You can change notification sounds in Settings, and the steps differ depending on whether you want to change sounds for all apps or just one
The notification sound is the noise your iPhone makes when an app sends you a message, alert, or reminder. By default, your phone uses the same sound for most notifications — usually a short chime or bell. If you want a different sound, or silence for certain apps, you control this in the Settings app. The process takes about two minutes and you can change sounds for individual apps or create a blanket setting for everything at once.
Your choices depend on what you want to change. You can pick from Apple's built-in sounds (there are roughly 30 of them), use a custom sound you've recorded or downloaded, or turn notifications off entirely for an app. You can also set different sounds for different types of alerts — text messages, emails, reminders, calendar events — so your phone tells you what's happening just by the sound.
Key Takeaways
- Open Settings, tap Sounds & Haptics, then choose a notification type (Messages, Mail, Calendar) to change the sound for that app across your phone.
- To change the sound for just one app, go to Settings, find that app's name in the list, tap Notifications, then choose Sound and pick a new one.
- Apple's built-in sounds are the easiest option; custom sounds require you to add them to your phone first through a computer or a third-party app.
- You can silence notifications for an app entirely by turning off the sound toggle, or silence your whole phone by switching the physical mute button on the left side of your device.
Changing notification sounds for all apps at once
If you want the same notification sound across your entire phone, start in the Settings app. Tap Sounds & Haptics (on newer iPhones) or Sounds (on older models). You'll see a list of notification types: Messages, Mail, Calendar, Reminders, FaceTime, and others. Each one has its own sound setting.
Tap the notification type you want to change — for example, Messages. A list of available sounds appears. Scroll through and tap the one you want to hear. Your phone will play a preview of the sound so you know what it sounds like before you confirm. Once you tap it, that sound is now set for that notification type on all apps that use it.
Repeat this for any other notification types you want to customize. You don't have to change them all — you can leave some at their defaults and only change the ones that matter to you.
Changing notification sounds for a single app
If you want different sounds for different apps — say, a loud alert for Messages but a quiet chime for Email — you change them individually. Open Settings and scroll down until you find the app's name. Not every app will appear here; only apps that send notifications show up in this list.
Tap the app name, then tap Notifications. You'll see options for how that app can notify you. Tap Sound. A list of available sounds appears. Choose the one you want, and your phone will preview it. That sound is now set only for that app.
Some apps let you set different sounds for different types of notifications within the app itself. For example, Gmail might let you set one sound for new emails and a different sound for starred emails. Check the app's notification settings to see what options it offers.
Using custom sounds instead of Apple's built-in options
Apple provides about 30 built-in notification sounds, but you can also use custom sounds — recordings you've made, songs you own, or sounds you've downloaded. Adding a custom sound requires a few extra steps because your iPhone needs the sound file in a specific format first.
The easiest way is to use a third-party app like Zedge or Notification Sounds, which lets you browse, read, and set custom sounds directly on your phone without a computer. Search for "notification sounds" in the App Store, read one of these apps, and follow its instructions to pick and set a sound.
If you want to use a sound file you already own, you'll need a computer and iTunes or Finder. The sound file must be in .m4r format (Apple's ringtone format) and shorter than 40 seconds. This process is more technical and most people find the built-in sounds or third-party apps simpler.
Silencing notifications without turning off your phone
You don't have to hear a sound every time you get a notification. You can turn off the sound for specific apps while keeping notifications visible on your lock screen, or you can silence your entire phone without powering it down.
To silence one app: go to Settings, find the app, tap Notifications, and toggle off the Sound switch. The app will still send you notifications, but silently — you'll see them on your lock screen or in the notification center, just without any noise.
To silence your entire phone: use the physical mute switch on the left side of your iPhone, just below the volume buttons. Flip it toward the back of the phone and you'll see a red line appear. Your phone is now in silent mode — no notification sounds, no ringtone, no alarms (though some alarms will still vibrate). Flip it back to unmute.
Why your notification sound might not be changing
If you've changed the sound but your phone still plays the old one, a few things might be happening. First, check that you're changing the right notification type. Messages, Mail, and Calendar each have separate sound settings, so changing the Messages sound won't affect your email alerts.
Second, make sure your phone isn't in silent mode. If the mute switch is flipped to show red, your phone won't play any notification sounds no matter what you've set in Settings. Flip the switch back to unmute.
Third, some apps override your system settings and use their own notification sounds. Check the app itself — open it, look for Settings or Preferences, and see if there's a notification sound option inside the app. If the app has its own sound setting, that's what you'll hear, not the system sound you picked.
Understanding vibration and haptic feedback
Notification sounds aren't the only way your phone gets your attention. Your iPhone can also vibrate or use haptic feedback — a subtle buzz or tap that you feel rather than hear. These work alongside sounds, not instead of them.
In Sounds & Haptics settings, you'll see toggles for Vibrate on Ring and Vibrate on Silent. The first makes your phone vibrate when someone calls you (in addition to playing the ringtone). The second makes it vibrate when you're in silent mode, so you still feel incoming calls and notifications even though you don't hear them.
Haptic feedback is different — it's the gentle buzz you feel when you interact with your phone, like when you type on the keyboard or use 3D Touch. You can turn this on or off in Sounds & Haptics as well. Some people find haptic feedback helpful in noisy environments; others find it distracting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set a different notification sound for text messages from one person?
Not through the standard notification settings. iOS doesn't let you assign unique sounds to individual contacts for texts. However, some third-party messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram do offer per-contact notification sounds. If you use one of those apps instead of the built-in Messages app, you can set custom sounds for specific people.
Why do some apps not show up in my Settings notification list?
Apps only appear in Settings if they're capable of sending notifications. If an app doesn't send alerts, reminders, or messages, it won't have a notification settings page. You can also hide apps from the notification list by turning off all their notification permissions — to see them again, go to Settings > Notifications and scroll to the bottom to find "Allow Notifications" and re-enable the app.
What's the difference between a ringtone and a notification sound?
A ringtone is what you hear when someone calls you. A notification sound is what you hear for texts, emails, reminders, and other alerts. They're controlled separately in Settings. Your ringtone is in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone, while notification sounds are in the same menu under their specific types (Messages, Mail, etc.).
Can I use a song from my music library as a notification sound?
Not directly — notification sounds have to be shorter than 40 seconds and in a specific format. You can use a third-party app to trim a song and convert it, or use an app like Zedge that handles the conversion for you. The built-in Sounds & Haptics settings won't let you pick a full song from your library.
Will changing my notification sound affect my alarm sound?
No. Alarms are controlled separately from notifications. Your alarm sound is set in the Clock app, not in Settings > Sounds & Haptics. You can change notification sounds without touching your alarms, and vice versa.