Free Custom Ringtones for iPhone 3G using only iTunes
Create free ringtones for your iPhone using only iTunes and songs you already have on your computer (This method only works with songs that are DRM free. To create ringtones using DRM protected songs please follow this guide to strip the DRM off first using TuneClone). This method has been tested and works with iTunes 7.7.1 and iPhone 2.0.1 firmware.
To create custom ringtones using only iTunes:
1. Right click on the song you are going to make into a ringer and select “Get Info.”
2. Go to the options tab and go down to the “Start Time” and “Stop Time” check boxes. Check both boxes and input the time you want your ringer to start/stop. The ringer has to be 30 seconds or less. Click OK when you’re done.
3. Right click on your newly “clipped” song and select “Convert Selection to AAC.” The song will be re-encoded using the start and stop times determined (If your menu item does not read “Convert Selection to AAC” and reads “Convert Slection to MP3″ (or some other format) please go to iTunes -> Preferences -> Advanced -> Importing and change the “Import Using” drop down menu to “AAC Encoder”).
4. After the song is done encoding navigate to your iTunes Music folder, locate your song, and drag it to your desktop. After the song is on your desktop go back to iTunes and delete the clipped version from you iTunes library (It won’t delete it from your desktop, it will only remove it from iTunes).
5. Go back the song on your desktop and right click on your song and chose “Properties”. Go to the name and extension section and change the extension from .m4a to .m4r (or you can just change the extension right from your desktop).
6. After the extension is changed simply double click on the file to add it to your iTunes library under the ringtones section. Sync your phone with iTunes and you’re done!
Note: Remember to go back into iTunes and uncheck your custom start and stop times for the original version of your song.
Reference: http://theappleblog.com/2008/08/07/free-custom-iphone-ringtones-using-only-itunes/
Updated: If you are using iTunes 8, please head to Create free iPhone ringtones using iTunes 8.
[...] Top Posts Free Custom Ringtones for iPhone 3G using only iTunes [...]
Stream Your Entire iTunes Library From Anywhere? « Convert DRM protected iTunes M4P music to MP3
August 11, 2008 at 2:06 am
FANTASTIC – At last simple easy to follow instructions to convert my purchased songs into ringtones, One up on Apple
Just need some instuctions on how to convert file extension (simple to do but needed other website to get instructions)
Robert
August 12, 2008 at 10:05 am
the new custome ringtone doesn’t repeat when somebody call my iphone? Somebody have a solution??
Trisha
May 21, 2009 at 3:22 am
Good info, I’m going to try this with my iTunes. Thanks for sharing!
iphone3gaccessories
August 12, 2008 at 11:38 pm
heck yeah. worked like a charm. nicely done.
MarkRHuffer
August 13, 2008 at 4:18 am
Thanq Soo much
It really helped me…
and I Am happy now..
Thanx Again..:-)
Suraj
August 13, 2008 at 8:34 am
when i right click on the file to go to properties at the end, there is no name and extension option to change to.m4r….help please!!!
Branden.Keis
August 14, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Is this only for mac or something? I am trying to turn the Song “Welcome Home” into a ringtone. I make starting at 1:05 to 1:30. I do convert to AAC. I drag it to desktop and delete the file in iTunes. When it says to rename it from .m4a to .m4r, its only entitled “Welcome Home”. Theres nothing to change. I tried putting .m4r at the end but it just went back into my iTunes library.
Alex
August 14, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Go to your control panel and go to folder options and to apperance, you need to uncheck the box that says “Hide file extensions”
Mindfreak
June 2, 2009 at 4:52 am
didn’t make sense.
Patrick
August 14, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Never mind. Got it!
Patrick
August 15, 2008 at 12:01 am
Alex or anyone, have you figured out how to fix that? mine works fine but my husband’s iTunes does the same thing. when converted into AAC, it only shows the song title. we both have PCs. thanks in advance!
leah
August 15, 2008 at 2:31 am
When the file extension is not shown, then it is hidden. Go to folder options, then view, and then uncheck “hid extensions for known file types”
blank
August 15, 2008 at 5:13 am
So, im still confused, i did everything but rename the extention thing… i get its hidden.. How do i unhide it? please use detail. im not dumb. just a little SLOW. haha. ok peace. THANK U
Shelby
August 15, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Worked like a champ… thanks
Sam
August 15, 2008 at 9:55 pm
I got to the step 6 but i could not add it under ringtone. How do i do that?
Thanks,
Tareq
Tareq
August 17, 2008 at 9:00 am
Hey, I have windows vista and i don’t know where to find the option to un-tick “hide extensions for known file types”.
Can anyone help me out please, it would be much appreciated!
Alex
Alex
August 17, 2008 at 11:23 am
Like Tareq, could not add under Ringtones in iTunes — would only drop into Music. How do I make it go into Ringtones?
Raven
August 19, 2008 at 4:21 am
To those that can see it in the Ringtones folder in iTunes, but can’t sync it to your phone properly, the song has to be 40 seconds or less.
James
August 20, 2008 at 2:17 am
I am doing this on a PC and it’s not showing up in the ringtones section. I am using Itunes 7.7.1.11 and I suspect this upgrade has squashed this method. Any ideas anyone?
Andrew
August 20, 2008 at 5:48 am
Andrew:
This method has been tested and works with iTunes 7.7.1 and iPhone 2.0.1 firmware.
itunesm4ptomp3
August 20, 2008 at 5:59 am
Thanks that was so simple and amazing.
Paul
August 20, 2008 at 10:16 pm
[...] Posts Free Custom Ringtones for iPhone 3G using only iTunesHow to convert DRM protected iTunes M4P music songs to MP3How to transfer iTunes M4P music playlist [...]
Free download music for iPod - what you need to know « Convert DRM protected iTunes M4P music to MP3
August 21, 2008 at 3:34 am
Wow! that was so simple, yet 100% effective. thanks
Ryan
August 21, 2008 at 4:01 am
Does anybody know how to repeat the ringtone?
