The iOS comes with a set of text tones for text message alert. Starting from iOS 5, you’re allowed to use your own text tone (or ringtone) for the alert sound. Of course, you can purchase the tones from iTunes store. But why you need to buy one when you can create your custom tones for free? It’s fairly easy to create free text tone of your iPhone using iTunes. If you’ve followed our procedures to create free ringtone, you may already know how to create custom text tone as the procedures are nearly the same. Anyway, let’s go through the procedures together.
As a Mac user, the guide is specifically written for Mac users. However, the procedures should also work on Windows. I also try my best to highlight any difference so Windows users can follow.
Step by Step Procedures to Create Free Text Tone
1. First, make sure you’ve upgraded to iTunes 10.5. If you’ve alreadyinstalled the latest iTunes version, launch it and pick any song from your library for creating the text tone.
2. Right click on the song and select “Get Info”.
3. Select the “Option” tab and specify the “Start Time” & “Stop Time”. Later we will use that portion of the song to create the custom text tone. You’re free to select any portion of the song but make sure it’s not longer than 30 seconds. In this example, we’re going to create a 5-second text tone. Click “OK” to proceed.
4. Next, right click on the song again and select “Create AAC Version”. This instructs iTunes to extract the portion of the song as specified in step 3.
In case you do not have the “Create AAC Version” option, go to “Preferences”. Under “General”, click the “Import Settings…” button next to “When you insert a CD”. Select “AAC Encoder” for “Import Using” and click “OK” to confirm. Now you should have the “Create ACC Version” option.
5. Now you should see a new song created with 5-sec in length. That’s the length we specify in step 3.
6. Next, right-click on the song (the 5-sec version) and select “Show in Finder”. This launches Finder and locates the song file you just created.
For Windows user, you should choose “Show in Windows Explorer” instead.
7. As you can see the file is in .m4a extension. To be recognized as a ringtone or text tone, rename the file extension to .m4r.
In case Finder prompts you for confirmation, simply click “Use .m4r”.
For Windows user, you may not be able to view the file extension. By default, Windows Explorer does not display the file extension. To make it work in Windows Explorer, click “Organizer” –> “Folder and search options” –> Select “View” tab. In the advanced setting, uncheck “Hide extensions from known file types” and click “OK” to apply.
8. You’ll need to delete the song before iTunes can recognize the “.m4r” file as text tone. So go back to iTunes. Right click on the song you’ve created (i.e. 5-sec version) and select “Delete”.
When prompted, click “Delete Song” to confirm but make sure you click “Keep File”. This instructs iTunes to remove the song from music librarybut keep the original file.
9. Go back to Finder (or Windows Explorer) and double-click on the ringtone file (.m4r) you have just renamed.
The text tone (or ringtone) will automatically add it to iTunes Tones library.
10. To transfer the text tone to iPhone, simply sync your device with iTunes. But ensure you’ve enabled “Sync Tones” for your device. Otherwise, iTunes won’t copy the text tones or ringtones to your device.
11. Lastly after the sync, you can configure the text tone on iPhone. Simply tap “Settings” -> Sounds -> “Text Tone”. Scroll down to the “Ringtones” section and pick the tone that you’ve just created.
That’s it. Now you should have your own text tone (or ringtone). Best of all, it’s completely free.
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