How to Change Your iPhone Ringtone

Breaking the Default Sound Trap

There are over one billion active iPhones in the world, and the vast majority of them are using the exact same default ringtone (the famous “Reflection” sound). Because of this, it has become incredibly common to be sitting in a coffee shop or walking through an airport, hear a phone ring, and immediately reach for your own pocket in a panic, only to realise it was the stranger sitting next to you.

To avoid this stressful scenario, changing your iPhone ringtone is one of the smartest customisations you can make. Giving your phone a unique sound ensures you instantly know when someone is trying to reach you, and just as importantly, you know when to ignore a ringing phone that does not belong to you.

Apple includes dozens of built-in ringtones for free, but you also have the option to buy specific songs or set custom tones for specific contacts.

Method 1: How to Change Your Default iPhone Ringtone

This method changes the master ringtone. Any time a person calls you (unless you have assigned them a specific custom tone), this is the sound your phone will play.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down slightly and tap on Sounds & Haptics.
3. Look for the Sounds and Vibration Patterns section and tap on Ringtone.
4. You will now see a long list of available audio tracks. The top section shows your currently selected tone with a blue checkmark next to it.
5. Scroll down the list and tap on any name to hear a preview of the sound.
6. If you find one you like, simply leave the blue checkmark next to it and tap Back in the top left corner. Your new ringtone is instantly saved.

Pro Tip: Do not miss the Classic folder at the very bottom of the ringtone list. Tapping this opens a hidden menu containing dozens of retro ringtones from the very first generations of the iPhone, including the iconic “Marimba” and “Old Phone” sounds.

Method 2: How to Buy a Song as a Ringtone

If you do not like any of Apple’s built-in sounds, you can purchase short 30-second clips of popular music, movie soundtracks, or sound effects directly from the iTunes Store.

1. Go back to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone.
2. At the very top of the screen, tap on Tone Store. This will automatically open the iTunes Store app and take you to the ringtone section.
3. Browse the charts or use the search icon at the bottom to find a specific artist or song.
4. Tap on a tone’s price button to purchase it (they typically cost around £0.99 / $1.29).
5. A menu will pop up asking what you want to do with the tone. Select Set as Default Ringtone to apply it immediately.
6. Confirm the purchase using Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple password.

Method 3: How to Assign a Custom Ringtone to a Specific Person

This is arguably the most powerful feature of the iPhone’s audio system. You can assign a specific, unique ringtone to a single person (such as your spouse, your boss, or your best friend). When the phone rings while it is still in your pocket, you will instantly know exactly who is calling without even looking at the screen.

1. Open the Phone app and tap the Contacts tab at the bottom.
2. Scroll through your list and tap on the name of the person you want to customize.
3. In the top right corner of their contact card, tap Edit.
4. Scroll down until you see the Ringtone field (it will likely say “Default”). Tap on it.
5. Select the unique sound you want to assign to this specific person.
6. Tap Done in the top right corner of the Ringtone menu, and then tap Done again on their contact card to save the changes.

You can repeat this process for as many contacts as you like, effectively creating a custom audio profile for the most important people in your life.