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Share Ringtones Between iPhones: 3 Easy Ways

Updated · Standard formula, shown below

Yes, you can share ringtones between iPhones, and the easiest method is AirDrop, which works wirelessly in seconds. You can also use a cable and a computer, or send the ringtone as an email attachment. This guide covers all three methods, explains the file format you need, and fixes common problems like the “Share” button being grayed out.

What You Need to Know First

Ringtones on an iPhone are not regular audio files like MP3s. They are M4R files, a format Apple uses specifically for ringtones. A standard song in your Music library is an M4A file, and it will not appear in your Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone list unless it has the .m4r extension. So before sharing, confirm the file you have ends in .m4r. If you only have an MP3 or M4A, you must convert it first (using a Mac with GarageBand or a Windows PC with iTunes).

Method 1: AirDrop (Fastest)

AirDrop uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to transfer files directly between nearby iPhones, with no cables or internet needed. This is the best choice when both phones are in the same room.

  1. On the phone that has the ringtone, open the Files app.
  2. Navigate to On My iPhone or iCloud Drive where the .m4r file is saved. If you downloaded it from an email or website, it’s likely in Downloads.
  3. Touch and hold the ringtone file, then tap Share.
  4. Tap the AirDrop icon (the concentric circles).
  5. Select the receiving iPhone from the list. The other person must have AirDrop set to Contacts Only or Everyone (Control Center > press and hold the network card > tap AirDrop).
  6. On the receiving phone, tap Accept when the preview appears.
  7. The file will be saved to the Files app. Now tap it to play it, then tap the Share button again and choose Save to Files if needed. To set it as a ringtone, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone and find it under Ringtones.

Method 2: Email or Message

If the phones are not near each other, or AirDrop is not working, you can send the ringtone as an attachment. This works over any internet connection.

  1. On the sending phone, open the Files app and locate the .m4r file.
  2. Touch and hold the file, tap Share, then choose Mail or Messages.
  3. Send it to the recipient.
  4. On the receiving phone, open the email or message and tap the attachment to download it.
  5. Tap the downloaded file, then tap the Share button (square with arrow) and choose Save to Files.
  6. Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone and select it.

Method 3: Using a Computer (iTunes/Finder)

When you have many ringtones, or the file is on your computer, use a USB cable. This method also works if the ringtone came from an old iPhone backup.

  1. Connect the iPhone that has the ringtone to your computer.
  2. On a Mac (macOS Catalina or later), open Finder. On a PC or older Mac, open iTunes.
  3. Click your device icon, then select File Sharing (Finder) or File Sharing in iTunes.
  4. Find the ringtone in the list, drag it to your desktop to save it.
  5. Disconnect that phone and connect the receiving iPhone.
  6. In Finder/iTunes, drag the .m4r file into the Tones section (or just onto the device name). Sync the phone.
  7. The ringtone will appear in Settings > Sounds & Haptics.

Why Won’t the Ringtone Appear in Settings?

This is the most common frustration. You shared a file, it saved to Files, but it’s not in your ringtone list. The usual reasons are:

  • Wrong file format: The file must be .m4r. If it’s .m4a, .mp3, or .wav, it will not show up. Renaming the extension from .m4a to .m4r often works, but not always—if the audio codec is not AAC, it will fail.
  • File is too long: Apple allows ringtones up to 30 seconds (some older iOS versions allowed 40). A longer file may be rejected.
  • You saved it to the wrong place: The file must be in the Files app. If you only played it and didn’t save it, it won’t be available.
  • You haven’t tapped it after saving: On the receiving phone, after you save the file, you must tap it once to open it. This registers it with the system. Then go to Settings.

How to Convert a Song to a Ringtone (If Needed)

If you only have an MP3 or a song from Apple Music, you can’t share it as a ringtone directly. You need to convert it. On a Mac, GarageBand is the standard tool. On Windows, you can use iTunes or a free audio converter. The basic steps are:

  1. Trim the song to 30 seconds or less.
  2. Export it as an M4A file (AAC encoder).
  3. Rename the file extension from .m4a to .m4r.
  4. Add it to your iTunes/Finder library and sync, or AirDrop it to your phone.

Note: You cannot convert DRM-protected songs (purchased before 2009 or from some streaming services). You need a non-protected audio file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share a ringtone I bought from the iTunes Store?

Yes, you can share purchased ringtones the same way you share any .m4r file. They are not DRM-protected in the same way as songs. Find them in the Files app or in your iTunes library on a computer, then AirDrop or email them.

Does AirDrop work if the other person doesn’t have my contact?

Yes, but they need to set AirDrop to Everyone for 10 minutes. If it’s set to Contacts Only, your phone must be in their contacts. You can change this in Control Center.

Will sharing a ringtone work between an iPhone and an Android?

No, this article is about iPhone-to-iPhone. Android phones use different ringtone formats (like .mp3 or .ogg). You can send the audio file, but the Android user will need to set it as a ringtone manually in their settings, and it won’t appear as an iPhone-style ringtone.

How do I delete a shared ringtone?

Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone, swipe left on the ringtone you want to remove, and tap Delete. This only removes it from your ringtone list, not from the Files app. To delete the original file, go to the Files app, find it, and delete it there.

Why is the “Share” button grayed out when I select the ringtone?

This usually happens when the file is still in the process of downloading, or it’s in a location that doesn’t support sharing (like inside a zip archive). Try moving the file to On My iPhone first, then share it.

Can I share a ringtone that I made in GarageBand?

Yes. In GarageBand, after you export your song as a ringtone, it appears in the Tones section of your iPhone. To share it, go to Files > On My iPhone > GarageBand and you’ll find the .m4r file there. Then share it like any other file.

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