You can use any song in your iTunes library as your iPhone ringtone, but the song must be shorter than 40 seconds and converted to a specific format first

iPhones do not let you pick a song directly from your music library and set it as a ringtone the way you might on Android. Instead, you need to create a ringtone file — a short audio clip in M4R format — using a computer, then move it to your phone. The process takes about five minutes once you understand the steps.

The reason for this limitation is technical: Apple controls which files can play as ringtones to prevent conflicts with how the phone handles audio. But the workaround is straightforward, and you only do it once per song.

Key Takeaways

  • Ringtones must be 40 seconds or shorter, so you will need to trim your song to a specific section first.
  • You create the ringtone file on a computer using iTunes or Finder, not on the iPhone itself.
  • The file format must be M4R, which is iTunes' ringtone format — MP3 or WAV files will not work.
  • Once the M4R file is on your phone, you go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone and select it from the list.
  • You can use any song you own or have downloaded; streaming-only songs from Apple Music cannot be converted.

Trim your song to 40 seconds or less on your computer

Open iTunes (on Mac or Windows) or Finder (on Mac only, if you are on macOS Catalina or newer). Locate the song you want to use. Right-click the song and select Get Info (iTunes) or Song Info (Finder). Click the Options tab.

You will see two fields: Start Time and Stop Time. By default, both are blank. Set the Start Time to where you want the ringtone to begin — for example, 0:15 if you want to skip the intro. Set the Stop Time to 40 seconds or less from the start point. If you set Start Time to 0:15 and Stop Time to 0:55, your ringtone will be exactly 40 seconds long. Click OK.

This does not cut the original song file — it only tells iTunes which section to use when you export the ringtone. Your full song stays intact in your library.

Convert the trimmed song to M4R format

Right-click the song again and select Convert, then Convert to AAC (or Convert to M4A on newer versions). iTunes will create a new file with the trimmed length. You will now see two versions of the song in your library — the original and the shorter converted copy.

Find the converted file in your computer's file system. On Windows, go to Music > iTunes > iTunes Media > Music and locate the song folder. On Mac, open Finder, click Music in the sidebar, then iTunes > iTunes Media > Music. Right-click the converted file and select Rename. Change the file extension from .m4a to .m4r. Your computer will ask if you are sure — click Change or Yes.

The file is now in ringtone format. You can delete the converted copy from iTunes if you want — you only need the M4R file itself.

Move the M4R file to your iPhone using a computer

Connect your iPhone to your computer with a USB cable. On Mac, open Finder. On Windows, open iTunes. You should see your iPhone appear in the sidebar or at the top of the window.

Click your iPhone, then click the Files tab (Finder on Mac) or File Sharing (iTunes on Windows). Look for an app called Stocks in the list — this is a built-in Apple app that stores ringtones. Click Stocks, then click Add or the plus icon. Navigate to your M4R file on your computer and select it. Click Open or Add. The file will transfer to your phone.

If you do not see Stocks in the list, scroll down — it may be below the visible area. If Stocks does not appear at all, try unplugging and reconnecting your iPhone, or restart both devices.

Set the ringtone in your iPhone settings

Disconnect your iPhone from the computer. On your phone, open Settings and tap Sounds & Haptics (or Sounds on older iPhones). Tap Ringtone. Scroll to the bottom of the list — your new M4R file should appear there with the song title. Tap it to select it and hear a preview.

The ringtone is now active. You will hear this song the next time someone calls you.

Use GarageBand if you do not have iTunes or Finder access

If you are on a Mac and do not want to use Finder, or if you are on Windows and do not have iTunes installed, you can use GarageBand (Mac only) or a free online converter tool. Open GarageBand, create a new project, and import your song. Use the timeline to mark the section you want — trim everything outside that section. Export the file as Ringtone from the Share menu. GarageBand will automatically save it in M4R format and add it to your phone if it is connected.

For Windows users without iTunes, websites like Online-Convert or CloudConvert can convert an MP3 to M4R, but you will still need to move the file to your phone using iTunes or a third-party tool like iMazing. These tools are free but require you to read and install software.

Delete the converted copy from iTunes after you are done

Once your ringtone is on your phone and working, go back to iTunes or Finder on your computer. Find the converted M4A file (the one you renamed to M4R) and delete it from your library. Right-click it and select Delete or Remove. You can keep the original song file — only the temporary converted copy needs to go.

If you ever want to change the ringtone, you do not need to repeat all these steps. You can straightforward select a different ringtone from the list in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone. The M4R files you have already created stay on your phone and are ready to use.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Apple Music songs are protected by digital rights management and cannot be converted to ringtone format. You can only use songs you own, have purchased, or have downloaded as files. If you want to use an Apple Music song, you would need to read it separately as an MP3 or WAV file from another source first.

What if the ringtone does not show up in my Settings after I transfer it?

Disconnect your iPhone, wait 30 seconds, and reconnect it. Try the transfer again, making sure you selected the Stocks app and not a different app. If it still does not appear, restart your iPhone. If the file is still missing, the M4R conversion may have failed — go back to your computer and repeat the conversion step, making sure you changed the file extension from M4A to M4R.

Can I set different ringtones for different contacts?

Yes. Open the Contacts app, select a contact, tap Edit, and tap Ringtone. You will see the same list of ringtones, including your custom M4R files. Select one for that contact only. Other callers will use your default ringtone.

Why is my ringtone cutting off or sounding distorted?

This usually means the song section you trimmed is too loud or has a sudden change in volume. Try selecting a different 40-second section of the song that has more consistent volume. You can also use the Start Time and Stop Time fields to adjust the exact boundaries until the preview sounds clean.

Do I need to keep my computer connected to use the ringtone?

No. Once the M4R file is on your phone, it stays there permanently. You can disconnect your computer and the ringtone will continue to work. You only need the computer if you want to create additional ringtones or transfer them to another iPhone.