How to Make Ringtone from Apple Music: 5 Easy Methods 2025

I’ll be honest – I was pretty frustrated when I first tried to set my favorite Apple Music song as my ringtone. You know that feeling when you find the perfect track, but your phone just won’t let you use it? Yeah, that was me last month.

Here’s the deal: Apple Music uses something called DRM protection, which basically locks your songs so you can’t just drag and drop them as ringtones. But don’t worry – I’ve figured out several ways around this, and I’m going to share exactly how to make ringtone from Apple Music without losing your mind in the process.

By the end of this guide, you’ll have your custom Apple Music ringtone ready to go, whether you’re using an iPhone or Android. Trust me, it’s easier than you think once you know the right steps.

Why Your Apple Music Songs Won’t Work as Ringtones (And How to Fix It)

Okay, so here’s what’s actually happening behind the scenes. Apple Music uses something called DRM (Digital Rights Management) – think of it like a digital lock on your music files. If you want to learn more about how DRM affects your digital music experience, check out our comprehensive guide on Digital Rights Management (DRM). It’s Apple’s way of making sure you can only play the songs through their app, even though you’re paying for the subscription.

This DRM protection is powered by Apple’s FairPlay technology. Basically, every song you stream or download from Apple Music comes with this invisible “do not copy” stamp. The thing is, ringtones need to be in specific formats – M4R for iPhones and MP3 for most Android devices – and they need to be DRM-free.

Now, before you start thinking this sounds sketchy, let me clear something up: removing DRM for personal use (like creating your own ringtones) is totally legal. For more detailed information about DRM removal methods, you can explore our guide on how to remove DRM from Spotify, which covers similar principles. You’re not pirating or redistributing anything – you’re just converting music you already have access to for your own device.

The whole process basically involves converting your Apple Music tracks to regular audio files, then editing them into ringtone format. It’s like making a photocopy of a book you own – perfectly fine for personal use.

Quick Warning: Never try to convert Apple Music files directly without proper software. You’ll just end up with silent files or error messages. Been there, done that!

What You’ll Need to Create Apple Music Ringtones

Alright, let’s talk tools. You’ve got a few options here, and I’ll break down what works best for different situations.

My Top Pick: Cinch Audio Recorder

Honestly, if you want the easiest experience, Cinch Audio Recorder is your best bet. I’ve tested a bunch of different software over the past few months, and this one just works without the headaches. It’s specifically designed for beginners, has a clean interface, and handles the entire process from DRM removal to ringtone creation.

The best part? For someone who just wants to create a few ringtones without becoming an audio expert, it’s honestly a no-brainer.

Software Comparison Table

Alternative options:

• TuneSolo Apple Music Converter – More features but pricier at $39.95
• MuConvert Apple Music Converter – Good middle ground option
• GarageBand – Free for iPhone users (but you still need DRM removal first)
• Audacity – Free but requires more technical know-how

For this guide, I’m focusing on Cinch Audio Recorder since it’s the most straightforward, but the basic process is similar with other tools.

The Easiest Way: Convert Apple Music with Cinch Audio Recorder

Alright, here’s my step-by-step method that actually works. I’ve walked through this process multiple times, so I know where people usually get stuck.

Step 1: Download and Install Cinch Audio Recorder

First things first – head over to the Cinch Audio Recorder website and download the software. For detailed installation and usage instructions, you can also check our Cinch Audio Recorder User Guide. It works on both Windows and Mac, and the system requirements are pretty basic (any computer from the last 5 years should handle it fine).

The installation is straightforward – just follow the prompts.

One quick tip: make sure you have about 2GB of free space for the software and your converted files.

Pro Tip: Close Apple Music completely before starting the conversion process. Having it running can sometimes cause conflicts.

Step 2: Convert Apple Music to DRM-Free Format

To start recording music from Apple Music and get a DRM-free MP3 file, just follow these simple steps:

1. Open the recorder and press the “Record” button — this will get it ready to capture audio.
2. Then, play any song on Apple Music. The recorder will automatically detect the audio and start recording.

That’s it! Your music will be saved as a high-quality, DRM-free MP3 file.

Browse to the song you want to convert. Righ-click on a song you want to make ringtone and choose “Make Ringtone for Phone”

Here’s a helpful tip I learned the hard way: choose M4A as the output format for the best audio quality and full compatibility with your iPhone.
If you’re using an Android phone, MP3 or AAC will work perfectly fine.

Step 3: Edit Audio for Ringtone Creation

Now comes the fun part – picking the best 15-30 seconds of your song. Most ringtones work best when they’re around 20-25 seconds long. Too short and people miss calls, too long and it gets annoying.

Here’s my strategy: go for the chorus or the most recognizable part of the song. Avoid long intros or instrumental sections – you want something that immediately screams “this is my phone!”

Cinch Audio Recorder has built-in editing tools that let you:

• Trim the start and end points precisely

Quick tip: Test the volume on your actual device. What sounds good on your computer speakers might be too quiet for a ringtone.

Step 4: Convert to Ringtone Format

Just select “Export” to save your ringtone.

To find your ringtone file:

1. Right-click on the recorded song and choose “Open File Location.” This will take you to the folder where all your recorded songs are stored.

