The simplest way: use a song you already own

You can turn any song in your iTunes library into a ringtone, but only if you own it outright — not if you're streaming it from Apple Music or Spotify. The song also has to be 40 seconds or shorter for a ringtone, though you can trim it down if it's longer.

The fastest route is through the Shortcuts app, which comes built into every iPhone. You pick the song, set the start and end points, and save it as a ringtone in about two minutes. This works on iPhone 12 and newer. If you have an older model, you'll need to use a computer and iTunes instead.

Key Takeaways

  • The Shortcuts app on your iPhone can convert any song under 40 seconds into a ringtone without a computer.
  • You must own the song outright — streaming services like Apple Music and Spotify won't work.
  • If your song is longer than 40 seconds, you trim it to your chosen section before saving it as a ringtone.
  • Once saved, the ringtone appears in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone and can be assigned to specific contacts.

Using Shortcuts to create a ringtone on your iPhone

Open the Shortcuts app (the blue icon with white lines). Tap the plus sign in the top right to create a new shortcut. Search for "Ask for" and select "Ask for Music" — this lets you pick which song to use. Then search for "Set" and add "Set Ringtone" to your shortcut.

When you run this shortcut, it will ask you to pick a song from your library. After you choose one, a trimming screen appears where you can drag the start and end handles to select just the part you want. The total length must be 40 seconds or less. Tap "Add" and the ringtone saves automatically.

The ringtone now appears in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone, where you can set it as your default or assign it to individual contacts by opening their contact card, tapping Edit, and choosing Ringtone.

If you have an older iPhone or prefer using a computer

On iPhone 11 and earlier, the Shortcuts method doesn't work. Instead, you'll need a Mac or Windows computer with iTunes or Finder. On a Mac, open Finder and locate the song file. On Windows, open iTunes. Right-click the song and select "Get Info" (Mac) or "Song Info" (Windows).

Go to the Options tab and set the start and stop times — the total duration must be 40 seconds or less. Click OK. Right-click the song again and select "Create AAC Version" (Mac) or "Convert to AAC" (Windows). A new, shorter version appears in your library.

Right-click this new version and select "Show in Finder" (Mac) or "Show in Windows Explorer" (Windows). The file will have an .m4a extension. Rename it to .m4r — this is the iPhone ringtone format. Then drag it into iTunes under Tones, or connect your iPhone and drag it into the Tones section of your phone's settings. The ringtone syncs the next time you connect.

Why streaming songs won't work as ringtones

Apple Music and Spotify songs are protected by digital rights management, or DRM. This means you're licensed to listen to them, but you don't own the files themselves. Apple's ringtone system only accepts songs you own because the ringtone file lives permanently on your phone, not in a streaming app.

If you want to use a song from Apple Music as a ringtone, you have to buy it first. Open Apple Music, find the song, tap the three dots, and select "Buy." It costs $1.29 and downloads to your library as an owned file. After that, you can follow the Shortcuts method or the computer method above.

Assigning ringtones to specific contacts

Once your ringtone is saved, you can set different ringtones for different people. Open the Contacts app, find the person, and tap Edit. Scroll down and tap Ringtone, then choose your custom ringtone from the list. When that person calls, your phone will play their assigned ringtone instead of your default.

This is useful if you want to know who's calling without looking at your phone — for example, a loud, distinctive ringtone for family and a quieter one for work calls. You can assign the same custom ringtone to multiple contacts, or give each person their own.

Troubleshooting ringtones that don't appear or play

If your custom ringtone doesn't show up in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone, the file may not have converted properly. Try creating it again using the Shortcuts method, making sure the song is under 40 seconds and that you own it (not streaming it).

If the ringtone appears but doesn't play when someone calls, check that your phone isn't in Silent mode — the physical mute switch on the side of your iPhone silences ringtones even if your volume is turned up. Also verify that the contact is assigned to the correct ringtone by opening their contact card and checking the Ringtone field.

If you're using the computer method and the ringtone won't sync to your phone, make sure you renamed the file to .m4r (not .m4a) and that it's in the Tones section of iTunes, not the Music section. Disconnect your phone, restart iTunes, and try syncing again.

Using ringtones from other sources

You can also download ringtones from websites like Zedge or Ringtone Maker, though these are third-party apps and not officially supported by Apple. If you download a ringtone file (usually a .m4r file), you can email it to yourself, open the attachment on your iPhone, and tap "Add to Sounds" to import it directly.

Be cautious with third-party ringtone apps — some request permissions they don't need, and some include ads or in-app purchases. Stick to well-reviewed apps from the App Store if you go this route, and always check what permissions an app is asking for before installing it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a song from Apple Music as a ringtone without buying it?

No. Apple Music songs are licensed for streaming only and protected by digital rights management. You must purchase the song first (usually $1.29) to own the file and convert it to a ringtone. After you buy it, it appears in your library as an owned song.

What's the maximum length for an iPhone ringtone?

iPhone ringtones must be 40 seconds or shorter. If your song is longer, you trim it to your chosen section using the Shortcuts app or the Options tab in iTunes. Most ringtones are 15 to 30 seconds.

Will my custom ringtone stay if I update my iPhone?

Yes. Custom ringtones sync with your iCloud backup, so they'll restore when you set up a new iPhone or update your current one. If you're not using iCloud, make sure to back up your phone through iTunes before updating.

Can I assign different ringtones to text messages and calls?

You can assign custom ringtones to calls and FaceTime calls, but text message notifications use a separate sound setting. Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Text Tone to change your text notification sound. You can't assign different text tones to different contacts the way you can with ringtones.