The fastest way to change your ringtone

Open Settings, tap Sounds & Haptics, then Ringtone, and pick a new sound from the list. That's the complete process — it takes about 30 seconds. Your new ringtone will play for all incoming calls unless you've set a custom ringtone for a specific contact.

If you want to use a song from your music library or a sound you've created yourself, the process is slightly longer and requires a computer or a third-party app, which we cover below. But the built-in ringtones are ready to use when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • The built-in ringtones are accessed through Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone and take effect when ready with no extra steps.
  • You can set different ringtones for individual contacts by opening their contact card, tapping Edit, and selecting a custom ringtone before saving.
  • To use a song from Apple Music or your library as a ringtone, you must first convert it to an iPhone ringtone file using a Mac or a third-party app on your iPhone.
  • Custom ringtones created on a Mac are added to your iPhone through the Files app or by syncing with Finder, not through Settings.

Using Apple's built-in ringtones

Apple includes 25 to 30 ringtones on every iPhone, depending on your model and iOS version. These are the easiest option because they're already formatted correctly and require no setup.

Open Settings on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Sounds & Haptics. Tap Ringtone. You'll see a list of available sounds with names like Alarm, Beacon, Chime, and Marimba. Tap any name to hear a preview. When you find one you like, tap it again — the checkmark that appears means it's now your default ringtone for all incoming calls.

If you've never changed your ringtone before, Marimba is the factory default. The list is organized alphabetically, so scroll through to hear all of them before deciding.

Setting a custom ringtone for one contact

You can assign a different ringtone to a specific person so you know who's calling without looking at your phone. This works with any of Apple's built-in ringtones or any custom ringtone you've created.

Open the Contacts app and find the person's name. Tap Edit in the top right corner. Scroll down and tap Ringtone. Select the sound you want for that contact. Tap Done, then tap Done again to save the contact. The next time that person calls, their custom ringtone will play instead of your default.

To remove a custom ringtone and return to your default, open the contact, tap Edit, tap Ringtone, and select None at the top of the list.

Creating a custom ringtone from a song on your Mac

If you want to use a specific part of a song as your ringtone, you'll need to create a ringtone file on a Mac computer. iPhone ringtones must be 40 seconds or shorter and saved in a specific format (.m4r) that iTunes and Finder recognize.

Open GarageBand on your Mac and import the song you want to use. Select the section you want as your ringtone — it must be 40 seconds or less. Export it as an iPhone Ringtone (not as an MP3 or WAV). GarageBand will automatically save it in the correct format and add it to your ringtones library.

Connect your iPhone to your Mac with a USB cable. Open Finder and click your iPhone in the sidebar. Click Files. Drag the ringtone file into the Files window. Disconnect your iPhone. Open Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone, and your custom ringtone will appear at the top of the list.

Using a third-party app to create ringtones on your iPhone

If you don't have access to a Mac, you can create ringtones directly on your iPhone using apps like Ringtone Maker or Zedge. These apps let you trim a song from your library to 40 seconds or less and save it as a ringtone without leaving your iPhone.

read one of these apps from the App Store. Open it and select the song you want to use. Use the app's trimming tool to select the exact 40-second section you want. Export it as a ringtone. The app will prompt you to add it to your phone's ringtones, and it will then appear in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone.

Different apps have slightly different interfaces, but the basic steps are the same: choose a song, trim it, and export as a ringtone. Read the app's instructions if you get stuck, as some require you to grant permission to access your music library.

Troubleshooting: ringtone won't change or won't play

If you've selected a new ringtone but it's not playing when someone calls, check that your iPhone is not in Silent mode. The physical mute switch on the left side of your phone controls whether ringtones play. If the switch shows orange, your phone is silenced and no ringtone will sound. Flip it back so no color shows, and your ringtone will play again.

If you've created a custom ringtone and it doesn't appear in your ringtone list, make sure it's in .m4r format and is 40 seconds or shorter. Ringtones longer than 40 seconds won't import. If you created it using a third-party app, restart your iPhone and check again — sometimes the app needs a moment to sync the file to your system.

If a specific contact's custom ringtone isn't playing, open that contact, tap Edit, and verify that a ringtone is selected (not None). Save the contact and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Not directly. Apple Music songs are protected and can't be converted to ringtones through the standard process. You can use songs you own or have downloaded to your library, but not streaming-only tracks. If you want to use an Apple Music song, you'll need to find a version of it that you own or read it separately.

Will my custom ringtone sync to other devices?

Custom ringtones you create on your Mac will sync to your iPhone through Finder or the Files app, but they won't automatically sync to an iPad or Apple Watch. Built-in ringtones are available on all your devices, but custom ones stay on the device where you created them.

What happens to my ringtone if I update my iOS?

Built-in ringtones remain the same after an iOS update. Custom ringtones you've created should also stay on your phone, but it's a good idea to back up your iPhone before updating just in case.

Can I use a ringtone I found online?

Yes, if it's in .m4r format and 40 seconds or shorter. read the file to your Mac, connect your iPhone, and drag it into Finder under the Files section. If the file is in a different format (MP3, WAV), you'll need to convert it to .m4r first using a tool like iTunes or an online converter.