How to use any MP3 file as a free iPhone ringtone
A few weeks ago I showed you how to create your own customized ringtones for the iPhone using a handy software tool called ToneShop. But I recently discovered a very simple trick that enables you to convert your favorite MP3 into an iPhone ringtone right from the iTunes interface, without any third-party apps.
Launch iTunes and choose any MP3 you like. As the maximum ringtone length supported by the iPhone is 30 seconds, you’ll have to trim it a bit (don’t worry, this trimming doesn’t change your original song and can be reverted at any time). Right click on the file, select Get info and click on the Options tab. Insert the file’s start and stop time and click on OK.
Now go back to your Library, right click on your chosen MP3 and select Convert selection to AAC. You’ll get an AAC file with exactly the same name under the highlighted file. Open a File Explorer window and browse to your iTunes music folder (usually C:\Documents and Settings\username\My documents\My music\iTunes\iTunes Music). Locate the song you just converted, which will appear now as an M4A file, and change the extension to M4R.
As soon as you change the file’s extension, it’ll appear as an iTunes ringtone that you can import into iTunes straight away with just a double click. The new ringtone will be show up on the iTunes interface, ready to be synced to your iPhone.
Posted at 8:24 am on Sep 18th
Many thanks for the very good work.
Posted at 9:28 am on Oct 5th
how to convert m4a to m4r. how to change the extension.
Posted at 8:37 am on Oct 6th
Vic, to change the file’s extension you need to right click on the file and select the “Rename” command. The file’s name will then become an active field where you can write the new extension. Press Enter and you’re done
But if you don’t see any extension at all, do the following: open any File Explorer window and go to Tools > Folder Options. Then click on the View tab and uncheck “Hide extensions for known file types”. Windows has this option enabled by default and that can make file renaming a bit confusing.
Posted at 6:23 am on Oct 7th
Elena, thank you so much for replying. I unchecked the “hide extension” and it WORKS !!! Appreciate it.
wooohooo … guess i will be busy converting ringtone for the next few days 
Posted at 9:37 pm on Nov 20th
thanks much , this helped me solving the problem of having my songs as ringing tones on my iphone
Posted at 10:28 pm on Nov 25th
Hey i converted the file and everything but I cant find it on the phone, I bought the phone from a friend and embarassingly enough just learning how to use it.
Posted at 9:02 am on Nov 26th
Hey Joseph,
you need to tap on the Settings icon and then on Sounds. Select “Ringtone” and you’ll see a list with all the available ringtones on your iPhone. The converted file should be among them. Tap on it to set it as your default ringtone. Hope this helps!
Posted at 8:20 pm on Nov 30th
HI PLEASE HELP ME I CANT SEEM TO KNOW WAT IM DOING HERE I TRIED CHANGING THE EXTENSION BUT DOESNT GIVE ME A OPTION TO DRAG TO MY RINGTONES WAT IM DOING WRONG PLEASE HELP M,E OUTY
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Posted at 11:59 am on Dec 1st
Hi Fahid! After changing the extension you have to double click on the file, so that it’s automatically imported into iTunes as a new ringtone. You don’t need to drag anything, a double click is enough. Cheers!
Posted at 12:44 am on Dec 6th
Done everything except getting it into ringtones in itunes. It converted successfully to ringtones. i double clicked it and it shows up in itunes but cannot get it into ringtones to sync it to my phone. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, E
Posted at 10:12 pm on Apr 22nd
Hi there
I’m having a similar problem. I’ve converted the file to m4r (and all the previous actions) but when I double click on it, it appears in music but not in ringtones. I can’t drap it in there either. I have a mac - does this make any difference?
Thanks
Jayne
Posted at 10:00 pm on Apr 25th
I found after converting drag it over your music file in itunes and it goes straight into ringtones hope this helps
Posted at 5:55 am on Apr 26th
After the creation of the m4a file u need to delete it from the music category then only double click the file. it’ll then open under the ringtones category. cheers.
Posted at 5:42 pm on Apr 26th
Yay it worked!!!!!!! Thanks guys x
Posted at 6:49 pm on Jul 4th
Hi!!
managed to convert the file to a ringtone, but now don’t seem to be able to play the original in itunes, what am i doing wrong?