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Apple has a good selection of ringtones for the iPhone, but even they can get old. Here's how to change your ringtone with either one you've bought from Apple or made for yourself, as well as how to set specific ringtones for individual contacts.
It happens to most of us at one point or another — ringtone fatigue. Fortunately, it's easy enough to switch your ringtone whenever you want, and it only takes a few seconds.
How to change the ringtone on your iPhone
- Open Settings
- Tap Sound & Haptics
- Under Sounds and Vibration Patterns, tap the sound you wish to change
- Tap Done
Tip: This isn't just for the iPhone, either. You can also set ringtones for the iPad and the iPod touch.
You can also set ringtones for individual contacts, which can be especially useful if you're the type of person who screens your calls.
- Open Contacts
- Tap the contact you'd like to set the ringtone for
- Tap Edit
- Tap Ringtone
- Tap the song or ringtone you'd like to set
- Tap Done
You can also set custom text tones and vibration patterns in this same section.
If you don't like any of the default ringtones, you can always head to Apple's ringtone store and buy new ringtones as well.
How to buy ringtones for iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
- Open iTunes Store
- At the bottom, tap More
- Tap Tones
- Browse for a ringtone you like
- Tap the price
- Choose whether to set it as a default ringtone, text tone, or assign it to a contact, or tap Done to set it later
- Confirm your purchase
Apple iPhone XR
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Click each step to see the action, click the picture or use the arrow keys
The ringtone is the sound your phone will make when you receive an incoming call
1.
From the home screen, tap Settings
2.
Tap Sounds & Haptics
3.
Tap Ringtone
4.
Tap the ringtone you wish to use
There are times when I’d like to know who is calling before I find my iPhone to look at the screen. By using custom ringtones for the important people in my life, I know who is on the other end before I ever get up to locate the device. Here’s how to set an individual ringtone to a specific contact.
- Open “Contacts“.
- Select “Edit“.
- Select “Ringtone” to set the incoming call tone, or scroll down and select “Text Tone” to set the text messaging tone.
- Choose the ringtone you want to use, then select “Save“.
- Select the “Done” button.
FAQ
Why is there is no “Edit” option?
If you cannot edit your contact, it may be because you are syncing the contact using an app like Facebook.
Reader Interactions
By Conner Carey Updated 08/30/2021 * This post is part of iPhone Life's Tip of the Day
newsletter. Sign Up. * Your ringtone alerts you of incoming calls, and it can be a fun way to customize your phone. I'll teach you how to change your default ringtone and how to get custom ringtones on iPhone! Related: How to Create Free Ringtones for Your iPhone (No Computer
Needed) Every iPhone comes with a pre-set ringtone that you can easily change to something that suits your preferences and personality. Here's how to change your default ringtone on the iPhone. I will also show you how to set a song as a ringtone on iPhone: Pro Tip: If
you were wondering how to add ringtones to iPhone without iTunes, the steps above are how you do it! You can even search the Tone Store for songs, soundtracks from movies, and other sound effects. Now you know how to get ringtones on iPhone! There are a handful of provided ringtones and thousands you can purchase from the store, so you can have a blast customizing. To learn more about personalizing your iPhone, sign up for our free
Tip of the Day newsletter. Master your iPhone in one minute a day: Sign up here to get our FREE Tip of the Day delivered right to your inbox.iPhone Ringtone 101: Learn how to change your ringtone, buy new ringtones and find out how to find free music ringtones for iPhone!
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Conner Carey's writing can be found at conpoet.com. She is currently writing a book, creating lots of content, and writing poetry via @conpoet on Instagram. She lives in an RV full-time with her mom, Jan and dog, Jodi as they slow-travel around the country.
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