Create free iPhone Ringtones using iTunes

Being able to choose your own ringtone on your phone is something that should be pretty easy, but not on the iPhone. Apple say that you can buy your ringtones through iTunes, but I’ve never found any on there. So how do you get round this? How do you get your own ringtone on your iPhone?

Its actually pretty simple, and even more importantly its free and legal! All you need to create your own ringtones is iTunes on a PC or Mac and a song in either MP3 or AAC format that is DRM free. DRM files are normally songs that have been purchased online from places such as the iTunes Store, or imported to your computer using Windows Media Player.

Change your Import settings to use AAC

Before you start, you need to check some settings in iTunes. In the Preferences window, click on “Import Settings” on the General Tab and make sure that “import using” is set to AAC Encoder.

On a PC make sure you can see hiden files

If you’re on a PC, you’ll need to make sure that you can view file extensions (music files should show .mp3 or .m4a after the filename). If your PC doesn’t, you can change this by opening your “My Documents” folder, and clicking Tools-> Folder Options. On the “View” tab, you should see an option “Hide extensions for known file types,” Make sure that the box next to this is not ticked, and then hit ok.

On the 'Get Info' screen, set your start and stop times

Right, now for the fun bit. Find the song you want as your ringtone and play it in iTunes. iPhone ringtones can be a maximum of 30 seconds long, so you’ll need to know the start and end points for the song clip that you want to use, so play the song, and write down how many seconds there are to the part of the song you want as your ringtone. You’ll need the end time too, but this can only be a maximum of 30 seconds.

By now, you should have the start and end points of your ringtone. Right click on the song in iTunes, and select “Get Info”

When the iTunes preferences window opens, you will see 7 tabs across the top, click on the options tab. You’ll see there is a space to enter start and stop times. Put in the times you wrote down earlier and make sure that both boxes are ticked – then hit “OK”.

UPDATE: Thanks to Dean and Snatch for pointing out that you need to ensure that you use : to seperate minutes and seconds, and not a full stop!

Right Click and select 'Create AAC Version'

Right click your song again, and this time select create AAC version (or similar.)
Update: iTunes 9.1 has moved this option from the right click menu – instead, you’ll need to click on ‘Advanced’ in the menu bar and select Create AAC Version

Create AAC has moved in iTunes 9.1

You should then see a second copy of the song appear in your iTunes music library. In order to change it to a ringtone you’ll need to drag this file to your desktop. You can then delete the 30 second version from iTunes and un tick the start and stop times on the original song.

Rename file extension from .m4a to .m4r

Go to the file on your desktop and you should see its called “songname.m4a”. Right click it and choose “rename,” all we want to change here is the .m4a to .m4r. You can rename this song if you want, but the filename must end .m4r

Double click the file on your desktop to add it to your ringtones library

That’s it! All you need to do now is double click the file to add it back to iTunes. If you click on the Ringtones link in the side panel, it should now be listed as a ringtone rather than a music file.

Sync your iPhone with iTunes to transfer the ringtone to your phone

All that is left is to sync your iPhone with your computer. If it doesn’t sync over straight away, make sure the “Sync ringtones” option is selected when your phone is connected.

If you find that the ringtone is showing in the ringtones section of iTunes but isn’t syncing to your phone plug your iPhone in and go to the options screen. Uncheck the ‘Sync Ringtones’ box, hit apply and then sync your phone. Once it’s finished, disconnect and reconnect your phone. Go back to the options screen and re-check the ‘Sync Ringtones’ box and sync again. This resets the sync information in iTunes and your phone and your ringtones should now show up on your phone.

Give it a try and let me know how you get on – Got any great ringtones that you want to share with the world? Leave your comments below with the Song title and start/end times and share your creations!

