It is well known that the iPhone comes with a collection of built-in ringtones and sounds. However, it is very small compared with the huge user base. Of course, you can also purchase ringtones from iTunes Store, but it is a bit expensive. Another option is making custom ringtones with your favorite music. This guide tells you the effective ways to set a song as a ringtone on an iPhone for beginners.

Part 1: How to Set Any Song as an iPhone Ringtone

The best way to add custom ringtones to an iPhone is Apeaksoft MobieTrans. It delivers pro-level features in a way that everyone can learn quickly. The user-friendly interface enables average people to navigate easily. More importantly, it can bypass copyright protection on music and set iPhone ringtones from any songs without iTunes.

How to Add Custom Ringtone on Your iPhone

Step 1. Connect to your iPhone

Launch the best ringtone maker software once you install it on your computer. Next, hook up your iPhone to the same machine with a Lightning cable. As long as your device is detected, go to the Music tab on the left sidebar. Here you can view all songs on your iPhone. Click the Ringtone Maker button on the top ribbon. Or switch to the Toolbox on the left side, and choose Ringtone Maker.

Step 2. Add a song

Click the Add file from device button, and then select a song on your iPhone. If you wish to edit a song on your hard drive, click Add file from PC instead.

Step 3. Transfer ringtone to iPhone

Enter the new beginning for the ringtone in the Set starting point field, and set the end position in the Set ending point field. Then adjust the volume. Click the Open button and set a directory for saving the ringtone. Tick the checkbox next to Add to device. At last, click the Generate button to add a song for a ringtone to the iPhone immediately. By the way, this program can also help you transfer iPhone photos to iPhone.

Step 4. Set a custom ringtone

When it is done, turn on your iPhone, go to the Settings app, choose Sounds & Haptics, tap Ringtone, and set the downloaded ringtone on your iPhone.

If you want to set different ringtones for different contacts, choose a contact in your Contacts app. Tap the Edit button, choose Ringtone, and select the downloaded ringtone. Tap Done to confirm it.

Part 2: How to Set Custom Ringtone on iPhone with iTunes

If you hope to set a ringtone on iPhone 12 or other models from the music library, iTunes is an easy option. It is still available on Windows and macOS Mojave or older. For macOS Catalina and above, you can use the built-in Music app to get the job done. Be aware that iTunes/Music can only process unprotected songs.

Step 1. Open the latest version of iTunes or Music app. If the song is not in your library, import it from the File menu.

Step 2. Go to the Library, and enter the Songs tab on the left side.

Step 3. Find the iTunes song to set as a ringtone, right-click on it, and choose Get Info on the context menu.

Step 4. Switch to the Options tab on the pop-up dialog. Tick the boxes next to the start and stop options. Then set the new beginning and end of the ringtone in the start and stop fields. The length of an iPhone ringtone is up to 30 seconds.

Step 5. Change the volume, and click the OK button to confirm it.

Step 6. Select the custom ringtone, go to the File menu, choose Convert, and pick Create AAC Version. Then iTunes or Music will create a new audio file in M4A format.

Step 7. Locate the ringtone on your hard drive. The default directory on Windows is C:\Users\[username]\My Music\iTunes\. On Mac, run Finder, enter the Go menu, choose Home, enter the Music folder, and go to iTunes.

Step 8. Right-click on the audio file, choose Rename, and change the file extension to .m4r.

Step 9. Next, connect your iPhone to your computer with a compatible cable. Once your device is recognized, click the Phone button in iTunes or select your device name in Music.

Step 10. Drag and drop the M4R file onto your iPhone name to transfer the ringtone to your device. Next, open the ringtone settings and set the custom ringtone.

Part 3: How to Set a Song as an iPhone Ringtone by GarageBand

Another way to set a song as ringtone without iTunes is the GarageBand app. It's an excellent iPhone ringtone maker. It can set an MP3 as a ringtone on an iPhone. The easiest solution is to download the song you'd like from YouTube.

Step 1. Install GarageBand from your App Store, and open it.

Step 2. Select AUDIO RECORDER, tap the Menu button, press the Metronome button, and hit the Open button.

Step 3. Find the song that you want to use as an iPhone ringtone and load it.

Step 4. Long press the track and drag it onto the workspace. Tap the + button at the upper right corner, and adjust the length of the section.

Step 5. Next, long-press the track again, and choose Trim to customize the desired clip.

Step 6. Press the Arrow button, and select My Songs. Hold down the ringtone file, choose Share, select Ringtone, and tap Export.

Step 7. If prompted, pick Standard Ringtone to set it as ringtone immediately.

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