Setting a custom ringtone on your iPhone is easier than you might think, thanks to the free GarageBand app. Although iOS doesn’t offer a direct way to set any song as your ringtone, GarageBand provides a straightforward workaround that lets you trim, edit, and export your favorite music segment into a ringtone format.

This method not only gives you the flexibility to choose any music you love but also allows you to fine-tune the segment to the perfect length for your device.

How to set a music file as your iPhone ringtone using GarageBand (a free app from Apple):

1. Prepare Your Music File:

• Ensure the song is DRM-free (songs from Apple Music may be restricted). If it’s in your Files or imported from iTunes, it should work fine.

2. Install and Open GarageBand:

• Download GarageBand from the App Store if you haven’t already. Open the app and select a new project (a “Keyboard” or “Audio Recorder” project works well).

Download

3. Create a New Project:

• Once in the project, tap the “Tracks” icon (usually looks like a series of horizontal lines) to access the editing view.
• Tap the “+” icon and choose “Audio Recorder” (or any instrument track).

4. Import Your Music:

• Tap the “Loop” icon in the top-right corner.
• Select “Files” to browse and import your music file from the Files app.
• Drag the file onto the timeline. Adjust the clip so that the segment you want (ringtones are typically 30 seconds or less) is properly trimmed.

5. Edit the Clip:

• Adjust the start and end points by dragging the edges of the clip to make it exactly 30 seconds (or shorter).
• You can tap the clip to access more editing tools if needed.

Read more: How to Connect Your iPhone to Samsung TV: A Step-by-Step Guide

6. Export as Ringtone:

• Tap the down arrow in the top left to go back to “My Songs.”
• Press and hold the project thumbnail until a menu appears, then select “Share.”
• Choose “Ringtone” from the share options.
• Name your ringtone and tap “Export.”

7. Set Your New Ringtone:

• Once exported, you’ll get the option to “Use sound as…” Choose “Standard Ringtone” or assign it to a specific contact as desired.

Following these steps will help you turn your favorite music segment into a custom ringtone on your iPhone.