Joe Mark / Android Authority
tl; drag
- IOS 26 Finally introduces the ability to easily set customs ringtones from audio files.
- Earlier, a garage band or Mac requires a complex process to create an iPhone ringtones.
- This feature is available on Android since its inception, so the iPhones have finally caught.
There is a huge software release for iOS 26 iPhones, not just because Apple jumped a big jump from iOS 18 to 26 to 26. Waiting is a new design language called liquid glass, and a lot has been sprayed in Apple Intelligence everywhere. But there is another change in iOS 26, which has been accepted by Android users for more than 16 years. Yes, iPhone users can eventually set customs ringtones without any hardworking setup process.
With iOS 26, setting custom ringtone is as easy as it has always been on Android
Ever since Android came out in 2008, users have been able to compile any MP3 file as a color tone of their phone in just a few taps. Regardless of the Android version or manufacturer, if you prefer your phone ringing when you receive calls, you can set the custom ring tone in less than a minute. The flow of process may look different throughout the Android universe, but it has always been dead.
However, iPhone users had to jump with hundred hoops to set up custom ringtone. They will need to pass through the garage band (1.5GB+ app!) To edit the track on your iPhone, or use the Mac music app to convert the audio file into a ringtone and then use the Finder to transfer the file to your phone.
With iOS 26, this process is finally as easy as some taps. As the spot has happened Mac WorldIOS 26 developer beta 1 lets you select any audio file and set it as a custom ring tone via share menu. You all have to detect audio file inside apps such as files or sound memo, select it, tap Share Button, and select the new “Use as a color tone“Buttons.
Once you will do this, the Custom Ring Tone will appear Settings> Sounds and Hoptics> Ring Tone And will be automatically set as your current color tone. You can also configure it as a ringtone for all calls or specific contacts, to tell you who is calling from Ring Tone without the need to take your phone. The process flows for MP3, M4A, and potentially supported audio files, though the audio must be less than 30 seconds.
What did Apple feel so long?
If you are thinking that Apple takes so long, you will find a signal in another screenshot. Although the company has not mentioned anything about the decision, Ringtones once used to be a big business. They were so large that Apple used to have a tone store inside iTunes, where they used to sell ringtones to consumers to download and use their Apple devices.
How big were the ringtones, do you ask? Here are the singers and the wrapper Akon, who gains fame in 2004, talking about how people used to pay 9 4.99 (!!!) for Ringtones, which lasted for half a minute, while they will pay 99 1.99 for full songs. Akon was not initially paid for the use of Ringtone, but because of his business intelligence, he was forced to work again to pay the contracts. Even the singer developed music that was particularly friendly, citing the example of Lonley, where the song will be cut to create a different version of Rang Tone. Eventually, he finished the most colortones sold at the Guinness Book of World Records.
I do not remember how much the ringtones cost a day, but posts on Apple community forums show that consumers will pay $ 0.99 per color tone for a permanent license to Apple. On the contrary, the carrier will receive 50 2.50 to 50 3.50 with the verification of 3 months to 1 year. They pay for many money users for music pieces that they occasionally listen to.
Finally, people’s habits around the phone changed, and many preferred to keep their phone permanently silent. Most users were also satisfied with the default colortones to send them to their phone. Therefore, one can imagine that the money in the sale of ringtone has dried up.
With this change in iOS 26, iPhone users can eventually easily configure their ringtones like Android users, but someone will argue that the move is ten years long. I think it’s not too late than ever.
Have a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at News@Androidauthority.com. You can remain anonymous or get the credit for information, it’s your choice.