Tags: free iphone ringtones, iphone 3g ringtone, iphone ringtone, itunes, ringtones, use mp3 as ringtone on iphone

How-To Guides, iPhone, Mobile Accessories | andysimpson | January 13, 2009 5:20 pm

By Rider9, January 14, 2009 @ 4:20 pm

I tried it and each step worked until I clicked on the start and end times for the clip of song I wanted to use; it would not save the clicked 'start time', only the end time remained clicked… therefore when I double clicked it from the desk top and opened it up in Ringtones, it was the full length of the track not just the clip.

Hope you can help? Thanks!
By Andy, January 14, 2009 @ 4:29 pm

Hi Rider,

Not sure why its not working for you – what version of iTunes are you using and what format is the original song in – is it MP3 or AAC?

As a long shot, try setting just the end time and creating the AAC, then on the shorter AAC file, try setting just the start time and then create it…

Andy
By Rider9, January 14, 2009 @ 4:53 pm

Hi, it's the latest version of iTunes and the file originally was, it says, AAC. It was one I uploaded to the computer from a shop bought CD.

Wonder if it is because it was an AAC in the first place?

(On the file I dragged to the desktop the start and end times were greyed out and I couldn't amend them)
By Andy, January 14, 2009 @ 5:03 pm

If you've still got the CD, it might be worth importing it as an MP3 rather than AAC. If not, try it on an MP3 file see if that works.

The file I used for this was an MP3 and I had no problems with it.

To change iTunes to import as AAC, change the import settings to MP3 in the first step
By Rider9, January 14, 2009 @ 5:15 pm

thanks, I shall have a go tonight!
By Rider9, January 14, 2009 @ 5:18 pm

oops! Forgot to ask, how do I change the import settings, because if I upload this CD track again it will probably be an AAC?
By Andy, January 14, 2009 @ 5:25 pm

No problem, In the Preferences window, click on Import Settings on the General Tab and make sure that "import using" is set to MP3 Encoder.

You shouldn't need to change the quality settings.

Next time you import it should do it as MP3
By Rider9, January 14, 2009 @ 5:33 pm

thanks alot – i shall let you know how it goes. Thanks for helping this non techie!
By Andy, January 14, 2009 @ 5:38 pm

No worries, will be good to know if AAC files don't work with it.

I'll update the post if they don't work!
By Rider9, January 14, 2009 @ 6:45 pm

No, no luck I'm afraid. I have tried what you said and even over again following the instructions here with several tracks. The start and end times just don't save when I click OK…. in fact the new song created in iTunes has a zero length to it… think I need a cup of tea… I am really disappointed with iphone in this respect – pay all that money and I cannot do what even my old Motorola phone could, i.e. create a music ringtone!
By Andy, January 14, 2009 @ 8:31 pm

Hmm, thats a strange one!

What song are you trying to do and what start and end times? I'll try it here and see if I have any luck!?
By Rider9, January 14, 2009 @ 10:06 pm

Tried a couple – You'll Never Walk Alone, first 30 secs and also Viva La Vida by Coldplay, 3 mins 11 to 3 mins 41
By Rider9, January 14, 2009 @ 10:33 pm

Don't know if you are still there or not but Imanaged to get Viva La Vida 30 second length, listed in Ringtones…. have synced the phone but it onlydownloads the full version.

Am I missing something? I have got the sync ringtones clicked and highlihgted the song – telling it to sync that one.

Once on the phone, should it appear in the Ringtones section? The full version of the song (which I don't want) is in the music section.
By Rider9, January 14, 2009 @ 10:42 pm

OK I have deleted the full version from the itunes files and the only version left on it is the 30 second one, in Ringtones. so far so good – but even though I have ticked it to sync ringtones, that is not downloaded to my phone. Sorry to ask again, but any advice?
By Andy, January 15, 2009 @ 1:31 pm

No worries, its what I'm here for! its good that its now showing in your ringtones library. Once you've ticked the sync ringtones box, you'll need to make sure you hit the apply button in the bottom right corner, and then disconnect and reconnect your iPhone.

Mine took a little while to sync over too.

Any idea what changed for you to select the start and stop times?
By Rider9, January 15, 2009 @ 1:59 pm

Hi, thanks. Now I am finding that it says it cannot transfer the ringtone because it cannot find it! It is listed in the ringtones folder though and is the right file format.

