The quickest way to change your ringtone

Open Settings, tap Sounds & Haptics, then tap Ringtone. Choose a new sound from the list and tap it—you'll hear a preview. The new ringtone takes effect when ready. That's all there is to it.

If you want to use a song from your music library or a custom sound file instead of Apple's built-in ringtones, the process takes a few extra steps, but it's still straightforward. You can also set different ringtones for specific contacts so you know who's calling without looking at your phone.

Key Takeaways

  • Built-in ringtones are found in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone, and you can preview each one before selecting it.
  • To use a song from Apple Music or your library, you must first trim it to 30 seconds or less using the GarageBand app.
  • Custom ringtones created in GarageBand are saved to your Files app and can be imported through the Sounds & Haptics menu.
  • You can assign a unique ringtone to a single contact by opening their card in Contacts, tapping Edit, and selecting a sound under Ringtone.
  • Vibration patterns can be customized separately from ringtones in the same Sounds & Haptics menu.

Using Apple's built-in ringtones

Apple includes dozens of ringtones on every iPhone. To browse them, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone. Scroll through the list and tap any sound to hear a preview. Once you find one you like, tap it again to confirm—it becomes your default ringtone right away.

The built-in ringtones are organized by type: classic bell sounds, modern digital tones, and nature sounds like birds or water. Some are short and punchy; others are longer and more melodic. If you've never changed your ringtone before, your iPhone is currently using the default sound called "Marimba."

Creating a custom ringtone from a song

If you want to use part of a song as your ringtone, you'll need to trim it to 30 seconds or less using the GarageBand app, which comes free on every iPhone. Open GarageBand, tap the plus icon to create a new project, and select Audio Recorder. Tap the loop button (the circular arrow icon) to open your music library, find the song you want, and drag it into the timeline.

Once the song is in the timeline, use your fingers to pinch and drag the edges of the audio clip until only the 30-second section you want remains. Tap the three dots in the top right corner, select Share, then choose Ringtone. Name your ringtone and tap Export. GarageBand will save it to your Files app automatically.

After you've created the ringtone, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone and scroll to the bottom of the list. Your custom ringtone will appear there. Tap it to set it as your default.

Setting a ringtone for a specific contact

You can assign a unique ringtone to individual contacts so you know who's calling without looking at your screen. Open the Contacts app, find the person you want to customize, and tap Edit in the top right corner. Scroll down and tap Ringtone, then choose the sound you want for that contact.

This works with both Apple's built-in ringtones and any custom ringtones you've created. When that person calls, their assigned ringtone will play instead of your default. You can set different ringtones for as many contacts as you want.

Adjusting volume and vibration patterns

Your ringtone volume is controlled by the physical volume buttons on the side of your iPhone. Press the up button to increase ringtone volume and the down button to decrease it. Make sure the Ring/Silent switch (the small toggle above the volume buttons) is set to Ring mode, not Silent.

You can also customize your vibration pattern in the same Sounds & Haptics menu. Tap Vibration at the top of the screen to choose a preset pattern, or tap Create New Vibration to design your own by tapping the screen in a rhythm. Custom vibrations are useful if you want tactile feedback without sound, or if you want different vibrations for different contacts.

Troubleshooting when your ringtone won't change

If you've selected a new ringtone but it's not playing when someone calls, first check that your Ring/Silent switch is in the Ring position. The small toggle above the volume buttons should not be in the down position. If it is, flip it up.

If the switch is already in Ring mode, restart your iPhone. Hold down the power button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears, then slide it to turn off your phone. Wait a few seconds and press the power button again to turn it back on. After the restart, test a call to confirm the new ringtone is working.

If you're using a custom ringtone and it won't play, make sure the file is in the correct format (GarageBand exports as .m4r, which is the standard iPhone ringtone format). If you created the ringtone using a different app, it may not be compatible with iPhone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any song from Apple Music as a ringtone?

Yes, but you must trim it to 30 seconds or less first using GarageBand. Apple Music songs are protected by copyright, so you can't use the full track directly—you have to create a custom ringtone from a portion of it. Once you've trimmed it in GarageBand and exported it as a ringtone, it will work like any other custom sound.

What if I want to read ringtones from the internet?

You can read ringtone files from websites, but they must be in .m4r format to work on iPhone. Once downloaded, open the file and choose "Copy to iPhone" or import it through the Files app. Not all ringtone websites are trustworthy, so stick to well-known sources and avoid sites that ask for payment or personal information.

Why is my ringtone not playing when someone calls?

Check that your Ring/Silent switch (the toggle above the volume buttons) is flipped to Ring mode, not Silent. Also make sure your volume is turned up using the physical buttons on the side. If both are correct, restart your iPhone. If you're using a custom ringtone, confirm it was exported in the correct format from GarageBand.

Can I have different ringtones for different people?

Yes. Open Contacts, select a person, tap Edit, and choose Ringtone. You can assign a unique sound to as many contacts as you want. When they call, their assigned ringtone will play instead of your default.