How to Set Custom Ringtones on an iPhone for Free: A Step-by-Step Guide

Setting custom ringtones on your iPhone can personalize your device and make calls and messages more enjoyable. While Apple provides several built-in ringtones, creating your own can be a fun and creative experience. In this article, we will guide you through the process of setting custom ringtones on an iPhone for free, from choosing a song to importing it onto your device.

Step 1: Choose a Song

The first step in creating a custom ringtone is selecting a song from your music library or finding a sound file you want to use. Make sure it is not protected by DRM Digital Rights Management, as this can prevent it from being used as a ringtone.

Step 2: Create the Ringtone

Using GarageBand iOS

Download and open the GarageBand app on your iPhone.

Create a new project and select an instrument like the Keyboard.

Import the song by tapping the loop icon in the top right corner, then go to the Files tab and select your song.

Trim the song to 30 seconds—the maximum length for ringtones by dragging the ends.

Tap the arrow icon in the top left corner, then select My Songs.

Tap and hold your project to bring up the menu and select Share. Then choose Ringtone.

Name your ringtone and tap Export.

Using iTunes or Finder on PC or Mac

Open iTunes or Finder on macOS Catalina and later.

Import the song into iTunes and right-click on it.

Select Song Info, then go to the Options tab.

Set the start and stop times for the 30-second clip you want to use, then click OK.

Right-click the song again and select Create AAC Version.

Drag the newly created AAC version to your desktop and rename the file extension from .m4a to .m4r, which is the ringtone format.

Delete the AAC version from iTunes to avoid clutter.

Step 3: Transfer the Ringtone to Your iPhone

Using iTunes or Finder

Connect your iPhone to your computer.

Open iTunes or Finder and select your device.

Drag the .m4r file into the Tones section or directly onto your device in Finder.

Sync your device to transfer the ringtone.

Step 4: Set the Ringtone

On your iPhone, go to Settings Sounds Haptics Ringtone.

Find your custom ringtone in the list and select it.

Additional Tips

Make sure the song you choose is not protected by DRM to avoid issues. If you want to create ringtones without using a computer, there are third-party apps available on the App Store that can help you create ringtones directly on your iPhone, though they may have limitations or charge fees. Regularly update your iPhone to the latest iOS version to access the latest features and improvements in the Ringtone feature.

Following these steps will allow you to set custom ringtones on your iPhone for free, giving you the ability to personalize your device according to your preferences.

Keywords: iPhone custom ringtone, create free ringtone, Apple GarageBand