iTunes won't import an M4R file

Hi there!

I've been having the same problem since I downloaded the latest version of iTunes (12.3.3.17). This is the first time I have tried to create a ringtone. I have created a m4a and then renamed it to a .m4r, then I tried to import the m4r file. However, I had no such luck when I tried doing so today.

I tried these exact same instructions below but for some reason iTunes will not let me import the file and/or drag and drop it.

1. Create a 30 second or less mp3 version (since there's no longer the option to create an AAC file)
2. Show in finder
3. Delete the mp3 from iTunes library (keep the file, do not move to trash)
4. Open the mp3 with QuickTime Player
5. Export the mp3 to iTunes (somehow this converts the file to an AAC version)
6. Show in finder
7. Delete the AAC version from iTunes (keep the file, do not move to trash)
8. Change the file extension from .m4a to .m4r
9. Import the .m4r file, and it should appear in the Tones section of your iTunes

I would really appreciate if someone could help me figure this out.

Brandontwitterdoctor wrote:

Create a 30 second or less mp3 version (since there's no longer the option to create an AAC file)

because your Import settings are set to MP3, not AAC.

iTunes prefs > General, click the Import Settings... button

Thank you Chris,

I went and tried that. I went to ITunes prefs> General > Import settings the choose .MP3

Tried to import the .m4r file.

Then closed iTunes thinking it might need to refresh. Same issue it wouldn't let me import the .m4r file.

What am I missing?

Brandontwitterdoctor wrote:

Thank you Chris,

I went and tried that. I went to ITunes prefs> General > Import settings the choose .MP3

Changing the Import settings allows you to convert your MP3 file to AAC.

You don’t need to open it in QuickTime then export it then import to iTunes then export and blah, blah blah…

1. iTunes prefs > General, click the Import Settings and make sure it is set to AAC.
2. Find the song you want and note the start/stop time you want the ring tone.
3. Right click - get info, click the Options tab and set the start/stop times as above.
4. Right click - Create AAC version. This creates a new file.
5. Drag this new file from the iTunes window to the desktop.
6. Delete this new file from iTunes and also select Delete from hard drive.
7. On the desktop, rename the file to whateveryouwant.m4r (first part you can be whatever you want & change the extension to .m4r).
8. File > Add to Library… and select the file on the desktop.
9. The file will now be in Tones.

Yes, I just did this and it works fine.

Hi Chris,

Sorry you are saying 'I don't need to open the file in Quicktime" I am confused. I never opened the file in Quicktime and exported it. I was actually using Garage Band and exported as an AAC file. I did some edits to the file and that is why used Garage Band

Or are you saying I need open up the file only in Quicktime and it will only work if I open it up there and export it out as an ACC file using Quicktime?

Please let me know

Hi Chris, I tried what you said

1. iTunes prefs > General, click the Import Settings and make sure it is set to AAC.
2. I opened up the .MP3 file in Quicktime as you recommended.
3. I exported the file to .AAC file
4. Drag this new file from the iTunes window to the desktop.
5. Delete this new file from iTunes and also select Delete from hard drive.
6. On the desktop, rename the file to whateveryouwant.m4r (first part you can be whatever you want & change the extension to .m4r).
7. File > Add to Library… and select the file on the desktop.

I tried this and the file still does not show up under "iPhone > Tones" I even did a search for it in iTunes with no luck.

What am I missing?

Did you follow all these steps:

http://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-Free-iPhone-Ringtone-Using-a-Song-in-iTunes

Brandontwitterdoctor wrote:

Sorry you are saying 'I don't need to open the file in Quicktime" I am confused. I never opened the file in Quicktime and exported it.

But you did write that in your first post. You copied and pasted a previous reply and stated you did those steps exactly.

But whatever...

in GarageBand, just save it as AAC change the file extension to . m4r and add it to iTunes.

in response to Chris CA

javaliga wrote:

Did you follow all these steps:

No. I don't need to.

The instructions inposted above work fine, thank you.

This is silly, in my case, but it turns out I WAS doing everything right. I even saw someone say he had to close and restart iTunes for it to work. I did it a couple of times but no go. Until finally, I gave up closed iTunes, decided to open it back up to sync my phone just in case, then I saw this:

Please notice the blue-highlighted bell on top. That is the Music Library on your computer and its 'subfolders' for music, videos, tones, etc...

I was trying to drag the m4r or even the m4a and mp3 into my Phone's Tones 'subfolder' which is what is visible on the left hand pane of iTunes when you open it and your phone is connected to the computer.

So it turns out I had successfully imported it 2x already and then a 3rd time.

I was having the same issues as everyone.

After doing all the steps above, I started messing with the settings on the phone (within iTunes).

1. Make sure your Tones are syncing to the computer you're currently using.
2. Under iTunes>iPhone>Tones click the tone you want added, and see if it will play.
3. When it didn't play the first time, iTunes asked me to locate the file. Once located, it played.
4. After the tones was recognized by iTunes (it played) I re-synced my iPhone
5. BOOM tone added

These instructions aren't technically exact, and I'm not sure which step actually solved, but I suggest messing with your tones under the iPhone in iTunes and seeing if it works.

Cheers

Hi all,

I had this problems as well (windows 10, itunes 12)

I uploaded tons of .m4r files to see nothing happens.. I thought it doesn't do anything at all!

As I found out now, I needed to add tones to the menu :-/

I clicked at the music button between the arrow buttons and the linked iphone button (hope you can imagine.. 😀 )

then I choose "edit menu" (or something like that, don't know what it is really named in english, I am german native speaker..) and added the "tones" option to it. Now I see all the upladed files from above and can sync them with my iphone now!

cheers

Catha

The m4r worked for me. After some back and forth and closing and opening iTunes. I now see my files in the 'Tones' folder... however, they will not sync to the phone... no matter what I do.

Same here! I did all the steps, including the Syncing and it will not port to my iPhone6.

If you look in the device's Tones tab as viewed through iTunes there should be an option to Sync Tones. Is that enabled?

tt2