How to Set Ringtone in iPhone without iTunes? 4 Ways to Try

Liam Miller
Jun 27, 2025 / Updated by Liam Miller to iPhone

Tired of your same old default iPhone ringtones, and now you want to personalize your incoming calls with your favorite tune! While iTunes has been the go-to way for adding ringtones, it is often cumbersome. So, is there a way to learn how to set ringtone in iPhone without iTunes? Follow steps below and give your iPhone the sound it deserves.

Convert and Set Custom Song to iPhone Ringtone without iTunes

Creating and setting a custom ringtone on an iPhone without the help of iTunes can feel challenging, but there are modern methods that make the process much easier. One such solution is offered by the great AnyRec PhoneMover. This tool lets you convert, customize, and transfer audio files. Its Ringtone Maker feature allows you to upload your desired music files, trim them to the perfect segment, and then automatically convert MP3 to the M4R format. Once you've set the tone, you can transfer it to your iPhone with just one click! With minimal steps and a high success rate, AnyRec PhoneMover is indeed among the most efficient ways to make a ringtone on iPhone no iTunes.

AnyRec PhoneMover
AnyRec PhoneMover

Convert any audio to M4R format in high quality for iPhone ringtones.

Give you precise controls to create the perfect 30-second ringtone.

Have a built-in manager for organizing and previewing ringtones before transfer.

Support multiple formats, including MP3, AAC, FLAC, WAV, and more.

Free DownloadFor Windows

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Step 1.After launching AnyRec PhoneMover, navigate to the "Toolbox" widget tab on the left side. There, click the "Ringtone Maker" tool. Then, click the "Add files from PC" button to import your favorite tune.

Ringtone Maker Add Files

Step 2.Inside the editing window, your music will appear. Then, start trimming the tune and adjust its volume. You can see the duration on the right side. Click the "Play" button to listen to your ringtone first.

Step 3.Once everything is done, click the "Generate" button to start creating the ringtone. Now, it’s time to connect your iPhone and transfer the ringtone you just made without iTunes.

Generate The Ringtone
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Create a Custom Ringtone on iPhone with GarageBand

GarageBand is a free application from Apple that allows you to create music and convert any sound into a ringtone for your iPhone. It is one of the best solutions you can have to set ringtone on an iPhone without iTunes. While its interface may seem a bit complex at first, it is straightforward once you follow the steps below:

Step 1.Run the GarageBand app on your iPhone. Then, hold the app icon and select "Create New Audio Recording" from the menu. Tap the "Track" button, then tap the "Loop" icon to upload your audio file.

Step 2.Select a song from the "Files" app or "Music" app, then drag it into the timeline. Trim the added audio to under "30 seconds", then tap the "down arrow" and select "My Songs".

Garageband Add Audio File

Step 3.Tap and keep your project on hold to open up options; tap "Share", then "Ringtone" to "Export". Once it is saved, head to the "Settings" app, then "Sounds & Haptics" to "Ringtone" to set your new ringtone on iPhone without iTunes.

Garageband Trim Audio File

Convert Audio to M4R for iPhone Ringtone with Apple Music

If you have a Mac on your table, use Apple Music to convert songs to M4R format, which is the official format for iPhone ringtones. Unlike iTunes, using Apple Music allows you to prepare your file on your computer and then transfer it manually or wirelessly. It does not need any extra steps, such as trimming audio, but once your file is converted, you can easily add it and set a song as iPhone ringtone.

Step 1.Open Apple Music and import your audio file. Then, right-click on the song, select "Get Info" and then "Options". Determine the start and stop times (ensure they are under 30 seconds).

Step 2.After that, right-click on it again and select "Create AAC Version" this time, then locate the newly created file. Change the extension to ".m4r". Now, transfer the custom ringtone via AirDrop or save it to the Files app first.

Apple Music Create AAC Version

Edit and Add Ringtone to iPhone with iRingg

Finally, you have here the iRingg. It is a third-party iPhone ringtone maker designed specifically to make ringtones on iPhone without using iTunes. It features a simple interface that allows you to drop any song, trim it, apply effects, and send it directly to your device. Additionally, one of its key advantages is its support for multiple functions, including conversion, formatting, and transfer.

Step 1.Open the iRingg on your computer. Establish a connection between your two devices, iPhone and computer, using a USB cable. Otherwise, use Wi-Fi sync if set up.

Step 2.Next, drag your selected audio files into the app or browse your music library to locate the desired tune. Start trimming the audio, apply effects if wanted, then click the "Push to iPhone" button.

On your iPhone, open the "Settings" app, then navigate to "Sounds & Haptics" and select "Ringtone" to find the custom tone.

Iringg Export to iPhone

Conclusion

Even without iTunes, customizing your iPhone ringtone to your liking does not have to be complicated. As you have explored, there are four effective methods for you to learn how to set a ringtone in iPhone without iTunes. From GarageBand to using desktop tools like iRingg, each approach offers flexibility tailored to your preferences. But for a simpler, all-in-one solution, AnyRec PhoneMover is the best choice. Thanks to its Ringtone Maker feature, you can automatically convert the desired song to M4R format, trim it, and then transfer it to your iPhone with just a few clicks, all without compromising on quality. Definitely worth trying to create ringtones!

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