Unable to change default ringtone

I'm having a similar problem in changing the default ringtone "Marimba" to another selection. It appears the settings in iPhone 5 will not keep or retain a different ringtone as the default. However, I can effect every other change in the settings such as assigning different ringtones to various contacts. But, whenever someone new or an unassigned contact calls my number, I hear the "Marimba" ringtone play. The "Marimba" ringtone is labeled (Default) in the list of ringtones and appears unchangeable. Whatever input someone may have would be appreciated. - Respectfully, TomBoltz.

To Vac and others expecting a reply from Apple by posting on these forums, please note that this is a user only forum and, though it is hosted by Apple, they will not respond to you here

If you want input from Apple for your issues, you need to contact them:

http://www.apple.com/contact/

I suggest that before you contact them, you reset your iPhone as this is the first thing they will probably ask you to try.

Reset by pressing both Home and Power buttons together for some 15 seconds (ignoring the red slider) until the Apple logo appears, then let go and wait for the iPhone to restart. You will not lose any data. This resetting usually resolves a lot of these issues. It is a bit like rebooting your computer when something does not work as it should.

Just went through this and did a lot of searching. Based on some threads I found, I just selected the custom ringtone, powered off the phone, then back on. A couple minutes later, my son just happened to call me and it now uses my selected ringtone. Anxious to see if this works permanently.

Apple Support Team promtly contacted me and suggested that I reset my phone. They stayed on line with me as I did just so and it resolved my problem. However, there is no explanation why the "Marimba Ringtone" continues to display as the Default ringtone despite my selecting a different one to be my default.

Thank you for your input. - TomBoltz.

Note to Apple Support. I'm having same problem and reset does not fix the problem. 'Restored' my iphone 5 when I purchased it based on bad instructions from AT&T store. Cannot get the iphone to recognize the ringtones I've setup. Neither the general setting for ringtones or even the contact settings. Tried the 'reset all settings'. Tried powering off and back on. Nothing seems to be working........................starting to regret not checking out other phones before I upgraded to iphone 5.

Hey Vac, I've had all of these problems and nothing Apple said to do works. I phone 5 in my opinion is a bit of crap, you would think that the length of time they have been doing what they do that they would be able to get it right.

I did have my custom ringtones working untill I updated iTunes and Apple have taken the ability to add your own ringtones out of iTunes therefore they can't be uploaded to iPhone 5.

I can't even get the ringtones that are supplied with the phone to change from Marimba the default, to any of the others. I have reset the phone tried turning it off and on nothing works, I still have that boring sound. I hate it and am hating Apple more and more. Why cant they leave well enough alone.

Frustrating how you just keep posting to this support site and don't receive a response from Apple.......how is that considered 'support' or is this just an emotional support group that we all get to post without Apple ever needing to actually fix the problems? Anyway, in my search through the web I did find a post somewhere that said if you delete out your contact and establish the same contact as a new contact you can then reset the default ringtone for that contact. I tried it and it did work. However, you are correct that it doesn't matter whether you try to use a custom ringtone or another one of the actual preloaded ringtones on this problem....neither work. Also, I haven't yet found a way to change the general default ringtone to another ringtone. This fix only works for the contacts. Apple.........................are you out there??????? Can you help us here????????

Gray hair in Tulsa:

I have the same "iPhone 5 default ringtone stuck on marimba" problem. You see, I'm a veteran. I put duct tape on my iPhone 4 because of your antenna design problems. That was strike one. Now with iTunes making Orwell seem downright democratic, I'd call that strike two. I'm getting ticked-off because this looks like strike three...

Apple, I believe an angry crowd has gathered and we're waiting for his highness to fix this annoyance, but you don't even acknowledge the people who pay your salaries. At least be courteous and say SOMETHING!

Anyone for a Galaxy?

Hi everyone! I was having the same issue upon getting my iPhone 5 yesterday. I called Apple support and they suggsted turning my phone on and off (duh) and that actually worked for me. Next steps they suggested were to remove the custom ringtone(s) from my phone, then add it back (probably shutting down and turning back on in between). I hope this helps someone!

I had the same problem and then followed a post on here. It LOOKED as if it hadn't worked, because the default hasn't changed in my settings .... but it had worked. I only found out by dialling my mobile from my landline, using 141 to make the call unidentified. It rang with my chosen ringtone, rather than the default! So, I logged in to thank the person who posted it, but I wasn't taken back to the post! Now I can't find it. From memory - I assigned my chosen ring tone to a contact, via the edit option on the contact's page. Then I came out of the contacts. I went back in again and pressed edit. I think it then showed a default option?? Which I think I clicked on (it showed my chosen ringtone) and saved it. The original post explained it better than I can. Curiously, when I returned to Settings, the default hadn't changed, which made me think it hadn't worked - until I rang my mobile. It did work! Good luck. I think the post I read was a recent one so you may have more luck finding it!!!

You're in luck! Your iphone is currenty under warrenty. I would contact AppleCare either over the phone or email, or go to your local Apple Store.

Did you resolve the prob?

Tried this idea on my new Iphone 5 and it did not work

My Iphone SE will not let me change the default ringtone too.