Trisha
May 21, 2009 at 3:25 am
to those of you whom keep getting it stuck in the music folder do the following go all the way through the guide at the top up until you get to the part where it says to add the edited format ringtone back into itunes. before you do this delete the original file that you converted the ringtone from but keep it in its folder JUST DELETE IT FROM ITUNES. Then click on the ringtone add it and then go back in and add the original file back into itunes. worked for me when i had that problem
Nick
August 21, 2008 at 6:19 am
I think the problem people are having is un-hiding the .m4a extension(if all you see is the songs name). Follow all the steps for converting the file to AAC. Then, before you change the file name to .m4r, go in your itunes music folder click on Tools>Folder Options>View and then un-check the box = hide extensions for known file types. This will reveal the .m4a which then can be changed to .m4r.
Jay
August 21, 2008 at 8:47 am
I don’t see Tools anywhere..I feel so stupid where everybody says..go to “Tools” but there isn’t Tools in my folder nor when I go to my computer
Diana
May 21, 2009 at 1:20 pm
thx… That was the issue I was having. Works great now
bill
August 21, 2008 at 6:32 pm
how many custom ringtones can u have on ur iphone?? i got one but when i tried to make another one it woundt work any help please…
paul
August 21, 2008 at 7:47 pm
AWESOME!!!
david
August 22, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Yea Paul, I have the exact same problem. Any help?
Fyl
August 23, 2008 at 3:32 am
Wich one is my itunes music folder? :S
Chris
August 24, 2008 at 12:08 pm
worked great thanks so much for the info
Lucy
August 24, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Does this really only work for songs purchased from iTunes?
wonderwoman
August 25, 2008 at 1:13 am
amzin
it works on my new iphone 3g
wid new frimware 2.2 or somethin
THXXX a ton
abhishek jain
August 25, 2008 at 3:21 pm
[...] Posts Free Custom Ringtones for iPhone 3G using only iTunesHow to convert DRM protected iTunes M4P music songs to MP3How to transfer iTunes M4P music playlist [...]
Free custom ringtones for iPhone 3G (Mac only) « Convert DRM protected iTunes M4P music to MP3
August 26, 2008 at 5:21 am
You are the man!!!
Pari
August 26, 2008 at 9:53 am
[...] see – once for the song and then again, to convert 30 seconds of it into a ringtone. Still, the process works and Apple is a few pence poorer because I was willing to spend twenty-five minutes making just [...]
Making ringtones for the iPhone ain’t easy | The Spicy Cauldron
August 26, 2008 at 5:24 pm
which one is itunes music folder??
bk
August 26, 2008 at 9:12 pm
It does not appear to work with iTunes 7.7.1.11
The file is converted, a 25 second ringtone. Everything appears like it should work however iTunes simply seems to ignore the .m4r file and refuses to add it to the library. It kinda fakes like it will for a split second but then nothing appears, no error message or anything.
Can anyone confirm this working with the very latest version of iTunes?
Sean
August 27, 2008 at 3:48 am
I just did this today with iTunes 7.7.1.11 and firmware 2.0.2 – worked exactly as described. Very helpful…
fattyboombatty
August 27, 2008 at 6:40 am
your itunes music folder is in:
c:/My documents/My music/iTunes
i-Mazing
August 27, 2008 at 10:03 am
Beautiful and easy solution. Many thanks.
MFO
August 28, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Clever trick! Just did it and it worked like a charm. Continental forever!
DMCK
August 29, 2008 at 3:47 am
i cannot add more than one song as a ringtone… is there any reason for this?
bec
August 29, 2008 at 11:05 am
hi there I have just bought a 3G iphone and downloaded th 7.7 version of itunes. I cannot seem to get any ringtones onto my itunes and then in turn my phone at all and is very frustrating. y computer uses microsoft 07. Someone please help me as th conversion above tp m4r does no work for me. Thanks
courtney
August 29, 2008 at 7:43 pm
So awesome. Great info sir. You rock!
Darkwolf
August 29, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Fantastic, thanks!
For PC users – open up any folder such as My Computer. Click on Tools/Folder Options. Click the View tab, and uncheck Hide extensions for known file types. Once this is done, follow the steps above and then you’ll be able to see the full file name and type which you can then change.
M
August 30, 2008 at 11:25 am
Showing the extension in MacOS, Windows XP, Windows Vista, location of iTunes music folder
In MacOS X, ctrl+click the file, choose Get Info, and under the Name section, check to see extension.
In Windows Vista, open ANY Explorer window, even Start->Documents or Computer will do, then type the “ALT” letter on the keyboard. By that I mean press and release it like you would a normal key, don’t hold it down. Now you get the menu bar back and can do as in Windows XP.
In Windows XP, in any Explorer window, open the Tools menu and choose Folder options, then the View tab and in the scrolling panel locate the option to “Hide extensions for known file types”, set it to Show.
Locations of the iTunes Music folder
Generally, in iTunes you can ctrl+click (Mac) or right click (Mac+Windows) any song and choose to open in FInder or Explorer.
Beyond that:
Your iTunes Music folder in Vista is C:/Users/yournamehere/Music/iTunes
On Mac its under your harddrive icon, usually Macintosh HD/Users/yourusernamehere/Music/iTunes (basically MacOS and Vista use same folder structure)
Windows XP: C:/Documents & Settings/yournamehere/My Documents/My Music/iTunes
Monia
August 30, 2008 at 11:57 am
People please help me, i follow al the step and i can see under libary there is ringtone folder, then i click on my i phone ringtone, clik on sync, but nothing happen
kelly
August 30, 2008 at 12:55 pm
hi had a problem with converting the file to acc, itunes will not allow it due to it being protected. but does allow me to change it to a m4r manually, it even changes the icon to be a ringtone icon, but then still wont let me add to the ringtone folder
mick
August 31, 2008 at 4:25 am
busy all ugly wood pets frog key watch mail house girl
woodseecar
September 1, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Hi, can change the file and everything and put back into itunes but it will not let me drag the song into the ringtones playlist, anyone know why?!
PLEASE help!
Many thanks!
Lewis
September 1, 2008 at 6:46 pm
i converted it to .m4r itunes, adds it as a ringtone, i sync’d my ringtones with my phone, my itunes says my iphone has the iringtone but when i go to make it my ringtone it’s not on the list!
any ideas?
kelly
September 1, 2008 at 11:40 pm
also im not the kelly that posted earlier in these comments
kelly
September 1, 2008 at 11:41 pm
okay im an idiot, it has to be UNDER 30 seconds in length…
BUMMER!
kelly
September 2, 2008 at 12:01 am
i cant drag it to my ringtones
help?
adri
September 3, 2008 at 1:39 am
I loved the post. I think your thinking is nearly matching the great sukrat’s cocept.
Aviagra
September 3, 2008 at 2:41 am
after dragging it into the ringtone folder. i put my iphone to sync but i dont see it
swiss
September 3, 2008 at 6:00 am
same problem as Swiss! after I synced my phone, my ringtones wouldn’t show up on the phone!!! plz help? thx!
AisaC
September 3, 2008 at 9:34 am
IT WORKS! LOL! THNX!
tilc
September 3, 2008 at 12:52 pm
It’s in my ringtones folder after sync, but it doesn’t show up under Sounds -> Ringtones on my iphone 3G!
Ken
September 4, 2008 at 12:38 am
Got if figured out, it HAS to be 0:00 to 0:29
Not 30 seconds, not 40 seconds.
Ken
September 4, 2008 at 12:40 am
For everyone saying they sync their phone but they don’t see the ringtone on the handset.
Make sure you delete the clip from itunes after you drag it to your desktop, That’s where I was failing.
Double click the .m4r ringtone on your desktop. For me it didn’t show up in my iphone ringtones in itunes, I synched and it was on the phone.
i’m using itunes v7.7.1.11 with iphone 3G version 2.0.2
Smith
September 4, 2008 at 2:12 am
(1) The ringtone can be exactly 30 seconds. I tested one file at 29 and 30 seconds.
(2) Convert to AAC.
(3) Copy original song file to desktop
(4) Copy AAC/m4A song to desktop.
(5) Delete the original and the AAC song file out of itunes (just do it, you can add it back because you did #3 & #4.)
(6) Rename the .m4a to .m4r
(7) Double-click the m4r
(8) Upon double-clicking, itunes should have put that file in the ringtones block. Syncing will put the ringtone automatically on the iphone.
(9) (a) Double click the original song file or (b) drag/import it.
I hope that is comprehensive. However, my reply is ~64 and I tried the previous 62 things before Smith at 63 finally solved my problem. oy. robthecomputerguy-dot-com is new but hopefully up and coming.
robthecomputerguy
September 4, 2008 at 6:18 pm
[...] http://itunesm4ptomp3.wordpress.com/2008/08/08/free-custom-ringtones-for-iphone-3g-using-only-itunes... [...]
Life of PeePee » Blog Archive » Making iPhone 3G Ringtones
September 5, 2008 at 1:21 am
For those of you without “Ringtones” under your “Library” in Itunes.
Close itunes, and double click on your newly created ringtone file (someRingtone.m4r) that will add it the ringtone list, and the ringtone.
ebaG
September 5, 2008 at 3:53 am
AWESOME!!! Worked like a charm on my 3G!!! Thnx!
JEFF
September 6, 2008 at 4:45 am
Worked like a charm. Woooooot!!!
Redman66
September 6, 2008 at 4:50 am
I tried to get more than one ringtone but it wouldnt let me.
how can i fix that?
Chris
September 6, 2008 at 7:09 am
wow! worked great once i figured out how to un-hide the extensions!
Sara
September 6, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Ingenious!I didn’t realize it was that easy!
thanks!!!!!
docfen
September 7, 2008 at 2:25 am
THANK YOU!! It worked on my first try and I’m doing it on a MacBook so it works just about the same on the Mac.
amber
September 7, 2008 at 9:45 am
Hi , I’v done each and every step including deleting the clip from itunes , it also appears in my ringtones in itunes . But after i sync it it does not appear in my iphone ringtone tab ,upon checking my “My Music\iTunes\iTunes Music” folder i find there is no Ringtones folder too . Could you please tell me where i am going wrong ? Am using itunes v7.7.1.11 with iphone 3G version 2 ,really appreciate a reply Tks
Rohan
September 7, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Thank you #64 worked like a charm! Couldn’t have made it simplier myself. Thanks again.
Tina
September 7, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Oh i found out the mistake .. I hadnt enabled sync ringtones in the ringtone tab .. Tks a tn for the method
Rohan
September 7, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Hi, my itunes doesnt show ringtones under library anymore… and it doesnt have a convert to AAC just convert to MP3 and convert ID3 Tags… got the updated itunes? anyone know what happened?
Lockyer
September 9, 2008 at 12:48 am
[...] Metoden fungerar både på Mac och i Windows, här finns en guide för Mac och här är samma guide anpassad för Windows. [...]
iFun.se » Skapa egna ringsignaler för iPhone
September 9, 2008 at 1:40 pm
[...] Metoden fungerar både på Mac och i Windows, här finns en guide för Mac och här är samma guide anpassad för Windows. [...]
iPhoneFeeds » Skapa egna ringsignaler för iPhone
September 9, 2008 at 3:30 pm
TALK ABOUT WORKING LIKE A CHARM! I got everything up to the file extension change as many of you also had trouble with. If anyone is still having trouble with that… I went to my File Explorer (Hit the key with the Windows picture on it and the letter “E”) and when the screen popped up with all of my drives and folders I went up to the top where the menu bar is, Hit “Tools”, “Folder Options”, “View”, and unchecked the “Hide extensions of known file types”. After that I exited, went back out to my Desktop, right clicked on my song clip and changed the extension to .m4r . Double clicked on it and it went straight to my Itunes ringtones. Works great! Sorry I’m not a techie so I couldn’t describe it better to you guys
carol
September 10, 2008 at 7:45 am
Alright, so my first ringtone is 40 seconds and it synced without any problem. I cannot get my other ringtones to sync. They appear in iTunes but not on my 3G or on the syncing list.
