Learn how to create a custom alarm sound on your iPhone or Android using sounds from your favorite songs, TikTok videos, and more, allowing you to personalize your make a custom ringtone from a sound on your device.
Before you start, for iPhone methods, you need the GarageBand app (pre-installed on most iPhones). If you use Ringtones Maker, download it from the App Store. For the Finder/iTunes methods, you need a computer (Mac or PC). For Android, download the “Music Audio Editor, MP3 Cutter” (Super Sound) app from the Google Play Store. Ensure your source audio is 30 seconds or less.
Warning: Syncing with iTunes or Finder will overwrite existing media if you do not check “Manually manage music and videos.” Always ensure you are syncing only the ringtone to avoid data loss. Additionally, TikTok sounds must be downloaded directly; link converters often fail.
Follow these instructions carefully to convert your favorite audio into a ringtone and assign it to your device.
Method 1: Using GarageBand (iPhone)
Download GarageBand from the App Store if it is not installed. Ensure your iPhone is updated to iOS 17. Get your source audio or video. You can copy a link, use a saved file, screen record, or download a video (preferred for TikTok sounds). Convert your video or audio file to MP3 format. If MP4 video, use CloudConvert to convert the file. If YouTube link, use Y2Mate or YTMP3 to convert and download. If non-MP3 audio, use CloudConvert and select MP3 as the output format.
Open GarageBand and navigate to the Tracks > Audio Recorder section. Tap the Tracks button (three horizontal lines) and then tap the + button. Toggle on Automatic for Section A and enable the Time Ruler in the settings to see duration in seconds. Tap the Loops icon (circle) and select Files > Browse items from the Files app. Locate and tap your saved MP3 file to add it to the project. Drag the audio file to the start of the track (00:00 mark). Trim the audio using the handles to ensure it is 30 seconds or less. Audio longer than this will be cut off.
Tap the triangle icon in the top left and select My Songs to save the project. Press and hold on your song, then select Share > Ringtone. Tap Export to finalize the ringtone. If prompted, allow GarageBand to adjust the length automatically. Open the Clock app and navigate to the Alarms tab. Create a new alarm or edit an existing one. Tap Sound and select your new ringtone (it will have a gray border separating it from defaults).
Method 2: Using Ringtones Maker & GarageBand (iPhone)
Download Ringtones Maker from the App Store. Note that this app contains ads (removable via in-app purchase). Ensure GarageBand is installed on your device. Get your source video or audio file saved on your phone. Open Ringtones Maker and tap the purple + button. Select Import from video or Import from File to load your media. Tap Clip to trim the audio to 30 seconds or less. Tap Done when finished.
Tap Make (bell icon) and select GarageBand from the app list. Press and hold the song in GarageBand, then select Share > Ringtone. Tap Export and then OK to save the ringtone. Open the Clock app and go to Alarms. Tap the + button to create a new alarm or tap an existing one. Tap Sound and choose your custom ringtone from the list.
Method 3: Using Ringtones Maker & Finder (iPhone)
Download Ringtones Maker from the App Store. Get your source video or audio file saved on your phone. Open Ringtones Maker and tap the purple + button. Select your media file and tap Clip to trim it to 30 seconds or less. Tap Done. Send the resulting M4R file to your computer (via email, Google Drive, or direct cable transfer).
Plug your iPhone into your Mac using a USB cable. Open Finder and click your iPhone under the Locations tab. Check the box for Manually manage music, movies, and TV shows in the General tab. Drag the M4R ringtone file from your computer into the Finder window. Click the Eject button next to your iPhone’s name when syncing is complete. Open the Clock app and navigate to Alarms. Create or edit an alarm. Tap Sound and select your custom ringtone.
Method 4: Using Ringtones Maker & iTunes (iPhone)
Download Ringtones Maker from the App Store. Download and install iTunes on your PC or Mac (macOS Mojave or earlier). Get your source video or audio file saved on your phone. Open Ringtones Maker and tap the purple + button. Select your media file and tap Clip to trim it to 30 seconds or less. Tap Done.
Plug your iPhone into your computer with iTunes open. Click the iPhone icon in the upper-left section of iTunes. Check the box for Manually manage music and videos in the Summary tab and click Apply. Click File Sharing in the left-hand sidebar. Select RingtoneMaker from the list of apps. Save the audio folder to your computer (e.g., Desktop or Downloads). Click Tones in the left-hand sidebar under “On My Device”. Drag the ringtone file from your saved folder into the Tones screen in iTunes. Click Sync at the bottom of the Tones screen. Click the Eject button next to your iPhone’s name. Open the Clock app and navigate to Alarms. Create or edit an alarm. Tap Sound and select your custom ringtone.
Method 5: Making a Custom Android Ringtone
Download the Super Sound app (Music Audio Editor, MP3 Cutter) from the Google Play Store. Get your source video or audio file saved on your phone. Tap Video to Audio if your source is a video. If using audio, you can skip this step. Select the video and trim it to 30 seconds or less. Tap Save to save the new audio file to your phone.
Open the Clock app (Google Clock or default). Set the saved file as a custom alarm tone or ringtone via the app settings.
Pro tip: To make your custom ringtone stand out, choose a segment of the song that starts immediately (within the first 5 seconds) so you don’t miss the alert. Also, consider using a sound with a distinct frequency that cuts through background noise.
After successfully creating and syncing your custom ringtones, you can expand their usage beyond just alarms. Go to your iPhone or Android settings to assign these unique sounds to specific contacts, text messages, or notification alerts. This allows you to identify who is calling or messaging you without even looking at your phone.
Additionally, you can continue to build a library of ringtones for different moods or seasons. Since you now know the process, creating new tones is quick. Remember to keep your audio files under 30 seconds and use reliable conversion tools to ensure the best audio quality for your device.
