Make iPhone Ringtones from MP3 Songs Using iTunes – Video Tutorial

02 oct 2008

Learn how to make free iPhone ringtones using iTunes for Mac or Windows. You can convert any non-DRM protected MP3 song into a ringtone with iTunes.

This easy-to-follow video tutorial from CNET explains how to create iPhone ringtones using just the iTunes software – the steps stay the same for both Mac and Windows computers.

You may use iTunes to convert any MP3 song into an iPhone ringtone provided the song file is not protected by DRM. This means the technique won’t work with iTunes store music but is perfect for creating ringtones from songs that you purchased from Amazon store or ripped from a CD.

lydia

Hi,

I have followed all your steps and everything is good to go untill i try to Sync to the phone and nothing happens.

Any advice please ?
Kel

I am having the same problem that the above individual is having. I followed all the steps and when trying to synch it with my iPhone, the ringtone’s do not show for synch. :( May you please help me resolve this issue.

Thank you , hope to hear from you soon!

Kel
Karl

I must have a different version of iTunes 8.0.

I have 8.0.1.11 and several of the options in the video do not appear. The step where he says go to Advanced and click Create AAC Version… that is not an option any more it seems.

There is an option that says create iPod or iPhone Version but it is grayed out. This is on a file downloaded from the Amazon Music Store or on an mp3 I ripped myself from a CD.

If I right-click a song there is an option that says Create Ringtone, but when selected it says “You can create iPhone ringtones only from songs purchased from the iTunes Store.” So now things are completely the opposite of the way they were in the CNET video.
Stefan

Hi!

I had the same problems. I converted “He’s a pirate” like in the video above. In the first try the ringtone had a length of 27 seconds. Everything goes fine. So i wanted to try the same mp3 on the same way with a lenght of 58 seconds. The Ringtone was available in iTunes, but it was not synchronized with my iPhone.

The 27 seconds version works great. Perhaps your ringtone is too long.

Stefan
vlad bronshteyn

I am having the same problem that the above individual is having. I followed all the steps and when trying to synch it with my iPhone, the ringtone’s do not show for synch.
Andrew

God how complicated! You practically need a PhD for this. With my 95 it’s pretty easy: Select the song you want from within your phone.. Press ‘Select’.. Done! lol
Greg

Make sure sync ringtone under your iphone options is selected
Laith Al-yasiri

Yeah, who ever follows the instructions & then can’t see it in their iphone Just go to the ringtones tab and select your tones manually & un-check , then re-check them and then sync again. Then it will show up. Other than that, Very easy just follow video. Does work Perfect on the newest version of itunes.

Works great, really easy, cheeper than .99, and any song you want not just ringtone sanctioned ones.

Thank you.
cody

WOW!!!! thanks so much sir. easy as pie. now i can make myself some nice rings.
GNOrtiz

iPhone ringtones can not be greater than 30 seconds. If the tune is longer than that you are able to sync it with your iPhone but you won’t be able to use it as a ring tone.
Ramster

Thank you very, very much. Worked first time.

Just one thing I don’t understand. With a Nokia or Sony Ericsson phone I can drag’n'drop mp3′s directly to the phone memory card. And then – of course – use them as ringtones.

HOW COME THINGS HAS TO BE SO COMPLICATED WITH APPLE-PRODUCTS! Do they consider us imbeciles and try to lock their products – thus making everything even more technical?? Just a thought…
tammy

when i drag the file to my desktop it don’t list the file type and i can’t figure out how to get it so i can change it.
Sean

Hey im using the new iTunes 8.0.2.20 and when i try to go to advance create AAC the option is greyed out the song im using is an mpeg audio file and i have also tried with an AAC file and neither is working the section im tryin to take is 15 seconds.
Ian

WOW this is great, as long as the ringtone is under 30 seconds. Certainy going to save money on downloads when you already have the tune on CD.
Ben

I found the solution to the problem of being unable to select “Create AAC file under Advanced” If you have your import preferences to import a cd using .mp3 then that will be the only option under the advanced drop down. In iTunes 8.0 they moved the import/burn options to Edit>Preferences>General there is a button that says import options. Click that and choose AAC as your default import extension. Then the Create AAC version should be available under the advanced drop down.
Keaton

I had the same problem of not being able to change the type when I dragged it to the desktop. I have XP thou
http://www.cheap-iphone-online.com Tung

Great solution Ian. I was able to create my ringtone using your method and CNet’s method. For those who have problem with changing the filename extension, just open any folder, under Tools drop down menu, choose Folder Options, click on View tab and look for “Hide extension for known file types” and uncheck it then click OK button. Now go back to the file on your desktop and you should see your filename with its extension. Just follow the rest of the steps in the video above. Don’t forget to go back to that Folder Options to check the option that you just have unchecked so you won’t see all that unneccessary extionsion. Hope that helps and have fun creating iphone ringtones. :-)
http://rightclickfix.co.uk Andy

WOW after loads of poking around & d/l progs & appz to get this to work. It’s all been done quickly & simply via this method.
I’ll point others to this link in future, thank very much :)

Andy
Miles

I get to where I have the .m4r file on the desktop, but can’t drag it or import it into iTunes (using Ringtones>File>Add Files to Library). Nothing happens.
Any ideas?
Thank you.
Kate

It’s working fine, mostly, but when Isync the ringtones to my iPhone, I can’t find them under the ringtones section or my iPod. Where are they located and how do i set them as the ringtone?
poco ritard

Tried everything, iPhone (2.2.1) won’t see the ringtone even though iTunes (8 on XP) says it’s there. In the iTunes ringtone list, it’s grayed out. Is that part of the problem? Can’t seem to do anything about it.
kws

hey guys,
this worked just fine for me! now i got my fav sine-tones on my iphone. i´d just like to have custom sms- and alarmclock-sounds
cu
kws
..using winXP SP2 + itunes 8.0.2.20 + iPone FW 2.2.1
Phil

Hey — thanks. I thought I’d be stuck with the supplied Iphone ringtones. I’m too cheap to purchase a song from itunes so I can use the make ringtone menu option of Itunes 8.
Your instructions worked perfectly.
Skyler

I have the ringtones available in my Itunes and am able select them ot sync, but after I sync I am unable to find them in my IPHONE. They are not under the Settings-SOunds-ringtones section nor are they available in my Ipod?
Urkan

Brilliant insider info. I followed all the steps on my iTunes 8.1.1.10 and it worked like a breeze. Thanks a lot. I just have one problem, I keep on getting problems in connecting my iPhone to the iTunes. I have to keep unplugging and then replugging it to somehow get the iTunes to recognize it. Any suggestions readers??? Thanks…
Dale

Make sure in iTunes that you have all your permissions tick for when you sync your iphone with itunes. Your ring tones should be transfered to your phone then.

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Make iPhone Ringtones from MP3 Songs Using iTunes – Video Tutorial

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