Level 1

38 points

iOS 17 Purchased Text Tones Missing

Since the update to iOS 17, the text tones purchased in the Apple iTunes Store are missing. If you go to the “Settings / Message Tones” section, only the Apple standard tones are available. However, if you go to “Settings / Ringtone” the purchased message tones are also available. However, it is not possible to reassign the purchased message tones to a contact as a message tone. Dubiously, however, the existing contacts are linked to the message tones purchased from iOS 16, only when you create a new emergency contact is it not possible to assign them to the purchased message tones because they are not listed. And even if you open a file in Contacts, add a sound to a new message, buy it in the iTunes Store (download an already purchased sound), it is not added to the contact as a message sound, even if you click on Assign message sound to a contact in the selection . NO change, such a programming error shouldn't happen to Apple. After all, you pay 99p for each message tone, in my case it's 30 tones.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 14 Pro Max

Posted on Sep 20, 2023 8:25 AM

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IdrisSeabright

Community+ 2026

Level 10

199,485 points

Posted on Dec 7, 2023 12:37 PM

melan161 wrote:

i'm purchased multiple ringtones and also was using classic ringtones for specific contacts they're all gone now there's absolutely no ringtone when people call me and there's no text tone the phone just vibrates is this going to be fixed and when will the update be available this is unacceptable for as much money as we pay for the expensive iPhones for us not to use items we purchased

If you upgrade your phone to iOS 17.1.1, current as of this writing, you will be able to use purchased (or home made) tones as text tones as long as they are less than 30 seconds long.

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107 replies

Oct 21, 2023 7:44 AM in response to Jessaldrich77

They’re there for me but only under ringtones. Can’t use em if you want to use it for a text tone.

happyfish7uk Author

Level 1

38 points

Sep 20, 2023 10:52 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

Yes, I would love to, but it's not that easy, since for product feedback there is only the option of "Hardware Products or iOS and iPad OS, but in the latter case only via the individual Apple app. but not via the iOS 17 itself, Apple doesn't want customer feedback

and even if you go to iPhone hardware, the iOS system can only be selected up to 16.6.1, not even this site has been updated by the world's largest IT company

Oct 3, 2023 8:01 AM in response to Candycat0814

Candycat0814 wrote:

do you think they will actually address the problem this way? It said they will not reply to the suggestions sent in that form.

Yes, they do actually address problems that enough people submit feedback about.

Oct 7, 2023 11:26 AM in response to jeffvos

At least I only lost the one text-tone.

I even downloaded it again, was charged and it worked fine...until I updated to the latest IOS.

Now it's gone again.

They're not getting another dime from me.

I've sent a message but whether it gets resolved...

Very reminiscent of my entire CD library disappearing when I transferred my Itunes library from one computer to another.

Over a thousand songs (not licensed by Apple) disappeared.

Oct 8, 2023 9:45 AM in response to happyfish7uk

Well they are ringtones no message tones i have a bunch of ringtones and a few message tones Could be how you choose to use it when bought? As you have the option to use it as ringtones or assign it to a specific contact .. Don’t know exactly the issue though…

Gai

Level 1

15 points

Oct 8, 2023 10:51 PM in response to Thebestplacehere

I also am having this issue. The purchased tones only show up for setting a ringtone, any other text or alert shows nothing and no option to download. Only go straight to the store. Disappointing after just switching back to iOS after 12 years, and buying a few tones tonight. Can’t use them.

Gai

Level 1

15 points

Oct 8, 2023 11:02 PM in response to happyfish7uk

I wish I had known about this before purchasing some tones to use for messages tonight. Really hope it gets fixed soon.

Only seeing the standard ones available right after buying them is a slap to the face. I thought I was doing something wrong at first.

Oct 9, 2023 10:55 AM in response to happyfish7uk

Kept wondering if I was doing something wrong and after reading these posts I now know that it is not me trying to add or reassign my text tones it is an error on Apple. Would like the error fixed or my $.99 for each text tone. ASP

Oct 9, 2023 11:57 AM in response to Sweetpeach63

Me again

Not only am I not getting my text tones back neither are my assigned ringtones coming thru. My phone isn’t ringing… even now I have to hold my phone in my hand or have it on y person to know that someone is calling or texting.

have had majority of both tones over 10 years. Count the amount of time and $$$ for approximate 400 tones

The tones were good up until today October 9, 23…. So how do I cite the pain and agony in handling this situation. Will be going to AT&T this afternoon 🙏🏾 4 a solution

ASP

Oct 9, 2023 1:31 PM in response to Sweetpeach63

Sweetpeach63 wrote:

So how do I cite the pain and agony in handling this situation.

Seriously? There's war in Ukraine, famine in Sudan, the universe only knows what in the Middle East, and this is pain and agony? Please.

Oct 9, 2023 3:38 PM in response to lobsterghost1

Reasonable answer… there’s a maximum of 35 ring/text tones associated and assigned to contacts in the Armed Services, working , studying abroad. Each have at least 3-4 tones to let me know if they are trying to reach out to family. My phone is is on 24/7 and pretty much loud because older family members aged 88-91 are familiar with the tones and are openly excited whenever they hear a particular sound. As a retiree home the majority of the day and watching my grandparents I get to see their reactions and know the joy they exude from the sound knowing that someone they know and love is calling.

Thank you and be Blessed

Oct 12, 2023 8:29 PM in response to happyfish7uk

Saaaame issue. Had I not purchased a new ringtone in iTunes-I would’ve never known about this issue. I really hope apple fixes this issue with the next update. I’ve lost over 40 purchased iTunes and can’t access them in the iTunes Store either.

Bowie120

Level 1

8 points

Oct 13, 2023 12:27 AM in response to happyfish7uk

I’m the same , I’ve lots of tones and there not there I’ve had nothing but trouble with my phone since the new download, all the money I’ve spent on tones and no longer acceptable, just not good enough apple !!!

very disappointing

dior264

Level 1

8 points

Oct 13, 2023 2:17 PM in response to happyfish7uk

I’m not liking the fact that I cannot use my purchased ringtones for text tones. I do not like standard ringtones that are on iPhones. That was the whole reasoning of being able to purchase ringtones. When will you guys fix this issue? I’ve been a long time Apple carrier since 2007 from the very beginning

Oct 19, 2023 2:24 PM in response to happyfish7uk

Same issue here on a 15 Pro Max iOS 17.02. Super frustrating. I submitted feedback. This is such a glaring miss. I hope this fix ASAP. Notifications are already one of the few places iOS lags far behind Android, this makes a bad situation worse.

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iOS 17 Purchased Text Tones Missing