How to Set MP3 as Ringtone on iPhone with/without iTunes

Apple only allows users to customize unique ringtones for iPhone by making a ringtone from an MP3 file. You cannot automatically add MP3 files to iPhone, then set as ringtones. In this post, we will show you 2 simple methods to set MP3 as ringtone on iPhone. Now, let’s dive right in.

Method 1. How to Set MP3 as Ringtone on iPhone with AnyTrans

Since the traditional iTunes method is so complicated, here we’d like to recommend you another easier way firstly. AnyTrans, which has helped plenty of iOS users to do the task and highly recommended by these users for setting MP3 as ringtone on an iPhone. Let’s check what AnyTrans can do for you:

• Automatically convert MP3 as m4r format (m4r is the only format that iPhone can recognize as a ringtone) for you so that you can set as ringtone directly, which is iTunes can’t do.
• Any portion from any music, as long as you want, can be turned into your ringtone. No matter its mp3, m4a, m4r, WMA, Wav, FLAC, or other formats.
• Whether the song is from your iPhone, iPad, iPod, computer, iTunes library, even the audio or background music of a video from the Internet can be turned into a ringtone.

Now, Download AnyTrans on your Mac or PC firstly, and then follow the steps below to set MP3 as ringtone on iPhone easily.

Step 1. Launch AnyTrans on your computer > Connect your iPhone to computer via a USB cable > Choose Ringtone Maker at the left panel.

Step 2. You can directly drag and drop the music file to the editing bar, or select one from your computer, device or iTunes.

Step 3. Open the music file, then you can drag the slider to set the duration of the ringtone. After finishing it, click the Import to Device button to transfer the ringtone to your iPhone. Then, you will see it in the tone list on your iPhone, and you can set it as ringtone now.

Method 2. How to Set MP3 as Ringtone on iPhone with iTunes

This iTunes way to set MP3 as ringtone on iPhone is much more complicated than Method 1, obviously. Besides, you need also to notice that the latest iTunes does not support such ringtone making feature since the Tones tab has been removed. Here’s how to set MP3 as ringtone on iPhone with iTunes:

Select and set a sound file firstly:

1. Open iTunes and connect your iPhone as well.
2. Add the MP3 to iTunes.
3. Right-click the song and choose Get Info.
4. Click the Options tab.
5. Set the Start Time and Stop Time.
6. You can customize the length.
7. Then Click “OK”.

Convert the MP3 to AAC and add it to your iPhone:

1. Click the song again and click file.
2. Choose Create AAC Version.
3. iTunes will convert your specified 30 seconds into a new song.
4. Drag the new AAC version out of iTunes and into the folder you select.
5. Delete the 30-second version from iTunes.
6. Open the folder containing the 30-second AAC file you dragged out of iTunes.
7. Right-click and choose “Rename” to change the file extension from .m4a to .m4r and confirm.
8. Double-click it and it will be added to iTunes’ ringtone library.
9. Sync your iPhone.
10. Then you can head into the Settings and select your new ringtone.

The Bottom Line

As you can see, Method 1 is easier than Method 2 to set iPhone MP3 ringtone. Using AnyTrans you can easily set mp3 as ringtone on iPhone without tedious operations. In addition, you can transfer multiple songs at the same time at once. Besides, you can also use AnyTrans to transfer songs among iPhone/iPad/iPod and computer.