How to Set Any Song as Your iPhone Ringtone: A Comprehensive Guide
Setting a custom ringtone on your iPhone using your favorite song can personalize your device and make it stand out. While Apple’s default options are decent, nothing beats hearing your preferred tune whenever you receive a call. Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t make this process straightforward. This guide will walk you through the necessary steps to create custom ringtones from your music library and set them as your iPhone’s ringtone. This comprehensive guide covers several methods, from using iTunes (or Finder on newer macOS versions) to utilizing GarageBand on your iPhone and even third-party apps.
## Understanding the Limitations
Before we dive into the process, it’s crucial to understand the limitations. Custom ringtones on iPhone must be in the M4R format (MPEG 4 Audio) and must be 40 seconds or less. Any audio longer than 40 seconds will be truncated. While this might seem restrictive, it ensures the ringtone doesn’t play for an extended period, draining your battery or becoming repetitive. You can select a snippet of your favorite song to fit within this limit.
## Method 1: Using iTunes (or Finder) on Your Computer
This method has been a staple for iPhone users for years, and it’s still relevant. However, the process slightly differs depending on your operating system. If you’re using macOS Catalina or later, iTunes has been replaced by Finder for device management.
### For Windows Users (iTunes)
1. **Install iTunes:** If you don’t have it already, download and install the latest version of iTunes from the Apple website.
2. **Add the Song to Your iTunes Library:** Open iTunes and go to `File > Add File to Library` or `File > Add Folder to Library`. Locate the song you want to use as a ringtone and add it to your iTunes library. The song must be DRM-free (Digital Rights Management). Protected songs purchased from Apple Music subscriptions cannot be used directly as ringtones without circumventing the DRM, which is generally against the terms of service. Instead, consider purchasing the song outright from the iTunes Store or using a song from a different source.
3. **Determine the Start and Stop Times:** Listen to the song and note the exact start and stop times (in seconds) for the section you want to use as your ringtone. Remember the 40-second limit. The goal is to identify a compelling 40-second (or less) snippet of the song.
4. **Create an AAC Version (Trim the Song):**
* Right-click on the song in your iTunes library.
* Select `Get Info`.
* Go to the `Options` tab.
* Check the `Start` and `Stop` boxes.
* Enter the start and stop times you noted earlier.
* Click `OK`.
* Right-click on the song again and select `Create AAC Version`. iTunes will create a new, shorter version of the song based on the start and stop times you specified.
5. **Locate the AAC File:**
* Right-click on the newly created AAC version of the song.
* Select `Show in Windows Explorer`. This will open the folder where the AAC file is located.
6. **Change the File Extension:**
* The file will have the extension `.m4a`. You need to change it to `.m4r`. If you can’t see the file extension, you may need to enable it in Windows Explorer. Go to `View > Options > View` and uncheck `Hide extensions for known file types`.
* Rename the file, changing the extension from `.m4a` to `.m4r`. A warning message will appear; click `Yes` to confirm.
7. **Add the Ringtone to iTunes (if it disappears):** Sometimes, iTunes might not automatically recognize the `.m4r` file. If it disappears from your iTunes library after renaming, drag and drop the `.m4r` file back into the iTunes window.
8. **Sync with Your iPhone:**
* Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
* Select your iPhone in iTunes.
* Go to `Tones` (if you don’t see Tones, make sure you have a ringtone file). If you still do not see tones after that make sure that you are not using apple music/icloud music library. If you are, disconnect these options, and try again.
* If you see Tones drag and drop the ringtone file on the iphone picture and it should sync. If you do not see this you must sync your entire itunes music library to your phone for the tones folder to appear
* Select `Sync`. iTunes will sync the ringtone to your iPhone.
9. **Set the Ringtone on Your iPhone:**
* On your iPhone, go to `Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone`.
* Your custom ringtone should now appear at the top of the list under `Custom`.
* Select your ringtone to set it as your default ringtone.
### For macOS Users (Finder)
Since macOS Catalina, iTunes has been replaced by separate apps like Music and Finder. Finder handles device management.