No idea how I did the start and stop times right, isn't that annoying when you finally do it but don't know what you did right!

Nearly giving up – going grey here… why can't it find it do you think?
By Andy, January 15, 2009 @ 4:25 pm

Not sure, unless its looking for a file thats been moved. If you've not got iTunes organising your music collection, it might still need the file on the desktop.

right click the ringtone and click get info, on the summary tab, it should show the file location at the bottom of the window. Just check to make sure that the .m4r file is still where it thinks it is. If not, you'll need to find it and add it to itunes again.

let me know if that works
By Rider9, January 15, 2009 @ 4:45 pm

Well when I went to it it said it was an M4a which is obviously wrong – beforehand it was an m4r. Uploaded the whole CD again but believe it or not, when it came to the track I want, it listed it as 0:00 long!! So it hadn’t uploaded that track from the CD at all, to the computer.
Think I will give up for now – it is way too frustrating… very disapointed after all the money I spent on the iphone not to be able to have itunes do ringtones for us here in the UK.
thanks for all your help but I must be doing alot wrong here.
By Dean, January 15, 2009 @ 5:34 pm

Wow – glad I came across this – worked first time and I can now have some better tunes on my iPhone than the default ones! Thanks for this post! One thing I noticed though is, when you delete the 30 second version of your track, my PC popped up a box asking if I wanted to 'move to recycle bin' or 'keep file' as I haven't ticked the box to remember this action. You need to move to the recycle bin for it to work
By Rider9, January 15, 2009 @ 5:47 pm

Yes, I did that too – but you will see all the problems I have had – the main one being it wouldn’t save the start and stop times when I clicked OK. Even when I got that done, and it was in Ringtones as an m4r file, it wouldn’t sync !
By Dean, January 15, 2009 @ 6:01 pm

This may sound like a silly question but have you got the correct format for start time and finish time (ie 0:00 to 0:30) and ticked both boxes? Just a suggestion?
By Rider9, January 15, 2009 @ 6:06 pm

Not a silly question at all. I wanted the first 15 secs so I put 0.00 to 0.00.15

However when I do that, it changes the track to a zero length one in the list, and moves on to the next one when I try and play it.

Are you uploading an AAC file or an MP3?
By Rider9, January 15, 2009 @ 6:08 pm

PS when I tick both boxes, it won’t save the tick in the start box – only the end time is saved.
By Rider9, January 15, 2009 @ 6:49 pm

Hey, I DID IT!!!! Thanks for all your help Andy and then Dean…. the songs I wanted to put on it just wouldn't handle at all but I managed to do it with another one.

I will sleep tonight now! Thanks again!
By Andy, January 15, 2009 @ 9:08 pm

Excellent! really glad its all working!

must have been something with the audio files you were using?!

glad its sorted tho
By Dean, January 15, 2009 @ 9:30 pm

Ahh it looks like you are putting a . rather than a : to separate the minutes:seconds:milliseconds and the example you put above 0.00 to 0.00.15 is for 15 milliseconds.

Hope this helps?
By Rider9, January 16, 2009 @ 12:16 pm

Ah! yes, probably a combination of both – I still cannot even get the computer upload the Viva la Vida track I wanted to use; when I upload the CD it changes that track to zero length… puzzling!

Thanks for the explanation re the timings Dean – I must have corrected that without knowing it I guess.

Cheers both!
By Snatch, January 22, 2009 @ 4:58 pm

Hi

Thanks for posting this after numerous phone calls to Apple and o2 about this and both parties saying it is impossible to do, then we come across your website that explained it simply and it worked, but did have the same problem to start with by using a dot instead of :. Great help, Thanks alot
By LJ, January 25, 2009 @ 8:55 pm

Excellent – worked first time – now have my own Ringtones. Shame why Apple don't cooperate
By Renee, January 27, 2009 @ 10:47 am

Hi

Thanks – great – a simple quick clear way that works.

