iPhone Firmware 1.1.3 & iTunes 7.6: Adding Custom Ringtones for Free

iPhone Hacks reader CerealKiller sent me a tip to remind me that the simple hack to add custom ringtones for free still works with iPhone firmware 1.1.3 and iTunes 7.6.

Adding custom ringtones has probably been one of the most popular ways to personalize the iPhone so I am sure you will find this iPhone hack very useful.

CerealKiller has also made an instructional video which provides a step-by-step guide on how to add custom ringtones to your iPhone running firmware 1.1.3 using iTunes 7.6.

With the launch of iTunes 7.4, Apple provided iPhone users the ability to add custom ringtones to their iPhone for an additional cost of 99c for a song if you already have it and in case you don't then the cost of adding a ringtone for $1.98.

We have also seen programs like iToner for Mac and iPhone RingToneMaker for Windows which make it very easy to add unlimited custom ringtones to your iPhone, however each of these applications charge you a one-time fee.

We also have some free iPhone applications like SendSong  which have been very popular with iPhone owners, however it means that you need to Jailbreak iPhone and add the native iPhone applications which can be a deal breaker for folks not so technically inclined.

That's why the iPhone hack which CerealKiller recommended is easily the best way to add custom ringtones to your iPhone. The two main reasons for this is it is simple (does not need you to be technically inclined) and you can add custom ringtones for free.

So how does the iPhone hack work?

It is based on the fact that iTunes differentiates a song file and a ringtone by the file extension. While we all knew that the song file extension was AAC; the file extension for Ringtones is "M4R".

The other observation has been that the song file should be less than 30 seconds in length to be recognized as a ringtone.

You can check out the YouTube video below by iPhone Hacks reader CerealKiller which demonstrates how to do this on your Mac (though the procedure on Windows will be similar):

He also has a tip for those looking to add multiple ringtones:

If you want multiple ringtones on your iPhone, your iPhone has to be under "Automatic Sync" and your iTunes Library has to be checked under "Organize Library" (iTunes/Settings).

CerealKiller, thanks a ton  for the tips and the instructional video, I am sure readers will find it very useful.

 

 

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Comments

[Leech]

I did all the process, and everything worked fine, iTunes says ringtone is on iPhone and library, but I can't see the Custom ringtone on iPhone.

It's just for 1.1.3 ?
I'm on 1.1.2 an Windows

[Raffi]

all you need is iringer to do this.. its a free program and works great

[Michael]

See the link - simple with Garage Band. I think Apple left this easy method just to keep the hacking down.

[CerealKiller]

I have only tried this on 1.1.3 with a Mac, not sure about 1.1.2. Sorry.

[Aegis]

Leech, make sure you have the Sync Ringtones option enabled on your iPhone settings on iTunes...

[Steven]

Is this working on windows Vista? cause when im changing the m4a to m4r it doesn't change. only the file name is changing.. help please

[Jared]

The length actually has to be less than 40 seconds. Not 30.

[essmoe]

I have a ZiPhone, and i followed the process exactly as you showed it, and it worked beautifully! Good work! :-D

Thanks a lot!

[Lalo]

I'll try this right now. Seems simple enough

[Sidvicious]

Anyone knows what iPhone cover the user has on in the video. Looks quite cool. Where can I get it from?
Looks like a graphite pattern (Ferrari dash).

[CerealKiller]

It's a "Carbon Fiber" hard plastic cover, got it from one of those side stands in the mall's. Great cover, have dropped my phone many of times, the cover nor the phone has a scratch. And more "Kawasaki ZX6R" like. haha!

[saint]

i got two songs to work perfect, but i started messing around with some settings and now i can't get any to show up in the ringtone library on itunes. i convert them to aac, change ext to m4r and they are less than 40 seconds. any ideas anyone?

[saint]

nevermind, i'm a tard

[keanu]

got the hack to work but i cant add anymore than one song and when i put another it will copy itself twice someone help

[fingers]

I'VE JUST BEEN ASKED TO UPDATE TO ITUNES 7.6.1, ANYONE KNOW OF ANY NEW FEATURES TO IT OR IF IT WILL LOCK MY 1.1.3 JAILBROKEN IPHONE?

[Cerealkiller]

Yes iTunes 7.6.1 works, already tried it. And if it copies itself on the iPhone, your phone has to be on automatic mode and you iPhone library has to be organzied.

[chosen2nd]

same problem, i cant change m4a to m4r on windows vista

[Russell]

On my computer the songs just show up as the title of the song. No .m4a or anything behind it. I'm sure it's just my setting somewhere. Does anyone know how to fix this?
Thanks,
Russell

[Judson]

To chosen2nd:

Start -> programs -> accessories -> windows explorer -> click on Organize -> folder and search options -> click View Tab -> and uncheck box "HIDE extensions for known file types

This should fix your problem. Enjoy!

[The Bomb]

So the initial conversion and upload worked, but I want to add multiple custom ringtones to my iPhone. I attempted to follow the tip--but while you can easily set the iPhone to "Automatic Sync" I see no way to mke sure your iTunes Library is checked under "Organize Library" (iTunes/Settings). To my knowledge, there are no "settings" at all in iTunes. Help, please, because I'd love to add more custom ringtones!

[Cesar]

After you convert to ACC and go to show in Windows explorer, then how would you change it from m-peg 4 to m4r?

[JUice85]

I dont think this works for window users ... or can someone explain how to with windows? If possible

[Nonz]

Using Firmware 1.1.4 iTunes 7.6.1 (9).
I tested this hack and found that works, sort of.
After the 2nd and 3rd song, I found that the last song replaces all the custom ringtones with as many copies. (i.e. There are now 3 of the same ringtone.)
Now, I can't remove them nor replace with a previous ringtone. When I do a 4th new ringtone, I end up with 4 of the same ringtone, replacing all others.

Is my only option to restore?

[Bassir]

1. Make sure track is 30 seconds long.
2. Convert to AAC via iTunes.
4. Rename new AAC file extension to ".m4r".
5. Open it with iTunes.
6. That's it. iTunes believes its a ringtone, and you can sync it to your phone.

I've been doing this since 1.1.2, when Apple restored the functionality after removing it in 1.1.1.

Where has everyone been?

[Joe]

quoting Judson:
I [also]see no way to mke sure your iTunes Library is checked under "Organize Library" (iTunes/Settings).

Using this method you can only have 1 custom ringtone. that plays. having multiple doesn't seem to work.

To JUice85, the way you can resolve that is go to the iPhone summary tab in iTunes, make sure the only check box is Auto sync, not manual. then go to the ringtones tab and only check one ringtone or none. and then sync, that should get rid of what seems to be multiple copies of the same tone.