UPDATE: I’ve got a newer, easier way to do this. Please check out the post and new video at my new website:
This is something that is pretty basic for most other mobile devices, but the iPhone is limited to only 6 different SMS tones. This may change with OS 3.0, who knows, but, I thought I would show you all a way to do this now. For this tutorial, you will need a jailbroken iPhone, with OpenSSH and Winterboard installed. I will be doing this tutorial on a Mac, but the process should be similar in Windows.
First off, let’s start with creating the tone itself. Basically, we need to get whatever sound you want as your SMS tone, converted into a .aif file (if it is not already), then rename that to a .caf file (this is what format the actual iPhone SMS tones are). I just use iTunes, but another free solution is Audacity.
- Get your file into iTunes by double clicking it, or go to File > Add to Library, and then navigate to the file you want to use and double click it. You should now see the file displayed in iTunes. If not, just do a search within iTunes and find it.
- Next, go to Preferences > General, and click on “Import Settings”. Make sure this is set to “AIFF”. Then right click on your file, you should see an option to “Create AIFF version”. Click it. You’ll get a AIFF duplicate of your file.
- Next, still in iTunes, right click on the new file you just created and click “Show in Finder”. From the Finder window, drag the new AIFF to your desktop. This will make it easier to install the file later.
- Next, we are going to create a folder and file that the iPhone will recognize as a SMS tone. On your desktop create a new folder and name it whatever your new SMS tone is called. Then create another new folder inside that and name it “UISounds”. It is case sensitive, so watch the spelling. Then drag your new AIFF file into this folder.
- This next part is very important to get it right. Your iPhone comes with 6 default SMS tones. In the file system they are know as “sms-received1.caf” to “sms-received6.caf”. Your new SMS tone is going to replace one of these. Let’s just use the first one, otherwise known as “Tri-tone”. Rename the file you created, including the extension, sms-received1.caf. In OS X, you will get a prompt asking if you really want to use this extension. Click “Use .caf”. This will not permanently delete yout Tri-tone SMS tone. Winterboard will just substitute your new tone.
So the hard work is done. All we need to do now is get the tone onto your phone. You’ll need knowledge of OpenSSH for this next part. If you’re new to OpenSSH, you can search YouTube for a full tutorial, but I’ll go over it briefly. This has to be done over a WiFi network that both your iPhone and your computer are connected to.
- Open up you FTP client of choice. I’m using Filezilla, but any client should work fine. For the host, type in the IP address of your iPhone. The username is “root”, the password is “alpine”, and you want to use port 22. It may take a few tries to get in, so have patience.
- In your local folders, navigate to your desktop, so that you can see the folder we created earlier. In your remote folders you need to navigate to Library > Themes. Then simply transfer your folder from your local to your remote.
Okay, are you still with me? Good, because we’re pretty much DONE! The only thing left to do is make the new SMS tone active. Open Winterboard, on your iPhone. You should see your new tone in the list. Select it, and exit Winterboard. Your iPhone will respring. Once your lock screen comes back up, go into Settings > Sounds > New Text Message, and select “Tri-tone”. You should hear your new tone!
You can do this for all 6 SMS tones, if you like. Just make sure to create separate folders for each, naming the tones sms-received1, sms-received2, and so on, up to 6.
Here’s a brief video demo i whipped up, to help you along:
i want the chage the name of chime, bell. etc how do you change the name after you go to setting to set the textmessage tone
The iPhone software does not allow for the names of the SMS tones to be changed. This method simply redirests where the software gets the tone. This is why we have to re-name your custom tone to metch the actual tone.
this single item may have saved me from a Palm Pre…as silly as that sounds
@adamholden: The Palm Pre looks to be a solid device, but who knows if we’ll have a similar “jailbreak”, that will allow us to customize it, as much as we can the iPhone. I really haven’t looked into to. Most people who own an iPhone will never use another device again.
I’m glad this was able to help you make your decision!
Hey, anyone know of any programs that will allow different text tones to be assigned to different contacts?
Hi, I dont know what I’ve done wrong. I used Windows and followed the instructions all the way, but when I select “tri-tone”, it is just a blank recording/no sound is produced. So when I get a sms, I dont have any sound. I’ve tried re-doing it and re-springing a couple times, to no luck.
Do you have any ideas?
Thanks, sorry.
what is winterboard?
