How to open a .m4r file
Quick, free ways to open M4R on any system.
A .m4r file is a iPhone Ringtone File. If double-clicking does nothing, your computer simply does not have an app that reads M4R yet. Here is how to fix that on each operating system, using free software wherever possible.
Open a .m4r file step by step
- Confirm the file really is a .m4r. Drop it into the WhatFileType file identifier, which reads its signature without uploading anything.
- On Windows, open it with iTunes or VLC.
- On Mac, use Music / Finder (sync to iPhone) or GarageBand.
- On Linux, try VLC or ffmpeg.
- Still stuck? Convert the .m4r to m4a (rename), which opens more widely.
Best apps to open .m4r files
Windows
- iTunes
- VLC
- any AAC-capable player
macOS
- Music / Finder (sync to iPhone)
- GarageBand
- VLC
Linux
- VLC
- ffmpeg
!
Before you open it: Safe. An .m4r file is AAC audio in an MP4 container; it does not execute.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I open my .m4r file?
Almost always because no installed app understands M4R. Install one of the apps above, or convert the file to a format your existing software already reads.
How do I make an .m4r ringtone?
Trim a song to under 30-40 seconds, export it as AAC (.m4a) and rename the extension to .m4r, or build the tone directly in GarageBand on the iPhone, which installs it too.
How do I put an .m4r file on my iPhone?
Connect the phone and drag the file onto it in Finder (macOS) or iTunes (Windows), then pick it under Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone.