iPhone Ringtone: What is iPhone 5 Ringtone Format?

May 14, 2013 7:16 PM / Posted by Ivan Cook to iPhone/iPod/iPad
Follow @IVANJCOOK

iPhone ringtones are M4R files which are different from other ringtones. They have M4R file name extensions with data encoding in the MPEG-4 codec while other ringtone files are usually in MP3 file container. The iPhone ringtones also have a different sound spectrum that other ringtones do.

.MP4 Versus and .M4R and  .M4A File Extensions

We know that MPEG-4 Part 14 is one of the container formats. There may be video, subtitle streams or audio present. This makes it difficult to determine if the MPEG-4 file streams are using file names that use just the extension or something else. Users may suffer confusion when there’s failure to playback when they thought their apps supported the MP4 format.

Therefore, Apple has decided to use the .m4a extension to store audio files so there's not as much confusion. Apps should support files in MP4 or M4A using the OS/iOS for video and audio playback. Lots of applications can use the MPEG-4 audio so users can choose the extension they want when they make MPEG-4 files.

The M4R is an extension of MP4 just like M4A. You can use this extension and drag it onto iTunes and the ringtone will install and be recognized automatically. This allows you to sync it to the iPhone with ease. Good news is that we can convert video (include YouTube video) to M4R iPhone ringtone.

iPhone Ringtone Audio Specifications

Frequency: 20Hz to 20,000Hz

Audio codecs supported: AAC, Protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR,  Apple Lossless, AIFF,  Audible (formats 1, 2, and 3), and WAV.

iPhone Ringtone Type and Length

iPhone (including iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3G, and iPhone 3GS) ringtone belongs to TrueTone type ringtone. It's similar to the audio files that are typically recorded to MP3, AAC, and WMA. The rise of iPhone ringtone represents the latest evolution of the ringtone. But what may decrease customer satisfaction is that iPhone ringtone can only support less than 30 seconds be default. Fortunately, it's not an impossible mission to get a longer iPhone ringtone. What you need is only a good enough ringtone creating software like iSKysoft RiPhone Ringtone Maker which enables users to make more than 30 seconds ringtones from any video/audio files.

How to Create iPhone 5 Ringtone with Ease

As far as we know, Apple in fact enables users to make iPhone ringtone from any song purchased from iTunes store. However, by these methods, you only can get your ringtone in the length of 30 seconds. Below I'll show you how to create iPhone ringtone and set it as your ringtone on your iPhone.

• Part 1: Purchase iPhone ringtone from iTunes store
• Part 2: Make iPhone ringtone with your own song for free
• Part 3: Activate iPhone ringtone

Part 1: Purchase iPhone 5 ringtone from iTunes Store

1. Go to iTunes Store and log in your iTunes account with username and password.
2. Click Ringtones at the bottom of the screen. 
3. Search for the ringtone you want and preview it.
4. Click the price icon to buy and then follow up prompts to finish purchasing.

Note: The iPhone ringtones you purchased are only with the length of 30 seconds. Actually, most of the iPhone ringtones are the songs you've purchased. Let me show you the truth: you pay for your purchased iTunes song and then you pay for the iPhone ringtone. You pay for twice. Since you have paid for the song, why can't you make your own iPhone ringtone with any song you want? With the help of iPhone Ringtone Maker for Mac, you can easily make iPhone ringtone with less money paid.

Part 2: Make iPhone 5 ringtone with your own song for free

To create your own iPhone ringtones, download iPhone Ringtone Maker for Mac and install. Run the application, and import your favorite audio or video file, then customize any part of the audio and video file as your iPhone ringtone, it can extend the length of iPhone  ringtones up to 40s. After done, click “Start” to generate your ringtone. 

Tips:You can also create your ringtone from the background music of your movies. Go to convert video (include YouTube video) to M4R iPhone ringtone to learn how to extract background music from movies and make ringtone.

Part 3: Activate iPhone 5 ringtone

After you purchased or created ringtones for iPhone, import them to iTunes and sync the ringtones to your iPhone. Afterwards, you can set your ringtone on your iPhone as followed:

Open Settings menu and select Sounds, then choose your created ringtone under Ringtone option.

Note that this is for setting your Clock timer, incoming calls and Clock alarms.

Furthermore, you can customize ringtones for special persons. To do so, go to Contacts, choose a person, tap on Edit button, press on Ringtone and select your target one.