How to Set Ringtone in iPhone Without iTunes [EASY Way]

As an Apple user, everything gets complicated the moment you take a step outside the Apple universe. This includes setting a ringtone on your iPhone. Technically, users could set a ringtone on their iPhone by purchasing ringtones from iTunes Store or using iTunes on their Mac or Windows computer. However, what if you want to set a ringtone on your iPhone without iTunes?

Setting up a custom ringtone can be very challenging if you have an iPhone but do not have iTunes. Apple made it nearly impossible to set a ringtone without iTunes to make you pay and download ringtones from their iTunes store. However, there are workarounds around this. Let's look at how you can set a ringtone on your iPhone without iTunes.

Before you dive into setting a ringtone on your iPhone without iTunes, you should consider a few prerequisites. They include:

Create Your Custom Ringtone

iPhone does not support MP3 as ringtones. Apple has its ringtone format of M4R. Therefore, if you would like to set a ringtone on your iPhone without iTunes, you'll start by creating a custom ringtone. You can convert MP3 files to the supported M4R format. Alternatively, you can create a custom ringtone using different App Store apps. An iPhone supports a ringtone of 40 seconds. You can create a ringtone of 30 seconds. There are various ringtone-maker apps available. They include:

You can also use the Garageband app itself to create custom ringtones. In this article, we'll use the Ringtones Maker app. The process of creating and using a custom ringtone slightly varies with the app that you'll use. You can take the following steps to create a custom ringtone with the Ringtones Maker app:

Step 1: Download and install Ringtones Maker from App Store and launch the app.

Step 2: Tap the plus (+) icon at the bottom of the screen and tap on Source. If you've stored the file in the Files app, tap on More and select Import from File.

Step 3: Browse and select the desired audio file and import it to the Ringtones Maker app

Step 4: Click on the little Arrow (>) on the right side.

Step 5: Select Clip. You can edit your tone here.

Step 6: Scrub the Start and End points or use the controls to trim your Ringtone. You can also add Fade In and Fade Out effects.

Step 7: After finishing your edits, click on Done

Another M4R file containing your edited audio track will be available within the app.

Make Ringtones for iPhone with Garageband

After creating your Ringtone using the Ringtones Maker app, you'll have to use the GarageBand app to save it on your iPhone before using it as your Ringtone. All you have to do is:

Step 1: Launch the Ringtones Maker app

Step 2: Tap on the Arrow (>) next to the M4R file

Step 3: Click on Make to see the Share menu.

Step 4: Under the Share menu, tap on GarageBand to launch the GarageBand app. Here, your custom ringtone will be available as one of the projects.

Step 5: Tap and hold the most recent project. It'll have the same name as your custom ringtone.

Step 6: Tap on Share 

Step 7: Select Ringtone

Step 8: If you get a message saying Your ringtone length needs to be adjusted, tap on Continue.

Step 9: You can rename the Ringtone and tap Export at the top-right corner.

Step 10: Wait for the Export to complete.

Step 11: You'll receive the message Ringtone Export Successful. You can now tap on Use sound as…

Step 12: Tap on Standard Ringtone to save the Ringtone on your iPhone

Set Ringtones from iPhone's Settings

After saving your favorite ringtones on your iPhone, you can set a new ringtone for calls through the iPhone's settings. This process works without a computer or iTunes. You can take the steps below to set or change your Ringtone:

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone

Step 2: Tap on Sounds or Sounds & Haptic, depending on your iPhone model

Step 3: Tap on Ringtone

Step 4: Select the custom ringtone you created from the list.

You can also choose to set a ringtone for a specific contact. All you have to do is open the Contacts app, tap the particular contact, select edit, then choose Ringtone. Tap on Done, and the Ringtone will be saved.

Set Ringtone Without iTunes and GarageBand

You'll need a computer if you want to set a ringtone on your iPhone without iTunes and GarageBand. You can use several macOS and Windows apps to set a ringtone on your iPhone without iTunes. One of the best apps you can use is AnyTrans. AnyTrans is majorly used as an iOS data transfer and iPhone manager tool. However, you can use it to make a ringtone from any music on your iPhone.

How to create a ringtone from a computer using AnyTrans

You can create a ringtone with AnyTrans by taking the following steps:

Step 1: Download and install AnyTrans on your computer.

Step 2: Launch AnyTrans on your computer

Step 3: Connect your iPhone to the computer via a USB cable

Step 4: Go to the category management page

Step 5: Select Ringtone Maker and tap on Import from Device

Step 6: Select the voice recording or music you would like to use to make a ringtone from Voice Memos

Step 7: Choose Ringtone

Step 8: You can then drag the slider to choose your favorite period

Step 9: Click on Import to Device

After that, you can then use the procedure of setting ringtones on your iPhone from your iPhone's settings.

Conclusion

Eventually, iPhone's default ringtones become boring and monotonous. No matter how difficult Apple makes it to set your own Ringtone without iTunes, you can do it by following the steps above. By following this guide, you can customize your iPhone by selecting your unique ringtones effortlessly.