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 phone will play a preview of each ringtone when you tap it, so you'll hear what you're choosing before it's set.

If you want to use a song from your music library instead of Apple's built-in ringtones, the process is longer and requires a computer or a third-party app, which we cover below. But for most people, the built-in sounds are enough.

Key Takeaways

  • Built-in ringtones are changed through Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone, and the change takes effect when ready.
  • You can set different ringtones for different contacts by opening their contact card, tapping Edit, and choosing a custom ringtone before you save.
  • Using a personal song as your ringtone requires either a computer with iTunes or GarageBand, or a third-party app like Ringtone Maker.
  • Your ringtone won't play if your phone is in Silent mode — check the physical mute switch on the left side of your iPhone.

Setting a ringtone for a specific contact

If you want one person's call to use a different ringtone than everyone else, you can assign a custom sound to their contact. Open the Contacts app, find the person, and tap Edit in the top right corner.

Scroll down and tap Ringtone, then choose the sound you want. Tap Done to save. Now when that person calls, your iPhone will play only that ringtone instead of your default one. This works the same way for text message alerts — look for the Text Tone option in the same menu.

Using your own music as a ringtone

Apple's built-in ringtones cover most needs, but if you want to use a song you own, you'll need to convert it first. Ringtones on iPhone must be in a specific format and no longer than 40 seconds, so you can't just pick a full song from your library.

The easiest method on an iPhone itself is to use a third-party app like Ringtone Maker (available in the App Store). You upload a song, trim it to the part you want, and the app converts it to a ringtone and saves it to your phone. From there, you can set it as your default ringtone or assign it to a specific contact the same way you would a built-in sound.

If you have a Mac or Windows computer, you can also use iTunes or GarageBand to create a ringtone, then sync it to your iPhone through a cable connection. This method takes longer but gives you more control over the exact sound you're creating.

Why your ringtone might not be playing

The most common reason your ringtone doesn't play is that your iPhone is in Silent mode. Look at the left edge of your phone — there's a physical switch above the volume buttons. If it's flipped toward the back of the phone, your iPhone is silent and won't ring for calls or texts, even if you've set a ringtone.

If the switch is in the correct position and you still don't hear anything, check that your volume is turned up. Press the volume up button on the side of your phone, or go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and drag the Ringtone and Alerts slider to the right. You should see a preview play when you adjust it.

If you've set a custom ringtone for a specific contact and it's not working, open that contact, tap Edit, and make sure the ringtone is actually saved. Sometimes the selection doesn't stick if you don't tap Done.

Ringtones versus notification sounds

Your iPhone has separate settings for ringtones (the sound when someone calls you) and text tones (the sound for incoming messages). They're controlled in the same Settings menu but are independent — you can have a loud ringtone and a quiet text tone, or vice versa.

You can also set different text tones for different contacts the same way you set custom ringtones. This is useful if you want to know when ready when a specific person texts you without having to look at your phone.

Downloading new ringtones from the App Store

If you want more options beyond Apple's built-in sounds, the App Store has apps that offer additional ringtones. Some are free, others cost a few dollars. Apps like Zedge and Ringtone Maker let you browse thousands of sounds, preview them, and add them to your phone.

Once you read a ringtone through one of these apps, it usually appears in your Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone menu automatically. You can then set it as your default or assign it to a contact just like the built-in options.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Not directly — songs from Apple Music are protected and can't be converted to ringtones. You can only use songs you own or have downloaded. If you want to use a specific song, you'll need to own a copy of it first, then use an app or computer to trim and convert it.

Will my custom ringtone stay if I update my iPhone?

Built-in ringtones and custom ringtones you've created through apps will stay after an update. If you've synced ringtones through a computer, they'll remain as long as you don't erase your phone during the update process.

Why does my ringtone sound different on my phone than in the preview?

The preview plays through your phone's speaker, but the actual ringtone uses your phone's ringer speaker, which is located at the bottom of the device. The two speakers have different sound qualities, so the ringtone may sound slightly different during an actual call.

Can I set a different ringtone for FaceTime calls?

FaceTime calls use the same ringtone as regular calls — you can't set a separate sound for them. However, you can assign a custom ringtone to a contact, and that sound will play for both their regular calls and FaceTime calls.