Anne
September 10, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Wow… it is amazingly easy….but it is true that i can only put only one ringtone to my iphone?
Askio
September 11, 2008 at 1:34 am
WOW HOW EASY THANKS GUYS!!!!! WORKS GREAT!!!!! sry bout the dumb question before GO THE MIGHTY BRONCOS!!!!
Lockyer
September 11, 2008 at 1:11 pm
hey,
i am using Itunes 7.7.1.11 on vista and i can convert the song to .m4r and get it into the ringtone section, and they will transfer on my iPhone (ver. 2.0.2), i can see the ringtones in iTunes but i cant see them when i go into the ringtone on my phone. i have tried a few times now and still nothing.
can anyone help??
James
September 13, 2008 at 5:32 am
I actually got 4 ringtones on my iphone. Also can go up to 40secs nice!
Lockyer
September 13, 2008 at 7:08 pm
good advice the only problem is, I can only get as far as coverting the file into a ringtone, then i can’t get the last step…getting the file to go to ringtone folder of itunes it wont go there? then i go iphone go to ringtone tab check tone created for syncing and the file is empty but i can see the ringtone in my itunes library.Do you have any suggestions i bought a iphone that’s a year old 8gb and has version 2 installed and i only have silly sounds for the phone ringer
and no ringtone.plz Help me
Mars
September 15, 2008 at 12:39 am
I have a pc and itunes 8.0 and I could do everything but cannot change the extension to .m4r once I hit this step I’m stuck. I right click on the song that I already drug to my desktop and hit properties but it doesn’t give me the option to change the extension. Please help.
js10jj
September 17, 2008 at 7:28 pm
is this suppose to work for only non purchased songs from itunes? purchased songs wont work
krime
September 18, 2008 at 12:31 am
and to mars… you have to make sure the file extension is songname.m4r not m4a. you need to also make sure you delete the song clip out of your itunes library after you put it on your desktop. To unhide the file extenstoin to change it you go to my computer> tools> folder options> view> look through the list and make sure the box that says “hide extensions for known filetypes” is unchecked. then you should be able to see the extension of the file on your desktop and change it to songname.m4r and drag it right into the ringtone section of itunes…. if that makes sense?
krime
September 18, 2008 at 12:38 am
i’ve had no problem making more than one ringtone on my iphone 3g, i have about ten
krime
September 18, 2008 at 12:41 am
To Krime,
For purchased songs, you have to remove the protection first.
This article introduces several ways you can take for your reference:
http://itunesm4ptomp3.wordpress.com/2008/09/11/remove-itunes-drm-windows-mac/
daniel
September 18, 2008 at 1:08 am
James: I have the same prblem as you do, but i can only convert ring tones downloaded from zedge.com. Try is website, download free ring tones and they will work and transferred to the iPhone. Don’t download the new iTInes 8.0 it will remove your conversion to AAC and I can’t located it anywhere under the new version.
webb
September 18, 2008 at 4:16 am
Doesnt seem to work on new itunes. Did it on the old one, but when you have chosen the length of the song no new song is made and you are left with say a 4 min song but only 30 secs play. Before a brand new song was made
Dave
September 18, 2008 at 3:35 pm
I have just tried making two ringtones on the following
iTunes Version 7.7.1.11
iPhone 3G Version 2.0.1
It works fine for me, this is the first time I am doing it.
Thank you.
I have deleted all files in iTunes before double clicking on the new created Ringtone, it will show in my iTunes under Ringtone. I managed to Sync it to my iPhone
Both were 40 sec, was wondering can I go anylonger than that?
Sammy
September 19, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Does anyone know a method that for sure works with the new iTunes 8.0 because and I have a PC not a Mac. Thanks
js10jj
September 19, 2008 at 5:18 pm
After trying out the new ringtone, it sounded distorted, very noisy background. Any way to make it clearer and better?
Sammy
September 19, 2008 at 5:28 pm
W00t! Great success – thanks!
Michela
September 20, 2008 at 8:28 am
I created four 30 second .m4r files for my G3 using iTunes 8.0 on my PC. I can sinc one ringtone no problem but when I add a 2nd or more I end up with a number of identical ringtones all named as the last uploaded and all sounding the same. Anyone know why? Any solution to this problem would be much appreciated!
Marc
Marc
September 20, 2008 at 12:32 pm
hey guys do u know how to convert the mp3 files to AIFF format so that I can use it as a SMS tone?
DeZ
September 21, 2008 at 5:31 pm
so this all works wonderfully but only for m4a files. it wouldn’t work for my old mp3 files. when i tried it on the mp3s, i’d just get stuck in the music folder.
clogozm
September 21, 2008 at 9:13 pm
and to add to my comment above – you have to delete the file from your itunes AND empty your recycle bin or it won’t work.
clogozm
September 21, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Ok, sorry for the multiposts but i just want to help out since i had the MOST problems and finally figured things out.
1. make sure the file is an m4a. it doesn’t work with mp3.
2. make sure that the file you copy onto your desktop is in fact the ringtone and NOT the full song. this is the tricky part. pay attention – when you click “create acc” it seems like the file is converted and the thing you just clicked on is the shorter version. wrong. instead, do a search in your music folder, find the version of your song that is the 30 second version, and drag THAT onto your desktop.