Do I have to leave the ringtone files on my desktop or can they be moved or filed in a folder?

Now just need to get picture messaging and delivery receipts and it'll be almost perfect!!!
By Andy, January 27, 2009 @ 10:58 am

Hi Renee,

Glad it all worked for you!

It depends on how your iTunes library is handled as to whether you can delete the file or not. If all your music is organised by iTunes (its normally copied to an iTunes folder in your "my music" folder) then yes, you can delete it and it shouldn't disappear off your phone next time you sync.

If iTunes doesn't manage your library, then there is every chance you'll get an error message saying it can't find the file if you delete it.

If you want to check how your library is set up, open the preferences window, (step 1) and then click on the advanced tab. You need to check the location of your itunes music folder and make sure that the keep iTunes folder organised is checked.

If in doubt, move the file rather than delete it to start with, if you get no problems you can then delete it!

Hope that makes sense!
By foxy, January 28, 2009 @ 1:25 am

done everything you said to change a song to ringtone i dbl click on the song from desktop but it keeps going back into the itunes music and not the ringtone file…??

help driving me batty
By Andy, January 28, 2009 @ 9:36 am

Hi Foxy, it sounds like its not renaming it correctly, the file on your desktop, does that definately end .m4r?
By foxy, January 28, 2009 @ 4:01 pm

yes it does say that, i rename the song ending it with m4r.
By Renee, January 31, 2009 @ 1:40 pm

Thanks Andy – wish others are as helpful as you
By antony, February 2, 2009 @ 12:59 pm

Ledgend! been waiting to do this for ages now my iphone is complete
Thanks again
By Oli, February 18, 2009 @ 7:58 am

Thanks so much….was really angry when was told couldnt create ringtones but you have helped big time! cheers
By nathan, February 19, 2009 @ 6:05 pm

hi ya i cant get the boxes where it says music to work so i cant input any numbers from the start to the finish any ideas?
By Andy, February 19, 2009 @ 10:53 pm

Where is it you're getting stuck? When you right click the file and choose get info, does that box thats shown above open up? can you click on the options tag?
By michael, February 22, 2009 @ 1:41 pm

I have follwed all the steps but when i see my new 30 second song on my desktop it just says the song name with a 1 on the end and not .m4a so i cannot change it to .m4r!
By michael, February 22, 2009 @ 1:44 pm

oo well, went back through the steps and answered my own question!, very useful thank you
By Woody, March 5, 2009 @ 12:26 am

Hi, I got one to work then copied 3 others. They show in 'Ringtones' on the Iphone in iTunes but are not available in Sounds/ringtones on the phone. Any help would be great.
W
By Andy, March 5, 2009 @ 11:25 am

Hmm, not come across that one before! Have you tried resetting your iPhone? Sometimes it might need a reboot to see them – try holding down the menu button and the sleep button until the phone turns off (keep them pressed when the "slide to power off" appears)
By mark, March 15, 2009 @ 10:54 pm

The m4r file needs to have an album and artist. Right click the ringtone, get info, etc
By Andy, March 16, 2009 @ 9:47 am

Its not essential, if you use a PC its not so easy as it is on a Mac, and depending on the file you use, the information will be filled in for you already – mine did using my work PC.
By gary, March 22, 2009 @ 1:10 pm

hello i cant get the m4r file into the ringtone folder it comes back on the music folder in itunes how do i move it????
By Andy, March 22, 2009 @ 6:07 pm

Sounds like your computer isn't recognising it as a ringtone, double check the first part of this about viewing the file types, if its not set correctly, it might be naming the file as songname.m4r.m4a?

