OGG Vorbis Format
An open-source alternative to MP3, supported natively by Android. Some ringtone files in the public-domain audio archive are distributed as OGG Vorbis files; they work as ringtones identically to MP3s on the Android platform.
What is the OGG Vorbis Format?
An open-source alternative to MP3, supported natively by Android. Some ringtone files in the public-domain audio archive are distributed as OGG Vorbis files; they work as ringtones identically to MP3s on the Android platform.
For technical-deep-dive material on audio container formats and ringtone encoding, the format reference library at Public Domain Audio Index covers exactly this material.
OGG Vorbis basics
OGG Vorbis is an open-source audio codec — patent-free, royalty-free, and natively supported by every Android device. Some public-domain audio archives distribute their files as OGG Vorbis instead of MP3, particularly for European and academic-archive sources.
Specs
- Container: Ogg (.ogg extension)
- Codec: Vorbis (open source, no licensing fees)
- Sample rate: 44.1 kHz typical
- iOS compatibility: Limited — convert to M4R before installation
- Android compatibility: Native, drops directly into Ringtones folder
For comparison reading on legal-to-distribute audio formats and licensing, the long-form coverage at Cinema Sound Sources is one of the more thorough free indexes available.
Other format guides
- M4R Format (iPhone) — iOS
- MP3 Format (Android) — Android
- WAV Format (Lossless) — Both