Winterboard is an application that allows you customize many apsects of the iPhone. It is a free download in Cydia.
when i jail break the phone and install cydia this will void my warrenty is there any way to take the softwear off before bringing the phone in to get fixed (should something ever happen)
sorry if i have posted on the wrong board, i am new to blogs message boards and the sort. thanks in advance
mtt
@ mtt529: Yes. You just do a restore, via iTunes, and it will just like you took it out of the box.
Ive done everything up until the winscp part because i cant find my ip address. my iphone doesnt have a wifi connection. just wondering if there is a way i can find it.
Unfortunately, you must have a WiFi connection, for this method. If you ant to access your root folders, via USB, try using “DiskAid”. I just posted an article about it here: http://www.iphoneincanada.ca/iphone-news/diskaid-a-usb-solution-to-openssh/
when i click on libary it does not show theme. i’m using a window vista. do you know what is wrong with it?
Easy, jailbreak your phone and install tonefx. Then you can enjoy the ability to change your ring tones, shuffle your ring tones, use any sms tone you want. Heck you can even change the sound the keyboard makes when you tap a key. I jailbreak for function, not pirating. You know, so you have the most basic functions that apple keeps from you that just pussifies you phone.
Where can I fine my iPhone IP adress?
I cannot get my ip address to connect… I keep trying with the ip address, root, and alpine in port 22, but it will not connect. What am I doing wrong?
You must be on WiFi. On your iPhone, got to Settings -> Network -> tap the arrow to the right of your network.
Make sure your device is jailbroken, and you have OpenSSH installed. Alternatively, you could try “DiskAid”. It allows you access to your root files, over USB.
I customized my sms-received1.caf and changed it again but the second time i changed it the sound is just a blank tone..please help? I dont know if it’s able to be changed more than once..
Hi hlep how do Step 3:
When you connect you will see the window below.
Now Browse to this folder: /System/Library/Audio/UISounds
let me help you all. USE “Iphonexplorer” – google it. Then it’s very easy, because you drag and drop in here folder: /System/Library/Audio/UISounds
Change the import settings under prefferences, general to AIFF import option. Then right click any song, get info – change the start and end – 15 SECONDS is Max allowed. Right click same song, and create an AIFF format song. Now find it in your browser – going to be in same directory that your other song was in.
Rename this .aiff extension ending song to sms-received1.caf
Drag this using iphone explorer in the /System/Library/Audio/UISounds and voila it will work.
Few things that people struggle even once they get this far – 3MB is the MAX allowed for tones; and 15 seconds is the MAX allowed for tones.
I searched long and wide, and no one has said these things before, so i figure i would waste my 10 minutes and write it out.
I can not find the /System/Library/Audio/UISounds folder in filezilla.
hey is there a way to do this without using Winterboard?
@keeph: The only other way I know to change your SMS tones, is to buy “ToneFX” from Rock.
Hey, I don’t seem to have the Themes folder in the Library folder. A little help will be greatly appreciated.
[...] Iphone Alerts Help? Create and Install Custom SMS Tones on iPhone [...]
For people who are saying they don’t have a Themes folder, try going to the very root of your phone. In Transmit, this involves just clicking at the top and navigating to the first folder. There you’ll see a Folder called Library, and several folders inside it, one called Themes.
Great post. Just wanted to say thank you for the hard work. Really appreciated.
Hi,
I did all that you told me and i activated it in winterboard but when i go to select it, it won’t play
I do sucess!! thanks a million and if anyone want to know how it works do email me at shinohara86 at gmail dot com
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followed the procedure….didnt work….i get blank tone when i replace the original files….
Well, I was able to get my custom tone working, i’s on the phone now… But something’s strange; the tone keeps playing even after i respond to the text message. Was this supposed to happen? And if not, how would i remedy this?
Thanks a lot! A very clear and concise explanation of how to do this, from beginning to end. Particularly like the accompanying video. Well done, and thanks again!
I am currently using the iPhone 4 with iOS4.0.1. I am unable to access the phone at the phone’s IP address via port 22 with the username/password root/alpine. All I got were
Error: Network error: Connection refused
Error: Could not connect to server
Is there an alternative username/password for the iPhone4 or iOS4.0.1?
Thanks so much man!!! The black berry SMS Tone is the only think i like about them “lightspeed” With a little help from youtube i got it done! Thanks so much again!
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mine works perfectly until the end, i go to my fone and click on “tri-tone” and it plays the normal tri tone, im so confused???