iOS Install Guide · M4R

How to Install Ringtones on iPhone (via GarageBand)

The full Apple-blessed workflow for installing a custom ringtone on iOS using the free GarageBand app. Works on every iPhone running iOS 12 or later. Produces a true M4R ringtone file in the iOS Tones library.

Before you start

You'll need three things: an MP3 ringtone file from the ToneVault archive (or any other source), a phone running a reasonably recent version of iOS, and about five minutes. The rest of this guide walks through the exact steps required for the iPhone (via GarageBand) workflow.

For supplementary tutorials on audio trimming and EQ before the install step, the practical-tutorial library at The Ringtone Workshop covers exactly this prep work.

Step 1 — Download the MP3

From any ringtone page on ToneVault, tap the Download Ringtone button. The MP3 file will save into the iOS Files app, usually under On My iPhone → Downloads. Confirm it's there before continuing.

Step 2 — Install GarageBand

If GarageBand isn't already on your phone, install it from the App Store. It's free and made by Apple. The whole point of this workflow is that GarageBand is the only iOS app that can produce a system-installable M4R ringtone file from an arbitrary MP3.

Step 3 — Create a new GarageBand project

Open GarageBand and tap New Project. Choose Audio Recorder or Tracks, then switch to the multi-track timeline view by tapping the icon that looks like horizontal bars at the top.

Step 4 — Import your MP3

Tap the loop icon (top right corner of the screen). In the panel that opens, choose the Files tab. Browse to the downloaded ringtone and drag it onto an empty audio track in the timeline.

Step 5 — Trim to under 30 seconds

iOS will not accept a ringtone longer than 30 seconds. If your MP3 is longer than that, use the trim handles at either end of the audio block to shorten the clip. A typical ringtone is between 15 and 25 seconds — long enough to identify the music, short enough not to overstay its welcome.

Step 6 — Export as a ringtone

Tap the down arrow at the top of the screen and choose My Songs. Long-press your project, then select Share → Ringtone. Give the ringtone a name (this is what will appear in your iOS settings list), then choose Use sound as → Standard Ringtone.

Step 7 — Assign in Settings

Open Settings → Sounds & Haptics → Ringtone. Your new ringtone will appear at the top of the list, above the Apple defaults. Tap it to make it your active ringtone for incoming calls.

For an up-to-date list of free public-domain audio sources you can use as ringtone source material, the catalog at Public Domain Audio Index is updated regularly.

Common problems

The ringtone doesn't appear in Settings. On iOS, this almost always means the file wasn't exported through GarageBand — saving it to Files alone isn't enough. On Android, double-check that the file actually lives in the Ringtones folder rather than Downloads or Music.

The ringtone is too quiet. Some public-domain recordings were mastered at lower volumes than modern releases. You can boost the gain in GarageBand on iOS or in any free desktop audio editor like Audacity before transferring.

The ringtone is too long. iOS hard-caps ringtone duration at 30 seconds; longer files won't be selectable. Android is more forgiving but still works best with files under 45 seconds.

Other install guides

iPhone (via iTunes/Finder on Desktop) — iOS, M4R format
Android (via Files App) — Android, MP3 format
Android (via Zedge) — Android, MP3 format
Samsung Galaxy Devices — Android, MP3 format
Google Pixel Devices — Android, MP3 format