2. Go up one level to the parent folder — you’ll see a folder named “Ring.”

3. Open the “Ring” folder, and you’ll find your ringtone file inside.

Step 5: Transfer to Your Device

For iPhone users: The easiest method is using iTunes or Finder (on newer Macs). Connect your iPhone, drag the M4R file to your device, and sync. The ringtone will automatically appear in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone.

Alternatively, you can email the M4R file to yourself and open it on your iPhone – it’ll automatically import to your ringtone library.

For Android users: You can either connect your phone via USB and copy the MP3 file to your Ringtones folder, or upload it to Google Drive and download it directly on your phone. Both methods work great.

Why I Recommend Cinch Audio Recorder

After trying multiple solutions, here’s why this one wins for most people. If you’re interested in comparing different audio recording tools, you might also want to read about the top streaming audio recorders available in 2025:

• User-friendly interface – No confusing technical settings
• High-quality output – Your ringtones sound as good as the original
• Regular updates – The software stays compatible with new iOS/Android versions
• One-time purchase – No monthly subscriptions to worry about
• Built-in editing – Everything you need in one package
• Solid customer support – They actually respond when you have questions
• Money-back guarantee – 30-day refund policy if you’re not satisfied

The thing is, most other tools either require technical knowledge or have subscription models that get expensive over time. Cinch Audio Recorder just works, and for $29.95, it pays for itself if you create more than a couple ringtones.

Free Method for iPhone Users: GarageBand Approach

Now, if you’re on a tight budget and have an iPhone, there’s a workaround using GarageBand. The catch? You still need to remove the DRM first using any of the tools I mentioned above.

Once you have a DRM-free audio file, here’s how to use GarageBand:

1. Download GarageBand from the App Store (it’s free)
2. Create a new “Audio Recorder” project
3. Import your converted audio file from the Files app
4. Edit the timeline to your desired length (30 bars usually works well)
5. Trim the audio to the best 15-30 second segment
6. Export directly as a ringtone to your iPhone settings

The cool thing about this method is that GarageBand exports directly to your ringtone library – no iTunes syncing required. But honestly, the editing tools are pretty basic compared to dedicated software.

Advantages:

• Completely free method
• Native Apple app integration
• Direct export to ringtone settings
• No computer required after initial conversion

Limitations:

• Still requires DRM removal tool
• iPhone only
• Basic editing capabilities
• Can be confusing for non-musicians

When to use this method:

• You’re comfortable with basic audio editing
• You only need to create one or two ringtones
• You already have a way to remove DRM from Apple Music

For those specifically interested in Apple Music recording methods, we have a comprehensive guide on 8 best methods to record Apple Music that covers various approaches.

Classic Method: Using iTunes or Music App

For those who prefer the traditional route, you can still use iTunes (or the Music app on newer Macs). This method gives you precise control over timing, but it’s a bit more involved.

Here’s the process:

1. Import your DRM-free audio file to iTunes/Music app
2. Right-click the song and select “Song Info”
3. Go to the “Options” tab and set your start/stop times
4. Create an AAC version of the song
5. Find the file on your computer and change the extension from .m4a to .m4r
6. Import the .m4r file back to iTunes and sync with your iPhone

This method works well if you’re already comfortable with iTunes and want frame-perfect timing control. It’s also useful for older iOS versions that might not support newer methods.

When to use this method:

• You’re comfortable with iTunes
• You need precise timing control
• You’re working with older iOS versions
• You prefer using Apple’s official software

Pro Tips for Perfect Ringtones

After creating dozens of ringtones, here are the key tricks:

Choosing the right segment:

• Go for the chorus – it’s the most recognizable part
• Avoid long, quiet intros – you want immediate impact
• Test different segments to see what grabs attention best

Quality tips:

• Stick with original quality during conversion
• Normalize volume levels so all ringtones play consistently
• Add subtle fade-in effects to avoid jarring starts
• Test on your actual device, not just computer speakers

Quick troubleshooting: If your ringtone doesn’t appear, check the file format (M4R for iPhone, MP3 for Android) and make sure it’s under 40 seconds. Sometimes restarting your device helps refresh the ringtone library.

Device Setup

iPhone: Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone. Your custom ringtones appear under “Custom.”

Android: Find ringtone settings under Settings > Sound or Settings > Personalization (varies by manufacturer).

Staying Legal

Converting Apple Music for personal ringtone use is generally considered fair use, but:

• Only convert music from your own subscription
• Use files solely for personal ringtones
• Don’t share converted files with others
• Consider purchasing ringtones from the iTunes Store to support artists directly

Quick Alternatives

iTunes Store Ringtones ($1.29 each): Legal and high quality, but limited selection.

Free Apps: Simple but often ad-heavy with limited features.

GarageBand: Create completely original ringtones.

Related ringtone guides: If you’re interested in creating ringtones from other music services, check out our guide on how to make ringtones from Spotify songs.

Conclusion

Creating custom ringtones from Apple Music is straightforward with the right tools. Cinch Audio Recorder offers the most reliable experience, while GarageBand provides a free alternative for iPhone users.

Remember: choose a catchy 15-30 second segment, keep files under 40 seconds, and use the correct format (M4R for iPhone, MP3 for Android). With these tips, you’ll have personalized ringtones that make your phone uniquely yours.