You can create a ringtone from any song in your music library using GarageBand, then set it as your default or assign it to specific contacts

iPhone does not let you turn a song into a ringtone directly through the Settings app. Instead, you use GarageBand, Apple's free music app, to trim a song to 30 seconds or less, export it in the right format, and then move it into your phone's ringtone library. The whole process takes about five minutes once you understand the steps.

You will need the GarageBand app (free from the App Store) and a song already in your iPhone's Music app. You cannot use songs from Apple Music streaming — only songs you own or have downloaded to your phone. Once your ringtone is created, you can set it as your default ringtone, assign it to a specific contact, or use it as a text message alert.

Key Takeaways

  • GarageBand is the only built-in way to create ringtones on iPhone, and it is free to download from the App Store.
  • Your source song must be in your Music app library as a downloaded file, not streamed from Apple Music or another service.
  • Ringtones must be 30 seconds or shorter, and you trim the song inside GarageBand before exporting it.
  • After exporting, the ringtone appears in Settings under Sounds and Haptics, where you can set it as default or assign it to individual contacts.

Download GarageBand and open your song

Open the App Store on your iPhone and search for GarageBand. Tap Get, then sign in with your Apple ID if prompted. The app is free and made by Apple, so there is no cost.

Once GarageBand is installed, open it and tap the plus icon in the top left corner to create a new project. A menu will appear asking you to choose an instrument. Tap Audio Recorder (the microphone icon), then tap Create. This opens a blank project where you can import your song.

Now tap the loop button (the circular icon at the bottom right) to open the media browser. Tap the Music app icon at the top, then find and select the song you want to turn into a ringtone. The song will appear as a track in your project.

Trim your song to 30 seconds or less

Ringtones on iPhone cannot be longer than 30 seconds. If your song is longer, you need to trim it inside GarageBand before exporting. Tap and hold on the song track until a menu appears, then tap Edit. A waveform editor will open showing the full length of the song.

You will see two vertical handles on either end of the waveform — one at the start and one at the end. Drag the right handle to the left to shorten the song to 30 seconds or less. The timer at the top shows how many seconds you have selected. Choose a section that sounds good as a ringtone — usually a catchy part of the song rather than the intro.

Tap Done when you are satisfied with the length. Your project now contains only the trimmed portion of the song.

Export the ringtone from GarageBand

Tap the three dots (more options) in the top right corner of GarageBand, then tap Share. A menu will appear with several export options. Tap Ringtone. GarageBand will ask you to name your ringtone — type a name that describes it, like "Ocean Waves" or "Guitar Solo".

Tap Export. GarageBand will process the file and then show a confirmation that your ringtone has been saved. The ringtone is now in your iPhone's ringtone library and ready to use. You can close GarageBand at this point.

Set the ringtone as your default or assign it to a contact

To use your new ringtone as your default ringtone for all incoming calls, open Settings and tap Sounds and Haptics. Tap Ringtone and scroll to the top of the list. Your custom ringtone will appear there with the name you gave it. Tap it to select it as your default.

To assign the ringtone to a specific contact instead, open the Contacts app and select the person. Tap Edit in the top right, then scroll down and tap Ringtone. Your custom ringtone will appear in the list. Tap it to assign it to that contact only. Tap Done to save.

You can also use your custom ringtone as a text message alert. Open Settings, tap Sounds and Haptics, then tap Text Tone. Your custom ringtone will appear in the list. Select it and you will hear a preview.

Troubleshooting: Your song will not import or export

If GarageBand cannot find your song, the most common reason is that it is a streaming song from Apple Music rather than a downloaded file. Streaming songs cannot be turned into ringtones. Check your Music app — if the song has a cloud icon next to it, it is streaming. You will need to own the song or download it first. You can purchase songs from the iTunes Store or download them if you have Apple Music.

If the export fails or GarageBand crashes, try closing the app completely and reopening it. Make sure you have at least 50 MB of free storage on your iPhone. If you are still having trouble, delete GarageBand from your phone, restart your iPhone, and reinstall GarageBand from the App Store.

Using a ringtone you created on multiple devices

If you have more than one iPhone or an iPad, your custom ringtone will not automatically appear on those devices. Each device needs its own copy. The easiest way is to repeat the GarageBand process on each phone. Alternatively, if you have a Mac, you can create the ringtone once in GarageBand on your computer and sync it to all your devices through iCloud, but this requires more steps and is not necessary for most people.

If you delete a custom ringtone from your iPhone, it disappears from the ringtone list and cannot be recovered unless you export it again from GarageBand. Keep the GarageBand project file if you think you might want to edit the ringtone later.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Apple Music songs are streamed and protected, so they cannot be converted to ringtones. You must own the song or download it permanently to your phone first. You can purchase songs from the iTunes Store or use a song you already own.

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

Wait a few seconds after exporting — sometimes it takes a moment for the ringtone to appear in the list. If it still does not show up, close the Settings app completely and reopen it. If that does not work, restart your iPhone and check again.

Can I edit a ringtone after I have created it?

Yes. Open GarageBand, find the project you created, and tap Edit. You can trim it to a different length or change which part of the song is included. Export it again with the same name to replace the old version, or give it a new name to keep both versions.

Is there a limit to how many custom ringtones I can create?

No. You can create as many ringtones as you want, as long as you have storage space on your phone. Each ringtone takes up a small amount of space — usually less than 1 MB.

Will my custom ringtone work if I update my iPhone to a new iOS version?

Yes. Custom ringtones created in GarageBand remain on your phone and continue to work after iOS updates. They are stored in your ringtone library and are not affected by software changes.