Where to find notification sound settings on your phone or computer
The path to change a notification sound depends on what device you use and which app is sending the alert. On most phones and computers, you do not change the sound in the app itself — you change it in your device's main settings, then let individual apps use that system sound, or you override it within the app if that app offers its own sound menu.
On an iPhone, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics (or Sounds on older models). You will see options for different notification types: text messages, calls, mail, calendar alerts, and others. Tap the one you want to change, and you will hear a list of built-in sounds to choose from. On Android, the path is Settings > Apps & notifications > Notifications, then tap the app whose sound you want to change. Look for a "Sound" or "Notification sound" option within that app's settings.
On Windows, go to Settings > System > Notifications & actions. You can turn notification sounds on or off globally, but to change the actual sound file, you usually need to go into the specific app (like Outlook for email, or Teams for messages) and look for its own notification settings. On Mac, open System Preferences > Notifications, select the app, and look for an "Alert sound" dropdown if the app offers one.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone notification sounds are changed in Settings > Sounds & Haptics, organized by notification type like mail, messages, and calendar.
- Android users change notification sounds within each app's settings, usually under Settings > Apps & notifications > [App name] > Sound.
- Windows and Mac both let you control whether notifications make sound globally, but individual apps often have their own sound menus that override the system setting.
- Some apps do not offer a sound option at all — they use only the system default, so you may need to silence the app entirely if the sound bothers you.
- You can use a custom sound file on most devices, but the file format and storage location vary by device type and app.
Using a custom sound instead of the built-in options
If the pre-loaded sounds do not suit you, most devices let you upload or point to a custom audio file. On iPhone, you can use a sound file you have purchased from iTunes or created yourself, but it must be in a specific format (usually .m4r, which is a protected audio format). The easiest way is to use a third-party app like Zedge or Notification Sounds, which lets you browse and read sounds directly to your phone, then select them in your app's notification settings.
On Android, the process is more flexible. You can place an audio file (usually .mp3 or .ogg format) in your phone's Notifications folder, then select it from the sound picker in any app. If you are not sure where that folder is, open your file manager, look for a Notifications or Ringtones folder, and drop your file there. Some Android apps also let you record your own sound directly within the app.
On Windows, you can change system notification sounds by going to Settings > System > Sound > Advanced > Volume mixer, then finding the app and adjusting its volume. To use a custom sound file for a specific app like Outlook, open that app's settings, find the notification or alert sound option, and browse to your audio file on your computer. On Mac, custom sounds are less straightforward — most apps do not support them — so your best option is often to use the built-in alert sounds or silence the app entirely.
Why some apps ignore your notification sound settings
You may change your device's notification sound and find that one particular app still uses a different sound, or no sound at all. This happens because some apps override your system settings and use their own built-in sound instead. Apps like Slack, Discord, and WhatsApp often do this — they have their own notification sound menu within the app, separate from your device settings.
To fix this, open the app itself and look for Settings, Preferences, or Notifications in its menu. Many apps have a toggle that says "Use system sound" or "Use device sound" — turning that on will make the app respect your device's notification settings. If the app does not have that option, you may be stuck with the app's default sound unless you silence notifications from that app entirely.
Some apps also have a "Do Not Disturb" or "Quiet Hours" feature built in, which lets you mute notifications during certain times without affecting other apps. This is useful if you want notifications from one app but only during work hours, for example.
Silencing notifications without deleting the app
If you want to stop hearing from an app but still want to see notifications on your screen, you can turn off the sound without turning off the notifications themselves. On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications > [App name], then toggle off "Sounds". The notification will still appear on your lock screen and in your notification center, but it will not make a noise.
On Android, open Settings > Apps & notifications > [App name] > Notifications, then look for a toggle labeled "Sound" or "Vibration". You can turn off sound, vibration, or both, while keeping the visual notification. This is especially useful for apps you need to check but that do not require your when ready attention — like a news app or a shopping app.
You can also use your device's Do Not Disturb or Focus mode to silence all notifications during certain hours, while still allowing calls or messages from people you mark as important. This is a system-wide setting that affects all apps at once, rather than changing individual app sounds.
