Change the Default Ringtone on iPhone
Your iPhone comes loaded with a variety of ringtone options to pick from. You can change your default ringtone, as well as assign different ringtones to different contacts. You can also change the alert sounds for many of your notifications. You can also add ringtones to your iPhone using iTunes, and these can either be purchased from the iTunes Store or made from your own audio files.
Contents
Steps
Via Your iPhone
- Open the Settings app. You can change the ringtone and notification sounds from your Settings app.
- If you want to set the ringtone for a specific contact, see the next section.
- Select "Sounds." This will open a new menu with your iPhone's sound settings.
- Tap "Ringtone" to see your available ringtones.. All of your installed ringtones will be listed here. Ringtones that you've added from iTunes or the iTunes Store will be listed at the top. To find older iPhone ringtones, tap the "Classic" category.
- You can turn any of your songs into a ringtone using iTunes on your computer. See Add Ringtones to an iPhone for instructions.
- Tapping "Store" at the top of the list of ringtones will open the iTunes Store, allowing you to purchase new ringtones.
- Select a ringtone. Tapping a ringtone will play a preview and select it. You can return to the Sounds menu after selecting the ringtone you want to use.
- You can select an alert tone, instead one of your ringtones, as a ringtone to use. Slide the list about halfway down the screen to find this list.
- Tap the different notification types to change the alert sounds. Different system functions can have different alert sounds. Tapping a function will allow you to set a new sound. Tap the "Classic" category at the bottom of the alert sound list to find legacy iPhone alert sounds.
- You can add custom notification sounds using iTunes on your computer, or by purchasing them from the iTunes Store. See Add Ringtones to an iPhone for instructions. Alert sounds that you've added will usually be listed at the top, though you may have to scroll down to the "Ringtones" section when selecting the sound.
- Not all apps allow you to change the alert sound. If you don't see an option listed here, you can check the app's Settings menu, but it may not be possible.
Assigning a Ringtone to a Contact
- Open the Contacts app. You can assign specific ringtones to any of the contacts in your Contacts app. It may be located in a folder labeled "Extras."
- Tap the contact that you want to change the ringtone for. This will display the contact's details.
- Tap the "Edit" button. The various contact fields will appear.
- Tap the "Ringtone" entry and select the ringtone you want to assign. Selecting a ringtone here is just like selecting one from your iPhone's Sounds menu. Any ringtones you've added from your computer will be listed at the top, and you can scroll down to select from the alert sounds.
Transferring a Ringtone from iTunes to iPhone
- Ensure the latest version of iTunes is installed on your computer. You'll be using iTunes to transfer your ringtone files onto your iPhone. The latest versions of iTunes make this process much easier than it used to be, so make sure you're running the latest version:
- Windows - Press Alt and click the "Help" menu. Select "Check for Updates" to download and install any available iTunes updates.
- Mac - Click the "iTunes" menu and select "Check for Updates."
- Sign in with your Apple ID. Make sure that you are logged in with the Apple ID that you used to purchase your ringtones. Click the profile button in the upper-right corner and sign in if you aren't already.
- Connect your iPhone to your computer. You should see it appear in the top row of buttons in iTunes after a moment.
- If you haven't connected your iPhone to your computer before, you'll be taken through a quick setup process.
- Select your iPhone and click the "Summary" option. This will open details of your iPhone.
- Check the "Manually manage music and videos" box and click "Apply." This will allow you to easily add ringtones to your iPhone.
- If you had previously synced your iPhone with another library, you'll be forced to erase the synced content when syncing with a new library. You can only sync from one library at a time.
- Click the "..." button at the top of iTunes and select "Tones." This will display all of the ringtones on your computer that you can transfer to your iPhone.
- If you've purchased a ringtone from iTunes but don't see it listed here, click your profile button and select "Purchased." Select the "Tones" tab in the Purchased screen and find the ringtone you want to retrieve. Click the iCloud button next to the ringtone to download it to your computer.
- If you are prompted to authorize the computer, click the "Store" menu (press Alt if you don't see it) and then select "Authorize this Computer." You'll be prompted to log in with your Apple ID. You can have up to five computers authorized at once. Once your computer is authorized, you can download all of your iTunes purchases.
- You can create ringtones from any of the music files in your iTunes library. See Set a Song As Your Ringtone on iPhone for instructions on creating a custom ringtone which you can then drag onto your iPhone.
- If you download M4R files online, you can drag them into the iTunes window to add them to your Tones library. M4R is the iTunes ringtone format.
- Click and drag a ringtone that you want to transfer to your iPhone. You'll see your iPhone appear in the left frame.
- Drop the ringtone onto your iPhone in the left frame. This will immediately transfer the file to your iPhone.
Troubleshooting
- Reset your iPhone's network settings if your ringtone doesn't stay applied. Some users have reported that their ringtone automatically reverts back to the standard one after a little while, even though the new one still shows as selected. You can fix this problem by resetting your network settings. This will not delete any data, but you will need to enter your wireless network information again.
- Open the Settings app and select "General." This will open the general settings for your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap "Reset." The various reset options will be displayed.
- Tap "Reset Network Settings" and then confirm that you want to reset. You may be asked to enter your passcode. Your iPhone will reboot during the reset process.
- Test your ringtone again. This will usually fix the problem you're having with your ringtone or notification.
Related Articles
- Get Ringtones for the iPhone
- Make iPhone Ringtones on a PC
- Make Ringtones for the iPhone
- Create a Free iPhone Ringtone Using a Song in iTunes
- Add Ringtones to an iPhone
- Set Ringtones on an iPhone