Let’s be real—iPhone’s default ringtones aren’t exactly inspiring. And while Apple keeps adding more customisation features, making your own ringtone still feels like they’re making you jump through hoops. But don’t worry, you can have your favourite song (or soundbite) as your ringtone, just…not in the most straightforward way.
If you’re ready to ditch Reflection or Opening for something actually enjoyable, here’s how to do it using Apple’s built-in tools/apps.
Method 1: The iTunes Route (Mac or PC Required)
Ah, iTunes. The app that refuses to die. If you don’t mind plugging your iPhone into a computer, this method gives you the most control over the exact part of the song you want.
Step 1: Choose & Edit Your Song
1. Open iTunes on your Mac (macOS Mojave or earlier) or Windows PC. If you’re using a Mac running macOS Catalina or later, use the Music app instead.
2. Add your song to the iTunes/Music library if it’s not already there.
3. Right-click the song, select Song Info, then go to the Options tab.
4. Set the start and stop time (max 30 seconds). Click OK when done.
Step 2: Convert & Rename the File
5. Go to File > Convert > Create AAC Version. This creates a shorter duplicate file.
6. Right-click the new file and select Show in Finder (Mac) / Show in Windows Explorer (PC).
7. Change the file extension from .m4a to .m4r (this is the format iPhone ringtones use).
Step 3: Transfer to Your iPhone
8. Connect your iPhone to your computer via a USB-C or Lightning cable.
9. Open Finder (Mac) / iTunes (Windows) and select your iPhone under Devices.
10. Drag and drop the .m4r file into the Tones section.
11. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone, and select your new tone.
Method 2: The GarageBand Route (iPhone-Only, No Computer Needed)
If you don’t want to touch iTunes, you can do everything straight from your iPhone using Apple’s GarageBand app.
Step 1: Open GarageBand & Start a New Project
1. Download GarageBand from the App Store if you haven’t already.
2. Open the app, select Audio Recorder, then tap the Tracks button.
3. Tap the Loops button (it looks like a little loop icon).
Step 2: Import & Edit Your Song
4. Go to Music > Songs and find the song you want.
5. Drag and drop it into the timeline.
• If the song is greyed out, it’s likely DRM-protected. You’ll need to purchase it from the iTunes Store to use it.
6. Trim the audio by dragging the edges of the clip to select your desired 30-second section.
Step 3: Save & Set as Ringtone
7. Tap the Navigation button (top left), then My Songs to save it.
8. Press and hold your project, tap Share, then choose Ringtone.
9. Name your ringtone, tap Export, and GarageBand will add it to your ringtones list.
10. Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone, and select your new tone.
Done! Now, every time your phone rings, it’ll actually be your choice of sound.
Which Method is Better?
If you want full control over your ringtone, iTunes is the better option. It lets you choose the exact part of the song you want, and once you’ve created the ringtone, you can transfer it anywhere. The downside? You’ll need a computer, a USB-C or Lightning cable, and you have to manually change the file format every time.
GarageBand, on the other hand, is more convenient since everything is done on your iPhone. It’s faster and great for quick edits, but it has limitations. You can’t use DRM-protected songs from Apple Music, and the interface can be confusing at first. It also lacks a simple “Start” and “Stop” option like iTunes, so you’ll have to trim the song manually.
Ultimately, iTunes is better for precision and flexibility, while GarageBand is the go-to for ease and portability.
For a visual demonstration, you might find this tutorial helpful:
