How do I get custom SMS and E-Mail Tones on iPhone 3G? I have a Windows Vista PC

[hitstick29]

I have recently purchased an iPhone 3G. I have a Windows Vista PC and I have no idea how to get custom message alert tones for SMS and E-Mail. I want to use the songs on my harddrive. My iPhone 3G isn't jailbroken or unlocked and I would really like step-by-step directions on how to do this without resorting to that, but I will take any answer. It Would Be Greatly Appreciated! Thanks!

[MileHighRob]

Unfortunately, you'll have to resort to JB if you want custom tones for anything other than your ringtones.

[seanwes]

You MUST jailbreak your iPhone 3G to get the custom sounds you are talking about.

HERE is a tutorial.

AFTER you've done that, then follow this guide (originally posted here):

Originally Posted by AndyPatron

Hey Guys, I found this guide, hope it helps yall, works great for me...

-SMS Guide-


SMS Notification is slightly more complicated than the Ringtones counterpart. SMS notification actually can’t be added, only modified. I also recommend shorter file for SMS notification. Here are the steps I take:

1. Trim MP3 files using Audacity (usually SMS notification should be shorter, roughly 3-4 seconds should be good)
2. Import the MP3 file to iTunes
3. Goto iTunes -> Preferences (for Mac) or Edit -> Preferences (for PC)
4. Navigate to Advanced -> Importing tab and set the “Import Using:” to AIFF
5. Find the AIFF file and copy to desktop
6. Change the extension to “.caf”
7. SCP to the iPhone using Cyberduck (Mac) or WinSCP (Windows) or any other SCP software
8. Navigate to the following directory: “/System/Library/Audio/UISounds”
9. Change one of the “sms-received<x>.caf” file to “sms-received_<x>.caf” where <x> is an integer from 1 to 6 that is least preferrable
   
   
   For example: Rename “sms-received6.caf” to “sms-received_6.caf” to replace the Electronic with custom sound
   1. File name mapping to notification name:
      sms-received1.caf -> Tri-tone
      sms-received2.caf -> Chime.caf
      sms-received3.caf -> Glass
      sms-received4.caf -> Horn
      sms-received5.caf -> Bell
      sms-received6.caf -> Electronic
10. Upload the file on the desktop using the old name of that was changed
    For example: if “sms-received6.caf” is changed to “sms-received_6.caf”, upload the file using the name “sms-received6.caf”
11. Choose in iPhone the replaced tone
    For example: if you replaced sms-received6.caf, then you should choose Electronic

[Updates:]
To rename how the SMS tones display in your iPhone

1) Download this file: [See 'Attached Below']
2) Open with Windows wordPad
3) Change the text as desired to your preferred display name:

<string>Chime</string>
<string>Glass</string>
<string>Horn</string>
<string>Bell</string>
<string>Electronic</string>
<string>Tri-tone</string>

4) Save the file
5) Using WinSCP browse to folder: /Applications/Preference.app/English.lproj
6) Rename the existing Sounds.strings to Sounds.strings.orig
7) Upload your modified copy of Sounds.strings to the directory

*Note* This has only been tested with English but may work for other languages
*Note2* If you download your existing Sounds.strings file you will find it is not editable in Windows, the one linked above is the original, unmodified Sounds.strings file)

Sounds List File

[hitstick29]

Originally Posted by seanwes

You MUST jailbreak your iPhone 3G to get the custom sounds you are talking about.

HERE is a tutorial.

AFTER you've done that, then follow this guide (originally posted here):

I am worried to jailbreak my iPhone 3G because it's new and I have heard that it could possibly break it or ruin it. Is there any truth to that?

[MileHighRob]

Countless people have jailbroken their iPhones. If you get in a sticky situation with it someone around here can help you out of the mess. Chances are your answers are already here in one of the thousands of posts at EiC. However, you know your own capabilities and if after reading the instructions that seanwes has provided you, you still are uneasy or nervous about the process maybe it's not for you. Only you can decide that. But as for as breaking or ruining the phone if you follow the steps you should not have to worry.

[hitstick29]

Originally Posted by MileHighRob

Countless people have jailbroken their iPhones. If you get in a sticky situation with it someone around here can help you out of the mess. Chances are your answers are already here in one of the thousands of posts at EiC. However, you know your own capabilities and if after reading the instructions that seanwes has provided you, you still are uneasy or nervous about the process maybe it's not for you. Only you can decide that. But as for as breaking or ruining the phone if you follow the steps you should not have to worry.

Thanks, I really appreciate all your help.

[MileHighRob]

Originally Posted by hitstick29

Thanks, I really appreciate all your help.

You're welcome... Good Luck!

[Voltaic Shock]

I would like this too, but don't want to jailbreak my phone.

Wish Apple would add the ability to add themes to the phone with options to change the sounds (I come from the BB world, so I am a little spoiled with themes and customization)

[molly]

me too. I would like this too.
Thank you very much. It is useful.

[kevlar08]

jailbreaking actually has little risk, if for some reson you encounter a problem that bricks your iphone you can simply restore it back to normal through itunes everytime, believe me ive messed up on the jailbreaking prosses many times and a simple restoere will set it back to factory tune