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Convert WMV to M4R - Create Custom iPhone Ringtones from Video

Turn Windows Media Video audio into iPhone ringtones. Extract the perfect 40-second clip.

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Step 3: Convert files

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Video Sound You Want as a Ringtone?

You have a WMV video with audio you want to hear every time your phone rings. Maybe it is a memorable movie clip, a catchphrase from a show, or audio from a personal recording. The problem: iPhones only accept M4R format for custom ringtones.

Converting WMV files to M4R extracts the audio track and packages it in Apple's ringtone format. In our testing, the conversion preserves audio clarity while creating files that sync directly to your iPhone through iTunes or Finder.

How to Convert WMV to M4R

  1. Upload your WMV file - Drag and drop or select your Windows Media Video file
  2. Set output to M4R - The converter extracts audio and formats it for iPhone
  3. Download your ringtone - Get an M4R file ready for iTunes or Finder sync

The entire process runs in your browser. No software installation, no account creation, no waiting for email delivery.

Understanding the 40-Second Limit

Apple restricts iPhone ringtones to 40 seconds maximum. Any M4R file longer than this will not sync to your device. This is a hard limit built into iOS, not a converter limitation.

Before converting, identify which portion of your WMV audio you want. Our converter handles the format conversion, but you may need to trim the result if your source video exceeds 40 seconds. In our testing, ringtones between 20-30 seconds work best because they provide enough audio for identification without becoming repetitive.

For longer videos, consider extracting to MP3 first for easier editing, then convert the trimmed clip to M4R.

WMV vs M4R: Technical Comparison

These formats serve completely different purposes. WMV is Microsoft's video container, while M4R is Apple's audio-only ringtone format.

FeatureWMVM4R
TypeVideo containerAudio only
DeveloperMicrosoftApple
CodecWMV/VC-1 video + WMA audioAAC audio
DurationUnlimited40 seconds max
Primary UseWindows video playbackiPhone ringtones
File SizeVariable (MB to GB)500KB - 1.5MB typical

During conversion, the video component is discarded entirely. Only the audio track gets re-encoded from WMA to AAC and wrapped in the M4R container.

Common Use Cases

Movie and TV Audio Clips

Downloaded or recorded clips from movies and shows often come as WMV files. Extract that iconic line, sound effect, or music moment to use as your ringtone.

Personal Video Recordings

Older camcorders and Windows-based screen recorders save as WMV. Pull audio from family videos, voice messages, or recordings to create meaningful personalized ringtones.

Gaming Content

Game clips captured on Xbox or through Windows tools are often WMV. Convert victory sounds, character quotes, or memorable moments into notification tones.

Presentation Audio

Corporate training videos or presentations sometimes contain audio worth repurposing. Extract jingles, alerts, or voice recordings for professional ringtone use.

Getting Your Ringtone onto iPhone

After conversion, you need to transfer the M4R file to your iPhone. Here are your options:

Using iTunes (Windows or older Mac)

  1. Connect your iPhone to your computer
  2. Open iTunes and go to your device
  3. Drag the M4R file into the Tones section
  4. Sync your device

Using Finder (macOS Catalina and later)

  1. Connect your iPhone
  2. Open Finder and select your iPhone
  3. Drag the M4R file onto your iPhone in the sidebar

Once synced, find your new ringtone in Settings, then Sounds and Haptics, then Ringtone.

Quality Considerations

The audio quality of your ringtone depends on your source WMV file. Videos encoded at higher bitrates produce cleaner ringtones. In our testing, WMV files with audio bitrates above 128kbps convert to M4R with no perceptible quality loss.

For heavily compressed or low-quality source videos, expect the ringtone to reflect those limitations. The conversion process cannot improve audio that was degraded during original encoding.

M4R files use AAC encoding, which is efficient and sounds good even at smaller file sizes. A 30-second ringtone at 256kbps produces a file around 1MB, well under any practical limit.

Alternative Formats for Ringtones

If M4R does not suit your needs, consider these alternatives:

  • WMV to MP3 - Universal audio format for editing before final M4R conversion
  • WMV to M4A - Same codec as M4R but without ringtone designation, good for alert tones
  • WMV to AAC - Raw AAC audio if you plan to manually set the file extension

For Android users, MP3 or M4A work directly as ringtones without the 40-second restriction. The M4R format is specifically an Apple requirement.

Works on Any Device

Convert WMV to M4R directly in your browser:

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • Tablets and mobile devices

No downloads, no plugins, no registration. The converter processes your file locally for privacy and speed.

Pro Tip

Select a portion of your video with a clear, recognizable sound that starts strong. Ringtones need to grab attention in the first 2-3 seconds. Avoid audio that starts quietly or builds slowly because you might miss calls while waiting for the distinctive part.

Common Mistake

Converting an entire long video and expecting it to work as a ringtone. The 40-second limit is absolute. Many users discover this only after syncing fails. Check your source duration before converting, not after.

Best For

Creating personalized iPhone ringtones from Windows Media Video files, especially clips from movies, TV shows, personal recordings, or gaming content that you want to hear when your phone rings.

Not Recommended

Do not use this if you need the video content itself. WMV to M4R discards all video and keeps only audio. Also avoid for Android devices, as they accept MP3 and M4A directly without the M4R format requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

M4R is Apple's dedicated ringtone format for iPhone. It uses AAC audio encoding in an MPEG-4 container, identical to M4A files but with a different extension that tells iOS to treat it as a ringtone. The format was introduced in 2007 alongside the original iPhone.

Apple enforces a 40-second maximum duration for iPhone ringtones. This is a hard limit in iOS, not a converter restriction. Any M4R file exceeding 40 seconds will not sync to your iPhone. Plan your audio selection accordingly before converting.

Quality depends on your source WMV file. We convert at high bitrate AAC to preserve the original audio quality. If your WMV has good audio encoding (128kbps or higher), the resulting ringtone will sound clean and clear.

Only if your video is under 40 seconds. For longer videos, you will need to trim after conversion or extract to MP3 first for editing. The converter extracts all audio, but iOS will reject ringtones exceeding the duration limit.

Connect your iPhone to a computer and use iTunes (Windows) or Finder (macOS Catalina+). Drag the M4R file to the Tones section and sync. Alternatively, some third-party apps allow wireless ringtone transfer.

No. WMV to M4R conversion extracts only the audio track. The video component is completely discarded. M4R is an audio-only format designed exclusively for ringtones.

While M4R files may play on Android, they are designed for iPhone. For Android ringtones, convert to MP3 or M4A instead. Android does not impose the 40-second limit and accepts more audio formats natively.

Common issues include: the file exceeds 40 seconds, it was not synced to the Tones section specifically, or iTunes did not complete the sync. Verify the file duration and re-sync through the correct section of iTunes or Finder.

Technically, they are identical formats using AAC audio in an MPEG-4 container. The only difference is the file extension. M4R tells Apple devices to treat the file as a ringtone, while M4A is recognized as regular audio or an alert tone.

Our browser-based converter handles typical WMV files without issues. For very large video files, consider the 40-second ringtone limit first. The resulting M4R will be small regardless of source size since it contains only a short audio clip.

No. DRM-protected content cannot be converted due to encryption. If your WMV file is copy-protected from a streaming service or purchase, the conversion will fail. Only unprotected WMV files can be converted to M4R.

For ringtones, 256kbps AAC at 44.1kHz provides excellent quality in a small file. The converter optimizes output automatically. Ringtones play through phone speakers, so extremely high bitrates offer no practical benefit.

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