Look, the default iPhone "Reflection" chime is fine. It’s iconic. But after hearing it for the tenth time while waiting in line at the grocery store, it starts to feel a bit like a dental drill. Most people think changing it requires a desktop computer, a weird third-party subscription, or some shady website that’ll give your phone a digital cold. It doesn't. You can actually figure out how to make ringtone with GarageBand directly on your iPhone, and honestly, it’s one of those "hidden in plain sight" features Apple doesn't really advertise because they'd rather you just buy a 30-second clip from the iTunes Store for $1.29.
GarageBand is usually that app you offload when your storage gets full. It’s massive. But for this specific task, it’s a powerhouse.
The process is a little clunky because Apple’s file system is basically a digital Fort Knox. You can't just "Save as Ringtone" from your Music app. You have to move files between folders, import them into a timeline, and then export them through a specific sharing menu. It sounds like a headache. It's really not, once you see where the buttons are hidden.
Why GarageBand is actually the best tool for this
Most people try to use online converters. Don't do that. Those sites are often riddled with trackers, and the audio quality usually ends up sounding like it was recorded underwater through a tin can. GarageBand uses the native iOS audio engine. This means your ringtone will be loud, crisp, and perfectly formatted as an .m4r file without you needing to know what an .m4r file even is.
Another thing? Timing.
iOS ringtones have a strict 30-second limit. If you try to set a five-minute ballad as your alarm, it just won't work or it'll cut off at a weird spot. GarageBand lets you see the waveform. You can fade the audio in so you don't jump out of your skin when your mom calls, or you can loop a specific drum break so it sounds seamless.
Getting your audio file ready
Before you even open GarageBand, you need a song. This is where most people hit a wall. You cannot use songs from Apple Music or Spotify. Even if you've "downloaded" them for offline listening, they are DRM-protected (Digital Rights Management). It sucks, but it's the law.
You need an unprotected file. This could be:
- An MP3 you bought years ago.
- A voice memo you recorded of your kid or your dog.
- A royalty-free track downloaded from a site like Pixabay or Free Music Archive.
- Something you actually played yourself using the instruments inside GarageBand.
Save this file to the Files app on your iPhone. Put it in the "On My iPhone" folder or "Downloads." Just remember where it is. If it's in your iCloud Drive, that works too, but having it local is usually faster.
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The step-by-step breakdown of how to make ringtone with GarageBand
Open the app. If it asks you to start a new project, choose the Audio Recorder (the icon looks like a microphone). It doesn't matter that you aren't actually recording your voice; we just need the empty timeline that comes with it.
Once you’re in the recording interface, look at the top left. You’ll see a button that looks like a bunch of bricks or tracks. Tap that. It switches you from the "instrument" view to the "timeline" view. Now, look at the top right. There’s a little loop-de-loop icon (the Loops browser). Tap it.
Importing the track
Select the Files tab at the top. Tap "Browse items from the Files app" at the bottom. Find your song. Once it appears in the list, don't just tap it—long-press it and drag it onto the timeline.
The 30-second rule
By default, GarageBand might only give you 8 bars of space. Your song will look cut off. Tap the tiny plus (+) icon in the top right corner of the timeline, tap "Section A," and turn on "Automatic" or manually bump it up to 30.
Now, trim the clip. Drag the ends of the blue or green waveform. You want the "meat" of the song. If you’re making a ringtone of a song that starts with a slow 40-second intro, you’re going to miss the hook every time someone calls. Move the clip so it starts exactly where you want the ringing to begin.
Exporting: The part everyone misses
This is the "secret sauce." You don't "save" the file.
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- Tap the downward-facing arrow in the top left and select My Songs. This saves the project and takes you back to the main browser.
- Find your project (it’s probably called "My Song"). Long-press the icon.
- A menu pops up. Scroll down and tap Share.
- You’ll see three options: Song, Ringtone, and Project. Tap Ringtone.
If your clip is longer than 30 seconds, GarageBand will tell you it needs to be shortened. It can do this automatically, but it’s better if you did it yourself in the previous step so the cut isn't jarring. Name your ringtone something recognizable like "Best Guitar Solo Ever" or "Wife Calling." Hit Export.
Setting the tone (Literally)
Once the export is successful, a dialog box asks if you want to "Use sound as..." You can set it as your standard ringtone, text tone, or assign it to a specific person right there.
If you want to do it later:
Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone. Your new creation will be sitting at the very top of the list, above the default "Reflection" and "Opening."
Common pitfalls and "Pro" tips
Sometimes the export fails. Usually, this happens if you’re low on storage or if the file name has weird characters in it. Keep it simple.
Another weird quirk? Volume.
Music files are often mastered much quieter than Apple’s native ringtones. If your custom tone is too quiet, go back into the GarageBand timeline, tap the track, and use the track settings to boost the gain. Just don't redline it (make it go into the red on the volume meter) or it will sound distorted and "crunchy" through your iPhone’s small speakers.
Why doesn't my song show up in the Loops browser?
If you're looking for a song you bought on iTunes, it has to be actually downloaded to your device. If there’s a little cloud icon next to it in your Music library, GarageBand won't see it. Download it first.
Can I use a video's audio?
Yes, but you have to extract it first. There are plenty of "Video to Audio" shortcuts in the iOS Shortcuts app that can turn a screen recording into an AAC or MP3 file. Once it’s an audio file in your Files app, the process is the same.
Beyond the basics: Customizing the vibe
If you really want to get fancy, use the "Smart Drums" or "Alchemy Synth" in GarageBand to layer some extra noise over your song. I once spent way too long layering a 909 drum machine over a clip from a 70s funk record just for my morning alarm. Was it necessary? No. Did it make waking up at 6:00 AM slightly less miserable? Definitely.
The beauty of knowing how to make ringtone with GarageBand is that you aren't stuck with what Apple thinks you should hear. You can use a clip from a podcast, a funny thing your friend said, or a niche song that will never, ever be on the iTunes Store.
Actionable Next Steps
- Find your audio: Identify a non-DRM file (MP3/WAV/AIFF) and save it to your iPhone's Files app.
- Open GarageBand: Launch a new "Audio Recorder" project and switch to the Timeline View.
- Import & Trim: Drag your file from the Loops browser (Files tab) and trim it to exactly 30 seconds or less.
- Export as Ringtone: Use the Share menu from the "My Songs" screen to send it to your system settings.
- Assign it: Head to Settings > Sounds & Haptics to set your new custom tone as your default or for a specific contact.