How to make a song from itunes your ringtone

iPhone users can set custom ringtones for all of their contacts. Users can purchase ringtones from the iTunes store. Users can also create their own ringtones from purchased music. However, different versions of iTunes require users to go about the process of making ringtones from purchased music differently. Older versions of iTunes included the option to create ringtones as a menu item. The later versions removed this option, so users will need to do a little extra work.

iTunes 9.2 or Earlier

Step 1

Click on the song you want to use to make a ringtone in your iTunes Music Library.

Step 2

Click "Store," then "Create Ringtone."

Step 3

Adjust the slider to choose a song segment for the ringtone. You are limited to 30 seconds.

Step 4

Click "Preview" to listen to the ringtone. Readjust the slider if you did not get the song segment correct.

Step 5

Click "Buy" to purchase the ringtone. Apple requires that you purchase the ringtone because the license to listen to and download a song is different than the license to edit it to make a ringtone.

iTunes 10

Step 1

Right-click on the song you want to make into a ringtone. Select "Get Info" from the menu. Go to the "Options" tab.

Step 2

Check the boxes next to "Start Time" and "Stop Time." Enter the times to start and stop the ringtone in the appropriate field. There can be no more than 30 seconds between them. Click OK.

Step 3

Right-click on the song again, then select "Create AAC version" from the menu. This creates a new 30 second song. Locate this new song in your music library. Sort all songs by "Date Added" if you have difficulty finding it. Right-click on the 30 second new song. Select "Show in Windows Explorer." Mac users should select "Show in Finder."

Step 4

Rename the file extension in Windows Explorer or Finder to ".m4r."

Step 5

Highlight the file in iTunes. Click the "Delete" key. When prompted, choose to keep the file rather than sending it to the Recycle Bin or Trash. Click the file menu. Click "Import File to Library." Navigate to where the file is located on your hard drive and import it back into iTunes. It is now a ringtone ready to synchronize with your iPhone.

References

  • Apple: How to Create and Buy a Ringtone for Your iPhone
  • OS X Daily: Make Free iPhone Ringtones in iTunes 10

Writer Bio

A professional writer, Michael Butler has been writing Web content since 2010. Butler brings expertise in legal and computer issues to his how-to articles. He has a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Washburn University. Butler also has a Juris Doctor from Indiana University School of Law, Bloomington.

Jamming on a particular song and want to make it your iPhone ringtone? But is it possible to make a song as your iPhone ringtone without iTunes or your computer? Yes, it can be done! Whether a custom sound like your child’s voice, a music piece, or external ringtones, iPhone allows you to be the decision-maker. In this article, I will take you through the process step by step, so stick along.

Things to know before you set any song as an iPhone ringtone?

  • Locally Saved – The track you want as a ringtone should be stored in your iPhone Music Library or the files app. Protected songs (like from Apple Music) cannot be used.
  • The app – You’ll need to download and install one of the two apps –
    • Ringtones: Ringtone Maker
    • Apple’s GarageBand app

Now, let’s move on to the next step.

  • How to create a custom iPhone ringtone with GarageBand
  • Set custom ringtone on iPhone without iTunes

How to create a custom iPhone ringtone with GarageBand

For this tutorial purposes, I have downloaded a ringtone from Zedge. You can use a website or source of your choice.

  1. Launch the GarageBand app on your iPhone.
    How to make a song from itunes your ringtone
  2. Swipe and find Audio Recorder from the options, tap Voice (mic icon). (You can also use Keyboard or Drummer for the purpose)
    How to make a song from itunes your ringtone
  3. Here, tap View (brick wall like icon) to enter the editing section.
    How to make a song from itunes your ringtone
  4. Tap the Loop icon; you’ll see three subheadings here – Apple Loops, Files, and Music. Since my ringtone is saved in files, I will be using that tab.
    How to make a song from itunes your ringtone
  5. Look for the song you want; hold it for a few seconds to import. If you can’t see the song, tap Browse items from the Files app to find it.
    How to make a song from itunes your ringtone
  6. To edit the song, drag the long vertical bar to your custom ringtone’s desired starting point.
    You may use the play button to achieve the perfect starting point of your tone.
  7. Once done, double-tap the song and select Split.
    How to make a song from itunes your ringtone
  8. Drag the Scissor icon down to cut/divide the song at your chosen point.
  9. Delete the unusable part of the song by tapping it twice and then choosing Delete.
    How to make a song from itunes your ringtone
  10. Now, select the down arrow icon from the top-left corner and tap My Songs.
    How to make a song from itunes your ringtone
  11. Tap and hold the project and select Share from the list.
  12. Here, select Ringtone, then continue, name the song as per your choice, and tap Export.
    How to make a song from itunes your ringtone
  13. Once the process completes, tap Use sound as… to set it as ringtone directly or OK to do it manually.
    How to make a song from itunes your ringtone
    How to make a song from itunes your ringtone

Note: While exporting, iPhone automatically trims the ringtone at 30 seconds. If you want to set an endpoint somewhere before 30 seconds, repeat steps 6 to 9.

Set custom ringtone on iPhone without iTunes

If you selected OK previously or you want to use the custom ringtone again, follow these steps:

  1. Go to Settings → Sounds & Haptics → Ringtone
  2. The recently created tone will be displayed on top of the list under RINGTONES.
  3. Tap it to set it as your ringtone.
    How to make a song from itunes your ringtone

Successfully set a song as a ringtone on iPhone without iTunes or PC!

I hope this handy trick to set a ringtone of your choice without iTunes or a computer was useful. If you have any queries or face any issues during the process, please share them in the comment section below.

And if this was too much of a hassle, don’t worry! You can check the below articles for alternative hacks:

How do I set a song from iTunes as my ringtone on my IPhone?

Connect your device to your computer..
Open iTunes. ... .
On your computer, find the ringtone or tone that you want to add to your device. ... .
Select the tone that you want to add to your device and copy it. ... .
Return to iTunes and go to the Library tab of Music..
Click your device in the left sidebar, then click Tones..