Where to find the ringtone settings on your iPhone

Open the Settings app on your home screen, then tap Sounds & Haptics (on newer iPhones) or Sounds (on older models). You'll see a section labeled Ringtone near the top of the screen. Tap it to see all available tones.

The ringtone you choose here is what plays when someone calls your iPhone. This is different from notification sounds for texts or emails, which you can customize separately in the same menu.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to Settings, then Sounds & Haptics, then tap Ringtone to see your options.
  • Tap any tone to hear a preview before you select it — the checkmark shows your current choice.
  • You can buy additional ringtones from the iTunes Store without leaving Settings.
  • If you want a custom ringtone, you'll need to create it in GarageBand or another app, then sync it through a computer or use a third-party service.
  • Vibration patterns are separate from ringtones and can be set in the same Sounds & Haptics menu.

How to preview and select a ringtone

Scroll through the list of ringtones in the Ringtone menu. Each one has a name like "Alarm," "Beacon," or "Bells." Tap any tone to hear it play — the preview lasts a few seconds so you can decide if you like it.

Once you've found one you want, tap it again to confirm your choice. A checkmark appears next to the selected ringtone. Your iPhone will now use that tone for all incoming calls unless you've set a custom ringtone for a specific contact.

Buying additional ringtones from Apple

If the built-in tones don't appeal to you, you can purchase more directly from your iPhone. In the Ringtone menu, scroll to the bottom and tap Tone Store. This takes you to the iTunes Store ringtone section, where you can browse, preview, and buy individual tones for 99 cents each.

When you buy a ringtone, it downloads automatically to your phone and appears in your Ringtone list. You can then set it as your default ringtone or assign it to a specific contact. Purchased tones stay on your iPhone even if you update your software.

Setting a custom ringtone for one contact

Open the Contacts app and find the person you want to customize. Tap Edit in the top right corner, then scroll down and tap Ringtone. You'll see the same list of available tones. Select the one you want for this contact only.

When that person calls, your iPhone will play their custom ringtone instead of your default one. This is useful if you want to recognize certain callers by sound without looking at your phone. You can set different tones for as many contacts as you want.

Creating a custom ringtone using GarageBand

If you want to use a song or sound you've created yourself, you'll need to make a ringtone file. The easiest way on an iPhone is to use the GarageBand app, which is free from the App Store. Open GarageBand, create or record a short audio clip (ringtones work best between 15 and 40 seconds), then tap the three dots in the top left corner.

Select Share, then choose Ringtone. Name your ringtone and tap Share again. GarageBand will save it to your Sounds & Haptics settings automatically. You can then set it as your default ringtone or assign it to a specific contact just like any other tone.

Using a song from your music library as a ringtone

You cannot directly convert a full song from Apple Music or your library into a ringtone on your iPhone alone — songs are too long and the file format doesn't work. However, you can use a computer to trim a song and convert it. On a Mac with GarageBand, import the song, cut it to 15 to 40 seconds, export it as an M4R file, then sync it back to your iPhone through Finder.

Alternatively, several third-party apps in the App Store let you trim songs and create ringtones without a computer. Search for "ringtone maker" to see current options. These apps typically let you select a portion of a song, save it as a ringtone, and add it to your Sounds & Haptics menu.

Troubleshooting ringtone problems

If you've changed your ringtone but your iPhone still plays the old one, restart your phone. Press and hold the power button and volume down button together until the power-off slider appears, then slide it to turn off your iPhone. Wait a few seconds, then press and hold the power button again until the Apple logo appears.

If a ringtone you bought from the Tone Store won't appear in your list, check that you're signed in to the same Apple ID you used to buy it. Go to Settings, tap your name at the top, and confirm your Apple ID. If you're using a different ID, you may need to purchase the tone again or switch accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a YouTube video or a song from Spotify as my ringtone?

Not directly on your iPhone. Spotify and YouTube songs are protected by copyright and can't be converted to ringtone files. You can only use songs from your personal music library, songs you've purchased from iTunes, or audio you've created yourself in GarageBand or a similar app.

Why does my ringtone not play when I'm on silent mode?

Silent mode mutes all sounds including ringtones. Check the physical mute switch on the left side of your iPhone — if it's toggled toward the back, your phone is in silent mode. Flip it toward the front to turn off silent mode and hear your ringtone again. Vibration will still work in silent mode.

Can I have different ringtones for different contact groups?

You can set a custom ringtone for individual contacts, but not for entire groups at once. You'll need to edit each contact separately in the Contacts app and assign a ringtone to each one. If you have many contacts to customize, this takes time, but it's the only way to organize by ringtone on iPhone.

What's the difference between a ringtone and a notification sound?

A ringtone plays when someone calls your iPhone. A notification sound plays for texts, emails, reminders, and other alerts. You can set them separately in Sounds & Haptics — ringtones are at the top, and notification sounds are further down the menu under each app type.

If I delete a ringtone I bought, can I get it back without paying again?

Yes. Go to the Tone Store in your Ringtone menu, find the tone you bought, and tap the cloud icon with a down arrow to re-read it. As long as you're signed in to the same Apple ID, you won't be charged again.