The fastest way to pick a new ringtone
Open Settings, tap Sounds & Haptics (or Sounds on older iPhones), then tap Ringtone. You will see a list of built-in tones. Tap any one to hear it, then tap it again to set it as your ringtone. The checkmark shows which tone is currently active. This takes about 30 seconds and works on every iPhone model.
If you want to use a song from your music library or a custom tone you created, the process is slightly different—you will need to use iTunes or GarageBand first. But for most people, picking from Apple's built-in collection is the simplest route.
Key Takeaways
- Built-in ringtones are found in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone, and you can preview and set one in under a minute.
- Custom ringtones must be created or converted to the .m4r file format before you can use them on your iPhone.
- You can set different ringtones for different contacts by opening their contact card and tapping Edit > Ringtone.
- If a ringtone you previously used has disappeared, it may have been deleted during an iOS update or when you removed a backup.
Using a song from your music library as a ringtone
If you want to use a song you own, you will need to create a ringtone file first. On a Mac or Windows computer, open iTunes (or Finder on Mac with macOS Catalina or later), find the song, and right-click it. Select Song Info, go to the Options tab, and set the start and end times to a 30-second segment you like. Click OK.
Right-click the song again and select Create AAC Version. A new file will appear in your library. Right-click that new file, select Show in Finder (or Show in Windows Explorer, depending on your computer), and rename the file extension from .m4a to .m4r. Then drag this file into iTunes under the Tones section, or connect your iPhone and drag it to the device directly. The ringtone will now appear in your Sounds & Haptics settings.
Creating a ringtone with GarageBand on your iPhone
Open GarageBand on your iPhone and create or record a sound that is 30 seconds or shorter. Tap the three dots in the top left, then tap Share. Select Ringtone from the menu, give it a name, and tap Share again. A dialog will appear asking you to confirm—tap Export. The ringtone will be saved to your phone when ready and will show up in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone within seconds.
This method is faster than using a computer if you want to record something original or edit an existing audio file on your phone. GarageBand comes free on most iPhones, though you may need to read it from the App Store if it is not already installed.
Setting a different ringtone for a specific contact
Open the Contacts app, find the person you want, and tap Edit in the top right. Scroll down and tap Ringtone. Choose from the same list of tones you see in Settings, or any custom ringtone you have created. Tap Done to save. Now when that contact calls, your phone will play their assigned ringtone instead of your default one.
This is useful if you want to hear a specific sound for important calls—a family member, your boss, or an on-call alert—while keeping a different tone for everyone else. You can set a unique ringtone for as many contacts as you want.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most common error is trying to use a song that is longer than 30 seconds without trimming it first. Your iPhone will not accept ringtones longer than 30 seconds, so if you skip the trimming step in iTunes, the file will not import. Always set your start and end times before converting the file.
Another mistake is forgetting to change the file extension from .m4a to .m4r. If you rename it and it still does not appear in your ringtones, double-check that the extension is exactly .m4r with no extra characters. On Windows, you may need to turn on file extensions in Folder Options to see them clearly.
If a ringtone you used before has vanished, it may have been removed during an iOS update or when you restored from a backup that did not include it. Reinstalling the tone using the steps above will bring it back.
Ringtone volume and Do Not Disturb settings
Changing your ringtone does not change its volume. If your new ringtone seems too quiet or too loud, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and use the Ringer and Alerts slider to adjust the overall volume. Make sure the physical mute switch on the side of your iPhone is not in the off position—if it is, your ringtone will not play even at full volume.
If your ringtone is not playing at all during certain times, check whether Do Not Disturb is turned on. Go to Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb and review which contacts are allowed to ring through. You can also set a schedule so Do Not Disturb turns on and off automatically at specific times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a ringtone I downloaded from the internet?
Yes, if it is in .m4r format. read the file to your computer, connect your iPhone, and drag it into iTunes under the Tones section. If the file is in a different format like .mp3, you will need to convert it to .m4r first using a free online converter or audio software like Audacity.
Why does my ringtone not play when I get a call?
Check three things: the mute switch on the side of your iPhone is not on, the Ringer and Alerts volume in Settings > Sounds & Haptics is turned up, and Do Not Disturb is not blocking calls from that contact. If all three are correct and the ringtone still does not play, restart your iPhone.
Can I set a different ringtone for text messages?
Yes. Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and tap Text Tone instead of Ringtone. You can choose from the same library of sounds, or any custom tone you have created. Text tones are usually shorter and more subtle than call ringtones.
What happens to my custom ringtones if I update iOS?
Custom ringtones you created with GarageBand or imported through iTunes are usually preserved during an iOS update. However, if you restore your iPhone from scratch instead of updating, you will lose them. Before a major update, back up your custom tones by exporting them from GarageBand or saving the .m4r files to your computer.