iOS 26 Lets You Set Custom Ringtones Without Using GarageBand

[MacRumors]

The dust is beginning to settle on iOS 26, but there is one more smaller improvement that we wanted to make sure that we highlighted: the ability to set custom ringtones on the iPhone without using the GarageBand app.

To set a custom ringtone on iOS 26, open the Files app and tap on an MP3 or M4A audio file that is less than 30 seconds long. Next, tap on the share button in the bottom-right corner of the screen, tap on More, and tap on Use as Ringtone. Then, that audio file will be listed as a ringtone option in the Settings app under Sounds & Haptics → Ringtone.

As noted by Macworld last week, the Use as Ringtone option also appears for audio files in select other apps, including Voice Memos. However, it is not possible to set Apple Music songs as custom ringtones for free, even with a subscription.

Apple continues to sell 30-second song ringtones for $1.29 each through the iTunes Store app on iOS 26, but this is a legacy feature.

iOS 26 is currently in beta.

Article Link: iOS 26 Lets You Set Custom Ringtones Without Using GarageBand

 

[winxmac]

Now I can have the Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista/7/8/10 startup sound as a custom ringtone.

 

[zorinlynx]

THANK YOU, was that so hard, Apple?

Freaking 18 years later and you fix it so we don't have to do hacks to set custom ringtones.

Like, part of me is grateful but the other part is like... "Why did something so simple take this long!?" People have complained about this for years.

 

[Apple247]

This just became the number one thing I'm excited for.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Is this for making the ringtones..I don't quite get it? I currently have custom ringtones on my phone...they are .m4a (renamed as .m4r) files that I copied over from my Mac.

 

[urtules]

I think I would still prefer to set it with GarageBand because you can trim there. But this will help people who are moving on from Android.

 

[zorinlynx]

I think I would still prefer to set it with GarageBand because you can trim there. But this will help people who are moving on from Android.

Yeah. That's one thing that people who switched from Android complain about a lot. "What do you mean I have to do all this nonsense to set a ringtone?!"

And I completely nod my head in agreement; Apple either didn't realize people wanted this, or had some reason to prevent it.

Now we can finally put this idiocy to bed.

 

[Momof2.1107]

This is good news, although I use an app on my iPhone to trim the ringtone and then Imazing to add it my iPhone. Maybe this will cut out me having to use my aging windows laptop to transfer the ringtone now.

 

[phenste]

amazing how the tiniest upgrades can be the most exciting, sheerly for the fact that it took so g*ddamn long…looking forward to this

 

[axantas]

Is this for making the ringtones..I don't quiet get it? I currently have custom ringtones on my phone...they are .m4a files that I copied over from my Mac.

I did not create ringtones for quite a while, but I just created .m4a files (less than 30 seconds), renamed them to .m4r, moved them into iTunes or the Music-App and they appearead as ringtones...

 

[magicvash]

About time. It’s such a pain right now and half the time the drag and drop method doesn’t work. Glad they’re finally making this easy.

 

[63W]

Only took 20 years while other brands had this option on day one. 🙄

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Only took 20 years while other brands had this option on day one. 🙄

I used to send wav files from my G4 Mac Mini to my Sony w300i via bluetooth. I had the best ringtones and text tones. It would make this awesome whoosh noise when you flipped it open too. So many fun times with that phone. The iPhone is like a corporate slab in comparison.

Of course I could also use that phone as an actual modem, and I used to add our dial up account on my laptop to dial AOL, so that I could play World of Warcraft while I was on Amtrak. What a time to be alive.

 

[TheMountainLife]

They should have led with this at the event lol. Now add this feature to the watch.

I also hope this encourages people change their tones from the default tones too. Airport, bus, train and grocery store you hear the same call and text tones and leads to confusion on who's phone is ringing lol.

 

[Slix]

I was still using an old Mac with the built-in Ringtone maker on Garageband to make mine, so this will be a handy change.

 

[klasma]

Ok, now please custom songs as alarms on HomePod etc. without needing an Apple Music subscription.

 

[Momof2.1107]

They should have led with this at the event lol. Now add this feature to the watch.

I also hope this encourages people change their tones from the default tones too. Airport, bus, train and grocery store you hear the same call and text tones and leads to confusion on who's phone is ringing lol.

Prime reason why I still have ringtones and tones for different notifications.

 

[Kavik]

Amen. Finally.

 

[ypl]

…
Like, part of me is grateful but the other part is like... "Why did something so simple take this long!?" …

Greed.

 

[simonulacrum]

They should have led with this at the event lol. Now add this feature to the watch.

I also hope this encourages people change their tones from the default tones too. Airport, bus, train and grocery store you hear the same call and text tones and leads to confusion on who's phone is ringing lol.

Yes, with the Watch it all gets boiled down to *pinnggggg*.

 

[decypher44]

Maybe this is a regional thing, but I never hear ringtones. For the most part, people have their phones on silent/vibrate. Mine has been on silent for a decade at least.

For reference, I’m in So Cal.

 

[thenewperson]

And whenever they're ready, maybe allow the Music app to import MP3/M4A files as well 🙄

 

[fede777]

Does the audio file have to remain on Files, or can it be deleted once it was set as a ringtone?

 

[eveluvsrainbows]

Ok, now please custom songs as alarms on HomePod etc. without needing an Apple Music subscription.

Not gonna happen because of the licensing agreements Apple has in place w/ rightsholders and record labels.

 

[klasma]

Not gonna happen because of the licensing agreements Apple has in place w/ rightsholders and record labels.

If I have a sound file in my library, that’s not anyone’s business and Apple should let me play it.