iPhone 5s doesn't play the assigned ringtone.

So happy I finally found a thread on this. This has been happening since my iPhone 5 and continued to the 5s. I have been to the apple store 10 times (give or take a visit), been through 3 iPhone 5S's and reset all settings/DFU restore multiple times. I have even reported the problem to Apple 2 times with no response. I'm tired of going to the apple store because all they do is reset all settings or DFU restore, this fixes the problem for a few days at most. Hopefully this thread reaches Apple. I'm a diehard Apple fan but I have been seriously considering looking into a HTC OneM8.

if u dont want to have the problem dont restart ur Iphone , everytime i do Restart to my Iphone it goes to Original Ringtone , Just avoid to power off ur Iphone

Has anyone found the cause of this issue yet?

I am tire of have the reset my phone is the only answer. I have a ring tone that was bought in the ITunes store and in the sound menu it is set as my tone. Yet the default tone is the one that plays. Oddly is just happened out of the blue. in the past when i went to the sound menu and choose it again it would fix the issue. However, sadly now nothing fixes when i do that now. It has also fixed it self on its own but then a day later it was back to "DING". Which happens to be one of the most ANNOYING sound now to me.

sorry i have an IPhone 6+

I am having this problem as well. I am also sick or constantly having to reset my phone. I do not power my phone off regularly so in my case that doesn't have anything to do with it. It will just be working one minute and then in the next it won't . It is very frustrating. I have emailed support as well but have not heard back yet. I have the iPhone 5s.

I had the same problem. However powering off seems to have sorted the problem.

Try it and let me know if it works for you.

Good luck!

Go to Settings/Sounds and scroll down to Lock sounds and switch to off then your custom tone should work!

Hi Chris, I think that tip with the 28 sec helped me, finally, having the same problem that everyone here refers to. It is astonishing that an expensive item like this iPhone does not let you import ring tones in an easier way. And yes, Apple should take note!

So I have a nice new ring tone now. Not sure what will happen if I do a reboot at some time. For the moment ok.

And, only because I had a bad back for a few days could I fathom the patience to sit down with my laptop and phone and research this topic. Somewhat pleasing I am not the only one!

Have a nice weekend

Z.

I have the same problem with my iPhone 5, this issue has only become apparent after the last software update. I refuse to restore my phone AGAIN! GET THE FINGER OUT APPLE!

I have the same problem with my 6. I have had problems off and on for the 6 months I have had the phone. I BUY all my ringtones from iTunes so there is no reason this keeps happening. WHEN my purchased ringtones work...they freeze up. I will be in the middle of a store or work and cant stop the ring. I am very annoyed with the situation.

This worked for me Chris... Thanks!

I've been struggling with this problem too. Have an iPhone 6. Got ringtones from iTunes. Use the same ringtone for a family member's home phone and also that family member's cell phone. Home phone ringtone works. Cell phone goes to the default ringtone. Other ringtones have also randomly stopped working. Have deleted and reassigned the tones. No luck. Power off every couple of weeks or so but other ringtones stay, not these two. Advice?

Thanks,

Same problem, IOS9.2, iPhone 6 plus after a reset would only play default ring tone even if downloaded ringtone was selected. What worked for me, select another standard tone, reset phone (two burron press), when it restarts select downloaded tone... success!

Before you do this, make sure you know your wifi password.

I WAS having the same problem on a 5s iOS 9.0.2 with a purchased ringtone selected for a text message. This simple fix worked for me:

Go to settings/general then scroll down to the bottom of the page. Click on Reset, then "Reset Network Settings". All this does is exactly as it says: it only resets your network (wifi) settings.

it will ask you for your iPhone password then it will ask you if you are sure. Click yes.

your phone will reboot, then you will have to re:enter your wifi password.

after doing this, my selected text message ringtone worked as it did before.

I have no idea why this would work but it did. If ever I have any unusual errors etc., this is always my first go to, to try and fix and very often it does The job.

A Big shoutout to the Today in iOS podcast hosted by Rob Walch for this tip that has saved me much grief over the years.

This did the trick and is hassle free!! So glad I took the time to read through this entire thread! 😁

This post helped:

Berbyq Dec 1, 2015 1:26 PM