Where to find notification sound settings
Most phones let you change notification sounds in two places: inside the app itself, or in your phone's main settings. The app's own settings usually come first — open the app, look for Settings or Preferences (often a gear icon), and search for "notifications" or "sound". If the app doesn't offer sound choices, or you want to override what the app allows, go to your phone's Settings app instead.
On Android, open Settings, then tap Apps or Applications. Find the app you want to change, tap it, then tap Notifications. You'll see options for sound, vibration, and importance level. On iPhone, open Settings, scroll to the app name in the list, tap it, then tap Notifications. From there you can choose a sound from Apple's built-in library or, on newer iPhones, sounds you've added yourself.
The exact names and locations shift between phone models and software versions, but the path is always: Settings → find the app → Notifications → Sound. If you can't find Notifications in an app's settings, that app doesn't offer per-app sound control, and you'll need to use your phone's system settings instead.
Key Takeaways
- Most apps have their own notification sound settings inside the app — check Settings or Preferences first, then look for Notifications.
- If an app doesn't offer sound choices, or you want to override them, change the sound in your phone's main Settings under that app's notification options.
- Android and iPhone both let you assign different sounds to different apps, but the menu locations are different on each system.
- You can also set different sounds for different types of notifications from the same app — like a different sound for direct messages than for group chats.
Android: Changing sounds app by app
On Android, open Settings and tap Apps (or Applications, depending on your phone brand). Scroll to find the app you want to change — for example, Gmail or Slack. Tap the app name, then tap Notifications. You'll see a list of notification categories for that app.
Tap the category you want to change — such as "New email" or "Direct messages". You'll see options for Sound, Vibration, and Importance. Tap Sound and choose from the list. Android usually shows you a preview of each sound when you tap it. If you want silence, look for "None" or "Silent" at the top of the list.
Some apps break notifications into multiple categories so you can set different sounds for different types of alerts. For example, Gmail might let you set one sound for new emails and a different sound for flagged messages. Check whether the app offers multiple categories before assuming you can only set one sound per app.
iPhone: Changing sounds app by app
On iPhone, open Settings and scroll down the list of apps. Find the app you want to change — for example, Messages or Slack — and tap it. Tap Notifications, then tap the notification style you want to change (usually "Lock Screen", "Notification Center", or "Banners").
Scroll down to Sound and tap it. You'll see a list of available sounds. Tap the one you want and you'll hear a preview. iPhone's built-in sounds include Bells, Chimes, Radar, and others. On iPhone 14 and newer, you can also add custom sounds by downloading them from the App Store or creating them in GarageBand, then assigning them to apps.
If you want no sound at all, look for "None" at the top of the sound list. You can still have vibration or visual alerts without a sound — just leave the sound set to None and make sure Vibration is turned on if you want that.
Setting different sounds for different notification types
Many apps send more than one type of notification, and you can often set a different sound for each. For example, Slack might let you set one sound for direct messages and a different sound for channel mentions. Gmail might let you set one sound for new emails and another for important emails.
To find these options, go into the app's notification settings (either in the app itself or in your phone's Settings) and look for a list of notification categories or types. Common categories include Direct Messages, Group Messages, Mentions, Replies, and Reminders. Tap each one and set the sound you want.
Not every app offers this level of control. Simpler apps might only let you set one sound for all notifications, or no sound control at all. If you don't see multiple categories, the app only supports one notification sound.
Using custom sounds on iPhone
iPhone 14 and newer allow you to use custom notification sounds instead of just Apple's built-in options. You can read sounds from the App Store (search "notification sounds") or create your own in GarageBand. Custom sounds must be in .m4r format and no longer than 30 seconds.
Once you have a custom sound file, add it to the Files app or your phone's storage. Then go to Settings → the app you want to change → Notifications → Sound. Your custom sounds will appear in the list alongside Apple's built-in options. Tap the one you want and it will be assigned to that app.
If you're on an older iPhone, you can still use custom sounds, but the process is more complicated and requires a computer and iTunes or Finder. Most people find Apple's built-in sounds sufficient, so custom sounds are optional.
Turning off sound for specific apps while keeping others
If you want an app to send notifications but without sound — for example, you want to see badges or get vibration alerts but not hear a noise — set the sound to None. This keeps the notification visible on your lock screen or in your notification center, but silences the audio.
You can also use your phone's Do Not Disturb or Focus mode to silence all notifications during certain times or in certain places, while still allowing sound for apps you mark as priority. On iPhone, go to Settings → Focus and create a new Focus mode (like "Work" or "Sleep"). On Android, go to Settings → Notifications → Do Not Disturb and set a schedule.
This approach is useful if you want different notification behavior at different times of day — for example, silent notifications during work hours, but full sound alerts after hours.
Troubleshooting when sounds won't change
If you change a notification sound but the app still uses the old sound, first check whether your phone is in Silent mode. On iPhone, flip the physical mute switch on the side of the phone to the up position (you should see red). On Android, swipe down from the top twice to open Quick Settings and make sure Sound is not muted.
If your phone is not in Silent mode, restart the app. Close it completely (swipe it away from the app switcher, don't just go back to the home screen), then open it again. Sometimes the app needs to reload to recognize the new sound setting.
If the sound still doesn't change, check whether the app itself has overridden your phone's settings. Open the app, go to its Settings or Preferences, find Notifications, and look for a Sound option there. Some apps let you set a sound in the app that overrides what you set in your phone's settings. If the app's sound setting is different from what you chose in your phone's settings, change it in the app instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set a different notification sound for each contact?
Yes, but only for certain apps. Messages, Phone, and some email apps let you set custom notification sounds per contact. Open the app, find the contact, tap Edit or Details, and look for a Notification Sound option. Not all apps support this — check the app's settings to see if it's available.
Why does my app still use the default sound even though I changed it?
Your phone is likely in Silent mode. On iPhone, flip the mute switch on the side to the up position. On Android, open Quick Settings and make sure Sound is enabled. If that's not it, restart the app or check whether the app itself has a sound setting that's overriding your phone's settings.
Can I use a song from my music library as a notification sound?
On iPhone 14 and newer, you can use custom sounds, but they must be in .m4r format and shorter than 30 seconds — most songs are too long. On older iPhones and Android, you're limited to built-in sounds or downloaded notification sound apps. Some third-party apps let you trim songs and convert them, but it's more work than using a pre-made notification sound.
What's the difference between Sound and Vibration settings?
Sound is the audio alert your phone plays. Vibration is the physical buzz your phone makes. You can have both, either one, or neither. For example, you might want sound during the day but only vibration at night, or vibration in meetings but sound when you're alone.
If I turn off sound for an app, will I still see the notification?
Yes. Turning off sound only removes the audio alert. You'll still see the notification on your lock screen, in your notification center, and as a badge on the app icon. The notification will still arrive — it just won't make a noise.