Installing Custom Ringtones on iPhone 15

GarageBand (or other software) can be used for the creation of ringtones but it is not used to install the ringtone on the iPhone. A ringtone is just a file of type m4r (with the extension .m4r.)

To transfer the file to the iPhone using a Mac, connect the iPhone to the Mac using the cable, open Finder on the Mac, select your iPhone in the sidebar and drop the .m4r file onto Finder. You’ll then find the ringtone on your iPhone in Settings > Sound & Haptics > Ringtone.

I was running in circles trying to transfer my .m4r custom tones. The trick for me was to open the iphone in finder, then click on the Music tab, then simply drag the .m4r files into the finder window and it sync'd for me

Well, after testing again, it no longer works for me either; I'm baffled. I have to admit that I hadn't tried this procedure for a long time.

I did some digging and I found this discussion which mentions the same procedure but, for some users, it doesn't work either. I'm suspecting it is a combination of macOS and iOS versions. I'm using macOS Sonoma 14.4.1, on the Mac, and iOS 17.4.1, on the iPhone. There will be an update of both in the next few weeks. I'm hoping the issue will be fixed then.

In the meantime, you may want to communicate this issue to Apple: Product Feedback - Apple.

I am having the same issue. In the past I could just drop the m4r file into my connected iphone in finder and it would be in my sounds and haptics. No more. The green plus is there like it can be dropped but cant find the file on my phone. Help please!!

I'm using iOS 17.5.1, and macOS 12.7.5. With manual manage music and videos on, i dragged the m4r to the manage window. When going to a contact, the ringtone is available. I don't know what to say, but it does work.

I have a question. I purchased a few ringtones off of my iTunes on my iPhone 15 Pro and I don’t know how to put it as my ringtone when I go to my ringtones it only shows that I downloaded to and I downloaded more than that I need help I don’t know what to do. I’m new to iPhone.

I am new to iPhone. I have a iPhone 15 Pro. I downloaded a couple of ringtones off of my iTunes I think is what it was and when I go to my ringtone, it shows I got two of them downloaded on there, but I downloaded more. I don’t know how to put them on there. Can someone please please help me I have an iPhone 15 Pro. I’m used to having android I had a Moto 5G stylus for the longest time and I wanted to switch over to iPhone because I was told they were better and I do love my new 15 pro but I don’t know what I’m doing sometimes my wallpaper keeps changing automatically. I don’t know how to set it to just one wallpaper to wear. It won’t keep changing and then, I have two ringtones downloaded but I downloaded way more. I just don’t know how to put them onto my ringtone file or however, you do that to where I can put it as my ringtone. I really need help from somebody that knows about iPhone or that may have an iPhone 15 Pro that can please please help me.

I plugged in my iPhone 15 and clicked and dragged my tones files into the window and they will automatically upload to your iPhone. I just did it.

See if these instructions help:

Create a ringtone of your Logic Pro or GarageBand for Mac song - Apple Support

The procedure for installing now involves iCloud.

This fixed it for me. Thank you!

I just don’t know