How to Transfer Ringtones from iPhone to iPhone [iPhone 17 Included]

If you changed to a new iPhone 17 and want to know how to share ringtones on iPhone, here you are in the right place. In the past, iTunes might be the first choice when it comes to syncing iPhone data. However, since iTunes 12.7, Apple has removed the ability to manage ringtones. You can’t use iTunes 12.7 to sync ringtones anymore. Then how to transfer ringtones from iPhone to iPhone?

Worry not. In this post, we will show you simple ways to send ringtone to iPhone. And even the newest iPhone 17 & iOS 26 are supported. And we will also tell you the iTunes way if you are still using the older iTunes version. Let’s see the methods to transfer ringtones to iPhone.

In addition, here are some other tips about iPhone ringtones, click and read if you need:

• How to Add Ringtone to iPhone without Computer >
• How to Set MP3 as Ringtone on iPhone with/without iTunes >
• How to Record and Set Your Own Ringtone on iPhone >

Are Your Ringtones Trapped on Your Old iPhone?

Let’s address the most common problem right away. The methods below work perfectly if you have the original ringtone audio files (.m4r format) saved on your computer. But for many people, those files are long gone, and the ringtones now exist only on the old iPhone.

If this is your situation, you’ve discovered a frustrating limitation of iOS: Apple provides no native way to extract custom ringtone files directly from an old iPhone. They are not included in backups, and you can’t AirDrop them to your new device.

Here is what you can do:

1. Find the Original Audio File: Your best option is to find the original MP3 or AAC file you used to create the ringtone. If you can locate it on a computer or in a cloud drive, you can easily re-import it using the methods in this guide.
2. Consider Third-Party Tools: If the original file is lost for good, your only remaining option is to use a third-party computer application designed for iPhone file management. These tools can often browse an iPhone’s file system and extract the ringtone files. Be sure to research and choose a reputable program, as they require access to your device’s data.
3. A Crucial Tip for the Future: Before you ever trade in or wipe an old iPhone, make sure you have a backup of your .m4r ringtone files stored safely in the cloud or on your computer. The final section of this guide shows you exactly how to do this to prevent this problem from happening again.

If you have your .m4r files ready on a computer, proceed with the methods below.

Why Custom Ringtones Disappear on a New iPhone?

The core of the problem lies in a critical distinction Apple makes between purchased and custom ringtones. Understanding this difference is the first step to solving it.

• Purchased Tones (from the iTunes Store): These are linked directly to your Apple ID. When you set up a new iPhone, you can typically re-download them by navigating to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtones and tapping “Download All Purchased Tones.” They are treated like any other App Store or music purchase.
• Custom Tones (Your Own Files): This is where the issue arises. Any ringtone you created yourself—whether in GarageBand or by converting an MP3—is treated by iOS as a local media file. These iPhone custom ringtones are not part of your Apple ID’s purchase history and are not included in a standard iCloud backup. Consequently, an automatic iCloud ringtone sync for these files simply doesn’t exist. They must be manually transferred using a computer, which is why they seem to vanish after an upgrade.

How to Transfer Ringtones from iPhone to iPhone

Method 1. Transfer Ringtones from iPhone to iPhone without iTunes 1-Click [Easy & Fast]

How do I transfer ringtones from iPhone to iPhone without iTunes? If you want to transfer your ringtones to another iPhone selectively or wholly, thenAnyTrans – iPhone Data Manager will be a perfect choice.

As one of the most powerful iOS data managers, AnyTrans allows you to preview all your ringtones (purchased & non-purchased), as well as other data, like photos, videos, etc., and then send them to another iPhone. What’s more, AnyTrans works well even on the latest iPhone 17 and iOS 26, so you can feel free to transfer data from your old iPhone to your iPhone 16. Check its features below to transfer ringtones from one iPhone to another:

Now, download AnyTrans on your computer first, and then follow us to see how to transfer ringtones from iPhone to iPhone by using this tool.

How to Transfer Ringtones from Old iPhone to New iPhone

Step 1. Free get and open AnyTrans > Connect your two iPhones to the computer via USB cables > Click on “Device Manager” > Select one iPhone as the source iPhone from the top of phone image> Then click on “More” option.