3. before adding back in the ringtone to your itunes, delete the songs from your itunes AND empty your recycle bin.
after i did all this, the song finally showed up as a ringtone and finally showed up in my ringtones library and finally was able to sync with iphone. phew!
all this so i don’t have to spend 2 bucks!
clogozm
September 21, 2008 at 10:00 pm
to change extentions all .m4a files copy in c drive go to run enter “cmd” then press enter,, all .m4a files copy in c drive and then write this command c:\ ren “filename.m4a filename.m4r ” press enter
lucky ahuja
September 22, 2008 at 7:56 am
hi all,
im trying this for the first time, i have read all 102 posts and thought i had it down pat (the correct way to do it) but it didnt work for me.
i have a 3g iphone (2.0.2) and itunes 7.7.1.11, i have done all the steps, got the 30 second clip, transformed it to aac, dragged it to desktop (well i made a folder on desktop and put it in there), renamed it to .m4r deleted the .m4a out of itunes AND the recycle bin. added the .m4r to itunes and itunes made the ringtone ’section’ for me and it appeared in there. I connected my iphone to my PC (using vista), my iphone appeared on the list, i went throught the tabs until i found ringtones, the ringtones were listed there, i clicked sync all ringtones, then apply and sync.
itunes went through the sync process, a rigntones ’section’appeared on my iphone list (on the left hand sinde in itunes) and when i highlight that ringtone ’section’ the names of files are ‘greyed out’.
HOwever – when i disconnect my iphone and go to Settings->Sounds->Ringtone – the filenames i gave the ringtones are not in the list, only the original ones are there (ie Alarm through to Xylophone)
can anyone help ??
thanx in advance
aussiedan
September 22, 2008 at 12:50 pm
You can only download multiple ringtones to your iphone if you automatically sync your phone that will include everything in your library. So if you’re manually adding songs to your phone you will only be able to add one ringtone.
KCool
September 22, 2008 at 6:50 pm
in vista, use the original set of steps and place the cut version in any folder ad use the alt key to see the toolbar and use the steps to show the common file names, change it to .m4r and drag it back to itunes ringtones folder in the itunes app, works like a charm and now it doesn’t show up in the music folder instead, synced with my phone and now it works like a charm!
kyle
September 23, 2008 at 4:16 am
I am stil having problem with the sound quality despite having over 10 ring tones, 9 of them sounded distorted, any one can help?
Sammy
September 25, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Hey. I’m having a problem with mine. I can get the ringtones in the ringtone section of itunes and they are listed there fine but when I actually load them on my iphone under the ‘custom’ ringtones section there is a list of how many ever ringtones I loaded but they are all just the same one repeated. Any suggestions?
Mish
September 26, 2008 at 2:08 am
does this work on itunes 8?
paolo
September 29, 2008 at 8:46 am
All the recommended steps were followed and seem to work, BUT I cannot get new ringtone to sync and appear on the phone. This is V8. The new 2 sec ringtone appears and plays in iTunes sections for Device and Library. Multiple re-sync’s, etc. don’t solve it..Any suggestions? Thank you all for your kind help. Rob
Rob
September 30, 2008 at 7:48 am
***** This is awsome! A+++ good work, I love it!
ElChepe
October 4, 2008 at 4:05 am
Using ITunes 8.01 or whatever the version is as of today (10-4-08) it is still willy nilly what ringtones show up on my IPhone. They are in the folder in ITunes, and it doesn’t matter whether I say sync all or sync only the selected ones: out of the 15 custom ones in the folder, only 3 or 4 actually show up in the phone. Length of song doesn’t seem to matter, some are 17 seconds, some are 40 seconds. Some came from the MacMost ringtone podcast, some I have made using the instructions above on my MBP.
Also, is there any way to delete the stock crap ringtones from Apple?
claire
October 4, 2008 at 10:07 pm
FOR ALL OF YOU WHO DON’T SEE THE RINGTONES ON IPHONE’S RINGTONE LIST,
MAKE SURE YOU CHECKED “SYNC RINGTONES” BOX FROM “RINGTONES” TAB ON TOP OF THE SCREEN
WHERE YOU NORMALLY SYNC YOUR IPHONE.
I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW THERE WERE TABS.
IT SOLVED THE PROBLEM FOR ME.
(I’M USING VERSION 8 ITUNES)
Moai
October 5, 2008 at 5:29 am
hi all,
if your having the same trouble i did (see post no. 103), i searched the web some more and came up with a soluton.
Download a program called iRinger (free program), exe file is approx 3.5 MB, it does it all for you, all u need to do is press 3 buttons and your ringtone will be on your phone, easy as.
cya
Dan
Aussiedan
October 5, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Wow took some time doing it but with all of your help i have done it. thanks a bunch guys.
Adam
October 6, 2008 at 2:05 am
[...] Posts Free Custom Ringtones for iPhone 3G using only iTunesHow to strip DRM off iTunes music on Windows and MacHow to convert iTunes 8 protected AAC(M4P) music [...]
Create free iPhone ringtones using iTunes 8 « Convert DRM protected iTunes M4P music to MP3
October 6, 2008 at 6:31 am
[...] months ago, I posted a tutorial entitled Free Custom Ringtones for iPhone 3G using only iTunes. Since then, this tutorial has gained great popularity. However, I’ve noticed that there are [...]
Create free iPhone ringtones using iTunes 8 | iPhone 3G Hacked
October 7, 2008 at 1:07 pm
where does the clipped song go to when you press ok i cant find it anywhere help im desperate …
leroy grant
October 7, 2008 at 3:11 pm
scratch that now know it stays where it was but now cant find the importing section in preferencies to chance to acc
leroy grant
October 7, 2008 at 3:35 pm
holyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy mother,,,
k pppl ,
it took me 5 hours to complete this shit thing,,
but m glad at last i succeded…
yiippiii
pawan
October 14, 2008 at 3:05 am
My problem is when the “double clicking” then its supposed to go into the itunes ringtones folder. Well it doesnt, it goes to my music folder and starts playing.
