This guide will show you how to set and create custom ringtones on your iPhone using various methods. You’ll learn how to purchase ringtones from the iTunes Store, acquire free ringtones via Zedge and GarageBand, and even create your own custom ringtones from existing audio files.
Before you start: Ensure you have the GarageBand app installed on your iPhone for methods involving custom ringtones or Zedge downloads. It is available for free from the App Store.
How to get and make custom ringtones on your iPhone
Follow these steps to acquire and create new ringtones for your iPhone.
Method 1: iTunes Store
- Open the iTunes Store app on your iPhone.
- Tap More (…). You’ll find this three-dot menu icon in the bottom right corner.
- Then, select the Tones tab at the top of the screen.
- Browse the available ringtones by selecting “Charts” or “Featured,” or tap the Search icon to find a specific tone.
- Tap the price next to the ringtone you want to download and enter your password if prompted.
- Tap OK to download the ringtone to your phone.
- Assign the ringtone immediately when prompted by choosing “Set as Default Ringtone,” “Set as Default Text Tone,” or “Assign to a Contact.” If you prefer not to assign it yet, tap Done.
- To assign later, launch the Settings app, choose Sounds & Haptics, then tap Ringtone and select your new ringtone.
- To assign to a contact, open the Contacts app, select a contact, tap Edit, tap Ringtone, select your ringtone, then tap Done twice to save.
Method 2: Zedge for iPhone
- Openzedge.net in Safari. Note that you’ll use GarageBand to convert the downloaded Zedge ringtone into a usable file.
- Find a ringtone you like by tapping the three-line menu icon in the top right, then Browse Now, and select the Ringtones tab.
- Tap Continue next to “Use the browser” at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap Download, the purple button at the bottom of your screen, and wait a few seconds.
- Tap Download in the pop-up to confirm. You can see your downloads by tapping the Download icon in Safari’s address bar.
- Open GarageBand. This app has a guitar icon on an orange and yellow gradient. If you don’t have it, download it from the App Store.
- Tap the Keyboard option. If you don’t see options, tap + to create a new project.
- Tap the Project icon (three broken lines). If the triangle icon (metronome) is blue, tap it to make it grey.
- Tap the Loop icon, which is the second icon from the right.
- Navigate to your song in the Files tab. You may need to tap Browse items from the Files app to find the Zedge folder.
- Long-tap your song and drag it to a new track below the keyboard track.
- Tap the downward-pointing arrow (▼) in the top left corner.
- Tap My Songs. Your project will save as “My Song” in GarageBand Recents.
- Long-press your song from the “GarageBand Recents” page.
- Tap Share, located at the bottom of the menu.
- Tap Ringtone, the middle option with a bell icon, to export your project.
- Name your project and tap Export.
- Tap Use sound as.
- Tap an option to set it as a default ringtone, text tone, or for a specific contact. Otherwise, tap Done.
Method 3: Creating iPhone ringtones with GarageBand
- Open GarageBand. You’ll need an unprotected song or voice memo for this method.
- Tap the Keyboard option. If you don’t see options, tap + to create a new project.
- Tap the Project icon (three broken lines). If the triangle icon (metronome) is blue, tap it to make it grey.
- Tap the Loop icon, the second icon from the right.
- Navigate to your song in either the Files or Music tab.
- Long-tap your song and drag it to a new track below the keyboard track.
- Trim the track by tapping the waveform and dragging the yellow markers to make it under 40 seconds long.
- Tap the downward-pointing arrow (▼) in the top left corner.
- Tap My Songs. Your project will save as “My Song” in GarageBand Recents.
- Long-press your song from the “GarageBand Recents” page.
- Tap Share at the bottom of the menu.
- Tap Ringtone, the middle option with a bell icon.
- Name your project and tap Export.
- Tap Use sound as.
- Tap an option to set it as a default ringtone, text tone, or for a specific contact. Otherwise, tap Done.
Pro tip: While GarageBand is excellent for custom ringtones, remember that it works best with audio files you already own or have created, such as voice memos or unprotected music files. DRM-protected music from streaming services cannot be directly used.
What to do next?
Now that you’ve mastered setting custom ringtones, consider exploring other ways to personalize your iPhone. You might want to customize your alert tones for messages, emails, or calendar events, which can also be done through the Settings app under “Sounds & Haptics.”
Additionally, dive deeper into GarageBand’s features. It’s not just for ringtones; you can use it to record voice memos, create simple music tracks, or even mix different audio elements, further enhancing your iPhone’s unique soundscape.
