But there’s an easy way to create a ringtone, free of charge and perfectly legally (as long as you own the copyright to the audio track, of course), via iTunes. Simply follow these steps and a new ringtone can be created in minutes.
Download iTunes
This can be done on a PC or Mac, but iTunes is required. Download iTunes for free. Open iTunes and pick an MP3 for a ringtone. Either right-click or got to File and select Get Info. Next, choose the the Options tab. Officially, a ringtone for the iPhone can't be longer than 30 seconds, although in practice a 35 second track will just about work.
If the required track is shorter than 35sec, no editing will be required. If not, the Start Time and Stop Time boxes need to be checked and the required start and stop times entered, bearing in mind the 35sec limit. Remember to enter the time in the correct format or it won't work.
AAC File as Ringtone
With the Start Time and Stop Time boxes ticked, Click OK, then go to Advanced or right-click the song again and choose Create AAC Version. A duplicate version of the track will appear. Drag it out of iTunes and place it on the desktop temporarily. The AAC file will remain in iTunes - it needs to be deleted now and the trash folder emptied. At the same time, reopen the info window on the original MP3 file and untick the start and stop time boxes, so it is now back to its original length.
Change to M4R
Now look at the file on the desktop. The name will show '.m4a' at the end. Change this to .m4r and then double click the file to open it. Doing so will add it to the ringtones folder in iTunes. The file on the desktop can now be deleted.
Sync iPhone
The last thing that needs doing is to sync the iPhone. Make sure the relevant ringtone folder is checked when syncing, to make sure it is added to the phone. As soon as the sync is complete the personalised ringtone can be chosen. However, it can't be used as an SMS (text) alert.
Ringtones take up the bare minimum of disc space and can be deleted from the iPhone safe in the knowledge that it is stored in the iTunes library, but don't forget that the original file needs to be an MP3 for this DIY ringtone method to work successfully.
Click here for the best apps to download for the iPhone.
Robert Keenan - Professional UK-based magazine sub editor and writer. Rob was one of the lucky few who knew what they wanted to do for a living from an ...
