. She used Zedge, an app known for wallpapers and ringtones, which offers an AI generator that turns text prompts into custom audio. The article describes prompts for a Zelda-style tune and for a humorous mom's-call ringtone, both of which she praised.
Zedge's free tier requires watching an ad for each generation, with a second ad often appearing after completion. Users can pay $0.99 for a week of ad-free unlimited use, or $11.99 for lifetime access. The article noted that any app with user submissions could carry privacy and security risks.
The article cautions that AI ringtones may derive from copyrighted works even if they sound new, and that users seeking actual songs should use official ringtone downloads or apps. It concludes that the AI method is not a shortcut for creating ringtones from real tunes.