The fastest way to change your ringtone

Open Settings, tap Sounds & Haptics, then Ringtone, and pick a new one from the list. That's the complete process for using a ringtone that came with your iPhone. If you want to use a song from your music library or a custom sound file, you'll need to create it in GarageBand or another app first, then assign it through Settings.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're using an Apple-provided ringtone, a song you own, or a file you've made yourself. All three methods work on any iPhone model running iOS 16 or later.

Key Takeaways

  • Built-in ringtones are the quickest option: Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone, then select and confirm.
  • To use a song from Apple Music or your library, you must first create a ringtone in GarageBand by trimming it to 30 seconds or less and exporting it as a ringtone file.
  • Custom ringtones you create or download must be added to your iPhone through Files, GarageBand, or a Mac before you can assign them in Settings.
  • Your ringtone choice applies to all incoming calls unless you've set a specific contact to use a different ringtone.

Using a built-in Apple ringtone

This is the simplest route. Open the Settings app on your home screen, scroll down and tap Sounds & Haptics, then tap Ringtone. You'll see a list of about 30 ringtones that came with your iPhone. Tap any one to hear a preview, then tap it again to confirm your choice. The checkmark moves to show which ringtone is now active.

These ringtones are stored on your phone and don't require internet or any additional setup. If you later want to switch back to one you used before, it will still be in this list.

Creating a ringtone from a song you own

If you want to use a song from your Apple Music library or a file you've purchased, you need to trim it to 30 seconds or less and convert it to a ringtone file. The easiest way is through GarageBand, which is free on the App Store.

Open GarageBand and create a new project. Tap the loop icon (the circular arrow at the bottom), search for your song in the Music app section, and drag it into the timeline. Trim it to the section you want by dragging the edges of the audio clip until it's 30 seconds or shorter. Tap the three dots in the top right, select Share, then Ringtone. Name it and tap Export. GarageBand will automatically add it to your Ringtones folder in Settings.

Once it's exported, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone and you'll see your custom ringtone at the top of the list. Tap it to set it as your default.

Adding a ringtone file from another source

If you've downloaded a ringtone file from the internet or received one from someone else, you can add it to your iPhone through the Files app. The file should be in .m4r format (Apple's ringtone format) or .wav format.

Open Files, locate the ringtone file, tap and hold it, then select Share. Choose GarageBand from the list. GarageBand will import it and ask you to confirm. Tap Share again, select Ringtone, name it, and tap Export. The ringtone will now appear in your Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone list.

If the file is in a different format like .mp3, you may need to convert it first using a free online converter or a Mac with iTunes. Once it's in .m4r or .wav format, follow the steps above.

Setting different ringtones for specific contacts

You can assign a unique ringtone to individual contacts so you know who's calling without looking at your phone. Open the Contacts app, find the person you want, tap Edit, then tap Ringtone. Choose from your list of ringtones and tap Done.

When that contact calls, your iPhone will play their assigned ringtone instead of your default one. This works with any ringtone in your list, whether it's built-in or custom.

Troubleshooting ringtone problems

If a custom ringtone you created doesn't appear in your Settings list, make sure it's 30 seconds or shorter and was exported as a ringtone file, not as a song or audio file. GarageBand will only add it to your ringtones if you select Ringtone during the export step.

If your ringtone isn't playing when someone calls, check that your phone isn't in Silent mode. The physical mute switch on the side of your iPhone silences all sounds including ringtones. Also verify that your volume is turned up in Settings > Sounds & Haptics by dragging the Ringtone and Alerts slider to the right.

If you're using a contact-specific ringtone and it's not playing, open that contact and confirm the ringtone is still assigned. Sometimes syncing issues can clear these assignments, so you may need to set it again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a YouTube video or a song from Spotify as a ringtone?

Not directly. You can only use songs from Apple Music, your iTunes library, or files you own. To use a Spotify song, you'd need to download it as a file first, then convert it to .m4r format and import it through GarageBand. YouTube videos would require downloading the audio separately and converting it the same way.

What's the maximum length for a ringtone?

Apple limits ringtones to 30 seconds. If your song or audio file is longer, you must trim it in GarageBand or another audio editor before exporting it as a ringtone. The 30-second limit applies to all ringtones, whether built-in or custom.

Will my custom ringtones sync to other devices if I use iCloud?

Custom ringtones you create in GarageBand will sync to your other Apple devices through iCloud, but only if those devices also have GarageBand installed. Built-in Apple ringtones sync automatically across all your devices.

Can I delete a ringtone I don't want anymore?

You can't delete built-in Apple ringtones, but you can delete custom ones. Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone, swipe left on the custom ringtone you want to remove, and tap Delete. The built-in ringtones will always remain available.