Vista
Im using itunes version 8.0.0.35
and iphone 3g version 2.1
Please help
Chris
October 18, 2008 at 9:39 am
Well it’s October 21 and I’m unable to create ringtones! I’ve changed the extension on my m4a files to m4r and it’s not working. What’s strange is it was working last week and now NOTHING! Is there help out there for me? I see others had the problems earlier in the month, but I even was able to go to http://audiko.net/search/en.html?q=ringtone and get ringtones to add to my Iphone 3g! Hmmmmmmmmm…..I really would appreciate any help from someone out there for a moderately techie person like myself and probably others! Thanks in advance…
Sam
October 22, 2008 at 5:21 am
I’d like to add to this to the original post, BTW…I have iTunes vers. 8.0.1.11 on my laptop. I haven’t been able to find any help online for this version at all:
ORIGINAL POST: Well it’s October 21 and I’m unable to create ringtones! I’ve changed the extension on my m4a files to m4r and it’s not working. What’s strange is it was working last week and now NOTHING! Is there help out there for me? I see others had the problems earlier in the month, but I even was able to go to http://audiko.net/search/en.html?q=ringtone and get ringtones to add to my Iphone 3g! Hmmmmmmmmm…..I really would appreciate any help from someone out there for a moderately techie person like myself and probably others! Thanks in advance…
BTW…I have iTunes vers. 8.0.1.11 on my laptop. I haven’t been able to find any help online for this version at all.
Sam
October 22, 2008 at 5:29 am
Figured it out…….What an awesome release/find! Thanks alot.
Defeye
October 26, 2008 at 8:12 am
For those of you having trouble getting more than one ringtone this is what i found. you can’t add them on one by one. and what i mean is you cant do song a then resync and do song b. when you sync you have to add all the previous ones. so if you want ringtones a, b and c then you have to resync selecting a,b, and c otherwise it’s showing that you only want c.
Erica
October 31, 2008 at 10:44 pm
I can do everything fine but when i sync my iphone on itunes it seems to be going on there but once i check it i can’t find it. i am looking in settings, sounds, then ringtones can anybody help me please thanks.
Adam
November 3, 2008 at 8:13 pm
i can do everything upto point 6, when i go to properties i dont have a section saying name and extension in order to change it from .m4a to .m4r can anybody help
steph
November 4, 2008 at 10:14 am
Just received my iphone yesterday and was really disappointed to note that I could not use my music for ringtones. found this page and all is great. Couple of glitches on the way but the same problems as others so all sorted. Thanks.
Lisa
November 7, 2008 at 1:52 pm
renaming a filename or extension? if in windows: press F2 and change it.
GREAT post! Thanks for sharing!
Marcos
November 7, 2008 at 4:57 pm
fucken work unreal ! thanks boyz, so easy, if anyone is having problems just read all the examples above will fix all your problems ! thanks again !
Adam
November 11, 2008 at 11:22 pm
I have iTunes vers. 8.0.1.11, I’ve changed the extension on my m4a and mp3 files to m4r and it’s not working. I really would appreciate any help from someone out there. It will not allow me to put the file in itunes or double click it to use itunes to play it. I need help.
Thanks in advance.
Randy
November 13, 2008 at 2:57 am
To Randy,
Since you are using iTunes 8, please refer to this page instead:
http://itunesm4ptomp3.wordpress.com/2008/10/06/create-free-iphone-ringtones-with-itunes8/
daniel
November 13, 2008 at 3:06 am
Thanks Daniel
Randy
November 13, 2008 at 3:11 am
i did everything correct but my songd doesent go to under ringtone it goes in itune library
pls help how to set under rintone sections
md
November 18, 2008 at 3:55 pm
i using iphone 3g itunes 8
md
November 18, 2008 at 3:56 pm
I couldnt change the file .m4a to .m4r can somebody tell me how to change it?
jose
November 20, 2008 at 1:35 am
Wicked spent hours yesterday trying to work it out, (must remember to change the start and stop times back). And for those on Vista go to folder options in control panel and you are able to uncheck hid extensions.:)
Natasha
November 20, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Hi Jose it’s so frustrating when your trying to get something working especially a new gadget. Go to your control panel in the start menu, then select folder options, click on the view tab, scroll down till you see hide extensions for known file types. if there is a tick which i’m sure there will be uncheck it and bobs your uncle. If the file is already on your desktop right click go to properties the top bar should allow you to change m4a to an r and press ok. Hope this helps.
Natasha
November 20, 2008 at 9:38 pm
To Md if you dont delete the converted track from your music libaray in itunes it will automatically go to that folder again, you MUST DELETE it once you delete it double click from your desk top and it will automatically appear in your ringtones libary. I think I have encountered every single trouble shoot possible between last now and about 20 mins ago, so shout if you need help people.
Natasha
November 20, 2008 at 9:41 pm
was a lil frustrated with changing the extension fie… but once figured out… worked great!
thanx a heap!!
googs
November 22, 2008 at 4:48 am
Omg. I am going gaga here. It’s 3.36 am and I’ve been trying to figure this iphone thing out for hours.
I do everything said, as I’ve read all 140 posts. (interesting reading btw.)
Anyway, I do everything, in order..create the file, aac, yadi da…move to desktop. delete from itunes. rename to .m4r click on my iphone device go to the ring tones tab, check sync ring tones, all is highlighted. And the Itunes does the sync process thing. And i wait. It finishes as says I can now disconnect my iphone, but I don’t. I check my iphone settings –> Sounds –> ringtones, but there is nothing there! PLEASE.
Some one help me before I go crazy.
Sandra C
November 29, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Omg. I am going gaga here. It’s 3.36 am and I’ve been trying to figure this iphone thing out for hours.
