You're tired of that default "Reflection" chime. Everyone is. You’re sitting in a coffee shop, someone’s iPhone goes off, and ten people reach for their pockets. It's annoying. Using your own music is the obvious fix, but Apple doesn't exactly make it a one-click process. If you want to know how to make a ringtone from GarageBand, you’ve probably realized it feels less like "creating art" and more like navigating a labyrinth of file permissions and hidden menus.
It's weirdly clunky. You’d think in 2026, we’d just drag an MP3 into a "Ringtone" folder and be done with it. Nope. Apple still wants you to use their specific workflow, likely to keep the iOS ecosystem "secure" or whatever their current marketing jargon is. But honestly? Once you do it once, you’ll realize the trick isn’t in the editing—it’s in the export settings.
The 30-second rule and other GarageBand quirks
Before you even open the app, you need to know about the wall. iOS will flat-out reject any ringtone longer than 40 seconds. Most people say 30 seconds is the "sweet spot" to ensure it actually loops correctly without getting cut off by the system. If you try to export a 41-second clip, GarageBand might just shrug and fail, or worse, shorten it in a way that sounds terrible.
Start by opening GarageBand on your iPhone. If you don't have it, it's a free download, though it's a massive file that eats up storage. Choose the "Audio Recorder" or "Keyboard"—it doesn't really matter which, because we aren't actually recording a hit single. We just need the workspace. Look for the little icon that looks like a brick wall (the tracks view). That’s your stage.
Importing your actual song
You can’t just use any song from Apple Music because of DRM (Digital Rights Management). If you pay for the subscription, those files are "locked." You need an actual file—an MP3, a WAV, or something you’ve bought on iTunes. Tap the loop icon (the little squiggle) in the top right. This is where most people get stuck. You have to toggle over to the "Files" tab. Browse for your track. Long-press it and drag it onto your timeline.
Now, the editing. Trim it. Use your fingers to slide the ends of the blue bar until you have the exact chorus or beat drop you want. Keep it under that 30-second mark.
The export trick: This is how to make a ringtone from GarageBand work
This is the part where everyone fails. You don't "Save" it. You "Share" it.
Go back to "My Songs" by tapping the downward arrow in the top left. Your project will be sitting there, probably named "My Song 4" or something equally generic. Long-press that file thumbnail. A menu pops up. You’re looking for the Share button.
📖 Related: Le Huu Dien Khue Explained: The AI Researcher Bridging the Gap Between France and Vietnam
Once you hit Share, Apple gives you three choices: Song, Ringtone, or Project.
- Tap Ringtone.
- If your clip is too long, a notification will pop up saying it needs to be shortened. Just let it do its thing or go back and trim it manually if you’re a perfectionist.
- Name it something you'll recognize. "Work Boss" or "Sick Beat" works better than "My Song."
- Hit Export.
Wait a few seconds. A dialog box will ask if you want to "Use sound as..." You can assign it to a specific contact right then and there, or just set it as your "Standard Ringtone."
Why does it feel so complicated?
Historically, Apple treated ringtones as a revenue stream. Remember the $0.99 ringtone store? Yeah, it’s still there. By making the DIY process slightly buried, they nudge the average user toward just buying a pre-made clip. But for those of us who want a specific niche song or a voice recording of our kid, GarageBand is the only native workaround that doesn't require a Mac or PC.
It's also about the file extension. iOS ringtones use the .m4r format. Back in the day, we used to have to rename .m4a files to .m4r manually in iTunes. GarageBand basically acts as a mobile converter that handles that handshake for you. It’s a bridge between your raw audio file and the locked-down "Tones" folder in your iPhone's settings.
Common pitfalls that will ruin your vibe
If your song sounds quiet, check the gain. In GarageBand, you can double-tap the track and hit "Settings" to boost the volume. Ringtones need to be louder than standard music because phone speakers are small and you’re often in a noisy environment. Don't redline it (where the meter turns red), or it’ll sound like garbage and distort when your mom calls.
Another thing: make sure your "Section" length is set to "Automatic" or at least matches your clip. Tap the small "+" icon under the wrench in the top right. If it’s set to "8 bars" and your song is 12 bars, it’s going to cut you off mid-sentence. Set it to "Manual" and crank the bars up so you have plenty of room to move things around.
What if the song isn't on your phone?
If your audio is on a computer, you can AirDrop it to your iPhone first. It’ll usually land in your "Files" app. From there, GarageBand can "see" it. If you’re trying to use a YouTube clip, you’ll have to use a (legal) downloader or a screen recorder first, then strip the audio. It’s a bit of a process, honestly. But the result—having a phone that doesn't sound like every other person’s—is worth the ten minutes of clicking around.
Moving beyond the basics
Once you’ve mastered the export, you can actually use GarageBand’s built-in instruments. You don't even need an external song. You can play a drum beat, throw some "Alchemy Synth" over it, and literally compose your own signature sound.
- Automation: You can make your ringtone fade in so it doesn't scare the life out of you when it rings in a quiet room.
- Effects: Add some "Reverb" or "Delay" to make a simple alert sound feel more professional.
- Layering: You can stack two different songs if you're feeling particularly chaotic.
Finalizing your setup
After the export is finished, you can verify it's there by going to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone. Your new creation will appear at the very top of the list, above the default options. If you ever want to delete it, you can't do it from the Settings app. You have to go back into the GarageBand "Share" menu, go to the Ringtone export section, and there’s usually a "Your Ringtones" list where you can swipe left to delete.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your storage: GarageBand is a 1.6GB+ app. Make sure you have room before you start.
- Locate your file: Ensure the audio file is in the "Files" app on your iPhone, not just sitting in a third-party app.
- Trim aggressively: A 15-second loop is actually better than a 30-second one for most people; it feels more intentional.
- Test the volume: Call yourself from another phone to make sure the audio levels aren't peaking or too muffled.
- Clean up: Delete the GarageBand project after you've successfully exported the ringtone to save space on your device.
By following these steps, you've bypassed the need for a desktop computer and took full control over your iPhone's soundscape. It’s a bit of a dance, but your ears will thank you next time you're out in public.