How to make any song a ringtone on iPhone

Cut the best 30 seconds of a song and set it as your ringtone straight from the Files app, no GarageBand or iTunes needed.

Updated November 2026 · by the Clipabay team

Making your own iPhone ringtone used to mean GarageBand or syncing with iTunes. Since iOS 26 it is much easier: any short MP3 or M4A in the Files app can become a ringtone with two taps. Here's how to do it, from picking the right part of the song to setting it.

Open the ringtone maker

Step 1: cut the part you want

1. Open the ringtone maker on your iPhone or computer and choose the song.
2. Drag across the waveform to select the chorus, the drop or the bit everyone knows. Keep it under 30 seconds for the iOS 26 method. Clipabay adds a short fade, so it doesn't start with a jolt.
3. Save it as M4A or MP3. On a computer, send it to your iPhone with AirDrop or save it to iCloud Drive.

Step 2 (iOS 26 and later): set it as your ringtone

1. Open the Files app and find the file you saved.
2. Press and hold it, tap Share, then choose Use as Ringtone.
3. That's it. It is now selected under Settings › Sounds & Haptics › Ringtone, and you can give it to just one contact from their contact card.

On an older iPhone

Before iOS 26 you need a computer. Save the ringtone as M4R (the ringtone maker offers it, up to 40 seconds), connect your iPhone, and drag the file onto your iPhone in Finder on a Mac, or in iTunes or the Apple Devices app on Windows. It then shows up under Settings › Sounds › Ringtone.

Good to know

• Songs from Apple Music can't be used. They are protected, so the file won't open. Use songs you own as MP3 or M4A files.
• Ringtones start quietly on many iPhones when you pick them up. Start your selection just before the part you want.
• Want an alarm sound or text tone? Make it the same way, a few seconds long.

On Android? Save the selection as MP3 and choose it under Settings › Sound › Ringtone, or copy it to your phone's Ringtones folder.

Questions