Where to find Snapchat notification settings

Snapchat's notification sound settings live in your phone's operating system, not inside the Snapchat app itself. This means you change the sound through your device settings rather than through Snapchat's own menus. The exact path depends on whether you use iPhone or Android, but both take about two minutes once you know where to look.

On iPhone, you'll go through the Settings app. On Android, the path is similar but the menu names differ slightly. The reason Snapchat doesn't control this itself is that your phone's operating system manages all notification sounds for security and consistency — apps can't override your phone's core settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Snapchat notification sounds are controlled through your phone's Settings app, not through Snapchat itself.
  • On iPhone, open Settings, find Snapchat in the Notifications list, and tap Sound to choose a different notification tone.
  • On Android, open Settings, go to Apps or Applications, select Snapchat, tap Notifications, and choose your sound from the available options.
  • You can set different sounds for different types of Snapchat alerts — messages, stories, and friend requests — if your phone's operating system supports it.
  • If you don't see a sound option, your phone may not support custom notification sounds for that app, or the feature may be disabled in your notification settings.

Changing the notification sound on iPhone

Start by opening the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down until you see Notifications — it usually appears in the upper half of the list. Tap Notifications to open that menu.

Once inside Notifications, you'll see a list of all apps that send you alerts. Scroll down to find Snapchat and tap it. You'll now see options specific to Snapchat's notifications. Look for the option labeled Sound or Notification Sound — it appears below the toggle switches for allowing notifications and showing badges.

Tap Sound and your phone will play a preview of each available tone as you scroll through the list. Choose whichever one you prefer. Your phone will remember this choice automatically — you don't need to confirm or save anything. The next time Snapchat sends you a notification, it will use the sound you selected.

Changing the notification sound on Android

Open your Settings app and look for Apps, Applications, or App Management — the exact name varies by phone manufacturer. Tap it to see your list of installed apps. Scroll down to Snapchat and tap it.

Inside the Snapchat app settings, look for Notifications. Tap it to open notification options. You should see a list of notification types — these might be labeled Messages, Stories, Friend Requests, or similar. Tap the notification type you want to change the sound for.

Look for Sound or Notification Sound in that menu. Tap it and your phone will show you available tones. Select the one you want. Some Android phones let you choose a sound from your device's storage or from a music app, while others limit you to preset tones — what you see depends on your phone model and Android version.

Setting different sounds for different notification types

If you want Snapchat messages to make one sound and friend requests to make another, you can do this on both iPhone and Android, but the process differs slightly. On iPhone, go back to Settings > Notifications > Snapchat and look for options like Direct Messages, Stories, or Friend Requests listed separately. Each one has its own Sound setting.

On Android, the same approach works — when you're in Snapchat's notification settings, you'll see different notification channels listed. Tap each one and set its sound individually. Not all Android phones support this level of control, so you may see only one Sound option instead of several.

Why you might not see a sound option

If you open Snapchat's notification settings and don't see a Sound option at all, the most common reason is that your phone's notification settings have sound disabled globally. On iPhone, check Settings > Notifications > Snapchat and make sure Allow Notifications is toggled on. On Android, check that notifications are enabled for Snapchat in Settings > Apps > Snapchat > Notifications.

Another possibility is that your phone is in silent mode or Do Not Disturb mode. On iPhone, check the physical mute switch on the side of your phone — if it's in the down position, your phone won't play notification sounds. On Android, swipe down from the top of your screen to see your quick settings and check whether Do Not Disturb or Silent Mode is active.

Some older Android phones or certain manufacturers' versions of Android don't allow per-app notification sound customization. If you've checked all the settings above and still see no sound option, your phone may not support this feature for third-party apps.

Testing your new notification sound

After you change the sound, you don't have to wait for a real Snapchat notification to hear it. On iPhone, go back to Settings > Notifications > Snapchat > Sound and tap the sound you just chose — your phone will play a preview. On Android, the preview usually plays automatically when you select a sound.

If you want to hear the sound in context, ask a friend to send you a Snapchat message or story. The notification will arrive within seconds and you'll hear your new sound in real time. If it's too quiet or too loud, you can always go back and pick a different one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a song from my music library as a Snapchat notification sound?

On iPhone, you're limited to the sounds Apple provides in Settings. On Android, some phones let you browse your device storage or music app when you tap Sound, but this depends on your manufacturer. If your phone supports it, you'll see an option to choose a custom file when you're in the Sound menu.

Why does my Snapchat notification sound not work even though I set it?

Check whether your phone is in silent or Do Not Disturb mode — these override app-level sound settings. Also verify that notifications are actually enabled for Snapchat in your phone's Settings. If both are on and you still hear nothing, restart your phone and try again.

Will changing the notification sound affect other apps?

No. Each app's notification sound is separate. Changing Snapchat's sound won't affect notifications from Messages, Instagram, or any other app. You can set a unique sound for every app if you want.

Can I turn off Snapchat notifications completely instead of just changing the sound?

Yes. On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications > Snapchat and toggle off Allow Notifications. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Snapchat > Notifications and toggle off notifications. You can also turn off specific notification types while keeping others on.