How to Create Free Ringtones for Your iPhone (No Computer Needed)

In this article, we'll show you show to create a ringtone on your iPhone using third-party apps and websites. We'll also show you how to use the GarageBand app to create a ringtone from one of your Apple Music songs. Creating a ringtone takes only a few minutes, and the final result is a cool ringtone that you actually enjoy!

Related: How to Make Your Own Ringtones for iPhone on iTunes 

For both of these processes, you'll need the GarageBand app. This free app is usually included as a default app on your iPhone, but if you don't have it you'll want to download this before beginning. While the options below are for setting up music-based ringtones, you can also make a ringtone with a voice memo or create a custom ringtone on iTunes. For more handy tricks on how to personalize your iPhone, consider signing up for our free Tip of the Day.  

iPhone Life
Discover your iPhone's hidden features
Get a daily tip (with screenshots and clear instructions) so you can master your iPhone in just one minute a day.

Jump To:

How to Make a Ringtone Using Free Ringtone Apps & Websites

For this example, we'll use the Zedge ringtone app. This phone personalization app is considered the best ringtone app for iPhone, and has a wide range of high-quality ringtones. In the Zedge free app, you can either pay for a ringtone or watch a short video ad to get a free music ringtones download. The process is similar across other free ringtone apps and websites, as you will begin by downloading the ringtone to your files, then using the GarageBand app to load your ringtone into your Ringtone options in Settings.

  1. Open the Zedge app
  2. Scroll down to the Ringtone Makers section, and tap See More

  3. Tap to open a ringtone you like. 
  4. Tap the white Download arrow

  5. Tap Get Credits (if you don't already have them). 

  6. For the free option, you can watch a short ad to earn credits. Tap Go to watch the ad.

  7. Tap the green Download button. 

  8. Close Zedge and open your GarageBand app.
  9. Tap the loop icon.

  10. Tap Files and Browse items from the Files app.

  11. Tap to open your Zedge folder, then press and hold your ringtone to open the file.

  12. Tap My Songs to view your ringtone file. It will be labeled My Song.

  13. Press and hold your new ringtone to rename it.

  14. Press and hold your ringtone and select Share.

  15. Tap Ringtone.

  16. You may see a message noting your ringtone length needs to be adjusted. (It was likely trimmed to just over 30 seconds.) Tap Continue

  17. Tap Export.

  18. You'll see a message noting the ringtone export was successful. Tap the Use sound as option.

  19. From the menu below, you can now set your ringtone as the Standard Ringtone (or assign to a specific contact).

How to Make a Ringtone in GarageBand

If you have a specific section of a song you love, but are not finding any premade ringtones, this section is for you! You can use any of your songs in Apple Music to make a GarageBand ringtone. Let get started learning how to make a ringtone with GarageBand. 

  1. Tap to open the GarageBand app.  
  2. Tap the microphone button in the top left corner.

  3. Tap the lines icon to open the Tracks view..

  4. From this view, tap the loop icon to browse your files.

  5. Select the Music tab from the top of your screen.

  6. Scroll to the song you want. Press and hold your song to select it. 
  7. Slide the bar to your desired starting point for your ringtone.

  8. Tap the small + icon in the right corner.

  9. Tap to edit Section A.

  10. Press the up or down arrows to set Manual to 30 bars (to create your 30-second ringtone). Tap Done

  11. Select the arrow, and My Songs to see your saved audio files. Your new ringtone will be labeled My Song.

  12. Press and hold your new ringtone to rename it.

  13. Press and hold your ringtone and select Share.

  14. Tap Ringtone.

  15. You may see a message noting your ringtone length needs to be adjusted. (It was likely trimmed to just over 30 seconds.) Tap Continue

  16. Tap Export.

  17. You'll see a message noting the ringtone export was successful. Tap the Use sound as option.

  18. From the menu below, you can now set your ringtone as the Standard Ringtone (or assign to a specific contact).

Master your iPhone in one minute a day: Sign up here to get our FREE Tip of the Day delivered right to your inbox.

Topics

Author Details

Ashleigh Page's picture

Author Details

Ashleigh Page

Ashleigh Page is an Associate Editor for iPhone Life. A longtime Apple enthusiast with a Bachelor's in English and Computer Science and three years of experience writing about tech, Ashleigh has written and tested hundreds of articles about devices and features within Apple's ecosystem. She specializes in iPhone, iPad, AirPods, and Mac content and has authored a 60-page in-depth guide about the Apple Maps app. Based in North Carolina, Ashleigh is often crafting whimsical (and sometimes nonsensical) short stories and hiking when she's not working.