Home ›

Create Free iPhone Ringtones Using Only iTunes

Submitted by Michael Johnston on October 10, 2008 - 12:01am.
in

Apple added iPhone ringtones to iTunes late last year, but only if you purchased them. After struggling against users for some time, Apple finally started allowing non-DRM'd ringtones in iTunes. This decision spawned quite a few solutions for creating ringtones from songs that you already have. One of the lesser known methods is using iTunes itself.

The method is a bit tedious the first time through, but CNET's Bryan Thomas has come to the rescue with this nice step-by-step video.

There are a few things to remember when creating ringtones in this way. First of all, any tracks that you bought from iTunes with DRM on them will not work. If you purchased iTunes plus songs, then you should be fine. Additionally, if your ringtone is more than 40 seconds long, iTunes won't accept it.

If you need any help, be sure to ask in the comments below!

[via TUAW]

Submitted by deise boy on October 10, 2008 - 2:47am.
thats cool but i think i ringer is so much easier but like i said thanks for the post

Submitted by Stephen007 on October 10, 2008 - 7:27pm.
Neat trick.

I like how they take a stock version of iTunes to make the custom ringtone with no additional software necessary.

Problems creating ringtone

Submitted by moviefan on October 13, 2008 - 9:54pm.
I tried creating a 12 second ringtone. But I don't have "Create ACC Version" in my Advanced pulldown tab. All I have is "Create MP3 Version" and "Create iPhone Version" (that would be nice, huh, but of course it's dim!). I copied it to my desktop as an MP3 anyway, changed the suffix, and it still didn't show up in my ringtone folder in iTunes when I tried copying it back in the Library. The Green Plus icon shows up when I drag it over, but it never shows up. Running iTunes 8.0.1. Also, the song was NOT purchased through iTunes, by the way....What's going on??

Submitted by V.B. on October 13, 2008 - 10:20pm.
I don't have any tracks downloaded from iTunes. My tracks are all from CDs that I ripped as MP3s and imported into iTunes. After I set the Start time and Stop time, and test play the track - I right-click on the track and select: "Create ACC Version".

Submitted by moviefan on October 13, 2008 - 10:25pm.
Quote:
Originally Posted by V.B. View Post
I don't have any tracks downloaded from iTunes. My tracks are all from CDs that I ripped as MP3s and imported into iTunes. After I set the Start time and Stop time, and test play the track - I right-click on the track and select: "Create ACC Version".
MIne too. But even when I right click on it, it still only shows Create MP3. I don't see Create ACC anywhere. Anything to do with using 8.0.1? Did I not import them properly to begin with? I don't even see the Importing options in the prefs as I seen in the previous versions of iTunes.

Ringtones Using Windows Vista

Submitted by JFlyboy760 on October 15, 2008 - 3:18pm.
This process works really well however, I found on some of the songs I had to edit the time then drag the new song to the desk top convert to mp4r and then save it to a folder and import to iTunes. I have had success with 1:00 ring tones this way. Hope this helps. Jake

Correction

Submitted by JFlyboy760 on October 15, 2008 - 3:28pm.
This process works really well however, I found on some of the songs I had to edit the time then drag the new song to the desk top rename your file to the .mp4r and then save it to a folder and import to iTunes. I have had success with 1:00 ring tones this way. Hope this helps. Jake

I figured it out

Submitted by moviefan on October 15, 2008 - 9:03pm.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JFlyboy760 View Post
This process works really well however, I found on some of the songs I had to edit the time then drag the new song to the desk top rename your file to the .mp4r and then save it to a folder and import to iTunes. I have had success with 1:00 ring tones this way. Hope this helps. Jake
Thanks but I figured it out. It all had to do with my import settings in iTunes. I had it set as to import as MP3 and I changed it to AAC and everything worked like a charm. Sorry for the bother, all, I should've known better and looked there first!

ringtones still do not appear?

Submitted by cdehrlich on October 19, 2008 - 11:13am.
I followed all of the steps and was using a song I added from a CD. When I dragged the tone into iTunes, it did not appear in the Ringtones section -- any ideas? I also tried Importing, I tried changing to mp4r instead of m4r -- none of these worked.

I have iTunes version 8.0.1.11

Submitted by indiejeep on October 19, 2008 - 12:01pm.
This is a great tutorial!