Step 2. Tap on Ringtones > Select the ringtones you want to transfer > Click the “To Device” button to transfer them to your new iPhone. Besides, you can click “Add” button to put ringtones from computer to iPhone or “To PC” button – to share ringtones on iPhone to computer.

Tips: Add Music from iTunes Library to iPhone

AnyTrans enables you to enter iTunes Library, so you can sync music playlists, movies, and podcasts from iTunes Library to iPhone.

1. Free get and open AnyTrans and click iTunes Library, here are the options for you to add media files from computer, transfer music from iTunes Library to your device.
2. Click To Device button and the selected media files will be synced to the iPhone immediately.

Method 2. How to Transfer Ringtones from iPhone to iPhone via AirDrop?

When it comes to iPhone data transfer, in addition to iTunes, many people will think of AirDrop. So, can you AirDrop ringtones to iPhone? The answer is Yes. AirDrop can help you transfer a lot of important data you need between iPhones, so you can definitely try to use AirDrop to solve how to share ringtones on iPhone. Below is the specific guide on how to transfer ringtones from iPhone to iPhone.

1. Open Control Center on both iPhones > Make sure Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and AirDrop are enabled. If not, open them > Select Contacts Only or Everyone as required.

2. Find the ringtone you want to transfer on your iPhone and tap the Share button > Tap AirDrop and select your new iPhone.

3. Click Accept on your new device to get the ringtone.

Method 3. Move Ringtones to a New iPhone with Finder on macOS

For Mac users on a modern version of macOS, Finder has replaced iTunes for managing your iPhone. This is the most direct way to move ringtones iPhone to iPhone if you have the .m4r audio files saved on your computer.

1. Connect Your iPhone: Use a USB-to-Lightning or USB-C cable to connect your new iPhone to your Mac.
2. Open Finder: Launch a new Finder window. In the sidebar under “”Locations,”” click on your iPhone’s name.
3. Trust the Connection: If prompted on your iPhone, tap “”Trust”” to allow your Mac to access its data, and enter your device passcode.
4. Drag and Drop Your Ringtones: In the main Finder window showing your iPhone’s details, make sure you are on the “”General”” tab. Now, open the folder containing your iphone ringtone files (.m4r format). Drag the files and drop them directly onto the white area of the “”General”” tab. You will see a green plus-sign icon as you hover over the window, confirming it’s a valid drop location.

Method 4. How to Transfer Ringtones from iPhone to iPhone with iTunes on Windows?

While if you are still using the older iTunes versions (iTunes 12.6 and earlier), you can still apply iTunes to share ringtone iPhone. And for the new iTunes versions on 12.7 and later, you can still sync music, movies, TV shows, and audiobooks.

But before taking this method, you need to notice that the whole process is about transferring the ringtones on one iPhone to iTunes library, and then syncing to another iPhone from iTunes library. There are two major things you need to do to solve how to share a ringtone on iPhone via iTunes.

Transfer ringtones from old iPhone to iTunes library first:

1. Open iTunes, and go to Edit.

2. Click on Preference, and then choose Devices.

3. Check Prevent iPods, iPhones, and iPads from syncing automatically.

4. Connect your old iPhone to the computer via USB cable.

5. Launch iTunes if it is not running automatically.

6. Click File, and then choose “Devices”.

7. Click on the “Transfer Purchases from iPhone”.

8. Click Apply at the right bottom.

9. iTunes will automatically sync the purchased ringtones to the iTunes library.

Sync ringtones from iTunes to new iPhone:

1. Disconnect the iPhone from the computer.

2. Connect another iPhone to iTunes.

3. Click on your iPhone, and choose the Tones.

4. Check the box for Sync Tones.

5. Check the ringtones you want to sync.

6. At last, click the Sync button in the bottom right corner of iTunes.

7. After it completes, the synced ringtones should be on your new iPhone.

Method 5. How to Transfer Ringtones from iPhone to iPhone via Email

Another method for sending ringtones to iPhones is via email. If the ringtones are less than 50MB in size, they can be readily sent over email. Ringtones delivered by email, on the other hand, cannot be used right away; they must first be played in GarageBand before being installed. The step guide is as follows:

• Select the ringtone to send and tap on the Share icon. Then, select the Mail app.
• Enter the email address associated with the account on your other iPhone and press the Send button.
• Open the mail app on your other iPhone and save the ringtone from the email you just got.

