How do I create a custom ringtone for my iPhone?

Solution 1:

1. If the song/sound you want to use isn't already in your iTunes library, add it to your iTunes library first.

2. If you want to use just a part of the song/sound, right click it, select "Get Info", then "Options" tab, and enter a start and stop time there. Remember, ringtones can't be over 40 seconds!

3. On the File menu, select "Convert" > "Create AAC Version". If you don't have this option, go to Edit, Preferences, General tab, and click the Import Settings button. Make sure the import setting is set to "iTunes Plus" (AAC).

4. This will create a new file in your iTunes library. Delete it from your iTunes library now, but be sure to check "keep file" in the delete dialog so the file itself isn't removed, just the library entry.

5. Navigate to where the file was created on disk, somewhere like music\iTunes\iTunes Music\{artist}\{album}

6. Rename the file from .m4a to .m4r

7. Drag and drop this .m4r file into the Ringtones folder of your iTunes (or, just double-click it and iTunes will handle it automatically).

8. Sync your iPhone. Make sure that "Sync Ringtones" is selected in the phone sync options (mine was off by default).

After syncing, you can select your new ringtone in Settings, Sounds at the Custom section at the top.

Solution 2:

Alternatively, if you're using a Mac, you could just fire up Garageband. Here's a quick tutorial on Lifehacker:

http://lifehacker.com/334073/create-custom-iphone-ringtones-the-free-and-apple-way

Solution 3:

Honestly, on windows iRinger is one of the easiest ways. Choose an audio file select the segment you want, adjust, click "Export" and it's in iTunes

Simple and easy

Solution 4:

This solution requires Mac OS X, but is otherwise free:

1. Open the audio file you want to make into a ringtone in QuickTime Player. If the file is a song in iTunes, control-click on the file and select "Show in Finder", then open QuickTime Player and drag the file from the Finder to the QuickTime Player icon in the dock.

2. If the audio file is longer than 40 seconds, you will need to trim it down:

   1. In the menu bar, select Edit -> Trim... and the scrubber will turn into a selector for the desired start and end.

   2. Move the start and end so the selection is not more than 40 seconds. It's best to err on the side of caution and not go above 39.75 seconds.

   3. Click "Trim"

3. From the menu bar, select File -> Export... and save as an "Audio Only" file on your desktop or other convenient location.

4. Download MakeiPhoneRingtone from Rogue Amoeba and launch the app.

5. Drag the file exported from QuickTime Player into the MakeiPhoneRingtone window. It will be automatically converted to the appropriate file format to be a ringtone and imported into iTunes.

I have successfully created several ringtones for my iPhone using this method.

Solution 5:

You can create or import a song in the IOS version of Garageband directly on your phone, and then export it as a ringtone which will appear in the ringtone list under Settings.

Once you have created your song by using any of the virtual instruments or importing an actual song:

1. Go to My Songs (the top left icon), and long-press on the song your created.
2. A Share menu will appear which contains among other options an item named Ringtone.
3. Enter the ringtone name and save it.
4. Go to Settings > Sounds and assign your new ringtone.

No need to pay anything, you don't need a Mac or iTunes, and you are only using free Apple software.

There is a more detailed tutorial here.