I do everything said, as I’ve read all 140 posts. (interesting reading btw.)
Anyway, I do everything, in order..create the file, aac, yadi da…move to desktop. delete from itunes. rename to .m4r click on my iphone device go to the ring tones tab, check sync ring tones, all is highlighted. And the Itunes does the sync process thing. And i wait. It finishes as says I can now disconnect my iphone, but I don’t. I check my iphone settings –> Sounds –> ringtones, but there is nothing there! PLEASE.
Some one help me before I go crazy.
Sandra C
November 29, 2008 at 7:41 pm
I think the best buy Iphone 3g 16 gb. and install it on his software version 2.2. Its large
touch screen and very comfortable realized sensory management. I bought a Iphone and happy!)
John Nox
November 29, 2008 at 8:32 pm
ha! i figured it out. For all of those who have problems that have the ringtone in your folder and cant get it onto your iphone. goto your iphone on itunes, click on the ringtones tab, then click the sync ringtones box. it automatically sent all my ringtones to my iphones.
HOORAY!!!
Michael
December 2, 2008 at 2:55 am
i’ve done all of the above, it worked for the first two, but I made a new one tonight and it wont work. its in the ringtone tab and its 30 sec all the boxes have been checked and it still wont download. help please.
Kelly
December 4, 2008 at 2:00 am
Dont forget that once you have changed extension from .m4a to .m4r , you must double left click on the new .m4r file to make ringtone appear in your ringtone library.
ToonRocks
December 4, 2008 at 8:36 pm
i use windows vista and when i do everything it says i can not find where to change the .m4a to .m4r. nothing is hidden and it still will let me not change it. i don’t know what to do and this fustrating me.
slim
December 8, 2008 at 6:37 am
Does this method change the quality of the sound file?
I tried the one with Garageband and the quality got crappy!
Thanks
Ihsan
December 10, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Hey guys,
I’m having the ‘cannot see custom ringtones in Settings –> Sounds –> Ringtones’ issue.
I’ve got 2 iPhones synced to the same library with the same boxes checked in iTunes for both phones, and only one of them gets the ringtones.
Does anyone know why some get them and some don’t? Is it possibly the software the iPhone is running? Note the one that doesn’t work is running 2.2. Has anyone got it working with 2.2? I’m a bit weary of updating the other phone to 2.2 because of this…
Cheers for any help!
Kurt
December 14, 2008 at 8:36 am
OK, I’ve found a tool that seems to make it work for the phone that is having the issues (see post 149).
Get this tool here:
http://www.efksoft.com/products/iphoneringtonemaker/download.htm
Install it and make the tool import the new ringtone into iTunes. Then sync your phone and wallah… it works. Don’t know what the difference between the 2 phones is but hey, this saves the frantic problem we have when we don’t see the new ringtone in Settings –> Sounds –> Ringtones and everything else is correct (even ringtones being checked in iTunes!!!)
FYI: I’m running iTunes 8.02 and the iPhones had 2.1 and 2.2 installed on them. 2.2 was the problematic one…
Cheers guys
Kurt
December 14, 2008 at 9:28 am
I successfully setup the ring tones on my iphone at receiver’s end.
However, I want to get a custom ring tone instead of dial tone from the caller’s point of view.
bu
December 18, 2008 at 2:57 am
I LOVE YOU! THIS WORKED GREAT!
“I think the problem people are having is un-hiding the .m4a extension(if all you see is the songs name). Follow all the steps for converting the file to AAC. Then, before you change the file name to .m4r, go in your itunes music folder click on Tools>Folder Options>View and then un-check the box = hide extensions for known file types. This will reveal the .m4a which then can be changed to .m4r.”
“Showing the extension in MacOS, Windows XP, Windows Vista, location of iTunes music folder
In MacOS X, ctrl+click the file, choose Get Info, and under the Name section, check to see extension.
In Windows Vista, open ANY Explorer window, even Start->Documents or Computer will do, then type the “ALT” letter on the keyboard. By that I mean press and release it like you would a normal key, don’t hold it down. Now you get the menu bar back and can do as in Windows XP.
In Windows XP, in any Explorer window, open the Tools menu and choose Folder options, then the View tab and in the scrolling panel locate the option to “Hide extensions for known file types”, set it to Show.
Locations of the iTunes Music folder
Generally, in iTunes you can ctrl+click (Mac) or right click (Mac+Windows) any song and choose to open in FInder or Explorer.
Beyond that:
Your iTunes Music folder in Vista is C:/Users/yournamehere/Music/iTunes
On Mac its under your harddrive icon, usually Macintosh HD/Users/yourusernamehere/Music/iTunes (basically MacOS and Vista use same folder structure)
Windows XP: C:/Documents & Settings/yournamehere/My Documents/My Music/iTunes”
READ THESE TWO COMMENTS AND ITS SIMPLE AS ANYTHING! TY ALL!
Eric
December 25, 2008 at 2:49 am
I tried this and it worked just fine the first 3 times. The 4th time, instead of adding the ringtone I was trying to add, it copied one of the three I had previously added. Now I have 2 copies. Anyone know how to remove it?
Ana
December 26, 2008 at 7:24 pm
I love u eric (post 152) Helped me do it. Couldn’t hind the stupid extention thing!
Simon
December 27, 2008 at 2:40 am
your are the best took me 5 minutes.. last website i was on told me to do the same thing but didn’t mention it had to be 30 seconds or less. appreciate it so much and you are one smart individual or whoever figured it out. lata!
zax
December 29, 2008 at 8:18 am
okay, i have completed all of the steps and song is in my ringtones but when i plug in my iphone the song is not added to my option list…. HELP!!
falon
January 8, 2009 at 6:50 am
Thanks a lot, much simpler than other guides I managed to find.
sub
January 11, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Thanks So Much…….It worked……I dont have US account but that does not stop me to set customized ringtone….
