App Support

Q: How do I actually set my creation as my iPhone ringtone?

No third-party app can set the system ringtone automatically — this is an Apple restriction. But the final step is quick, and the app guides you based on your iOS version:

On iOS 26 or later (easiest, no GarageBand):

1. In the app, tap Set Up as Ringtone, then Set as Ringtone.
2. In the share sheet, tap Use as Ringtone. That's it — it's set. To change it later, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone.

On iOS 17–18.x (using GarageBand):

1. In the app, tap Set Up as Ringtone, then Open in GarageBand (or Save to Files / Share).
2. In GarageBand, touch and hold your ringtone file, then Share, then Ringtone, name it, then Export.
3. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone and select your new tone.

Q: Do I need GarageBand?

Only on iOS 17–18.x. On iOS 26 and later you don't need GarageBand at all — just use Share > Use as Ringtone (see above). On older versions, GarageBand is a free Apple app; if it isn't installed, the app will link you to it on the App Store.

Q: My ringtone is too long.

iOS ringtones must be 30 seconds or less. The Create Ringtone editor enforces this — trim your selection to 30 seconds or under before exporting.

Q: Why can't I import a song from Apple Music or a streaming service?

Songs from Apple Music and most streaming/subscription services are DRM-protected. Apple does not permit apps to edit protected content, so the app will refuse these files. Use audio or video that you own (for example, files in your Files app, voice memos you exported, or videos in your Photos library).

Q: What file types are supported?

Import: common audio (including MP3, M4A, AAC, WAV) and video (including MP4, MOV) formats that iOS can read.

Export: audio is saved as M4A (AAC), ringtones as M4R (AAC), and video as MP4 (H.264/AAC).

Q: Why is there no MP3 export option?

iOS can read MP3 files but cannot create (encode) them without bundling third-party software. We export AAC (M4A/M4R) instead — it is higher quality at the same size, plays everywhere, and is the format iOS ringtones require.

Q: The app asks for Photos permission. Why?

Photos access is requested only when you import a video from your photo library.

Add to Photos is requested only when you choose to save a finished video, or a wallpaper, to Photos.

You can import audio and video from the Files app without granting Photos access. Manage permissions in Settings under the app's name.

Q: How do I set a wallpaper?

iOS does not let any app change your wallpaper automatically, so the last step is yours — it takes a few seconds:

1. In the Wallpapers tab, open a wallpaper and tap Save to Photos.
2. Open the Photos app and select the wallpaper you just saved.
3. Tap Share, then Use as Wallpaper. Adjust it, tap Add, and choose where to use it.

Q: Which tones and wallpapers are free?

You can preview every built-in ringtone and every wallpaper for free. The featured ringtones — shown at the top of the Tones tab and on Home — are free to set as your ringtone, and every wallpaper section includes free wallpapers to save. Items marked with a crown are part of Ringtone Maker Pro.

Q: Do the built-in tones and wallpapers need an internet connection?

No. They are stored inside the app, so you can browse, preview, set and save them offline.

Q: Can I use the built-in tones and wallpapers anywhere?

They are yours to use as a ringtone, alert tone or wallpaper on your own devices. They are original works made for this app, so please don't resell or redistribute the files themselves (see the Terms of Use).

Q: Can I use the app on my Mac?

Yes. Ringtone Maker runs natively on Macs with macOS 14 Sonoma or later. One Ringtone Maker Pro subscription covers your iPhone, iPad and Mac: on your Mac, open Settings > Restore Purchases while signed in with the same Apple Account.

Q: How do I get a ringtone I made on my Mac onto my iPhone?

A Mac can't change your iPhone's ringtone, but it can copy the tone over:

1. In the app, click Set Up as Ringtone, then Save Ringtone File… and save the .m4r file (for example, to your Desktop).
2. Connect your iPhone to your Mac and select it in the Finder sidebar.
3. Drag the saved ringtone file into your iPhone's window in the Finder.
4. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone and select your new tone.

You can also send the file to your iPhone with AirDrop and set it up there.

Q: How do I set a wallpaper as my Mac's desktop picture?

Open a wallpaper in the Wallpapers section and click Set as Desktop Picture. It is applied to every display and saved in Pictures > Ringtone Maker; you can change it again at any time in System Settings > Wallpaper.

Q: Can I drag files into the app, or use keyboard shortcuts?

Yes. Drag audio or video files from the Finder onto the Create Ringtone, Trim or Merge screens, or onto the Library. Shortcuts: Command-O imports media, Space plays or pauses, and Command-1 to Command-5 switch between sections.

Q: Does the Mac version show ads?

No. The Mac version has no ads and no advertising software for anyone.

Q: Where are my created files?

In the in-app Library tab. From there (or from the export screen) you can Save to Files, Save to Photos (video only — iOS Photos does not store standalone audio), or Share to any app. On a Mac, use Save As… to put a copy in any folder, then Show in Finder.

Q: Will I lose my files if I delete the app?

Yes. Files saved only in the in-app Library live inside the app and are removed if you delete the app. To keep them, use Save to Files or Save to Photos first.

Q: How do I change export quality or default save location?

Open the Settings tab, then Export, to set Video Quality and Default Save To.

Q: The app is using storage. How do I free space?

Go to Settings > Storage. You can see how much your Library uses and tap Clear Temporary Files to remove leftover working files (this does not delete your saved Library items).

Q: Is my data private? Do you upload my files?

No. All editing happens on your device, and the app has no servers or accounts of its own — your media is never uploaded. On iPhone and iPad the free version does show ads, served by Google AdMob; subscribing to Pro removes them entirely. The Mac version has no ads. See the Privacy Policy.

Q: An export failed or the app behaved unexpectedly.

• Make sure you have enough free storage on your device.
• Confirm the source file isn't DRM-protected.
• Try closing and reopening the app.
• If it persists, email us with your device model, iOS or macOS version, app version, and the steps that caused it.

Q: A merge looks stretched or has black bars.

When merging clips of different sizes or orientations, the app normalizes them to a common frame and adds letterboxing/pillarboxing so nothing is distorted. This is expected.