Downloading M4R files to iPhone

Guys, try do this (solution 1 solved my problem):

1. Using Finder (For macOS 10.15 Catalina and later):

• Connect your iPhone to your MacBook using a USB cable.
• Open Finder and locate your iPhone under "Locations" in the sidebar.
• Click on your iPhone and navigate to the General tab.
• Drag and drop the .m4r file into the General tab area. This will automatically transfer the ringtone to your iPhone.

2. Using the Music app (For macOS 10.15 Catalina and later):

• Open the Music app on your MacBook.
• Drag and drop the .m4r file into the Music app window.
• Connect your iPhone to your MacBook.
• Click on your iPhone's icon in the Music app sidebar.
• Click on the Tones tab.
• Check the box next to the ringtone you want to sync.
• Click Apply or Sync to transfer the ringtone.

What if I don't have a Tone tab? How do I get that to show up?

Yes, option 1 works for me too :)

For your information, here all my steps:

On your laptop/imac/mac mini:

Using Finder (For macOS 10.15 Catalina and later):

• Connect your iPhone to your MacBook using a USB cable.
• Open Finder and locate your iPhone under "Locations" in the sidebar.
• Click on your iPhone and navigate to the General tab.
• Drag and drop the .m4r file into the General tab area. This will automatically transfer the ringtone to your iPhone.

Wait 10 seconds to sync the file to the phone.

Then, on your phone go to:

• Settings
• Sounds & Haptics
• Ringtone

You can find your ringtone now above the standard ringtones

Enjoy :)

I hope this helps someone. I did a ton of research in the forums, Google, and then good ol' trial and error. These are the steps that work perfectly for me. Note: this works with iOS and MacOS:

1. Make tone with whatever software you use
2. Copy tone onto desktop
3. Use online converter to change mp3 to m4r (or it may be possible in your software)
4. Save m4r to desktop or any folder of your choosing
5. Plug iPhone into Mac
6. Open Music app (iTunes doesn't exist anymore)
7. Click on iPhone from the menu on the left
8. Click Sync Settings tab in top right corner
9. Click and drag the m4r file onto the iPhone picture in top left corner (it will show a green +)
10. When you do this the sync automatically happens. You'll see it happen in the sync bar.
11. DO NOT click on SYNC for the whole iPhone!
12. On iPhone: Go to Settings>Sounds>Ringtones. You should now see them in the list.

Yes. I asked what you do if there is no "Tone" tab in iTunes.

Apple has forgotten that iTunes has been replaced by the latest Music app which does NOT have a tones tab. Please provide a solution to using a m4r file as a ringtone on iPhone 15

@IamMatch Kudos to you.

Finally someone who is NOT parroting the old TONES tab garbage that no longer works (because there is no TONES Tab) and that shows how it is now done.

If you already have the ringtone file (*.m4r file) then just drag and drop it into the GENERAL area when you have your iPhone connected to your macOS device. Brilliant, simple and it works.

Just tried this on Sonoma 14.3.1 and an iPhone 15 ProMax running iOS 17.4 and option 1 works exactly as described. You won't see any animation for the files being copied but when you check your phone those tones are available under Sounds & Haptics.

Thanks so much for the info!

Greetings lpowell318,

It sounds like you have questions about setting a custom ringtone. We know how important this is for you, and we will help get you to the right place to find a resolution.

The first thing to try is the steps listed in this support article. These steps can often resolve this type of issue:

• Use tones and ringtones with your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

The steps in this support article may also be helpful:

• Create a ringtone of your Logic Pro or GarageBand for Mac song - Apple Support

Cheers.

mine didn't work, i tried this solution, dragging the file to iphone - general tab, seems not copying the file at all.

Dropping the .m4r files in the "general" area does not work.

Dropping the .m4r files on my iPhone in Apple music does not work.

Nothing is working to get these files into my phone from my mac or from "files" on my iPhone.

I have the same issue. Using the latest update on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. My mac is Sonoma 14.4.1

Dragging the file to the general tab from the finder window, does not work.

There are no tones tab, clicking and dragging the M4R file to the music app (with the iPhone selected), does not work either.

I have rebooted my phone and mac, still does not work. Nothing is appearing!