Learn how to set an MP3 song or any other audio file you’ve created or downloaded from the internet as your ringtone on the iPhone or iPad without any specialized apps.
On iOS 18 and older iOS versions, you can either buy ringtones from Apple or create them yourself through the convoluted process involving GarageBand.
iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 (currently in beta) expand ringtones options for everyone who wants something different from the built-in call and message tones.
You can now use any 30-second audio saved in the Files app in the compatible file format (MP3, WAV, M4A, M4R, FLAC, AIFF, AAC, AMR) as the ringtone on your iPhone or iPad, and we’ll show you how to do it.
Use an audio file as your iPhone’s ringtone
1) Open the audio file in the built-in Files app or a third-party file manager app, such as Documents, and select the share option. In third-party apps, you may need to tap the share icon again to actually get to the actual iOS share menu.
2) Select Use as Ringtone in the share menu, and you’ll be taken to the ringtone selection screen in the Settings app; tap the audio file to set it as your ringtone. The ringtone will remain on the list of available ringtones until manually deleted.
You can also hold an audio in the Files app and select the Quick Look option, then open the share menu and choose Use as Ringtone.
Delete a ringtone from your iPhone
Deleting the original audio file in the Files app won’t remove the ringtone. Instead, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone and swipe left over an added tone to delete it.
No option to set the ringtone?
This can happen if the audio file is in an unsupported format, corrupted, or compressed in a weird way. Redownload the file and try again to fix this issue.
If the audio file you’re trying to use is lengthy, you’ll still see the “Use as Ringtone” option; however, iOS 26 will throw an error stating the file is too large. It will suggest you choose one that’s under 30 seconds.
Download free iPhone ringtones
The best way to get free ringtones is to create one using your Mac’s Music app, provided you have a non-protected song file. This gives you the freedom to select just the desired 30-second portion of your favorite track as the ringtone. Often in the past, I have downloaded themes or intros of my favorite TV shows and then used the Music app to turn them into ringtones.
The next best approach is to download a ringtone file from the Internet. Do a quick Google search or use sites like Prokerala, Zedge, Tones7, MobCup, and mobiles24 to find the right ringtone. Since the iPhone now supports using practically any audio as the ringtone, you can even use Android-exclusive websites to get your favorite ringtone instead of looking for iOS-friendly M4R ringtone files.
iPhone ringtones on older iOS versions
On iOS 18 and older versions, you have these four choices for iPhone ringtones:
- Purchase 30-second ringtones from the iTunes Store.
- Download a ringtone, then use GarageBand to use it as a ringtone.
- Create a ringtone from scratch in GarageBand (it’s a complicated process).
- Use the Music app to create a ringtone on a Mac (doesn’t work for DRM-protected tracks like Apple Music songs) and sync it to your iPhone.
Personalize calls with different ringtones
Ringtones allow for interesting customization of phone calls and messages. For example, you can assign specific ringtones, text tones, and vibrations to specific contacts so you know who’s calling or messaging you without looking at the screen.
Do you use the default ringtone on your iPhone or a custom one? And do you use per-contact ringtones? Let us know by leaving a comment below.