Double check the Folder Settings part and let me know how you get on
By sharon gray, March 25, 2009 @ 8:02 pm

it all went fine till I dragged to the desktop. It didn't end in m4a or anything…just had name of the song on it. I added .m4r but it went back to songs not ringtones. what am I doing wrong?
By Andy, March 25, 2009 @ 9:16 pm

Hi Sharon,

you need to change your settings so that it shows file extensions. by adding .m4r on the end, you're actually calling the file ringtone.m4a.m4r.

you need to you change the view settings, by opening your "My Documents" folder, and clicking Tools-> Folder Options. On the "View" tab, you should see an option "Hide extensions for known file types," Make sure that the box next to this is not ticked, and then hit ok.

it should then show up on your desktop with both extensions, rename it again and re add to itunes.
By Shaun, April 9, 2009 @ 10:12 am

Great article. No longer need to suffer the standard ringtones. Well done.
By Graham, April 10, 2009 @ 10:33 am

It Works Thanks very much
By Sue, April 16, 2009 @ 4:04 pm

Some of my songs say they are protected, is there any way I can use them as ringtones.
By Andy, April 16, 2009 @ 4:23 pm

Hi Sue,

You can use them, but you'll need to either upgrade them to iTunes + format (which is about 20p per song) or you can burn them to disc, and then import them back into itunes – this will remove the protection from them.

Andy
By Karen, April 17, 2009 @ 1:07 pm

Thanks so much!!
I have all the ringtones I want without any new software or spending another penny!!!
Yay for sticking it to the man
By Gim, April 17, 2009 @ 4:15 pm

done everything you said to change a song to ringtone I double click on the song from desktop but it just throws out itunes music. The ringtone file is nowhere to be found.
At desktop, file properties even show as ringtone but alas not in the ringtone file
By Andy, April 17, 2009 @ 4:22 pm

Hi Gim,

I take it you've checked in the 'ringtones' section of itunes?

What happens if you try and add the file using itunes, rather than double clicking it? Click on file – add to library and browse to the file.

Let me know how it goes
By Gim, April 17, 2009 @ 5:11 pm

had a warning msg 'if you change the file ext, the file may be unsable' Was renaming MP3 to m4r. Could this be the error why i cant get the ringtone?
By Andy, April 17, 2009 @ 6:02 pm

Yes, thats your problem! You've missed out quite a few of the steps listed above!

Try again one step at a time. you can't convert an mp3 to a ringtone by changing the name. let me know if you have any problems when you've tried whats listed above.
By Gim, April 19, 2009 @ 3:56 pm

hi again, Tried clicking on file to add to library …. it's not working either.
In fact i've followed through like what was listed except this – Right click on song again, and select create AAC version (or similar.)which I have chosen MP3 as i don't hv AAC or others except MP3 as selection. Drag to desktop & change name to m4r icon shows ringtone as well as properties but just won't get into ringtone. i'm using itune ver 8.1.1.10. I am really really 'lost'
By Andy, April 19, 2009 @ 4:34 pm

Thats your problem! If you don't do that bit, then none of the rest will work. If you don't have the option to convert selection to AAC, you'll need to check your iTunes settings as explained in the first part of this tutorial..

If you miss any steps it won't work!
By Gim, April 19, 2009 @ 5:07 pm

Hi Andy GOT IT!!!! Thanks alot!!! Apologize for my stupidity However, am just curious at the renaming of file from .m4a to .m4r warning message of 'file may be unusable' still appears. any impact?
By Andy, April 19, 2009 @ 5:39 pm

Glad to hear its all working now!

The error message is a standard windows message, and will come up if you try and rename most files. It won't cause any problems as iTunes will know how to handle m4r
By Arek, April 24, 2009 @ 5:44 am

Hi
I using itune ver 8.1.1.10 i did everything what you say.
1. Iport Using ACC Encoder OK
end when i click right button on my songs i don't see Convert selection to AAC (
HELP
By Andy, April 24, 2009 @ 9:49 am

Hi Arek, You need to be looking at the song in your main music library, not in a playlist, and when you right click it it should show "Create AAC Version" in itunes 8.1.1
By Harris, May 1, 2009 @ 9:15 pm

I did everything right I got the songs in iTunes under ringtones, but for some reason when I sync it doesn't appear in sounds in settings please tell me how to fix this
By Andy, May 3, 2009 @ 10:37 am

