About the Ringtone Maker
Make a custom ringtone from any song or recording without iTunes, GarageBand or an app-store subscription. Choose where the ringtone should start, pick a length, and export in the right format — M4R for iPhone or MP3 for Android — with automatic fade in and fade out so it doesn't start or stop abruptly. The audio is processed on your device and never uploaded.
iPhone vs Android formats
- iPhone — ringtones must be AAC audio in an .m4r file (an MP4 container with a special extension) and no longer than 40 seconds; the 30-second preset is the safe standard. Alert tones are typically under 30 seconds.
- Android — accepts MP3, M4A, OGG and WAV of any reasonable length; 30 seconds is plenty because calls stop ringing before that.
- The tool picks the right codec automatically: choosing M4R encodes to AAC; choosing MP3 encodes to MP3.
Installing your ringtone
- iPhone (Mac or PC with Finder/iTunes): connect the phone, drag the .m4r file onto the device in the sidebar, then choose it in Settings → Sounds & Haptics → Ringtone.
- iPhone (no computer): save the .m4r to the Files app, open it in GarageBand via Share → Ringtone, or use any "ringtone import" shortcut; the file appears under Ringtones.
- Android: copy the MP3 to the Ringtones folder (or use the Files app), then Settings → Sound → Phone ringtone → Add / My Sounds. Many phones also let you set a ringtone directly from the file's share menu.
- Custom per-contact tones: open the contact, tap Edit → Ringtone and choose your new file.
Making it sound good
- Start on a downbeat or at the beginning of a phrase — the chorus or the hook is usually ideal.
- Fades are applied automatically (up to two seconds, scaled to the clip length) to avoid clicks and abrupt endings.
- Choose a section with a strong, consistent level so the ringtone is audible in a pocket; quiet intros make poor ringtones.
- Shorter clips (15 s) loop more naturally on phones that repeat the tone.
How to use the Ringtone Maker
- 1Add a song. Drop an MP3, M4A, WAV, FLAC or OGG file onto the page.
- 2Pick the start. Scrub to the moment the ringtone should begin and preview it.
- 3Choose length and format. Select 5, 15 or 30 seconds and M4R (iPhone) or MP3 (Android).
- 4Create and download. Click Create Ringtone, then save the file and install it on your phone.
Frequently asked questions
- Why won't my iPhone see the ringtone?
- Check that the file has the .m4r extension and is 40 seconds or shorter, and that you added it via Finder/iTunes or GarageBand rather than just saving it to Files. Restarting the Settings app sometimes refreshes the list.
- Can I make a ringtone from a YouTube video or streaming song?
- You need an audio file you own or are permitted to use. Extract the soundtrack from your own videos with the Extract Audio tool, then make the ringtone here.
- Is there a length limit?
- iPhone ringtones must be under 40 seconds; the presets keep you within that. Android has no strict limit but 30 seconds is the practical maximum.
- Is my music uploaded?
- No. Trimming, fading and encoding all happen in your browser with FFmpeg compiled to WebAssembly.