Give each friend their own iPhone ringtone
Quick Mac Tip, 13 February 2011

Would you like to tell who’s calling, just by your iPhone’s ringtone? Here’s how to choose different ringtones for different callers.

In How to make an iPhone ringtone with Fission I wrote about making custom ringtones. You don’t need to read that to use this Tip, but you may find it interesting.

Choose a default ringtone

My default Ringtone and Text Tone settings.

Your iPhone comes with several ringtones built in. You don’t have to use the one it was set to when you first opened the package.

To choose a default ringtone open the Settings app and look at the Sounds section.

Tap on Ringtone and select one of the available sounds. If you’ve added your own custom ringtones they appear at the top of the list.

As you tap on each ringtone it plays so you can easily decide which you like best.

Do the same for the Text Tone. At the time of writing you can’t create your own custom tones for SMS messages.

The Ringtone you select is now the default for all calls you receive.

Choose a different ringtone for a contact

Special ring and text tones for my friend Carol.

Now that you’ve set the default ringtone you may wish to have a different ringtone for a specific person, such as a close friend, a business contact or a family member.

Make sure that person appears in your Contacts.

Open the Contacts app and add or find the person. I’ll set a custom ringtone for my friend Carol for the purposes of this Tip.

Tap the Edit button that appears at top right of the contact’s card. A new screen appears where you can add and edit information for that person.

Tap on the ringtone line. It probably reads Default before you change anything. A new screen appears where you can choose a specific ringtone just for that person.

Tap a ringtone to select it and then tap the Save button at top right of the screen.

Your choice is saved. The next time that person calls you their special ringtone will sound.

Choose a different text tone

Follow the above instructions for the text tone as well, if you’d like that contact to have their own text tone.

When you’ve finished all your edits tap the Done button. Your choices are saved.

Tip: Make your own ringtone as I explain in the Fission tip linked above, and add in the person’s name: Fred’s calling, or Jo’s on the line…

Test the special tones

Now call your contact and ask them to call or text you to test your new settings. It’s a great excuse for a chat.

What’s your experience with ringtones? Tell us in the Comments. Could you write a guest MacTip? If so, contact me.