Hi Harris,

Have you checked your iTunes settings to make sure that you've set it to sync ringtones to your phone?
By raghu, May 5, 2009 @ 7:39 pm

hi andy,
did everything as said above to create a ring tone but it is not appearing in the sounds section after syncing phone..
and even the ring tone shouldn't play on itues..but itunes is able to play it..please tell me a solution..
iam using itunes 8.1.1.10 and iphone 3g
thanks
By Andy, May 6, 2009 @ 8:55 am

Hi Raghu, Is the ringtone showing in the ringtones folder in itunes or your regular music library?
By Amit, May 11, 2009 @ 3:32 pm

I'm stuck! Plz help!

I got all the way there, converted to trimmed aac file, renamed to m4r, added to ringtone library, played it from the library to make sure of no errors i.e. file can't be found…. It was all ok to this point.

Problem is, it doesn't show up in Sounds menu on the iPhone when trying to select a new ringtone.

I synced the whole phone as well as Ringtones on it's own, as well as the selected ringtone (it's the only one). Never worked after any type of sync.

If you can provide a solution and it does show up, can i use it as a text message received sound too? and how?
By Amit, May 11, 2009 @ 3:57 pm

Deleted original file from folder manually, disconnected and reconnected iphone after syncing, synced again and disconnected again. One of these steps worked for me. Shows up ubder 'custom' at the top. Excellent!

Only thing is, i only really wanted to use it as a new text message notification. Seems as though this works in a different way… DOH! Any ideas?
By Andy, May 11, 2009 @ 4:14 pm

Hi Amit,

Its not possible to use them for text messages, you're still stuck with the default apple ones for that..

I take it that the tune is showing in the 'ringtones' section of itunes and that when you plug your iphone in, on the tabs across the top you've clicked on ringtones, and made sure that 'sync ringtones' is checked?

If it is, it will only show on your phone when you go to settings > sounds > ringtones and then the screen will be split into two, standard and custom, and yours should show at the top of the page.
By Andy, May 11, 2009 @ 4:20 pm

Sorry, didn't see your second comment til just!

If you figure out how to change the text tones, please let me know, but as far as I know its not possible yet.

Crossing my fingers that it'll appear in 3.0
By Punith, May 13, 2009 @ 11:21 am

Hey Andy, It worked flawlessly. but the great news is it works on midi files too.
Thnx a ton. I'm really glad that I can use my favourite ringtones, which i've been transferring to every new fone that i pick up but hit the wall when i got my iphone.
By Barry, May 18, 2009 @ 1:10 pm

Andy

Thanks, clear simple instructions and did exactly what it said on the tin.
By Loosekonnection, May 19, 2009 @ 9:25 pm

Genius,

Clear and easy to follow.

Many thx.

………
PEBKAC
Problem Exists Between Keyboard And Chair.
By Don, May 23, 2009 @ 8:47 pm

So everything went well… however the clip is not in my sounds on the iphone, it is on the ipod app. How do I set it as a ring tone?

Don
By Andy, May 23, 2009 @ 10:55 pm

If its gone over to your phone as a song, rather than ringtone it'll be because changing the file type didn't work!

Jump back to the step where it explains how to rename the file and try again
By Don, May 23, 2009 @ 11:14 pm

Thanks Andy.. I will give it another try!

D
By Don, May 23, 2009 @ 11:17 pm

By the way… it was in my ringtones on Itunes
By Andy, May 23, 2009 @ 11:41 pm

ah, if it was in ringtones, its not that that's the problem then!

I think some iphones just have a hissy fit sometimes when they sync. plug your phone in, and on the options screen, uncheck the sync ringtones box and sync your phone, disconnect and re connect, then go back in and re check it and sync again..

sometimes this clears out any confusion on the syncing
By Andy, May 23, 2009 @ 11:47 pm

might be worth deleting the ringtone from your itunes aswell and then add it again.

check both the music and ringtone sections and delete all versions of it, sync your phone, then double click the file on your desktop and see where it loads into. if it goes back into ringtones it should then sync to sounds on your phone..
By Don, May 24, 2009 @ 12:02 am

Well done… again thank you! All good.

