Where to find Instagram notification settings on your iPhone
Instagram notification sounds are controlled in two places on your iPhone: inside the Instagram app itself, and in your phone's Settings app. Most people find what they need in the Instagram app, but your phone's settings act as an override — if you silence notifications at the system level, the app setting won't matter.
Open Instagram and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right. Go to Settings and privacy, then Notifications. You'll see options for different notification types: likes, comments, messages, and others. Each one has its own sound setting.
If you want to change the sound for all Instagram notifications at once, or if the app doesn't give you the control you need, you'll also want to check your iPhone's Settings app. Go to Settings, then Notifications, then find Instagram in the list.
Key Takeaways
- Instagram's in-app notification settings let you choose a sound for each notification type separately — likes, comments, messages, and more.
- Your iPhone's system settings override the app settings, so if notifications are silenced there, changing the app sound won't help.
- You can turn off sound for Instagram entirely while keeping other notifications audible, or mute just specific notification types.
- The notification sound options available depend on what sounds your iPhone has installed — you're limited to Apple's built-in sounds unless you add custom ones.
Changing notification sounds inside the Instagram app
Open Instagram and tap the menu icon (three lines) at the bottom right of your screen. Select Settings and privacy, then tap Notifications. You'll see a list of notification categories: Likes, Comments, Messages, Story replies, and others depending on your account type.
Tap the notification type you want to change — for example, "Messages" if you want a different sound when someone sends you a direct message. A new screen will open with options including Sound. Tap Sound to see the available notification tones. Your iPhone comes with about a dozen built-in options like Chime, Bells, and Radar. Select the one you want.
Repeat this for each notification type you want to customize. You can give likes a different sound than comments, or turn off sound for messages while keeping it on for story replies. The changes take effect when ready.
Controlling notifications through your iPhone's system settings
Go to your iPhone's Settings app (the gray gear icon on your home screen). Scroll down and tap Notifications. Find Instagram in the list and tap it. This screen shows your system-level notification controls, which override what you set inside the app.
Make sure "Allow Notifications" is toggled on if you want to hear anything from Instagram at all. Below that, you'll see "Sounds" — this controls whether your iPhone plays any sound for Instagram notifications. If this toggle is off, Instagram won't make a sound no matter what you chose in the app.
You can also control whether notifications appear on your lock screen, in your notification center, or as badges on the app icon. These settings don't change the sound itself, but they change when and where you see the notification.
Why you might not hear your notification sound
The most common reason is that your iPhone is in Silent mode. Look at the left side of your phone near the volume buttons — if the switch shows orange, Silent mode is on and no notifications will make a sound. Flip the switch back to show no color, and sounds will return.
The second most common reason is that your iPhone's system notification settings have sound turned off. Check Settings > Notifications > Instagram and make sure the Sounds toggle is on. Even if you chose a sound inside the Instagram app, this system setting overrides it.
A third possibility is that your iPhone's overall volume is too low. Press the volume up button on the side of your phone to increase the system volume. Notification sounds use your phone's general volume level, not a separate notification volume.
Finally, check whether you've muted notifications for that specific type. If you turned off sound for "Likes" but kept it on for "Messages," you'll only hear the message notification sound. Go back into Instagram's notification settings and verify which types have sound enabled.
Adding custom notification sounds to your iPhone
Instagram's built-in notification sounds are limited to Apple's standard tones. If you want to use a custom sound — your own audio file or a sound you downloaded — you'll need to add it to your iPhone first. This is more complex than changing to a built-in sound, and it requires a computer or a third-party app.
The traditional method uses a computer and iTunes or Finder. You create or read an audio file in a specific format (usually M4R), add it to your iPhone through iTunes, and then it appears as an option in your notification settings. This process takes 10 to 15 minutes if you're familiar with it, and longer if you're not.
A simpler option is to use an app like Zedge or Notification Sounds, which lets you browse and read sounds directly on your iPhone. These apps handle the technical steps for you. Search for "notification sounds" in the App Store to see what's available. Once you add a sound through one of these apps, it should appear in Instagram's notification settings.
Turning off Instagram notifications entirely
If you want to silence Instagram completely without uninstalling the app, go to Settings > Notifications > Instagram and toggle off "Allow Notifications." This stops all Instagram notifications from appearing on your phone, including sounds, badges, and lock screen alerts.
You can also turn off notifications for specific types only. Inside the Instagram app, go to Settings and privacy > Notifications, then tap each notification type and toggle Sound off. This way you might keep notifications for direct messages but silence likes and comments.
Keep in mind that turning off notifications doesn't delete messages or comments — they'll still be there when you open the app. You just won't be alerted when they arrive.
Testing your notification sound
After you change your notification sound, you can test it without waiting for a real notification. Go to Settings > Notifications > Instagram. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a "Play Sound" button (or similar, depending on your iOS version). Tap it to hear the sound you just selected.
If you don't hear anything, check that your phone isn't in Silent mode and that your volume is turned up. If the test sound plays but you're not hearing notifications in real use, the issue is likely that notifications are being silenced by Focus modes or Do Not Disturb.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have different notification sounds for different people on Instagram?
Instagram doesn't let you set individual sounds for specific people. You can only choose sounds by notification type — likes, comments, messages, and so on. If you want to hear a unique sound when a specific person messages you, you'd need to use a third-party app or contact Instagram to request the feature.
Why did my notification sound change after I updated Instagram?
Instagram updates sometimes reset your notification settings to the defaults. If your custom sound disappeared, go back to Settings and privacy > Notifications and reselect your preferred sound. This usually takes less than a minute.
Does changing the notification sound affect my iPhone's ringtone?
No. Notification sounds and ringtones are separate. Changing your Instagram notification sound won't affect the sound your phone makes when someone calls you. Ringtones are controlled in Settings > Sounds and Haptics.
What if Instagram notifications are on but I still don't hear them?
Check three things in order: Is your phone in Silent mode (look for the orange switch on the left side)? Is the Sounds toggle on in Settings > Notifications > Instagram? Is your phone's volume turned up? If all three are correct and you still hear nothing, restart your iPhone and try again.
Can I make Instagram notifications silent but keep the vibration?
Yes. In Settings > Notifications > Instagram, you can turn off Sounds while leaving Vibration on. This way your phone will vibrate when a notification arrives but won't make a sound. This is useful if you want to be alerted without disturbing others.