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 ringtones. Tap the one you want — you will hear it play — then go back. That's it. Your new ringtone is active when ready.

If you want a ringtone that is not in that list, you have two options: use a ringtone from the iTunes Store, or create one from a song you own. Both take a few extra steps, but neither requires a computer anymore.

Key Takeaways

  • Built-in ringtones are in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone, and you can switch between them in under a minute.
  • You can buy ringtones directly from the iTunes Store through the Sounds & Haptics menu without leaving Settings.
  • To make a ringtone from a song you own, use the Shortcuts app to trim it to 30 seconds or less, then set it as your ringtone.
  • A ringtone you set in Sounds & Haptics applies to all calls; to use different ringtones for different contacts, you set those in the Contacts app instead.

Buying a ringtone from the iTunes Store

If the built-in ringtones do not appeal to you, the iTunes Store sells ringtones for $1.29 each. Open Settings, go to Sounds & Haptics, tap Ringtone, then scroll to the top and tap Store. You will see featured ringtones and a search box.

Search for the song or artist you want, tap the price button next to the ringtone, then tap Buy. You will be asked to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password. Once purchased, the ringtone appears in your ringtone list and is ready to use when ready.

Creating a ringtone from a song you already own

If you own a song in Apple Music or have it in your iTunes library, you can turn it into a ringtone using the Shortcuts app. This works on iPhone 12 and newer. Open the Shortcuts app, tap the + button to create a new shortcut, then tap Add Action.

Search for and add the Ask for [Music] action — this lets you pick a song. Then add the Trim Audio action and set the length to 30 seconds or less (ringtones cannot be longer). Add the Set as Ringtone action, then tap Done. Run the shortcut, pick your song, trim it, and confirm. The ringtone will appear in your Sounds & Haptics list.

This method takes longer than buying a ringtone, but it costs nothing and lets you use any part of any song you own.

Setting different ringtones for specific contacts

The ringtone you set in Sounds & Haptics plays for every incoming call. If you want your best friend's calls to ring differently than your boss's calls, you set that in the Contacts app instead.

Open Contacts, find the person, tap Edit, then scroll down and tap Ringtone. Choose the ringtone you want for that contact only. When they call, that ringtone will play instead of your default one. You can set a different ringtone for as many contacts as you want.

Troubleshooting: your ringtone is not playing

If you changed your ringtone but you are not hearing it, check whether your iPhone is in Silent mode. Look at the left side of your phone — if the mute switch is toggled down (toward the back), your phone is silent and will not ring. Toggle it up to turn the ringer back on.

If the mute switch is up and you still hear nothing, go back to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and check the Ringer and Alerts slider at the top. If it is all the way to the left, drag it to the right to turn the volume up. Some people accidentally lower this slider while adjusting other settings.

If both the mute switch is up and the volume is turned up, restart your iPhone. Hold down the power button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears, swipe it, wait 30 seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on.

Why your ringtone might not work for certain calls

If you have Do Not Disturb enabled, your iPhone will not ring for most calls — it will only ring for contacts you have marked as favorites. Check Settings > Focus (or Do Not Disturb on older iPhones) to see if it is turned on. If it is, either turn it off or add the person calling to your Favorites list.

Also check whether you have set a different ringtone for that specific contact in your Contacts app. If you have, that ringtone will play instead of your default one — so if you set a contact's ringtone to a very quiet sound, you might think the phone is not ringing at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Only if you own the song outright or it is downloaded to your device. Streaming songs from Spotify cannot be turned into ringtones. Songs in Apple Music can be used if you have downloaded them to your library, but the easiest path is to buy the ringtone from the iTunes Store or use a song you own.

What is the longest ringtone can be?

Ringtones cannot be longer than 30 seconds. If you are creating one from a song using Shortcuts, the app will not let you set a duration longer than that. If you buy a ringtone from the iTunes Store, it is already trimmed to the correct length.

Can I delete a ringtone I bought?

You cannot delete ringtones you purchased from the iTunes Store directly from your iPhone. If you no longer want to see it in your ringtone list, you can hide it by going to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone and swiping left on the ringtone, then tapping Remove. You can read it again later if you change your mind.

Why does my ringtone sound different on my iPhone than it did in the preview?

The preview plays through your speaker at full volume, but your actual ringtone volume is controlled by the Ringer and Alerts slider in Sounds & Haptics. If that slider is lower than full volume, the ringtone will sound quieter. Also, if your phone is in a pocket or bag when it rings, the sound will be muffled. Raise the Ringer and Alerts slider to maximum if you want the loudest possible ringtone.