iPhone Ringtone; Audio File Used As An Ringtone; Simple And Easy With iOS 26

Ringtone customization, although not highly regarded, has historically been the domain of Apple users. With iOS 26, things have seemingly become much easier for this alteration. One can now set any of their selected audio files to be a ringtone among iPhone users. Let's see how this is done in iOS 26.

1. Prepare the Audio File on iPhone

You could trim out your favorite song or audio file to a maximum of 30 seconds, since iPhone won't recognize ringtone files longer than 30 seconds. For that, you can use various sites: GarageBand, Ringtone Maker, or any other Audio Trimmer app.

2. Use GarageBand App

GarageBand remains, to this day, probably the most popular and rightly so because of the way it helps you create ringtones on iOS 26.

3. The Steps Are as Follows

Download GarageBand if you have not already done so. It is available in the App Store.

Open GarageBand and select Audio Recorder.

Click on Tracks View (two-line symbol) at the top left of the screen.

Click on the Loop icon on the top right.

Go to the Files tab and select Browse items from the Files app.

Locate your audio file and drag it to the Timeline.

Trim the audio for a maximum of 30 seconds.

Then click the Down Arrow icon in the top right corner and save it to My Songs.

4. Export As Ringtone

In My Songs, long-press on your project file.

Select Share.

Choose a Ringtone and give it a name.

Hit Export.

If it succeeded, Use sound as ... should pop up asking you to select Standard Ringtone.

5. Ringtone Change Through Settings

If you want to set the ringtone anytime later, then.

Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone.

You will see the custom ringtone on the list. Select it from there.

Additional Tips

If you have an MP3 file, it is easier to convert it to .m4r format and use it on GarageBand.

You can transfer audio via iCloud Drive, the Files App, or AirDrop.

GarageBand has now become a less complicated affair for anyone who makes ringtones with iOS 26 and below. This permits one to use any of their recorded audio, songs, or any short sound as a ringtone in an iPhone. One can now ring his phone with his sound instead of being tied to the default ringtone.