How to convert MP3 to M4R
- Add your .MP3 file - drop it in the box above or click to browse.
- Convert it to .M4R in a few seconds.
- Download your new .M4R file.
What to expect
- M4R contains AAC audio, so converting from MP3 adds a second round of lossy encoding.
- Ringtones are short by design; long tracks generally need trimming to a brief segment.
- Installing the ringtone on an iPhone requires Apple's sync process, which is separate from the format conversion.
Frequently asked questions
What is an M4R file used for?
M4R is Apple's iPhone ringtone format. Converting an MP3 to M4R produces a file in the format iOS expects for custom ringtones and alert tones.
Does the ringtone sound the same as the MP3?
M4R wraps AAC audio, so the conversion re-encodes the MP3 into AAC. The sound stays close to the source but is not improved, since it starts from lossy MP3 audio.
How do I get the M4R onto an iPhone?
The M4R is prepared in the correct format, but iPhone ringtones are added through Apple's own sync workflow (for example via Finder or iTunes) rather than by playing the file directly.
Should the clip be trimmed first?
iPhone ringtones are meant to be short clips, so a long MP3 is usually trimmed to the desired segment before or during conversion. A full-length song is longer than a ringtone needs.
Programs that convert MP3: Apple iTunes for Windows · Apple iTunes for Mac · Xilisoft iPhone Ringtone Maker for Mac
