Coming from Android, I was surprised to learn that something as basic as setting a custom ringtone is not an option on iPhone. Users had to rely on complicated workarounds to change the default alert tune. But since the iOS 26 update, it seems Apple has resolved this problem, making it possible to set a custom ringtone on an iPhone, and in this guide I will show you how to do it.
How to Set Custom Ringtone on an iPhone
Setting a custom ringtone has become as simple as changing wallpaper on your iPhone with iOS 26. You can use any MP3 or M4A file saved on your phone that is 30 seconds or shorter and apply it directly as your ringtone. But since this is an iOS 26 feature, you must have an iOS 26-eligible device to use this method.
- Open the Files app on your iPhone and navigate to the location where you've saved the MP3 or M4A ringtone file that you want to use.
- Once you locate the file, long-press on it and select Share from the overflow menu.
- From the subsequent menu, tap on More and select Use as Ringtone.
- As soon as you do that, the selected file will be automatically applied as your default ringtone.
You'll be redirected to the Ringtone screen, where the selected ringtone appears with a check mark on the left. You can repeat these steps to set more custom ringtones on your iPhone.
You can access your external ringtones and apply them from Settings.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone and go to Sound & Haptics.
- Here, tap on Ringtone and choose any of the options visible above the default "Reflection" ringtone.
If you wish to remove the ringtones from your iPhone, go to the Ringtone and swipe left on the ringtone you don't want. This will display a Delete button, which, when tapped, deletes the ringtone.
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Requirements for Custom iPhone Ringtones
Take a look at the following requirements before you download any audio file on your iPhone:
- MP3 or M4A format: Only these audio formats are supported for now. Other formats won't show a "Use as Ringtone" option.
- 30 seconds or shorter: Longer files need to be trimmed first before you can set them as a custom ringtone on your iPhone.
- Saved locally in the Files app: You cannot directly set an audio file as a ringtone from iCloud or any other app. It must be downloaded and accessible from the Files app for the method to work.
A song streamed through Apple Music or Spotify generally can't be used directly as a ringtone, since it's protected or streamed rather than stored as an MP3 or M4A file on your device.
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How to Set a Custom Ringtone for Specific Contacts
Once you have set a custom ringtone on your iPhone using the steps above, you can assign it to any particular contact on your device.
- Open the Contacts app on your iPhone and select the contact you want to set a custom ringtone for.
- Now, tap on Edit at the top right.
- Then select Ringtone and choose the tone you want to assign.
- Next, tap on the checkmark icon at the top right to save your preference.
You can do this for all individual saved contacts. If you delete a contact on your iPhone, the selected ringtone will also be reset to the default option.
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How to Use Voice Memos as iPhone Ringtones
The iOS 26 update also makes it convenient to directly set Voice Memos as custom ringtones on iPhones. Just follow this step-by-step method.
- Open the Voice Memos app and select the recording you want to use.
- Tap on the 3-dots icon next to the recording, and hit Share.
- If the recording is longer than 30 seconds, tap on the 3-dots icon and use Edit Recording to trim it.
- From the share sheet, tap on View More and then select Use as Ringtone.
The recording is applied as your ringtone right away, and you'll land on the Ringtone screen to confirm it. I often use this method to record a voice note of me saying, "Answer your phone", for selected contacts.
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How to Set Call Recording as Your Custom Ringtone on iPhone
The above method also lets you set iPhone call recordings as the default ringtone. The process is slightly involved since calls are saved in the Notes app. But here is an easy workaround.
- On your iPhone, go to the Notes app and open the call recording you want to use.
- Now, tap the three dots in the top left.
- From the subsequent menu, tap on Save Audio to Files.
- On the preview page, select the location to save the file and tap on Save.
- Now go to the Files app and follow the steps from the first method to set it as a ringtone.
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"Use as Ringtone" Not Showing? Try These Fixes
In case the above methods are not working for you or the menu shown in the guide is not the same as on your iPhone, then you might want to refer to the following troubleshooting methods.
- Confirm you're on iOS 26 or later: Since the ability to set a custom ringtone is baked into iOS 26, you will need an iPhone running the update or later version. If you have an older device like the iPhone XS or older, then you will have to use the old GarageBand workaround.
- The file is saved in the Files app: Apple only lets you set custom ringtones either from the Voice Memos or the Files app. So make sure the downloaded audio file is in the Files app.
- The file is 30 seconds or less: If the file is longer than 30 seconds, you'll still see the option, but tapping it throws an error about the file being too long. Trim it down and try again.
- Restart your iPhone: If the option is not working or showing up due to a software glitch, you should reboot your iPhone by switching off the device and starting it up again.
- Reset your iPhone: In case the problem continues, you can also attempt to reset your iPhone to factory settings. However, it will wipe all your data, so back up local files before proceeding.
Best and verified sources to download iPhone ringtones
Since setting custom ringtones on iPhones isn't as popular as it used to be, you must be wondering where to find them online. Lucky for you, I have curated some of my favourite websites to download ringtones and notification tones:
- Zedge
- Pixabay
- Tuunes
- Audiko
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set an MP3 file as an iPhone ringtone?
Yes, since iOS 26, you can use any MP3 or M4A file saved in the Files app directly as a ringtone as long as it's 30 seconds or shorter.
Can I set a different ringtone for each contact?
Yes. Open the contact in the Contacts app and go to Edit > Ringtone, and choose any of your custom tones; they show up above Apple's default options.
Can I use a Spotify song as an iPhone ringtone?
No. Songs streamed through Spotify, Apple Music, or similar services aren't stored on your device as plain audio files, so there's nothing for the Files app to actually apply as a ringtone. You'll need a file you own, recorded yourself, or are legally allowed to download.
With iOS 26, iPhone users are finally getting a taste of the feature that Android users have had for ages. Yes, there were means to apply custom ringtones on iOS in the past using apps like Garageband, but with the latest update, it's easier than ever to add them to your phone.
