Let’s be real. Apple makes some things unnecessarily difficult. You'd think that in 2026, with all the "Pro" features and Titanium frames, simply picking a track from your library and setting it as an alert would be a one-tap deal. It isn't. It’s a process. If you’ve ever tried to figure out how to change ringtone on iPhone to a song, you’ve probably ended up staring at the Settings menu, wondering why your purchased iTunes tracks aren't showing up in the Ringtone list. It’s because iOS requires a specific file extension (.m4r) and a hard limit on duration.
Standard songs are too long. They’re also the wrong format. To get your favorite chorus playing when your mom calls, you basically have to trick the system using a workstation app that Apple actually pre-installs on your phone: GarageBand.
Why the "Standard" way usually fails
Most people go to Settings, then Sounds & Haptics, and click on Ringtone. They see a list of "Classic" sounds like Marimba or Reflection. They see a "Tone Store" button. Apple wants you to buy a 30-second clip for $1.29. But you already pay for Apple Music or Spotify, right? Why pay again?
Here is the catch: You cannot use a song directly from Apple Music or Spotify as a ringtone because of Digital Rights Management (DRM). It’s a legal thing, not just a technical one. To make this work, you need an actual unprotected audio file—think MP3 or AAC—saved in your Files app or your Music library. If it’s protected by a subscription service, iOS will just grey it out. It’s frustrating. Truly.
The GarageBand workaround (The real MVP)
This is the method that actually works for everyone. You don't need a Mac or a PC. You just need the GarageBand app, which is free. If you deleted it to save space, go redownload it from the App Store.
First, get your audio file ready. It needs to be sitting in your Files app. Maybe you downloaded it from a royalty-free site, or you have a voice memo of your kid laughing that you want to use. Open GarageBand. Don’t get intimidated by the "Tracks" screen; you aren’t trying to win a Grammy here. Just swipe until you find the Audio Recorder (it looks like a microphone) and tap it.
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Once you’re in, look at the top left. There’s an icon that looks like a bunch of bricks or a wall. Tap that to get into the "Timeline View." Now, look at the top right for a little loop icon—it looks like a piece of string tied in a circle. This is your browser. Tap the Files tab and find your song. Long-press it and drag it onto the timeline.
How to change ringtone on iPhone to a song using the 30-second rule
Here is where most people mess up. iPhone ringtones must be 30 seconds or shorter. If your track is longer, GarageBand might just cut it off at a random spot, or the export will fail entirely.
- Tap the song on your timeline.
- Drag the yellow ends of the clip to trim it.
- Pick the exact part of the song you want—usually the hook.
- Pro tip: Use the metronome icon at the top to turn off that annoying "click" sound before you export.
Once you have your 30-second masterpiece, tap the downward-pointing arrow in the top-left corner and select My Songs. Your project will save as a thumbnail. Long-press that thumbnail and scroll down to Share.
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A menu pops up with three options: Song, Ringtone, and Project. Tap Ringtone. If it tells you the song needs to be shortened, let it auto-trim, or go back and do it manually for better precision. Name it something you’ll recognize, like "Best Song Ever," and hit Export.
Finding your new tone in Settings
After the export is successful, a dialogue box will ask if you want to "Use sound as..." You can set it as your standard ringtone right there. If you missed that prompt, don't worry. It’s now officially in your system.
Navigate to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone. Your custom song will now appear at the very top of the list, above the default "Reflection" tone. Tap it. You're done. No cables. No iTunes on a dusty laptop. Just your phone and a bit of patience.
Dealing with the "Greyed Out" song issue
I see this all the time on tech forums like MacRumors. Someone follows the steps, but their song won't import into GarageBand. Nine times out of ten, it’s a DRM issue. If you downloaded the song via an Apple Music subscription, you don't "own" the file in a way that allows it to be converted into a ringtone.
To bypass this, some people use "Audio Converters" or "YouTube to MP3" tools, though the legality there is a bit of a grey area depending on where you live. A better way? Use the Voice Memo app. Record a snippet of audio playing from another speaker. It won't be studio quality, but it bypasses the DRM lock entirely because it's a fresh recording.
Customizing specific contacts
Once you've mastered how to change ringtone on iPhone to a song, don't just stop at the default ringer. You should assign specific songs to specific people so you know who's calling without looking at the screen.
Go to the Contacts app. Pick a person. Tap Edit in the top right. Scroll down to Ringtone. From here, you can pick any of the custom tones you exported from GarageBand. Give your boss something ominous. Give your partner something sweet. It makes the whole iPhone experience feel much less "corporate" and much more personal.
Common pitfalls to avoid
- The Ghost Silence: Sometimes, when people trim their songs in GarageBand, they leave a gap at the beginning. If there's 5 seconds of silence before the music starts, you might miss the call before you even hear the music. Ensure the waveform starts right at the beginning of the timeline.
- Volume Levels: Songs are often mastered much louder or quieter than Apple’s default ringtones. Play your exported tone at full volume to make sure it doesn't distort your iPhone's speakers.
- Storage Bloat: GarageBand projects can be huge. Once you've exported the ringtone, feel free to delete the project file within the app. The ringtone itself is saved in a different system folder and will stay there even if the project is gone.
The old-school computer method
If you have a PC or Mac and you find the GarageBand app too fiddly, you can still do this the "old" way. You take an AAC file, change the file extension from .m4a to .m4r, and then literally drag and drop that file onto your iPhone's name in the Finder (on Mac) or iTunes (on Windows).
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It feels very 2012, but it's arguably faster if you have a library of hundreds of MP3s on your hard drive. The Mac "Music" app handles this relatively well, though it tries very hard to hide the "Tones" folder from you. You have to click on your device in the sidebar and then look for the "Tones" tab. If you don't see it, just drag the .m4r file onto the "General" tab of your device window—it usually snaps into place.
Technical Action Steps
- Download GarageBand: It is the only native way to convert audio to the .m4r format on the device itself.
- Locate an unprotected file: Use the Files app to store your MP3 or AAC. Avoid "protected" files from streaming services.
- The 29-Second Rule: Keep your clips just under 30 seconds to avoid export errors or automatic cropping that ruins the timing.
- Check "Sounds & Haptics": Always verify the "Ringer" volume is up after setting a new tone, as custom files can sometimes have lower gain than system sounds.
- Assign to Contacts: Use the Contacts app to apply your new songs to specific people for a better UX.
You now have a phone that actually sounds like your phone. No more reaching for your pocket every time you hear the default "Opening" tone at the grocery store. It’s a small victory, but in the walled garden of iOS, those are the ones that feel the best.