How to Make a Ringtone on iPhone Without/with iTunes

Tired of using the same old ringtones? Our guide explains how to make a ringtone on iPhone, without iTunes or with iTunes.

Clara by Clara Updated October 23, 2024
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Why Do You Want to Make A Ringtone on iPhone?

Leaning how to make a ringtone on iPhone entails the process of selecting a specific segment of a song or audio file and setting it as your device's ringtone. This personalized approach allows users to infuse their iPhones with unique sounds that reflect their individual taste and style.

how to make a ringtone on iphone

Benefits of personalizing your ringtone✎...
Personal Expression: By selecting a song or sound that resonates with you, you can make a statement about your preferences, interests, or mood, reflecting who you are as a person.
Distinctive Identification: With so many people using default tones, having a unique sound makes it easier to identify when your phone is ringing, even in noisy or crowded environments.
Emotional Connection: By using them as your ringtone, you create a direct emotional connection with your phone, making incoming calls or messages more engaging and memorable.

This article delves into the art of crafting your own ringtone on an iPhone, exploring various methods and techniques to achieve the desired auditory ambiance.

How to Make A Song Music as Ringtone on iPhone Without iTunes

There are 3 ways you can learn how to set a song as a ringtone on iPhone: by using GarageBand, Setting on the iPhone, or in Apple Music. Reading and checking the detailed steps.

Way 1. Easily to Make A Personalize Ringtone For iPhone

When you need to create a professional ringtone, FoneTool is the most convenient iOS ringtone maker for iOS and Windows PC. It has a user-friendly interface, you can make the ringtones you like. You can select the music files from both your computer and your iPhone apps.

  1. enlightened Highligts of using FoenTool to make ringtone
  2. laughSimple to use. You can easily move source and targeted files from iPhone to PC or PC to iPhone.
  3. laughSupports various audio files. You can edit and set multiple types of music to iPhone ringtones, including mp3, m4a, m4b, m4p, m4r, wav, aac, aif, aiff, flac, etc.
  4. laughFree to select music. FoneTool supports you to select the source music from iPhone apps like Apple Music, Apple TV, and Podcast, or choose the free download songs on PC.
  5. laughWide compatibility. It works well with all iOS devices, like iPhone/iPad/iPod, and supports the latest iOS 18.

You can follow the detailed guide to make your own ringtones for iPhone.

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1. Connect your iPhone to the computer by a USB cable > Open FoneTool > Locate Toolbox > Choose Ringtone Maker to continue.

ringtone maker

2. Choose From Device to select the music you want to edit. You can also choose the songs from your Windows PC by tapping From Computer.

choose music from device

3. Edit the music as you like >After that, tap on Save to Device to save it > Click on Save on the pop-up window. 

save music to device

4. After that, access and use it to personalize your call and message notifications by navigating to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone.

ringtone setting

Way 2. Use GarageBand to Create A Ringtone

GarageBand stands as a versatile tool for music creation and editing, and it also offers a seamless solution for crafting custom ringtones directly on your iPhone. You can start from scratch or you can edit an existing sound file, which we’ll demonstrate here. The ringtone must be no longer than 30 seconds.

mail Note:

  • Editing copy-protected song files is not possible due to restrictions.
  • If you have an existing sound file, consider copying it to iCloud Drive for easy access.
  • Streamed songs from Apple Music or other streaming services cannot be utilized as ringtones due to copyright limitations.

Below are steps about how to make a ringtone on iPhone:

1. Begin by launching GarageBand > Tap on "Tracks" located at the top of the screen.

how to make a ringtone on iphone

2. Swipe left or right until you find the "Audio Recorder" section, then tap on it.

3. Now, tap on the "Tracks" button at the top left corner of the screen.

4. Next, tap on the "Loop Browser" icon located on the upper right corner of the screen. This icon looks like a loop.

5. A file browser window will appear, allowing you to navigate to the file you wish to edit. Find and select the file you want to work with.

6. Then drag it from the browser window to the GarageBand workspace.

7. You can now begin editing the track to shorten it to 30 seconds or your desired length.

how to make a ringtone on iphone

8. After you've finished editing the song, you can save it as a ringtone. Tap on the "Navigation" button located in the upper left corner of the screen.

Once you've created your custom ringtone using GarageBand, setting it as your iPhone's default ringtone is a breeze.

Way 3. Make Ringtone in Apple Music (on Mac)

If you prefer to create your custom ringtone on your Mac using Apple Music. However, you must have the physical song file—streamed songs cannot be made into ringtones. Also, the files must not be copy-protected. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Music app on your device > Navigate to your music library and locate the song you wish to use as a ringtone.

mail Note:

  • Remember the starting and ending points for your ringtone. It cannot exceed 30 seconds.

