How to Make Your Own Free Ringtones (iPhone, Android + Best Sites)

Want to make your own free ringtones from a favourite song, a voice recording or a sound effect? It’s easier than ever. iPhones running iOS 26 can turn any short audio clip into a ringtone in a few taps, Android has always let you pick any sound file, and free online audio cutters trim songs to the perfect 30 seconds. Here are the best ways and sites to create your own free ringtones in 2026.

Quick answer: Trim your song to under 30 seconds with a free online audio cutter, save it as MP3 or M4A, then on iPhone (iOS 26) open it in Files, tap Share → Use as Ringtone; on Android, go to Settings → Sound → Phone ringtone and add the file.

How to make your own free ringtones: step 1, cut the audio

A ringtone should be short, about 20 to 30 seconds, starting at the best part of the song. Free tools to trim audio:

• Audio Cutter (mp3cut.net): a free online tool from 123apps. Upload a song, drag the handles to choose the part you want, add fade in or fade out, and save as MP3 or M4R (iPhone ringtone).
• Audacity: a free audio editor for Windows, Mac and Linux, for precise cuts, volume boosts and effects.
• Ringtone maker apps: many free Android apps cut songs and set them as ringtones directly; check reviews and permissions before installing.
• Voice Memos or a recorder app: record your own voice, a child’s laugh or a funny sound and use it as a ringtone.

Step 2: Set a custom ringtone on iPhone

iOS 26 and later

1. Save your MP3 or M4A clip (under 30 seconds) in the Files app.
2. Open it in Files, tap the Share icon and choose Use as Ringtone.
3. iPhone opens Settings with your new ringtone selected. You can also choose it for text tones and other alerts under Settings → Sounds & Haptics.

You can do the same from the Voice Memos app: tap the three-dot menu on a recording, then Share → Use as Ringtone.

Older iOS versions

Use Apple’s free GarageBand app: import the song, trim it, then tap Share → Ringtone and export it. Or sync an M4R file from a computer using Finder (Mac) or the Apple Devices app (Windows).

Step 3: Set a custom ringtone on Android

1. Copy your MP3 file to the phone (the Ringtones or Music folder works well).
2. Open Settings → Sound & vibration → Ringtone (the exact name varies by phone).
3. Tap Add, + or My sounds, select your file and save.

To give one contact their own ringtone, open the contact, tap Edit or the three-dot menu, and choose Set ringtone.

Free ringtone download sites and apps

• Zedge: one of the original ringtone sites from our 2009 list, now a popular app with millions of free ringtones, notification sounds and wallpapers.
• Audiko: also from our original list, offering free ringtones and a ringtone maker.
• Free sound libraries like Pixabay sound effects offer royalty-free clips you can use as notification tones.

Only make ringtones from music you own, and download from sites you trust. Ringtone sites full of pop-ups and “download” buttons can hide adware.

What happened to the 2009 ringtone sites?

Our original list included Zedge, Audiko, Mp3mer, Mobicious, Mobiles24, MakeOwnRingtone, Cellsea, Playscreen, MyxerTones and ToneBee. Back then you had to check which formats your phone supported (MP3, AMR, MMF and more) and send ringtones to your phone by SMS. Smartphones made most of those services unnecessary, and Zedge and Audiko are the main survivors.

Frequently asked questions

How long can a ringtone be?

On iPhone, custom ringtones must be under 30 seconds (texts tones even shorter). Android allows longer files, but 20 to 30 seconds is ideal.

Can I use a Spotify or Apple Music song as a ringtone?

No. Streaming songs are protected and can’t be exported. You need an audio file you own, such as a purchased MP3.

What format do iPhone ringtones use?

iOS 26 accepts MP3 and M4A files directly. Older versions use the M4R ringtone format.

The original version of this list was written in 2009 by guest blogger Srikanth and has been fully updated for 2026.