D
By Ondray, May 31, 2009 @ 5:36 am

I followed all the steps to add a ringtone. When I pull up itunes and my iphone is connected I can see the Ringtone I created in the ringtone folder under my iphone under devices. The ringtone is checked but not bold. It does not show under my ringtones on my iphone after syncing.
By Andy, May 31, 2009 @ 9:32 am

A few people have had this problem, sometimes the first sync doesn't work.

To fix this plug your phone in, and on the options screen, uncheck the sync ringtones box and sync your phone,

disconnect and re connectyou phone, then go back in and re check it and sync again..

This clears out any confusion on the syncing
By Ayesha, June 5, 2009 @ 5:15 pm

Hi, ive followed all your steps but i still seem to have a problem with the ringtones going onto the phone. There in my ringtones folder in itunes but just wont transfer over to the phone. Not sure what else to do.
By Andy, June 5, 2009 @ 5:24 pm

I'm going to add a bit to the post now as a few people seem to have this issue.

To fix this plug your phone in, and on the options screen, uncheck the sync ringtones box and sync your phone,

disconnect and re connectyou phone, then go back in and re check it and sync again..

This clears out any confusion on the syncing
By matt, June 19, 2009 @ 10:19 pm

mate you are a legend for publishing this, apple's lives are spared for now
By Craig, June 22, 2009 @ 3:22 pm

hi i have done everything i am using aac encoder and i have unticked hide extension files but it still has the same message heeeeelp!!
By Andy, June 22, 2009 @ 3:34 pm

When you say you're still getting the same message, what message are you referring to?
By Sali, June 28, 2009 @ 3:33 pm

Hi, first of all ive got to thank you for this post its the most concise i have found online. I have a problem when it comes to reinserting the song bit back into itunes it wont save into the ringtone folder and goes back into my main library. This is probably something really obvious that i am just missing but not sure if its different for the new 32 3GS iphone that came out this month. Thank you so much for post and your help.
By Andy, June 29, 2009 @ 11:24 pm

Hi Sali,

If the ringtone is going into your music library rather than ringtones, this will be to do with the file extension. It needs to be .m4r, so just double check that yours are .m4r and not ringtone.m4r.m4a.

If it does have both extensions then this will be because you've still got file types hidden. Easiest way round this is to start again from the top and double check the instructions in the 2nd part and the bit next to the ringtone icon on the post above.

Andy
By Kym, July 7, 2009 @ 11:56 am

Hi
I haven't read through all these comments but I've seen the same problem come up – so sorry if I'm repeating anything – but I found if you've imported your CD through Itunes it won't transfer to your phone. If you upload your CD through a different source like Nero or something then add it to the Itunes library – it should work!
By Yvonne, July 19, 2009 @ 5:15 pm

It worked perfectly. Great information and instructions. Thank you!
By Barr, July 28, 2009 @ 8:46 pm

Spot on!!!! Thanks, I had a couple of initial problems like not reading the instructions properly….. However when i followed them step by step it works ) thank you very much i will be using and recommending this site thanks again.
By Caz, August 3, 2009 @ 8:07 pm

Hi have followed all the steps above, struggled renaming as there is no rename option when i right click on the mac but have managed to do it. When i double click the ringtone version on the desktop it throws it back into my main itunes and it does not appear in ringtones have tried several songs and this occurs every time. My original format for the songs has been AAC but I have gone through the procedure of create AAC. Any suggestions.
Thanks Caz
By Caz, August 3, 2009 @ 8:13 pm

Hi
seen a comment about the problem I've just posted does the .m4r need a . at the end.

thanks Caz
By Caz, August 3, 2009 @ 8:16 pm

Sorted it no . after m4r great thanks for the post.
By Caz, August 3, 2009 @ 9:05 pm

well chuffed working every time been looking for something like this for ages. Brill thanks again.
Caz