Indira Bhattacharjee
January 12, 2009 at 9:14 am
I read all the posts, and finally made it work, through trial and error (and a few swear words!)
Follow all the steps, as it DOES work, make sure you delete song from iTunes library and recycle bin before syncing, as mine worked after I did that.
It’s now showing on my iPhone as a custom ringtone.
Thanks everyone in here.
Phil
January 20, 2009 at 9:56 am
Brilliant workround!!
Ian Carnegie
January 30, 2009 at 8:01 pm
I FIGURED IT OUT PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!! The main problem i had and i see others had when using XP, is you can’t change the file extension part of the name. open a folder and go to “tools” then click on “options” unclick the option that says something like hide known file extensions then everything else falls into place as described above. Thanks well i’m off the create more ringtones, ciao.
albert
February 15, 2009 at 12:58 am
OUTSTANDING! Now if it would only play music via stereo bluetooth without adding more hardware.
Thanks
StoneDeaf
February 17, 2009 at 12:18 am
i cant find folder options for the .m4r
help
February 21, 2009 at 7:36 pm
i did everything and it went into itunes but it didn’t download into my ringtones section it went to my music section why?
Robert
March 4, 2009 at 10:05 pm
This worked great, Until today! I tried creating a ringtone today and when trying to “Create AAC Version” I got a message that reads “Protected files can not be converted to other formats” Why is this song go different than all the rest I made ringtones from?
nancy
March 12, 2009 at 8:05 pm
nancy,
For the protected songs purchased from iTunes, you need to remove the DRM first ( http://itunesm4ptomp3.wordpress.com/2008/09/11/remove-itunes-drm-windows-mac/ ). After the DRM is removed, you then import the music to iTunes and follow the steps to create ringtones for your phone.
daniel
March 14, 2009 at 1:30 am
It worked for the first 2 songs I did it with, but when I try putting in a different one, it doesnt sync
Iphone123
March 15, 2009 at 12:54 am
If the ringtones DO show up in iTunes as ringtones and you have already set iTunes to sync ringtones, but they still don’t show up on your iPhone, just drag the ringtones from your library to your iPhone. That’s what finally worked for me.
Thanks to everyone for the great tips!
PJ
March 15, 2009 at 5:09 am
Hello to all…
I follow Jay and it works on me….
(Jay says)
I think the problem people are having is un-hiding the .m4a extension(if all you see is the songs name). Follow all the steps for converting the file to AAC. Then, before you change the file name to .m4r, go in your itunes music folder click on Tools>Folder Options>View and then un-check the box = hide extensions for known file types. This will reveal the .m4a which then can be changed to .m4r.
Zitadul
March 21, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Thanks heaps!! Had so much trouble with the conversion, thanks for your help
Just Jeans
March 26, 2009 at 8:49 am
nice….
leo
March 30, 2009 at 4:49 pm
thanks alot. i finally can use my favourite ringtone from the previous phone.
faisal
April 1, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Thanks a lot. Excellent instructions and a simple procedure at last. I had been battling this for the longest time…
Jhumkee
April 3, 2009 at 10:21 am
Thank’s for the tips
botax
April 3, 2009 at 3:42 pm
SO basically this only works with songs you buy from itunes and not mp3’s that you dragged intoo itunes library yourself. Correct?
Mac
April 8, 2009 at 4:59 am
no it works for any MP3, I did it myself
Ank
April 26, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Thanks a lot buddy…. it worked… it really worked and I am so glad to get my own ring tone
Ank
April 26, 2009 at 3:48 pm
well every 1 ive been doing this now for hours and im giving up mine keeps saying the following song could not be synced because the item could not be found im so pissed off ive been doing this hours!! ive read every comment tried all the websites nothing works!! x
kezza
May 5, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Good work – worked a treat.
BigBob
May 10, 2009 at 10:52 pm
it won’t let me change it from m4a to m4r…. i’m using windows vista….help anyone?
liz
May 17, 2009 at 4:27 pm
I just got my iPhone so im pretty new to it and i got the ringtone transferred into my iPhone but I cant find where it is on my iPhone…can someone please tell me where it is?
daniel
May 25, 2009 at 4:50 pm
I got the ringtone transferred into my iPhone but I cant find where it is on my iPhone. Can someone please tell me where it is?
Annie
June 3, 2009 at 12:18 am
settings->sounds-> ringtones ->
maya
June 14, 2009 at 8:50 pm
great!!!!!thx a lot!
maya
June 14, 2009 at 8:49 pm
OMG I LOVE U
shay
June 17, 2009 at 3:39 am
wow that was easy. to think ive gone a year without ringtones
alex
June 21, 2009 at 2:02 am
to change m4a to m4r right click the icon on desktop then rename. change just the a (m4a) to r. change default program to open file with as itunes (if not already) and open file from desktop. it should open in itunes as a ringtone. then… sync.
alex
June 21, 2009 at 2:07 am
Cracking stuff – worked first time, and no need for additional software! Thank you!
Gary Gas
June 21, 2009 at 1:21 pm
you are so cool. This actually works. THANKS!!!!!!
James
June 23, 2009 at 5:01 am
Am having trouble with ringtones created in iTunes. Have created 11 so far, but only 9 are showing up in my iPhone. I have updated averything, and my phone is a 3G purchased last year.
Need input.
David
June 23, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Works with IPhone 3GS and iTunes 8.0 Thanks!
James
June 25, 2009 at 3:25 am
[...] help but share the method (step by step) below: Two months ago, I posted a tutorial entitled Free Custom Ringtones for iPhone 3G using only iTunes. Since then, this tutorial has gained great popularity. However, I’ve noticed that there are [...]
Free custom ringtones for iPhone 3GS using iTunes « Top DVD Video YouTube Converters and Freewares Download
June 25, 2009 at 6:47 am
Most Useful info .Thanks a lot
Aravind
July 6, 2009 at 12:07 am