The history of mobile phone ringtones began in the 1990s, when early phones like the Nokia 2110 could play simple monophonic tones made of basic beeps. These customizable sounds quickly became a fun way for users to personalize their devices.
By the late 1990s and early 2000s, polyphonic ringtones—capable of playing multiple notes at once—added richer melodies, and popular songs were recreated in simple MIDI form. This sparked a booming ringtone industry, with users paying to download their favorite tunes.
As smartphones emerged in the mid-2000s, real music ringtones (known as “truetones”) became the norm, allowing people to use actual audio clips from songs. With the rise of iTunes, Android, and app stores, users gained the ability to create and manage their own ringtones easily.
Today, while fewer people buy ringtones, they remain a nostalgic and personal expression—linking the evolution of mobile technology with music culture.