[3 Ways] How to Make an MP3 a Ringtone on iPhone

Bored with the default iPhone ringtones? It’s time to make your unique iPhone ringtone from a short piece from a pop song or a jazz tune! While before that, you should learn what a ringtone format is for an iPhone.

The file type used for iPhone ringtones is the M4R file which was developed to be the Apple ringtone standard. In other words, if you have an MP3 file, you cannot use it as your iPhone ringtone directly.

Luckily, in this guide, we’ll show you how to make an MP3 a ringtone on iPhone by utilizing three effective tools. Go through them one after another, and choose one to do you a favor.

1# One-Click Make iPhone Ringtone from MP3 by FoneTool

As an up-and-coming ringtone maker, FoneTool stands out for its advanced technology and simple operation. Designed for efficient iOS data management, it simplifies the process of creating and transferring ringtones, making it an ideal choice for users who prefer a quick and straightforward solution.

Click the download button to download and install FoneTool to your Windows PC, and follow the steps below to know how to how to make iPhone ringtone from MP3 by FoneTool.

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to computer via USB > Launch FoneTool, click Toolbox > Choose Ringtone Maker option.

Step 2. Choose From Computer or From Device to launch the MP3 file you’d like to convert to ringtone > Click Select to confirm.

Step 3. Edit the duration and effect of the mp3. file as you like > Tap Save to Device to transfer it to your iPhone > Click Save from the pop-up window to finish the process.

FoneTool also offers you ringtone transfer services, enabling you to transfer ringtone from iPhone to iPhone, iPhone to PC, and vice versa. Feel free to have a try to get wanted ringtones from other iOS devices or your computer. 

2# How to Convert MP3 to iPhone Ringtone with iTunes

If you prefer Apple’s way to convert MP3 to iPhone ringtone, you can try iTunes. Although it is reliable and safe, the ringtone making process is much more complicated that the first method.

Besides, the latest iTunes doesn’t support ringtone making feature since the Tones tab has been removed. Here’s how to convert MP3 to iPhone ringtone with iTunes.

Step 1. Make & Convert MP3 to a ringtone
• Launch iTunes, locate the song that you want to set as text tone > Right-click it and choose Song Info. (If needed, you can go to the guide to add MP3 to iTunes first.)

• In the prompt window, click Option > Set the Start and Stop time of the ringtone > Click OK to confirm.

• Click the song again, click File > Convert > Create AAC format. Your song will now get duplicated.

• Select the AAC version of the song, right-click and choose Show in Windows Explorer > Change the extension from .m4a to .m4r.

Step 2. Sync ringtone to iPhone
• Connect your iPhone to computer via USB > Click the phone icon in iTunes.

• Click Summary > Check Manually manage music and videos > Click Apply.

• Click the Tone tab > Drag and drop the ringtone from desktop to iTunes > Then, wait for the sync process to finish.

3# How to Make an MP3 a Ringtone on iPhone via GarageBand

If you’d like to convert MP3 to iPhone ringtone without computer or iTunes, GarageBand is one of the best ways to go. Read on to know how to make an MP3 a ringtone on iPhone using GarageBand.

Step 1. Go to the App Store to download GarageBand, launch the app, tap the + icon in the upper-right corner of the screen, and double-click the AUDIO RECORDER interface.

Step 2. Click the View button and select the Loop Browser option, then click Music to launch the wanted MP3 file.

Step 3. Holding down the song and dragging it to the left, you need to add it to GarageBand for 30 seconds of ringtone making with the trimming and split editing features.

Step 4. Tap the inverted triangle icon and tap My Songs to save the ringtone.

Step 5. Press your song, click the Share button, and select the Ringtone option.

Step 6. Name the ringtone, then click Use sound as..., you can set the ringtone to Standard Ringtone, Standard Text Tone, or Assign to Contact, and click Done to confirm.

Summary

That’s all for the three methods of how to make an MP3 a ringtone on iPhone. After creating custom ringtones from MP3 files for your iPhone, you can simply go to Settings app > Sound & Haptics > Ringtones to enjoy a personalized ringtone experience on your iPhone. For more queries, suggestions, or feedback, please feel free to contact us.