Where to find notification sounds on your phone

The steps to change a message notification sound depend on which phone you have and which messaging app you use. On most Android phones, you go through the Settings app. On iPhones, you adjust sounds either in the Messages app itself or in Settings. The exact path differs because Apple and Android organize these controls differently.

Before you start, know that some messaging apps (like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Facebook Messenger) let you set sounds within the app itself, while others rely on your phone's system settings. If you use the default text messaging app that came with your phone, you'll almost always find the control in Settings.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone users can change the text message sound in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Text Tone, or within the Messages app under Settings.
  • Android users typically go to Settings > Apps > Messages (or your messaging app) > Notifications > Sound to pick a different tone.
  • Third-party messaging apps like WhatsApp often have their own notification settings separate from your phone's system settings.
  • You can set different notification sounds for different contacts on both iPhone and Android, though the process varies by phone type.
  • If you don't hear a new sound after changing it, check that your phone is not in silent mode and that the volume is turned up.

Changing notification sounds on iPhone

On iPhone, open Settings and tap Sounds & Haptics (or just Sounds on older models). Scroll down to find Text Tone. Tap it to see a list of available sounds. You'll hear a preview of each one as you tap it. Once you pick the sound you want, tap Back and you're done — the change takes effect when ready.

If you want a different sound for a specific contact, open the Contacts app, find that person, tap Edit, scroll down to Ringtone or Text Tone, and choose a different sound just for them. This overrides the default you set in Settings.

Some iPhone users also customize sounds through the Messages app itself. Open Messages, tap Edit in the upper left, then select a conversation. Tap the info icon (the "i" in a circle) at the top right, scroll down, and look for notification settings. Not all iPhone models show this option, so if you don't see it, use the Settings method above instead.

Changing notification sounds on Android

On Android, the path depends on which messaging app you use. For the default Messages app (usually called Messages, SMS, or Messaging), open Settings, then tap Apps or process Manager. Find and tap Messages. Tap Notifications, then tap Sound. You'll see a list of available notification sounds. Select the one you want and tap OK or Done.

If you use a different default messaging app, the steps are the same but you'll be looking for that app's name instead. For example, if you use Google Messages, find Google Messages in your apps list and follow the same path through Notifications > Sound.

Some Android phones organize this slightly differently. If you don't see a Notifications option after tapping your messaging app, look for App Notifications or Notification Settings instead. The exact wording varies by manufacturer — Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, and others each label things a bit differently.

Setting different sounds for different contacts

Both iPhone and Android let you assign a unique notification sound to a specific person. On iPhone, open Contacts, find the person, tap Edit, scroll to Ringtone or Text Tone, and pick a sound just for them. On Android, open your Messages app, find a conversation with that person, press and hold it until a menu appears, then look for Notifications or Sound Settings. Some Android messaging apps call this feature "Custom Notifications" or "Conversation Settings."

This is useful if you want to hear a special sound when someone important texts you, or if you want to mute notifications from a group chat while keeping sounds on for direct messages. The contact-specific sound overrides whatever default you set in your phone's main settings.

Using notification sounds from third-party apps

WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook Messenger, and similar apps usually have their own notification sound settings that don't connect to your phone's system sounds. Open the app, go to Settings or Preferences, find Notifications, and look for Sound or Notification Tone. You'll typically see a list of sounds built into that app, plus sometimes an option to choose a sound from your phone's library.

If a third-party app doesn't offer the sound you want, some apps let you upload a custom sound file. Check the app's settings to see if there's an option like "Custom Sound" or "Choose from Files." The process varies widely, so if you don't see it in Notifications, check the app's help section or support page.

Troubleshooting: You changed the sound but don't hear it

The most common reason a new notification sound doesn't work is that your phone is in silent mode. On iPhone, check the physical mute switch on the left side of the phone — if it's flipped toward the back, your phone is silent. On Android, swipe down from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings and make sure Do Not Disturb or Silent Mode is turned off.

Also check that your notification volume is actually turned up. On both phones, you can adjust this by pressing the volume buttons while a notification sound is playing, or by going into Settings and looking for Volume or Sound levels. Some phones have separate volume controls for calls, media, and notifications — make sure the notification volume specifically is not muted.

If you've checked both of those and still don't hear the new sound, try restarting your phone. Sometimes the notification system doesn't register a change until you restart. If that doesn't work, go back into your notification settings and pick a different sound to confirm the setting is actually changing. If it is, the problem may be with that particular sound file, and you should try a different one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my own audio file as a notification sound?

On iPhone, this is difficult without using a computer and iTunes. On Android, it depends on your phone and messaging app. Some Android phones let you place a custom audio file in a specific folder (usually Notifications or Ringtones) and then select it from your notification settings. Check your phone's help documentation or your messaging app's settings to see if this option is available.

Why do I hear a notification sound for some messages but not others?

You may have set different sounds for different contacts, or you may have muted notifications for specific conversations or group chats. Check your messaging app's settings for that contact or conversation. Also verify that your phone is not in Do Not Disturb mode, which silences notifications during certain times even if you've set a sound.

Does changing the notification sound affect my ringtone?

No. Your ringtone (the sound for incoming calls) and your notification sound (the sound for messages) are separate settings. Changing one does not affect the other. On iPhone, you control them in different places: Ringtone in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone, and Text Tone in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Text Tone.

What if my messaging app doesn't have a notification sound setting?

Some apps rely entirely on your phone's system notification settings. Try going to your phone's main Settings, finding the app in your apps list, tapping Notifications, and looking for Sound there. If you still don't see an option, the app may not support custom notification sounds, and you're stuck with whatever default your phone uses.

Can I set a different notification sound for group texts versus individual texts?

This depends on your phone and app. On iPhone, you can set a sound for a specific contact, but not for group conversations as a category. On Android, some messaging apps let you customize notifications per conversation, so you could set one sound for a group chat and another for individual messages. Check your app's settings to see what's available.