2. Right-click on the selected song and choose "Get Info" from the menu > Then select the "Options" tab.

3. Under "Options," specify the starting and ending times noted earlier > Tick the "Start" box and input the starting time, then tick the "Stop" box and input the ending time > Click "OK" to confirm.

4. Next, select the song again and go to the "File" menu > Choose "Convert" > "Create AAC version." (If "Create MP3 version" is the only option available, select it.)

how to make a ringtone on iphone

5. A duplicated version of your song will be created below the original. Right-click on the duplicated version and select "Show in Finder" (for Mac users) or "Show in File Explorer" (for Windows users).

6. In the window that opens, observe the file's extension (the part after the file name following a period).

How to Add A Ringtone on iPhone with iTunes

iTunes has long served as the go-to platform for managing media files on iOS devices, including the addition of custom ringtones. While the method may vary slightly from newer versions of iTunes, the fundamental steps remain consistent.

1. Open iTunes on your computer and choose the song you want to use as a ringtone from your music library.

2. Right-click on the song and select "Get Info." Navigate to the "Options" tab and set the start and stop times for your ringtone.

how to make a ringtone on iphone

3. After setting the points, go to "File" > "Convert" > "Create AAC Version" to generate a shortened version of the song.

4. Locate the AAC version of the song in your iTunes library and copy it to your desktop.

5. Change the file extension of the copied file from .m4a to .m4r.

6. Once the file extension is changed, double-click the .m4r file to add it to the "Tones" section of iTunes.

how to make a ringtone on iphone

7. Connect your iPhone to your computer and select it in iTunes. Navigate to the "Tones" tab and ensure the box next to "Sync Tones" is checked. Then, click on "Sync" to transfer the custom ringtone to your iPhone.

8. After syncing, disconnect your iPhone and go to "Settings" > "Sounds & Haptics" > "Ringtone" to select your custom ringtone from the list of available options.

Bonus Tip: How to Transfer iPhone Ringtone

When it comes to managing iPhone data, including custom ringtones, FoneTool offers a user-friendly solution for transferring music files from your iPhone to your PC effortlessly.

  1. enlightenedWhy do you choose FoneTool to transfer ringtones?  
  2. laughRapid Transfer Speed. Experience lightning-fast transfer speeds with FoneTool. For example, transfer 1000+ ringtones only need less than 10 munites.
  3. laughComprehensive File Support. Enjoy the versatility of transferring various music file types including MP3, WAV, M4A, FLAC, and more.
  4. laughFlexible Options. Whether you want to transfer a batch of music files or select specific ones in advance, FoneTool accommodates your preferences.

1. Begin by downloading and installing FoneTool on your PC from the official website.

Download Freeware Win 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP
Secure Download

2. Launch FoneTool and connect your iPhone to your PC using a USB cable. Ensure that you trust the connection on your iPhone when prompted.

3. Navigate to “Phone Transfer” section > Click the transfer types you need. We take “PC to iPhone” as example > Click “Start Transfer to transfer ringtones from computer to iPhone.

how to make a ringtone on iphone

4. Then choose the "Ringtones" tab > Drag and drop the files into the box.

pc to iphone ringtone transfer

5. Click “Start Transfer” > After it finished at a high speed, you can go to iPhone Seting app to check your ringtones.

transfer ringtones from pc to iphone

★Tip:
Want to learn how to transfer ringtones from iPhone to iPhone? You can go to this guide to get answers.

FAQs on Making Ringtones on iPhone

After reading, you may also want to learn more about how to get a custom ringtone:

>> Why should I create custom ringtones instead of using the default options?

Creating custom ringtones allows you to personalize your iPhone and set unique tones that resonate with your style and preferences, distinguishing your device from others.

>> Can I use any song as a ringtone on my iPhone?

While you can use most songs as ringtones, it's essential to ensure that you have the necessary rights to use the music. Additionally, some songs may not be suitable due to copyright restrictions. Learn Where Can I Download Ringtones for Free by clicking this link.

>> Are there any limitations to the length of a custom ringtone?

Most iPhone models support custom ringtones up to 30 seconds in length. However, it's essential to check the specifications of your device to ensure compatibility.

>> Can I transfer custom ringtones between iPhone and Android?

Yes, you can transfer custom ringtones between iPhone and Android using various methods, such as iTunes, iCloud, or third-party software like FoneTool. You can go to this post: How to Transfer Music from iPhone to Android.

Conclusion

In conclusion, leaning how to make a ringtone on iPhone offers a unique opportunity to infuse your device with personality and flair. Whether you opt for GarageBand, iTunes, or third-party tools like FoneTool, the process allows you to set your favorite tunes as the soundtrack to your incoming calls.

By following the methods outlined in this guide, you can bid farewell to default tones and welcome a symphony of personalized melodies that reflect your individual style. So, unleash your creativity, and let your iPhone ring in harmony with your vibe.

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