1. **Add the Song to Your Music Library:** Open the Music app and add the song you want to use as a ringtone to your library (if it’s not already there) via `File > Add to Library`.
2. **Determine the Start and Stop Times:** As with iTunes, listen to the song and note the exact start and stop times (in seconds) for your desired ringtone snippet.
3. **Create an AAC Version (Trim the Song):**
* Right-click on the song in your Music library.
* Select `Get Info`.
* Go to the `Options` tab.
* Check the `Start` and `Stop` boxes.
* Enter the start and stop times you noted earlier.
* Click `OK`.
* Right-click on the song again and select `Create AAC Version`. The Music app will create a shorter version of the song.
4. **Locate the AAC File:**
* Right-click on the newly created AAC version of the song.
* Select `Show in Finder`. This will open the folder where the AAC file is located.
5. **Change the File Extension:**
* The file will have the extension `.m4a`. You need to change it to `.m4r`. If you can’t see the file extension, make sure Finder is set to show all file extensions. (Finder > Preferences > Advanced > Show all filename extensions).
* Rename the file, changing the extension from `.m4a` to `.m4r`. A warning message will appear; click `Use .m4r` to confirm.
6. **Sync with Your iPhone:**
* Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
* Open Finder.
* Select your iPhone in the Finder sidebar (under `Locations`).
* Click on the `General` tab.
* Drag and drop the `.m4r` file from Finder directly onto the Finder window displaying your iPhone’s information (specifically, drop it near the summary information like serial number and software version).
*Note: If this is your first time syncing tones this way, you may have to drag a second time for it to be recognized.*
7. **Set the Ringtone on Your iPhone:**
* On your iPhone, go to `Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone`.
* Your custom ringtone should now appear at the top of the list under `Custom`.
* Select your ringtone to set it as your default ringtone.
## Method 2: Using GarageBand on Your iPhone (or iPad)
GarageBand is a powerful music creation app available for free on iOS. It offers a more streamlined way to create ringtones directly on your iPhone or iPad.
1. **Install GarageBand:** If you don’t have it, download GarageBand from the App Store.
2. **Import the Song into GarageBand:**
* Open GarageBand.
* Swipe to the `Audio Recorder` instrument (it looks like a microphone) and tap `Voice`.
* Tap the `View` button (it looks like small bricks in a row) to switch to the track view.
* Tap the `Loop Browser` button (it looks like a loop) in the upper right corner.
* Go to the `Files` tab.
* Tap `Browse items from the Files app`.
* Locate the song you want to use. It must be stored locally on your device. Songs from streaming services (like Apple Music or Spotify) that are only available offline within the app cannot be used directly.
* Tap the song to import it into GarageBand. It will appear as an audio region in the track view.
3. **Trim the Song (Edit in GarageBand):**
* Tap on the audio region to select it.
* Drag the left or right edges of the region to trim it to your desired length (40 seconds or less). You can zoom in on the waveform for more precise editing.
* You can also move the entire region left or right to select a different section of the song.
4. **Share as Ringtone:**
* Tap the `Done` button in the upper left corner.
* Tap the `Share` button (it looks like a square with an arrow pointing upwards).
* Select `Ringtone`.
* GarageBand will automatically check if the ringtone is within the 40-second limit. If it’s too long, you’ll be prompted to edit it further.
* Enter a name for your ringtone.
* Tap `Export`.
5. **Set the Ringtone on Your iPhone:**
* After exporting, you’ll be presented with the option to `Use sound as…`
* Choose `Standard Ringtone` (or `Standard Text Tone` or `Assign to Contact`).
* Alternatively, you can go to `Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone` and select your new ringtone from the list.
## Method 3: Using Third-Party Apps
Several third-party apps on the App Store can simplify the ringtone creation process. These apps often provide features like audio editing, ringtone length adjustment, and direct transfer to your iPhone’s ringtone settings. However, be cautious when choosing these apps. Always read reviews and check their privacy policies before granting them access to your music library.
Examples of such apps include (but are not limited to):
* **Ringtone Maker:** A popular app offering a user-friendly interface for creating ringtones from your music library.
