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Level 1

24 points

I can't add m4r files to itunes.

I tried adding several ways - drag and drop; import; copying file to itunes folders, including auto add folder; etc. Nothing works. It shows a plus sign and acts like it's about to add it, but it doesn't show up. I can play the file, just can't add it. I shortened it to 29 seconds. I tried editing the info to fill in the artist etc, but I am unable to access those fields. I can see them, just can't type in them. I tried adding someone elses m4r file and it did the same thing. How do I get this to work?

Thanks.

MacBook Air, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Oct 10, 2012 5:16 PM

Best reply

jpdemers

Level 1

82 points

Posted on Feb 28, 2017 10:03 AM

I've had the same problem: perfectly good tone files that the Mac refuses to import into iTunes. I created one tone and installed it w/o trouble, then repeated exactly the same process for a second tone, and suddenly it wouldn't work. Both original songs were ripped from old CDs years ago, on a different iMac, so differences in the source files are unlikely to be the culprits.

Easiest way to get a stubborn .m4r file onto your phone is to drop it into the "Automatically Add to iTunes" folder (located in your Music/iTunes/iTunes Media folder.) iTunes will take care of everything. Sync the phone, and the ringtone will be there.

If this fails, there's probably something wrong with the file itself. Be sure it's AAC format prior to changing the file extension to m4r. Do a "Get Info" on it, make sure it's Kind is "ringtone". Size should be about 1.2MB (for a 30-sec tone.)

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25 replies

Dec 26, 2013 10:03 PM in response to Ox Cx

Everything seems right. File is ringtone, m4r, in the original spot, but then when I drag it into the tones window nothing. And when I add it manually into the Tones folder in Finder, it does not appear in iTunes. If I double-click to play while in Tones in Finder, it plays in iTunes from the music library and then disappears before my eyes from the Tones folder. I'm at a loss sense everything else seems perfect.

crucius

Level 1

0 points

Apr 23, 2014 5:41 PM in response to alyx2alyx

I got it right. In step 8, copy past the m4r ringtone form and to the same folder. And THEN drag the duplicate to the iTunes library, and it will be there under tones. Uff.

---fomer message:---

That happens to me as well!

And when I drag it directly to my iPhone Tones folder it stays there but greyed out.

May 9, 2014 4:19 PM in response to crucius

I've gotten this to work for several files, but now I've got one that simply won't stay in my Tones folder. After converting it to an m4r on my desktop I opened the iTunes Tones folder in Finder and dragged the file into it. No problem there. However, as soon as I double-click it in Finder...POOF! It dissapears from the Tones folder and magically reappears in the album folder for the original source file. And if I changed the name, that reverts back to the name of the source file as well. Even if I delete the album name in File Info then it jumps into the Unkown Album folder instead of the source file's album folder. I guess Apple has something behind the scenes that knows what the source file is and won't let you make a ringtone out of it in some cases. It could be because I didn't originally purchase this one from iTunes, but it's been so long I don't even remember.

May 9, 2014 4:25 PM in response to notadeadfish

Re: my post above...

Sorry! I went back and read more closly. I was missing the part about holding down OPTION while I drag it into the tones folder so that it DUPLICATES rather than moves. All is well now. 🙂

joey657

Level 1

0 points

Jan 3, 2015 8:50 AM in response to Ox Cx

does this jailbreak your phone? because i dont want it to

May 3, 2016 8:45 AM in response to mavabene

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.

VB8

Level 1

8 points

May 4, 2016 12:39 PM in response to Ox Cx

Thank you so much. I followed your words to the tee...and it worked 😍

Jastacio

Level 1

8 points

Nov 27, 2016 9:08 AM in response to mavabene

THANK YOU!!! This actually works.

Jul 8, 2017 7:57 PM in response to mavabene

Dec 4, 2017 11:47 PM in response to mavabene

thank youuuuuu 😘❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

I can't add m4r files to itunes.