Something I've wanted to know how to do since buying the iPhone! Love it.

Submitted by HackThatPhone on October 20, 2008 - 9:38pm.
Or you could just read my site, where this has been published for quite some time now instead of waiting for mainstream sites like CNET to get around to covering it.

By the way, my guide will work with DRM songs as well. I give you the simple process of how to rip an iTunes song to an unprotected state.

Submitted by imagine engine on November 11, 2008 - 9:50am.
Another method I use is Garageband that comes with iLife for OS X users. Just drag any song from your iTunes playlist to Garageband, then take a section of the song that is 40 seconds or less, then select to export to iTunes by selecting "send ringtone to iTunes". An even more simple method is to just find the song you like at Audiko.net which already provides free Ringtones for the iPhone.

The best tip so far.....

Submitted by emiliosdance on November 12, 2008 - 7:31pm.
Great tip
Quote:
i made already 2 ringtones in 20 sec, the best and easiest way i have tried so far.
keep the good work guys.

Submitted by Will_Barclay on November 21, 2008 - 9:37am.
Nice tip dude thanks!!

No "Create ACC Version" option

Submitted by tebanc on November 21, 2008 - 5:02pm.
I am having the same problem. There is no "Create ACC Version" option on the Advanced menu. I am using iTunes 8.0.1.11 and a regular non-protected MP3 song purchased from Amazon. Any thoughts anyone?

No "Create ACC Version" option - Problem solved!

Submitted by tebanc on November 21, 2008 - 11:43pm.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tebanc View Post
I am having the same problem. There is no "Create ACC Version" option on the Advanced menu. I am using iTunes 8.0.1.11 and a regular non-protected MP3 song purchased from Amazon. Any thoughts anyone?
I have found the answer to this problem:

You just have to make sure your iTunes “Import Settings” are set to “AAC” or “Apple Lossless” and not “MP3?

I found the answer here:
http://www.intomobile.com/2008/10/07...-itunes-8.html

Submitted by iLiam on December 17, 2008 - 10:33am.
Thats A nifty tip.

I also had an idea about the improvments to the forum section. and i thought you should have a "tip of the day"

Works great!

Submitted by hewman68 on December 20, 2008 - 9:11pm.
This is a great way of making your own ringtones. I am still a bit of a throwback, I like records and CDs, and own thousands. I like having them digitized for the iPhone and iPod and hate to spend more than I have have to. This workaround allows me to use my music to custimize the phone. Thanks.

Submitted by gumpanaj on February 14, 2009 - 6:39am.
Thanx a bunch! It's so convenient!

Submitted by E-Dragon on February 16, 2009 - 11:20am.
Quote:
Originally Posted by moviefan View Post
I tried creating a 12 second ringtone. But I don't have "Create ACC Version" in my Advanced pulldown tab. All I have is "Create MP3 Version" and "Create iPhone Version" (that would be nice, huh, but of course it's dim!). I copied it to my desktop as an MP3 anyway, changed the suffix, and it still didn't show up in my ringtone folder in iTunes when I tried copying it back in the Library. The Green Plus icon shows up when I drag it over, but it never shows up. Running iTunes 8.0.1. Also, the song was NOT purchased through iTunes, by the way....What's going on??
At the top of iTunes click Edit, then Preferences, under the General tab you'll see
"When you insert a CD" and next to that a "Import Settings" button click that and change "import using" to: AAC Encoder keep the setting to at least 128kbs.. Click OK and you're done...

Now when you right click on a song you'll have the Create AAC Version option...

Submitted by Darksnow on March 20, 2009 - 11:41am.
How about the toneFX on pc to create and customize your own ringtone change sms and mms ringtone. Download tonefx on cydia then download tonefx creator on your computer.

http://www.efksoft.com/products/tone...hone/index.htm here is the site

Submitted by Josito on June 17, 2009 - 6:27pm.
all of these steps still work under itunes 8.2 and OS 3.0 just in case anybody was wondering!!!!!!!!

Submitted by Ves on June 28, 2009 - 6:18am.
I'm sticking with iRinger as I found it much easier to use.

Submitted by Sam100 on August 5, 2009 - 7:52am.
Thumbs Up, you shave cool tips dude, i make surly I will try this.