Open Settings and find the Sounds menu

To change your ringtone, start by opening the Settings app on your iPhone home screen. Tap the gear icon, then scroll down and tap Sounds & Haptics (on newer iPhones) or Sounds (on older models). The exact name depends on your iOS version, but it will be in the main Settings list.

Once you are in Sounds & Haptics, you will see several options listed: Ringtone, Text Tone, New Mail, and others. Tap Ringtone to see all available sounds. This is where you make your selection.

Choose from built-in ringtones or your own music

Your iPhone comes with dozens of built-in ringtones. When you tap Ringtone, you will see a list of them with names like Alarm, Beacon, Chime, and Marimba. Tap any name to hear a preview of that sound. A checkmark appears next to your current ringtone so you can see which one is active right now.

If you want to use a song from your music library instead, scroll to the top of the Ringtone list and tap Tone Store to browse additional sounds, or look for a section labeled Songs or Music depending on your iOS version. You can also use a song you have already purchased or downloaded through Apple Music or iTunes. The process is the same regardless of where the song came from.

Set a ringtone for all incoming calls

Once you have chosen a sound, tap it to select it. The checkmark moves to your new choice, and that ringtone is now active for all incoming calls from any contact. The change takes effect immediately — you do not need to restart your phone or confirm anything else.

If you change your mind later, return to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone and pick a different sound. You can switch as often as you want without any restrictions or limitations.

Assign different ringtones to specific contacts

You can also set a unique ringtone for individual people. Open the Contacts app, find the person you want to customize, and tap Edit in the top right corner. Scroll down and tap Ringtone, then choose a sound from the same list you saw in Settings.

When that contact calls you, their custom ringtone will play instead of your default one. This is useful if you want to recognize certain callers by sound without looking at your phone. You can set different ringtones for as many contacts as you want.

Use a song from your library as a ringtone

If you want to use a specific song as your ringtone, the song must be 30 seconds or shorter. Songs longer than that will not appear in the ringtone list. You can trim a song using GarageBand (Apple's free music app) or a third-party audio editor, then save it to your phone.

Once the trimmed file is on your iPhone, it will show up in the Songs section of your Sounds & Haptics menu. Tap it to set it as your ringtone. This method works for any audio file you own, not just Apple Music tracks or songs purchased through iTunes.

Troubleshoot if your ringtone is not working

If you set a new ringtone but do not hear it when someone calls, check that your phone is not in Silent mode. Look at the left side of your iPhone — if the mute switch (a small toggle) is flipped toward the back of the phone, your ringtone will be silent. Flip it forward to turn sound back on.

Also check that the volume is turned up. Press the volume-up button on the side of your phone, or go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and drag the Ringtone and Alerts slider to the right. If you still hear nothing, restart your iPhone by powering it off and back on. This resolves most sound issues.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, tap Sounds & Haptics, then Ringtone to see all available sounds and pick a new one.
  • Built-in ringtones are included with your iPhone, and you can preview each one before selecting it.
  • You can set a different ringtone for specific contacts by opening Contacts, tapping Edit, and choosing Ringtone for that person.
  • To use a song as a ringtone, the song must be 30 seconds or shorter; trim longer songs using GarageBand or another audio editor first.
  • If your ringtone is silent, check that the mute switch on the side of your phone is flipped forward and the volume is turned up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any song as my ringtone?

Any song can be a ringtone if it is 30 seconds or shorter. Longer songs will not appear in the ringtone list. Use GarageBand or another audio editor to trim a song to 30 seconds, then save it to your iPhone and select it in Sounds & Haptics.

Will my custom ringtone work if my phone is on silent?

No. When the mute switch on the left side of your iPhone is flipped toward the back, all ringtones are silent. Flip the switch forward to hear your ringtone. The volume slider in Sounds & Haptics also controls whether your ringtone plays.

Can I set different ringtones for different people?

Yes. Open Contacts, find the person, tap Edit, scroll down to Ringtone, and choose a sound. That person will always use their custom ringtone when they call you, even if you change your default ringtone later.

Where do I find the Tone Store to download more ringtones?

In Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone, scroll to the top of the list and tap Tone Store. You can browse and download additional ringtones there. Some are free; others cost a small amount.