Alex Ruben
How To Set Any Song as a Free Ringtone on Your iPhone
If you’re tired of the same old default ringtones on your iPhone and want to spice things up with your favorite song, there’s actually a way without needing a computer or messing around with iTunes. GarageBand, the free app from Apple, makes it pretty straightforward, but it’s kinda weird how it’s not obvious at first glance. Anyway, here’s a step-by-step that’s worked on multiple setups, so give it a shot.
Before diving in, make sure you’ve got:
- An iPhone running iOS 15 or newer (iOS 16, 17, whatever). Old iOS versions might mess with the process.
- The song you want as a ringtone, saved on your device in MP3, M4A, or AAC format. You can use Files or Music, but it’s gotta be accessible through Files for this method.
- The GarageBand app, which you can grab for free from GarageBand on the App Store.
Step 1: Download and Open GarageBand
First, get GarageBand downloaded if you haven’t. Open the App Store, search “GarageBand,” then tap Download. Once it’s installed, open it. Weirdly, on some devices, it takes a few seconds to fully load, so don’t panic if it looks frozen.
Step 2: Set Up a New Project
GarageBand defaults to the Audio Recorder. Tap it, even if it looks like a microphone. To reach the track view, tap the tracks icon (looks like a few stacked lines) in the upper left. You now have a blank workspace.
Step 3: Extend the Track Length
By default, the track is only like 8 seconds, which isn’t enough for a ringtone. To fix this:
- Tap the plus button on the right side of the screen.
- The section selector pops up. Choose Section A, then in the manual longer option, crank the length up to at least 30 seconds — that’s the max allowed for ringtones.
- Hit Done and you’re set.
Step 4: Import Your Song
This is where it gets kinda wonky. You need your song in Files, so:
- Tap the loop icon (top right, looks like a loop-de-loop).
- Switch to the Files tab, then tap Browse items from the Files app.
- Find your song in Files, tap it, then tap Insert. Sometimes, the song just appears in GarageBand after a moment. Not sure why it works, but it does.
- Drag the song into your timeline — tap and hold the wave, then move it to the left to position it nicely.
Step 5: Edit and Trim
If you just want a specific part of the song, you gotta trim it—because of course, iPhone ringtones max out at 30 seconds.
- Drag the left/right edges of the audio track to select your preferred snippet.
- Tap the play button to preview — you’ll want to get it just right.
- Adjust start/end as needed until it sounds perfect.
Step 6: Export as a Ringtone
When satisfied:
- Tap the downward arrow (top left), then select My Songs.
- Long press on your project, then tap Share.
- Choose Ringtone.
- Name it and tap Export. It’ll process for a few seconds, and voilà.
Step 7: Set Your New Ringtone
GarageBand will then ask if you want to use it right away. You can pick “Standard Ringtone” or assign it to someone. Or skip that and do it later:
- Go into Settings.
- Tap Sounds & Haptics → Ringtone.
- Pick your freshly created one. Easy, right?
Step 8: Test It Out
Just call your iPhone. If all went well, your new favorite song will ring instead of the default. If not, double-check you selected the right ringtone in settings. Sometimes it’s just a matter of rebooting to make sure everything registers.
Step 9: Removing a Created Ringtone
Want to delete it? Simple:
- In Settings > Sounds & Haptics, tap on Ringtone.
- Swipe left on the custom ringtone you don’t want, then tap Delete.
Extra Tips & Common Snags
Keep in mind, your song needs to be in a compatible format (MP3, M4A, AAC). GarageBand on some iOS versions can get cranky if your OS is out of date, so update if it refuses to cooperate. Also, trimming your clip to exactly 30 seconds might take some trial and error — patience is key.
Conclusion
This process isn’t as intuitive as it should be, but it works and costs zilch. GarageBand might seem intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of it, personalizing your ringtone is kind of satisfying. Just remember, it’s all about getting that perfect clip in the right format, then exporting and setting it. Shouldn’t be too hard once you’re used to the quirks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a song from Spotify as a ringtone?
Nope, Spotify songs are DRM-protected, so you can’t export directly. You’ll need a version of the song saved elsewhere in a compatible format.
Is GarageBand free?
Absolutely. It’s free from the App Store and works great for this purpose.
What if I want a longer clip?
Maximum ringtone length is 30 seconds. For longer clips, consider editing the song beforehand in another app or on your computer. Or just settle for the best 30-second part.
Summary
- GarageBand setup can be a little confusing, but it’s doable.
- Make sure your song’s in the right format and limited to 30 seconds for the ringtone.
- Don’t forget to check your ringtone setting after export.
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. Good luck!