The fastest way to change your ringtone

Open Settings on your iPhone, then tap Sounds & Haptics (or Sounds on older models). Tap Ringtone, scroll through the built-in options, and tap the one you want. Your phone will play a preview. That's it — the change takes effect when ready.

If you want a ringtone that isn't built in, you'll need to buy one from the iTunes Store or create one from a song you own. Both routes take a few extra minutes, but the process is straightforward once you know where to look.

Key Takeaways

  • Built-in ringtones are in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone, and you can switch between them in seconds.
  • You can buy additional ringtones from the iTunes Store directly on your phone without leaving Settings.
  • Creating a ringtone from your own music requires a computer with iTunes or GarageBand, not just your phone.
  • Different contacts can have different ringtones if you assign custom tones in the Contacts app.

Using the built-in ringtones that came with your phone

Your iPhone includes about 25 ringtones already installed. To browse them, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone. Each one will play a short preview when you tap it. The one with a checkmark is your current ringtone.

Scroll down past the built-in tones and you'll see a section called Store — that's where you can buy additional ringtones without leaving Settings. Tap any ringtone in that section and you'll be asked to confirm the purchase (usually 99 cents). Once bought, it appears in your main ringtone list and you can use it when ready.

Buying ringtones from the iTunes Store

The iTunes Store has thousands of ringtones beyond what comes with your phone. To browse them, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone and scroll to the Store section at the bottom. Tap See All to open the full store.

Search by artist, song title, or genre. When you find one you like, tap it to hear a preview, then tap the price (usually $0.99) to buy it. Your Apple ID will be charged, and the ringtone downloads to your phone within seconds. You can then set it as your default ringtone or assign it to specific contacts.

Creating a ringtone from a song you own

If you want to use a song from your music library as a ringtone, you'll need a computer — you cannot create ringtones on the iPhone itself. On a Mac, use GarageBand. On a Windows PC or Mac, you can use iTunes (version 12.7 or earlier) or a third-party tool like Audacity (free).

The basic steps are: open the song in your tool, trim it to 30 seconds or less (ringtones have a maximum length), export it as an M4R file (the iPhone ringtone format), then move it to your iPhone. On a Mac with GarageBand, you can share the ringtone directly to your iPhone. On a PC or older Mac, you'll drag the M4R file into iTunes, then sync it to your phone.

Once the ringtone is on your phone, it appears in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone under a section called Custom. You can then set it as your default or assign it to individual contacts.

Setting different ringtones for different people

You don't have to use the same ringtone for everyone. Open the Contacts app, find the person you want to customize, and tap Edit in the top right. Scroll down and tap Ringtone, then choose the tone you want for that contact. Tap Done to save.

Now when that person calls, your phone will play their custom ringtone instead of your default one. This works with any ringtone — built-in, purchased, or custom-created. You can assign different tones to family members, work contacts, or anyone else in your phone.

Troubleshooting: why your ringtone might not be working

If you changed your ringtone but your phone is still silent when calls come in, check whether Silent mode is on. Look at the left edge of your iPhone — if the mute switch (above the volume buttons) is flipped toward the back of the phone, Silent mode is active and your ringtone won't play. Flip it forward to turn Silent mode off.

If Silent mode is off and you still hear nothing, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and check that Ringtone volume is turned up. Drag the slider to the right. Also confirm that Change with Buttons is toggled on — if it's off, the volume buttons won't adjust ringtone volume and you might think it's muted when it's just quiet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a song from Spotify or Apple Music as a ringtone?

No. Ringtones must come from files you own or purchase. Streaming songs are protected by copyright and cannot be converted to ringtones. You can only use songs you've bought, downloaded, or created yourself.

Why don't I see the ringtone I just bought in my list?

Wait a few seconds — purchased ringtones sometimes take a moment to read. If it still doesn't appear, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone and scroll all the way down. If you bought it, it should be there. If not, check your Apple ID purchase history to confirm the transaction went through.

Can I delete a ringtone I don't want anymore?

You cannot delete built-in ringtones — they're part of iOS. You can delete purchased or custom ringtones by going to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone, swiping left on the tone you want to remove, and tapping Delete. This frees up space but doesn't refund your purchase.

Will my custom ringtone stay on my phone if I update iOS?

Custom ringtones you created usually survive iOS updates, but purchased ringtones are tied to your Apple ID and will redownload if needed. To be safe, back up your phone before updating. If a ringtone disappears after an update, you can redownload purchased ones from your purchase history in the iTunes Store.