The simplest way to get a ringtone on your iPhone

You can set a custom ringtone on iPhone in three ways: buy one from the iTunes Store, convert a song you own into a ringtone using GarageBand, or use a ringtone app. The iTunes Store route is fastest if you want a professionally made ringtone right now. Converting your own music takes about five minutes and costs nothing. Ringtone apps let you create one from any audio file on your phone, though they vary in how much control you get.

The key difference from Android is that iPhone doesn't let you drag a file onto your phone and set it as a ringtone the way some other devices do. Instead, you're working within Apple's system, which means the ringtone has to either come from iTunes, be created through GarageBand, or be installed by an app. Once it's there, setting it takes two taps.

Key Takeaways

  • Ringtones bought from iTunes Store appear in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone automatically and cost between $0.99 and $1.29 each.
  • You can create a free ringtone from any song you own by opening it in GarageBand, trimming it to 30 seconds or less, and exporting it as a ringtone.
  • Ringtone apps like Ringtone Maker or Zedge let you create custom ringtones from audio files already on your phone without needing a computer.
  • Once a ringtone is installed, you set it for all calls in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone, or for a specific contact by opening their card and tapping Edit.

Buying ringtones from the iTunes Store

Open the iTunes Store app on your iPhone and tap the Search tab at the bottom. Type "ringtones" and browse the results, or search for a specific song title followed by "ringtone." When you find one you want, tap the price (usually $0.99 to $1.29) and confirm with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password.

The ringtone downloads when ready and appears in your Sounds & Haptics settings. Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone and you'll see it listed at the top, above the built-in options. Tap it once to set it as your default ringtone for all incoming calls. If you want it for only one contact, open that person's card in Contacts, tap Edit, scroll down to Ringtone, and select it there.

Creating a ringtone from your own music using GarageBand

If you own a song — either one you bought or one you've imported into your music library — you can turn it into a ringtone for free using GarageBand, which comes pre-installed on every iPhone. Open GarageBand, tap the plus sign to create a new project, and choose Audio Recorder. Then tap the loop button (the circular arrow icon) in the top left to open the loop library.

Tap Music > Apple Loops and search for your song by name. When you find it, drag it into the timeline. A ringtone must be 30 seconds or shorter, so use your finger to drag the right edge of the audio clip leftward to trim it to the part you want. Once it's the right length, tap the three dots in the top right, select Share, and choose Ringtone. Name it, tap Export, and confirm. The ringtone now appears in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone.

If your song isn't in Apple Loops, you can import it another way: open the song in Apple Music or your Files app, tap Share, select GarageBand, and it will open in a new GarageBand project. Then trim and export the same way.

Using a ringtone app to create custom sounds

Apps like Ringtone Maker, Zedge, and Ringtone Designer let you create ringtones directly on your phone without a computer or GarageBand. read one from the App Store, open it, and select an audio file from your phone's library or record one yourself. Most apps let you trim the audio, adjust volume, and add fade-in or fade-out effects.

Once you've created the ringtone, the app will export it to your phone's ringtone library. You'll then set it the same way: Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone, or for a specific contact in their Contacts card. Read the app's description before downloading to see whether it offers a free version or requires payment, and check the reviews for whether users found it straightforward to use.

Setting a ringtone for a specific contact

If you want different people to have different ringtones, open the Contacts app and find the person's name. Tap Edit in the top right, scroll down to Ringtone, and tap it. You'll see all available ringtones — both built-in ones and any you've bought or created. Select the one you want for that contact and tap Done.

Now when that person calls, your phone will play their custom ringtone instead of your default one. This works for any contact, and you can set different ringtones for as many people as you want. If you later change your default ringtone in Settings, it won't affect the custom ones you've assigned to individual contacts.

Troubleshooting ringtones that don't appear or won't play

If a ringtone you bought or created doesn't show up in your Ringtone list, restart your iPhone by holding down the power button and sliding to power off, then turning it back on. Sometimes the list doesn't refresh when ready after a purchase or export.

If a ringtone appears but doesn't play when someone calls, check that your phone isn't in Silent mode — look for the mute switch on the left side of the phone. If it's in the down position (showing red), flip it up. Also go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and make sure the Ringtone volume slider is turned up. If you've set a custom ringtone for a specific contact but the default ringtone plays instead, open that contact's card again, tap Edit, and confirm the custom ringtone is still selected.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Not directly — streaming services don't let you export their songs. But you can record the song playing through your speaker using Voice Memos, then use a ringtone app to trim it and set it as a ringtone. The quality will be lower than a purchased song, but it works.

Why does my ringtone only work for some contacts?

You may have set a custom ringtone for certain contacts but not changed your default. Check Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone to see what's set as the default for everyone else. If you want the same ringtone for all calls, set it there instead of on individual contacts.

Do I have to buy ringtones, or can I make them all for free?

You can make them all for free using GarageBand or a ringtone app, as long as you own the audio file or can record it yourself. Buying from iTunes Store is optional and only necessary if you want a professionally produced ringtone you don't already have.

What's the maximum length for an iPhone ringtone?

iPhone ringtones must be 30 seconds or shorter. If you're creating one from a longer song, trim it in GarageBand or your ringtone app before exporting. Most people use 10 to 20 seconds so the ringtone doesn't feel too long.

Can I delete a ringtone I bought?

You can't delete individual ringtones from the iTunes Store, but you can stop using them by switching to a different ringtone in Settings. If you want to remove it from your phone entirely, you'd need to restore your iPhone from a backup that didn't include it, which isn't practical for a single ringtone.