Understanding vibration and visual alerts as alternatives to sound
Not every notification needs to make noise. Your phone can alert you through vibration, a light flash, or a banner on your screen, and these can be just as effective as sound — sometimes more so if you are in a meeting, library, or other quiet space.
On iPhone, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and toggle on "Vibration" for the notification type you want to feel instead of hear. You can also turn off the sound entirely while keeping vibration on. On Android, the same option is usually in Settings > Apps & notifications > [App name] > Vibration. Some Android phones also have a "LED indicator" option, which flashes a light on the back or front of the phone when a notification arrives.
Visual alerts — like a banner that drops down from the top of your screen, or a badge with a number on the app icon — work on all devices and require no sound or vibration at all. These are useful if you want to be aware of notifications but do not want to be startled or distracted by noise or buzzing.
Turning off notification sounds for specific times of day
If you want notifications to make sound during the day but stay silent at night, use your device's built-in scheduling feature. On iPhone, this is called Focus (or Do Not Disturb on older models). Go to Settings > Focus, create a new focus (like "Sleep" or "Work"), and set the times when it should be active. You can choose which apps are allowed to notify you during that focus, and whether they can make sound.
On Android, the feature is called Do Not Disturb. Go to Settings > Notifications > Do Not Disturb, turn it on, and set a schedule. You can choose whether to allow sound, vibration, or both, and which contacts are allowed to break through the silence (usually for calls and messages).
This approach is more reliable than trying to remember to manually silence your phone each night. Once you set the schedule, it happens automatically every day at the time you choose.
What to do if you cannot find the notification sound setting
Some apps hide their notification settings deep in menus, or do not offer sound controls at all. If you have looked in the obvious places and cannot find a sound option, try these steps: First, open the app and look for a menu icon (usually three horizontal lines or three dots). Tap it and look for Settings, Preferences, or Notifications. If that does not work, go to your device's main settings, find the app in your Apps list, and look for an "App notifications" or "Notification settings" option there.
If the app truly does not have a sound option, your only choices are to silence the app entirely (which will also hide visual notifications) or to live with its default sound. Some older apps or less-developed apps do not give users control over notification sounds, which is frustrating but not uncommon.
If an app is making a sound you cannot identify or control, and it is bothering you, consider whether you actually need notifications from that app. Turning off notifications entirely from apps you do not check often can reduce distraction and battery drain at the same time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a song from my music library as a notification sound?
On iPhone, you can use songs you own, but they must be converted to the .m4r format first, which is complicated. It is easier to use a third-party app like Zedge. On Android, you can place an .mp3 file in your Notifications folder and select it directly, so this is much simpler. On both devices, using a long song as a notification sound is not recommended because the notification will only play the first few seconds.
Why does my notification sound keep changing back to the default?
This usually happens when an app updates and resets its settings, or when your device updates. Some apps also override your sound choice if you have not opened the app in a while. Check whether the app has its own notification sound setting that is overriding your device setting, and make sure that setting is set to "Use system sound" if that option exists.
Can I have different notification sounds for different people texting me?
On iPhone, you can set custom notification sounds for individual contacts in the Contacts app — open a contact, tap Edit, scroll down, and look for "Text Tone" or "Ringtone". On Android, this depends on your messaging app. Some apps like Google Messages do not support per-contact sounds, but third-party apps like Textra do. Check your messaging app's settings to see if this feature is available.
What if my phone is on silent but I still hear notifications?
When your phone is on silent mode, notifications usually do not make sound, but some apps override this and play sound anyway. Check whether the app has its own notification sound setting that is set to play even when the phone is silent. You may need to go into that app's settings and turn off sound there, or use your device's Focus or Do Not Disturb feature instead of silent mode.
Can I turn off notification sounds but keep vibration?
Yes. On both iPhone and Android, you can toggle sound and vibration separately in your notification settings. Go to the notification settings for the app or notification type, turn off sound, and leave vibration on. This way you will feel the notification without hearing it.