* **Garage Ringtones:** Apps that specifically leverage GarageBand capabilities to generate ringtones.
* **Various generic “Ringtone Maker” apps:** Be vigilant about app permissions and reviews before using less established applications.
The general steps using a third-party app are usually:
1. **Download and Install the App:** Choose an app from the App Store, and carefully review its permissions and ratings.
2. **Import the Song:** The app will typically ask you to grant it access to your music library. Select the song you want to use.
3. **Edit the Song:** Use the app’s built-in tools to trim the song to the desired length (40 seconds or less) and select the section you want to use.
4. **Transfer to Ringtone Settings:** The app will usually have a button or option to “Set as Ringtone” or “Transfer to iPhone.” This might involve a few steps, such as connecting your iPhone to your computer and using iTunes (or Finder) to sync the ringtone. Some apps might use cloud services to transfer the file.
5. **Set the Ringtone on Your iPhone:** Go to `Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone` and select your new ringtone.
## Troubleshooting Common Issues
* **Ringtone Not Appearing in Settings:**
* **Ensure the file is in M4R format:** Double-check the file extension.
* **Check the file size:** Make sure the ringtone is not larger than 40 seconds. Sometimes even a split second over causes issues.
* **Sync Properly:** Ensure the ringtone was correctly synced using iTunes (or Finder). Try syncing again.
* **Restart Your iPhone:** A simple restart can sometimes resolve syncing issues.
* **Check iCloud Music Library/Apple Music:** As mentioned earlier, if you are using these services, disconnect them from your iPhone and try again.
* **Cannot Change File Extension on Windows:**
* **Enable File Extensions:** In Windows Explorer, go to `View > Options > View` and uncheck `Hide extensions for known file types`.
* **iTunes Not Recognizing iPhone:**
* **Check USB Connection:** Ensure the USB cable is properly connected to both your computer and iPhone. Try a different USB port.
* **Trust This Computer:** When you connect your iPhone to your computer for the first time, you’ll be prompted to “Trust This Computer.” Make sure you tap “Trust” on your iPhone.
* **Update iTunes:** Ensure you have the latest version of iTunes installed.
* **GarageBand Not Importing Song:**
* **Song Must Be Local:** GarageBand can only import songs stored locally on your device, not streamed songs from Apple Music or Spotify (unless downloaded for offline listening *within the streaming app itself,* which is typically protected and unusable). Download the song to your device through other means and try again.
* **File Format Compatibility:** GarageBand supports various audio formats, but some formats might not be compatible. Try converting the song to MP3 or AAC format before importing.
* **Ringtone is too Quiet:**
* **Increase Volume in GarageBand or Audio Editor:** Before exporting, increase the volume level of the song within the editor you are using. Some apps have a normalizer to help make the tone loud without clipping the audio.
* **Check iPhone Volume Settings:** Ensure your iPhone’s ringtone volume is turned up.
## Tips for Creating the Perfect Ringtone
* **Choose a Catchy Section:** Select a part of the song that is instantly recognizable and enjoyable to hear repeatedly.
* **Consider the Length:** 40 seconds might seem short, so choose a section that doesn’t feel abruptly cut off.
* **Experiment with Fades:** Use audio editing tools to create a fade-in and fade-out effect at the beginning and end of your ringtone to avoid jarring transitions.
* **Test Before You Commit:** After creating the ringtone, test it out by calling your iPhone from another phone to ensure it sounds the way you want it to.
* **Organize Your Ringtones:** Give your ringtones descriptive names so you can easily find them in your settings.
* **Assign to Contacts:** Use the “Assign to Contact” feature to set unique ringtones for your most important contacts. This allows you to identify who is calling without even looking at your phone.
## Conclusion
Setting a custom ringtone on your iPhone may require a few steps, but the personalization it provides is well worth the effort. Whether you prefer using iTunes (or Finder), GarageBand, or a third-party app, this guide has equipped you with the knowledge to create the perfect ringtone from your favorite song. Remember to respect copyright laws and avoid using copyrighted material without permission. Now go ahead and personalize your iPhone with a ringtone that reflects your unique style and taste!