Apple made a lot of changes to iTunes when it introduced version 10. A lot of those changes were cosmetic, but some of them included removing features like ringtone creation. Luckily, you can make your own ringtones out of any song in iTunes 10 using these nine easy steps.
All you need to get started is a copy of iTunes 10 installed on your Mac and your music library.
Step 1: Launch iTunes 10.
Step 2: Locate the song you want to make a ringtone out of in your iTunes Music Library and select it.
Step 3: Right-click the selected song, select “Get Info,” and then click on the Options tab.
Step 4: Locate the playback period of the song and set the beginning and ending to be any 30 second segment of that song. Click “Ok.”
Step 5: Right-click the selected song again and select “Create AAC version. ” iTunes 10 will create a new version of the song composed of the 30 second interval you selected. This will become your new ringtone.
Step 6: Locate the new 30 second song clip you created, right-click that song clip, and select “Show in Finder. ”
Step 7: Using Finder rename the file changing the extension from .m4a to .m4r. If prompted to accept the file extension change be sure to confirm that your selection was .m4r.
Step 8: Locate the 30 second song clip in iTunes 10 and press Delete when prompted do not move the file to the Trash and make sure that you select “Keep File. ” Note: If you happen to be prompted to remove the selected song from your iTunes library click Remove.
Step 9: Finally, you’ll need to re-import the song clip into iTunes 10 by double-clicking the .m4r file in Finder.
The song clip will now be added back into iTunes 10, but this time it will be added as a ringtone. You can now sync that ringtone with your iPhone, assign it to a contact, etc.
This method isn’t necessarily elegant, but it is free. With iTunes, your music library, and this How-to, you already have everything you need to make your own ringtones. If you’re feeling nostalgic, you can even bring back the original iPhone ringtone to your device. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and get started—you’ll have a personalized ringtone for your iPhone in only a few minutes.
David W. Martin has more than 20 years of experience in the industry as a programmer, systems and business analyst, author, and consultant. David has written for CNET’s iPhoneatlas.com, MacLife.com, CultofMac.com, BYTE.com and recently for aNewDoman.net. He comes to Cult of Mac’s website with deep knowledge and passion for the all things Apple. Follow David on Twitter @david_w_martin or see what he’s up to now at davidwmartin.com.
46 responses to “Make Your Own Free Ringtones in iTunes 10 in Nine Easy Steps [How To]”
I have the newest version of itunes and I can’t find the “finder” step! I can’t get the file extension to change no matter what I do! Help :(
I don’t have the Create AAC Version option on my right click menu. I only have create MP3 version, which I have attempted to use instead, but it doesn’t convert properly to M4R format and won’t open in itunes
Same problem here. os x 10.6.8 kills this in finder i think
Yes, I have the same problem as well: Create mp3 is the only option I see, not Create AAC..and doing that & following the rest of the steps does not work.
Attention iTunes Shoppers…For those that have the mp3 option, go into iTunes preferences and change import settings to use AAC encoder. Then the create AAC option will be available instead.
Simply drag the file to your desktop, then change the file extension from there. No need to do the whole Finder step.
Preferences > General > Import settings (next to when you insert cd option) > Import using AAC Encoder > it’ll show up in place of the mp3 option when u right click!
ok i got the extension changed and everything and it plays in itunes but it will not register as a ringtone. HELP!
muhahahahaha…thank you :)
mine wont let me rename it, when i right click to rename there is no name of the format its just the name of the song.smh
I have followed all of the instructions, and everything has worked, but after I sync my phone, the clip does not show up in my sounds/ringtones. Where do I find it in my phone?
Thanks, from an Apple noob.
Great trick THANKS!
I have a PC. I’m getting stuck on the change to .m4r part. I can find and view the file, I just can’t change it.
I am having a very similar problem on my MAC when i right click, i don’t see “convert to ACC”! why is this???????!!!!!!!!!!
This is awesome. I am very grateful.
http://www.Ringer.org is the best ringtone maker I’ve ever seen! Completely free, online, no registration!
Hi I do not have the … show in finder option ???????????
Worked like a charm; thank you!