Bonus Tip. How to Make a Custom Ringtone on iPhone

AnyTrans makes it ultra-easy to create your custom ringtones and text tones. You can make your own ringtone with any audio file, no matter MP3, M4A, or other formats. With AnyTrans, you can even make adjustments accordingly to get the perfect tone that you prefer. And here are the steps to make custom ringtones with AnyTrans:

Step 1. Download AnyTrans on your computer > Connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable.

Step 2. Open AnyTrans > Choose “Ringtone Maker” mode > You are able to select music from the computer, iOS device and iTunes Library here (just take Device option as an example) > Click “Import from Device” option and select the music you need.

Step 3. The song will be set as a ringtone by default. You can drag the slider to choose your favorite period. After completing the customizing process, click the “Audition” button to listen to the ringtone. If you like it, click the “Import to Device” button and it will be added to the ringtones list on your iPhone.

How to Permanently Safeguard Your iPhone Ringtone Files

The lesson here is that custom ringtones require deliberate management. To avoid the frustration of losing them with your next upgrade, the best solution is to create a permanent, central library for your ringtone files. This simple, proactive step turns a future problem into a predictable, two-minute task.

Create a Central Ringtone Library

1. Pick a Cloud Service: Use a service you already trust, like iCloud Drive, Dropbox, or Google Drive.
2. Make a Dedicated Folder: Inside your chosen cloud service, create a new folder with a clear name like “”My iPhone Ringtones.””
3. Consolidate Your Files: Gather all your custom .m4r ringtone files from your computer and move them into this new cloud folder.

By taking a few minutes to create this library now, you regain full control over your personalised sounds. The next time you get a new iPhone, the process will be simple: open your cloud folder, download the files to your computer, and sync them with Finder or iTunes. This method eliminates the risk of permanently losing your custom tones and ensures that every new device can feel like your own from day one.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have collected the frequently asked questions about iPhone ringtones and have answered them one by one.

Q1. How can I get my custom ringtones off my old iPhone if I don’t have the files?

Unfortunately, you cannot do this without a computer. Apple doesn’t allow direct extraction. Your best bet is to find the original song file you used to create the tone or use a reputable third-party computer program that can access and export files from an iPhone.

Q2. Why won’t my purchased ringtones re-download?

This can sometimes happen due to a temporary store issue or an account sync problem. Try signing out and back into your Apple ID under Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases. If that fails, restarting your iPhone often resolves the connection.

Q3. Can I use iCloud to sync custom ringtones?

No. Custom ringtones are not part of a standard iCloud backup, and there is no dedicated feature for an iCloud ringtone sync. You can, however, use iCloud Drive to store your .m4r files as a safe backup for manual transfer.

Q4. Why can’t I just AirDrop ringtones to my new iPhone?

While you can send an .m4r audio file via AirDrop, the receiving iPhone will not recognize it as a ringtone. It won’t give you an option to install it in your sound settings and will simply save it to your Files app like any other document.

Q5. Do I absolutely need a computer to transfer custom ringtones?

Yes, unless the ringtone was made in GarageBand and you still have the project file in iCloud. For any other custom .m4r file, you need a Mac with Finder or a PC with iTunes to act as the bridge to move the file onto your new iPhone.

We regularly update this guide with each new major iOS release to ensure the steps remain accurate. If you encounter any issues, please refer to Apple’s official support documentation for device-specific guidance.

Q6. Where are the Ringtones Stored on my iPhone?

You can go to Settings > Click Sounds & Haptics > Choose Ringtone, where you can view the default ringtones on iPhone. Also, the transferred and customised ringtones will be saved here. You can choose one and set it as your ringtone.

Q7. How to send a ringtone to another iPhone via text?

Though many people ask this question, we are sorry to tell you that you cannot use text to send ringtone to iPhone. But you can feel free to try the methods above to transfer ringtones to your iPhone.

The Bottom Line

That’s all for how to transfer ringtones from iPhone to iPhone. iTunes supports you to sync tones with two steps, but only for iTunes 12.6 and earlier. Besides, with AnyTrans, you can manage ringtones easily, transferring from iPhone to iPhone, or from a computer or iTunes library to iPhone. Free download AnyTrans to transfer ringtones or make custom ringtones for your iPhone. Any questions on this guide will be warmly welcomed.