How to make your own iPhone ringtones

By Joseph Hanlon on 07 August 2008

If the back of teen music magazines are to be trusted then we can safely assume that mobile phone ringtones are big business, and, if you were the new kid on the block selling mobile phones, like Apple, you'd be crazy not to charge a motza for these audio snippets.

This doesn't mean we should have to pay for them. After paying higher than average prices for iPhone contracts, are you really about to fork out more money for 15-second clips of your favourite songs? We don't think this is fair and to right this injustice we show you how to make your very own iPhone ringtones for free. All you'll need is an iPhone (of course), iTunes and a swag of MP3 files.

  1. Open iTunes and select your favourite MP3 audio file.
  2. Right-click (Cmd-click for Macs) on this file in your library to bring up the context menu.
  3. Select Get Info

    4. Click for larger image

    This will open a new dialogue box showing various details about the audio file. Select the Options tab.

  4. Check the boxes next to both Start Time and Stop Time and enter the times you want your new ringtone to start and stop (the maximum length is 40 seconds) then click OK.

    5. This will return you to your music library.

  5. Right-click (Cmd-click) on the same music file again and this time select Convert Selection to AAC.

    6. iTunes will process this briefly and insert the new ringtone-sized file under the original file in your library.

  6. Right-click (Cmd-click) on the newly created file and select: "Show in Windows Explorer (or Finder on a Mac)"

A new dialogue box will open showing you the location of this file. Select the file and rename it, changing the file extension from ".m4a" to ".m4r". Windows will warn you that this change may make the file unstable, but continue anyway.

Back in iTunes, delete the ringtone file you've created from your library, then import the renamed '.m4r' file into your library. Connect your iPhone and sync your playlist. You may have to manually drag the .m4r file into the Ringtones section on your iPhone. With your iPhone synced this file is now ready to be used as a ringtone.

Topics: 3g, apple, iphone, itunes, mobile phone, mp3, ringtone

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Comments (190)

  • no name commented on 07/02/2010 00:30

    It will not let you up load the file to the iphone if you do not have in your options section of the summary sync only checked songs and manually manage songs. Make sure both of these are selected

  • Vic commented on 06/02/2010 18:10

    This link explains all the missing and confusing bits from the above http://www.cnet.com.au/videos/tips-and-tricks/create-free-iphone-ringtones-using-itunes-8-0-22461850.htm

  • KatieA commented on 06/02/2010 14:55

    Hi, I've followed all the above steps but when I manually drag the file into the Ringtones folder it doesn't show up. Please help.

  • SharonM commented on 05/02/2010 21:58

    I need help! I have created a ringtune that is 27sec, but when syncing to my phone it doesn't appear in the custom folder on my iphone. however when I recently set-up my husbands phone through itunes it appears on his iphone! any ideas? software is same, but mine is less GB.

  • SharonM commented on 05/02/2010 15:27

    I need help! I have created a ringtune that is 27sec, but when syncing to my phone it doesn't appear in the custom folder on my iphone. however when I recently set-up my husbands phone through itunes it appears on his iphone! any ideas? software is same, but mine is less GB.

  • SB commented on 31/01/2010 11:53

    I can get personalised songs as ringtones, but i can only see 2 songs in my custom list on my phone even though itunes shows many...where have these other songs gone? Can u only have a max of 2 custom songs?

  • brit commented on 28/01/2010 13:01

    I need help i dont understand how to change the thing to m4r can ne one help

  • Simon commented on 30/01/2010 10:13

    You need to rename the extension. e.g. using in windows type the name of file adding "brit.m4r" and save. For the mac change by right clicking or select more info in preview of Finder app - change it in the filename & extension box.

  • brit commented on 28/01/2010 12:54

    I need help i dont understand how to change the thing to m4r can ne one help

  • audiofreek commented on 25/01/2010 08:45

    a nice collection of free ringtones at www.iphoneringtones.ca

    you can upload and share the ones you make too

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