The quickest way to change your ringtone

Open Settings on your iPhone, tap Sounds & Haptics, then tap Ringtone. You will see a list of built-in ringtones. Tap the one you want to hear — it will play a preview. When you find one you like, tap it again to confirm. That ringtone is now active for all incoming calls.

The whole process takes about 30 seconds. Your choice saves automatically; you do not need to confirm or restart your phone.

Key Takeaways

  • Built-in ringtones are found in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone, and you can preview each one before choosing.
  • You can set different ringtones for different contacts by opening their contact card, tapping Edit, and selecting a custom ringtone.
  • If you want to use a song from your music library as a ringtone, you must first trim it to 30 seconds or less using GarageBand or a third-party app.
  • Ringtones purchased from the iTunes Store appear in your ringtone list automatically and can be used the same way as built-in ones.

Setting a different ringtone for a specific contact

If you want certain people to have their own ringtone, open the Contacts app and find the person's name. Tap Edit in the top right corner. Scroll down and tap Ringtone. Choose from the same list of available ringtones, then tap Done at the top right.

Now when that contact calls, you will hear their custom ringtone instead of your default one. This works for as many contacts as you want — each person can have their own sound, or multiple people can share the same custom ringtone.

Using a song from your music library as a ringtone

iPhone does not let you use a full song as a ringtone directly. Ringtones must be 30 seconds or shorter. If you want to use part of a song you own, you need to trim it first using GarageBand (Apple's free music app) or a third-party trimming app.

Open GarageBand, create a new audio project, import your song, and cut it down to the section you want. Export it as an audio file, then use the Files app to move it to your ringtones folder. The process is more involved than choosing a built-in ringtone, but it gives you full control over what you hear.

Buying ringtones from the iTunes Store

Apple sells individual ringtones through the iTunes Store. Open the App Store app, tap the search icon at the bottom, search for "ringtones," and browse available options. When you find one you want, tap the price (usually 99 cents) and confirm the purchase with Face ID or Touch ID.

Purchased ringtones read automatically and appear in your ringtone list within a few seconds. You can then set them as your default ringtone or assign them to specific contacts the same way you would a built-in one.

Why your ringtone might not be working

If you changed your ringtone but do not hear it when someone calls, check that your phone is not in Silent mode. Look at the left side of your iPhone — if the mute switch is toggled toward the back of the phone, your ringer is off. Flip it forward to turn the ringer back on.

You can also check your volume by going to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and dragging the Ringtone and Alerts slider to the right. If the slider is all the way to the left, your ringtone volume is muted even if the phone is not in Silent mode.

Setting different notification sounds for texts and calls

Your ringtone controls the sound for phone calls only. Text messages, emails, and other notifications use separate sounds. To change your text tone, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and tap Text Tone. You will see the same list of available sounds. Choose one and it applies to all incoming text messages.

You can also set custom notification sounds for individual apps. Open Settings, find the app you want to customize, tap Notifications, and look for a sound option. Not every app offers this choice, but many do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a ringtone I downloaded from the internet?

Yes, if the file is in a format iPhone recognizes (usually .m4r). Use the Files app to move the file to your phone, then open it. You should see an option to add it to your ringtones. After that, it will appear in your ringtone list.

Why do I only hear a vibration when someone calls?

Your phone is likely in Silent mode. Check the mute switch on the left side of your iPhone and flip it forward. You can also go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and make sure the Ringtone and Alerts slider is not all the way to the left.

Can I set a different ringtone for FaceTime calls?

FaceTime uses your default ringtone — you cannot set a separate one. However, you can set a custom ringtone for a specific contact, and that ringtone will play for both regular calls and FaceTime calls from that person.

What happens to my ringtone if I update iOS?

Your ringtone choice stays the same after an update. Built-in ringtones and any purchased or custom ringtones you added will continue to work. If you notice a change, check Settings > Sounds & Haptics to confirm your selection is still there.