The fastest way: use the Sounds & Haptics menu

Open Settings on your iPhone, then tap Sounds & Haptics (or just Sounds on older models). Scroll down to the Ringtone section and tap it. You'll see a list of built-in ringtones — tap any one to hear a preview, then tap it again to set it as your ringtone. That's the whole process. Your new ringtone takes effect when ready.

The built-in ringtones come with every iPhone and don't cost anything. They range from classic bell sounds to modern digital tones. If you want something different from what Apple includes, you have two other routes: buy a ringtone from the iTunes Store, or create your own using GarageBand.

Key Takeaways

  • Built-in ringtones are in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone, and you can preview and set one in under a minute.
  • You can buy additional ringtones through the iTunes Store if the built-in options don't appeal to you.
  • GarageBand lets you record or edit your own ringtone and save it directly to your phone.
  • Ringtones for individual contacts are set in the Contacts app, not in Settings — tap Edit, then scroll to Ringtone.

Buying a ringtone from iTunes Store

Open the iTunes Store app on your iPhone and search for "ringtones" or a specific artist or song. When you find one you like, tap the price (usually $1.29) and authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password. The ringtone downloads automatically and appears in your Sounds & Haptics menu within seconds.

Once you buy a ringtone, it stays in your account. If you get a new iPhone or restore from backup, your purchased ringtones come back with it. You own them the same way you own a song you buy — you can use them on any device signed into your Apple ID.

Creating your own ringtone with GarageBand

GarageBand is Apple's free music app, and it can turn any recording or song into a ringtone. Open GarageBand, create a new project, and either record yourself or import an audio file. Edit it down to 30 seconds or less (ringtones can't be longer). Then tap the three dots in the top right, select Share, choose Ringtone, name it, and tap Export.

Your custom ringtone appears in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone when ready after export. You can also set it as the ringtone for a specific contact by going to that contact in the Contacts app, tapping Edit, scrolling to Ringtone, and selecting your custom tone from the list.

Setting different ringtones for different people

You don't have to use the same ringtone for every call. Open the Contacts app, find the person you want to customize, and tap Edit. Scroll down to find the Ringtone field and tap it. Choose any ringtone from your list — built-in, purchased, or custom. When that person calls, their unique ringtone plays instead of your default one.

This is useful if you want to know who's calling without looking at your phone. You might set a loud, distinctive tone for your boss or a family member, and a quieter tone for everyone else. The contact-specific ringtone overrides your default setting only for that person.

Why your ringtone might not be changing

If you've set a new ringtone but your phone still plays the old one, check whether Do Not Disturb or Silent mode is on. When Silent mode is active (the mute switch on the side of your phone is down), your iPhone vibrates instead of playing any sound. Turn the switch up to hear your ringtone again.

If Silent mode is off and you still don't hear anything, go back to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and make sure the Ringtone volume slider is turned up. Some people accidentally lower it while adjusting other settings. You can also test your ringtone by tapping it in the Ringtone menu — if you hear nothing there, the volume is too low.

The difference between ringtones and notification sounds

A ringtone plays when someone calls you. A notification sound plays for text messages, emails, reminders, and app alerts. They're controlled separately in Settings. Ringtones are in Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone. Notification sounds are in Sounds & Haptics > Text Tone, Mail, Calendar, and other app-specific sections below.

You can set them to be completely different. For example, your ringtone might be a loud bell, while your text notification is a quiet chime. This lets you know at a glance whether someone is calling you or just sending a message.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a song from my music library as a ringtone?

Not directly — songs in Apple Music or your library are usually longer than 30 seconds and protected by copyright restrictions. The easiest way is to open the song in GarageBand, trim it to 30 seconds or less, and export it as a ringtone. That creates a new file your phone recognizes as a ringtone.

What if I delete a ringtone I bought?

You can re-read it from the iTunes Store for free since you already own it. Go to the iTunes Store, search for the ringtone, and tap the cloud icon instead of a price. It downloads again within seconds.

Do custom ringtones sync across my devices?

Custom ringtones you create in GarageBand stay only on the device where you created them. Purchased ringtones from iTunes sync across all your devices signed into the same Apple ID. If you want a custom ringtone on multiple devices, export it from GarageBand on each one.

Why can't I hear my ringtone when I'm on a call?

Your phone can't ring while you're already talking to someone. When you're on an active call, incoming calls go straight to voicemail. You'll see a notification on your screen that someone tried to reach you, but no ringtone plays.