The fastest way to change your ringtone

Open Settings on your iPhone, tap Sounds & Haptics, then tap Ringtone. You will see a list of built-in tones. Tap any tone to hear it play, then tap it again to set it as your ringtone. The checkmark next to the tone name confirms it is now active.

That is the complete process for using Apple's pre-loaded ringtones. If you want a custom ringtone — a song from your music library, a voice memo, or a tone you bought — the steps are different and take longer. Both routes are covered below.

Key Takeaways

  • Built-in ringtones are changed in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone, and the change takes effect when ready.
  • Custom ringtones must be 40 seconds or shorter and imported through the Files app or GarageBand before they appear in Sounds & Haptics.
  • Songs from Apple Music or other streaming services cannot be used as ringtones; only files you own or have downloaded work.
  • If you create a ringtone in GarageBand, export it as a ringtone file (not an audio file) so it appears in the correct location in Settings.

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 tone to hear a preview. The tone will play at the volume your ringer is currently set to.

Once you hear one you want, tap it again. A checkmark will appear next to the name, and that tone is now your ringtone. The change happens when ready — you do not need to restart your phone or confirm anything else. If you change your mind, straightforward tap a different tone and it replaces the previous one.

Adding a custom ringtone from your music library

To use a song or audio file you already own, the file must be 40 seconds or shorter. If your song is longer, you will need to trim it first using the Voice Memos app or GarageBand.

Once your file is 40 seconds or less, open the Files app on your iPhone. Navigate to the folder where your audio file is stored (usually iCloud Drive or On My iPhone). Long-press the file and select Copy. Then open Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone and scroll to the top — your custom file should now appear above the built-in tones. Tap it to set it as your ringtone.

If the file does not appear, the file format may not be supported. iPhone ringtones work best with MP3, AAC, or WAV files. M4A files (which Apple Music uses) will not work.

Creating a ringtone in GarageBand

GarageBand is Apple's free music-making app, and it is the most reliable way to create a custom ringtone on your iPhone. Open GarageBand, create or record a new audio clip, and trim it to 40 seconds or less. Then tap the three dots in the top-left corner and select Share.

Choose Ringtone from the share menu — this is important, because if you export as an audio file instead, it will not appear in your Sounds & Haptics settings. Name your ringtone and tap Share. GarageBand will ask for permission to save it to your phone. Tap Allow, and your ringtone is now ready to use in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone.

Why some files do not work as ringtones

Streaming music from Apple Music, Spotify, or other services cannot be used as a ringtone, even if you have downloaded the song for offline listening. These services use digital rights protection that prevents the files from being converted to ringtones.

Files you own — songs you purchased from iTunes, audio you recorded yourself, or files you transferred from a computer — can be used. The file must also be in a supported format (MP3, AAC, or WAV) and no longer than 40 seconds. If you have a file that meets these requirements but still does not appear in your ringtone list, try importing it through the Files app instead of directly from Settings.

Setting different ringtones for specific contacts

You can assign a unique ringtone to individual contacts so you know who is calling without looking at your phone. Open the Contacts app, find the person you want to customize, and tap Edit in the top-right corner.

Scroll down and tap Ringtone. You will see the same list of built-in and custom ringtones that appear in Settings. Choose the one you want for that contact and tap Done. When that person calls, their custom ringtone will play instead of your default one.

Troubleshooting ringtone problems

If you set a ringtone but your phone is silent when someone calls, check that your ringer volume is turned up. On the side of your iPhone, use the physical volume buttons to raise the ringer volume. You can also go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and drag the Ringer and Alerts slider to the right.

If your phone is on Silent mode (the mute switch on the side of your iPhone is in the down position), no ringtone will play. Flip the switch up to turn off Silent mode. If you have Do Not Disturb enabled, calls from your contacts will still ring, but calls from others will be silenced — check Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb to see if it is active.

If a custom ringtone you created is not appearing in your ringtone list, make sure you exported it as a ringtone file (not an audio file) and that it is 40 seconds or shorter. Files longer than 40 seconds will not appear in Sounds & Haptics, even if they are in the correct format.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a YouTube video or a song from the internet as a ringtone?

Not directly. You would need to read the audio file to your phone first, trim it to 40 seconds or less, and save it in a supported format (MP3, AAC, or WAV). Once the file is on your phone, you can import it through the Files app or GarageBand. Many websites that offer free downloads include malware, so read only from sources you trust.

Why does my custom ringtone sound quieter than the built-in ones?

Custom ringtones play at whatever volume level they were recorded or exported at. If your file was recorded quietly or compressed, it will sound quieter when it rings. You can re-record or re-export the file at a higher volume using GarageBand or another audio app, or you can raise your ringer volume in Settings > Sounds & Haptics.

Can I set a different ringtone for text messages?

Yes. Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Text Tone and choose from the same list of built-in and custom tones. You can also set a unique text tone for individual contacts by editing their contact card and tapping Text Tone.

What happens to my custom ringtone if I update my iPhone?

Custom ringtones you created in GarageBand or imported through the Files app are stored on your phone and will remain after an update. If you back up your iPhone to iCloud before updating, your ringtones will be restored automatically. If you restore from a backup on a computer, make sure the backup includes your custom ringtones.