How do you sync ringtones when iTunes is set to manually sync? Need help!

Chad711 · 11-20-2008, 03:05 PM

I just recently purchased a iPhone. I consider myself a pretty technical person but I must say I am stumped on why I cannot get my ringtones to sync with out my music and videos on my iphone being erased each time. I can overclock my computer but I can't sync a ring tone! LOL

Any way here is the deal. I am converting my songs in itunes to ACC and then renaming them to m4r files. I drag it back into the itunes library where I see it in the ringtones area of iTunes. However here is the problem. I manually sync music on videos for my iPhone because I don't want 2000 songs on my iphone! So when I go to try and sync my ringtones it gives me a pop up warning stating that "Syncing ringtones will delete music and video from your iphone. Are you sure you want to do this?"

So my question is two parts. How do I sync ringtones with out losing music/video data on iPhone and how do I get the ringtones to show up in the sync area of the iphones "Ringtone" tab? I try to drag it from ringtones itunes library to the iphones ringtone library but it does't show up on the Ringtones "tab". Sorry if it sounds confusing.

Youngbinks · 11-20-2008, 04:03 PM

What do you mean that it doesn't show up in the Ringtones tab?

I had the same problem a while back and all I had to do was manually drag and drop the ringtones onto the iPhone just as I would with music.

Chad711 · 11-20-2008, 04:44 PM

It's hard to explain. I would need to show you a few screen shots to explain it. Anyway,

I tried to drag it into the ringtones folder on the iPhone. It actually shows up there. However it's odd because it isn't on my phone. So basically it didn't sync. So after I saw it there I went to the tabs that shows the options for sync for each feature of the iphone (music, apps, rintones, videos, etc) The ringtone does not show up in the sync area of "Ringtones". If you are lost then when I get home I will post some screen shots.

Youngbinks · 11-20-2008, 04:52 PM

Have you ever been able to sync the ringtones? Like say you just chose to delete everything else, have they been able to sync before?

Chad711 · 11-20-2008, 05:01 PM

I manually sync items just like you do. I drag movies and music over to the iPhone and done. However the ringtones do not want to cooperate that way. So what I did last night was drag it to the itunes library which in turn automatically puts it into the ringtones folder of itunes. If I go to the Ringtones TAB on iPhone where you can select to sync certain items or all items that is when I click sync. At that point it states if I do it then it will delete my music and movies.

Youngbinks · 11-20-2008, 05:05 PM

Well the reason I asked is because your ringtones might be too long to sync. If they are just a second over 30 seconds, they won't sync. I'm not sure if this is the problem but it could be.

Chad711 · 11-20-2008, 06:29 PM

No they are not. I am going home in about an hour and I will fiddle around with it. I'll report back here if I have problems still. I was rushed some what at lunch time (when I was trying to get it work).

RachelleRachelle · 02-10-2009, 01:39 PM

Chad- Did you ever figure it out? I have the same problem!

lensam · 02-18-2009, 12:41 AM

The way I did it was in Itunes under devices you click on your iphone and check under each tab across the top. Music, podcasts, videos apps, etc. Make sure the sync box is NOT checked under these tabs. My phone is set to manually manage so try it that way. If it doesnt work then uncheck the "manually manage" box. Then you go to the ringtones tab and check the sync box and select all ringtones button and then hit the sync button. All your ringtones should appear after that. Once that is done uncheck the sync box and they will remain there. And you shouldnt lose any of your music or videos if I remember correctly. If you do you can always re add the media afterwards. You do have your itunes backed up, right?!?!? also you changed the extension to r for ringtone

punkit · 05-08-2009, 09:38 AM

Hi there, i had the EXACT same problem as you and after hours googling the hell out of it repeatedly coming to the same answer i finally figured it out. this worked for me so i'm gonna assume it will work for you seeing as we have an identical problem.. all i did was when the "ringtone" is made and it's in the "ringtone" area of itunes ie: in the library, under music and apps and whatever else you have there, you know what i mean. i just clicked and dragged it to my iphone... not to ringtones or music or anything like that, drag it to "chad's iphone" under devices. it syncs for a sec and then when you go to settings, sounds, ringtones, it's in it's own little section up the top. i hope it works for you, and anyone else with this problem. if my instructions were horrible, lemme know and i'll try to explain it better. good luck