iPhone ringtones come from the iTunes Store, third-party apps, or files you create yourself
Apple limits where iPhone ringtones can come from. You cannot simply download an MP3 file and set it as your ringtone the way you might on Android. Instead, you have three main routes: buy ringtones directly from the iTunes Store, use a ringtone app that creates them for you, or convert a song you own into a ringtone using a computer and iTunes or Finder.
The iTunes Store method is the fastest if you want a specific ringtone right now. Third-party apps work if you want to build a ringtone from a song that is not in the iTunes Store. The computer method takes longer but gives you the most control over exactly which part of a song plays.
Key Takeaways
- The iTunes Store sells individual ringtones for $1.29 each, and you can set them immediately after purchase.
- Apps like GarageBand (free, built into newer iPhones) and Ringtone Maker let you trim any song on your phone down to a ringtone without a computer.
- To convert a song you own into a ringtone, you need a Mac or Windows PC running iTunes or Finder, plus the original audio file.
- Once a ringtone is on your iPhone, you set it in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone, and it applies to all incoming calls unless you assign a different tone to a specific contact.
Buying ringtones directly from the iTunes Store
Open the iTunes Store app on your iPhone and tap the search icon at the bottom. Search for the song title or artist, then look for the ringtone version — it will say "Ringtone" next to the price. Tap the price button (usually $1.29), then tap "Buy" and authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password.
The ringtone downloads immediately and appears in your phone's Sounds & Haptics settings. You can set it as your default ringtone or assign it to a specific contact by opening Contacts, selecting the person, tapping "Edit," scrolling to "Ringtone," and choosing the one you just bought.
This method works best if you know exactly which ringtone you want and do not mind paying $1.29 per tone. The iTunes Store catalog includes popular songs, classical pieces, and novelty sounds.
Creating ringtones from songs using GarageBand or a ringtone app
GarageBand comes free on iPhones running iOS 17 or later. Open it, tap "Create," then "Audio Recorder." Tap the loop icon (the circular arrow) at the top left, then "Music" to browse songs on your phone. Select the song you want, and it will play in the background. Tap the record button and let it play, or use the trim handles to select just the part you want. Stop recording, then tap "My Songs" and hold down on your recording until a menu appears. Choose "Share" and select "Ringtone" — this exports it to your phone's ringtone library.
If you do not have GarageBand or prefer a dedicated app, download Ringtone Maker (free, with optional paid features) or Ringtones by Zedge (free with ads). Both let you select a song from your library, trim it to 30 seconds or less, and save it as a ringtone. The process is similar: choose the song, drag the handles to select the part you want, and tap "Save as Ringtone."
This approach works for any song already on your phone, whether you bought it, downloaded it, or received it from someone else. The ringtone must be 30 seconds or shorter.
Converting a song to a ringtone using a computer
If you own a song file on your computer (an MP3, M4A, or WAV file), you can convert it into a ringtone using iTunes on Windows or Finder on Mac. This method gives you the most precise control over which part of the song becomes the ringtone.
On a Mac with Finder: Connect your iPhone to your computer with a USB cable. Open Finder and select your iPhone in the sidebar. Click "Files" and drag your audio file into the window. Then open iTunes (if you have it) or use a free tool like Audacity to trim the song to 30 seconds or less, save it as an M4A file, and repeat the drag-and-drop step. The file will sync to your phone's ringtone library.
On Windows with iTunes: Open iTunes, locate the song in your library, right-click it, and select "Get Info." Go to the "Options" tab and set the start and stop times so the ringtone is 30 seconds or less. Click "OK," then right-click the song again and choose "Create AAC Version." This creates a trimmed copy. Right-click the new file, select "Show in Windows Explorer," rename it from .m4a to .m4r, then connect your iPhone and drag it into iTunes' ringtone section.
This method requires a computer and takes more steps, but it works for any audio file you own.
Setting a ringtone as your default or assigning it to a contact
To set a ringtone as your default for all incoming calls, open Settings on your iPhone, tap "Sounds & Haptics," then tap "Ringtone." A list of all available ringtones appears — both the ones that came with your phone and any you downloaded or created. Tap the one you want, and a checkmark appears next to it.
To assign a different ringtone to a specific contact, open the Contacts app, select the person, tap "Edit," scroll down to "Ringtone," and choose from the list. When that person calls, their custom ringtone plays instead of your default.
You can also set a custom vibration pattern for any contact by tapping "Vibration" in the same menu. This is useful if you want certain people to stand out without changing the sound.
Troubleshooting ringtones that do not appear or play
If a ringtone you created or downloaded does not show up in Settings, restart your iPhone. Hold the power button until "Slide to Power Off" appears, swipe to turn it off, wait 10 seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. Ringtones sometimes do not sync immediately.
If a ringtone plays too quietly, check that your phone is not in silent mode — the mute switch is on the left side of the phone. If it is in silent mode, flip it so the red line is not visible. Also check that your volume is turned up by pressing the volume-up button on the side of the phone.
If you bought a ringtone from the iTunes Store but it will not download, make sure you are signed into the same Apple ID you used to buy it. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and verify your account is active. If the problem persists, try deleting the ringtone from Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone, then buying it again.
Free alternatives to buying ringtones
Your iPhone comes with dozens of built-in ringtones that require no download or purchase. Open Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone to see them all. Many people find one they like without ever spending money.
Zedge and Ringtone Maker both offer free ringtones created by users, though they come with ads in the free versions. You can browse by genre, mood, or artist and download any tone you like. Neither requires a subscription to use the basic features.
If you have a song in Apple Music (Apple's subscription service), you can create a ringtone from it using GarageBand even though you do not own the file outright. The ringtone stays on your phone as long as your Apple Music subscription is active.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a song from Apple Music as a ringtone?
Yes, if you have an active Apple Music subscription. Use GarageBand to record the song and trim it to 30 seconds, then save it as a ringtone. The ringtone remains on your phone, but if your subscription ends, you will not be able to re-create it from that song.
Why is my ringtone not playing when someone calls?
Check that your iPhone is not in silent mode — the mute switch on the left side should not show red. Also verify that your volume is turned up using the volume buttons. If both are correct, restart your phone and check that the ringtone is still selected in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone.
Can I use a ringtone I found online without buying it?
You can download free ringtones from apps like Zedge or Ringtone Maker, or create your own from songs you own using GarageBand or a ringtone app. Ringtones from the iTunes Store cost $1.29 each, but many people find free options that work just as well.
What is the maximum length for an iPhone ringtone?
iPhone ringtones must be 30 seconds or shorter. If you are creating one from a song, use the trim tools in GarageBand or your ringtone app to cut it down. Ringtones longer than 30 seconds will not save.
Do I need a computer to download ringtones on my iPhone?
No. You can buy ringtones from the iTunes Store app, or create them from songs on your phone using GarageBand or a third-party app. A computer is only necessary if you want to convert an audio file you own into a ringtone using iTunes or Finder.