Where to find Instagram notification settings

Instagram notification sounds are controlled through your phone's settings, not through the Instagram app itself. This means the steps differ depending on whether you use an iPhone or Android device, and the exact location of these settings varies by phone model and operating system version.

The notification sound you hear when someone likes your post, sends you a message, or comments on your photo is tied to your phone's notification system. Instagram lets you customize which notifications you receive, but the actual sound file comes from your device's built-in options or custom sounds you've added.

Key Takeaways

  • Instagram notification sounds are changed through your phone's settings, not the Instagram app, so you'll need to leave Instagram to adjust them.
  • On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications > Instagram and choose your sound from the list; on Android, go to Settings > Apps > Instagram > Notifications.
  • You can set different notification sounds for different types of alerts — direct messages, likes, comments, and follow requests can each have their own sound.
  • If you don't hear a notification sound, check that your phone's volume is turned up and that Instagram notifications are not muted in your phone's Do Not Disturb settings.

Changing notification sounds on iPhone

On iPhone, open the Settings app and scroll down until you see Instagram in the list of apps. Tap Instagram, then tap Notifications. You'll see a list of notification types — Direct Messages, Likes, Comments, Mentions, and Follow Requests are the main ones.

Tap the notification type you want to change. You'll see an option labeled Sound. Tap it to see all available sounds. Your phone comes with several built-in options like Chime, Bells, and Radar. Select the one you want to hear for that notification type. If you've added custom sounds to your iPhone through iTunes or the Files app, they will appear in this list too.

Repeat this process for each notification type if you want different sounds for messages versus likes, for example. Once you've made your choices, close Settings — the changes save automatically.

Changing notification sounds on Android

On Android, open Settings and look for Apps or Application Manager (the exact name depends on your phone manufacturer). Find Instagram in the list and tap it. Look for Notifications or App Notifications, then tap it.

You'll see different notification channels — Direct Messages, Likes, Comments, and others. Tap the channel you want to change. Look for Sound or Notification Sound. Tap it to see the available options. Android phones typically offer fewer built-in sounds than iPhones, but you can usually choose from options like Default, Chime, or Notification.

Some Android phones let you add custom sounds by placing audio files in a specific folder on your device, usually called Notifications. If you've done this, those custom sounds will appear in the list. Select your choice and return to the previous screen — Android saves your changes automatically.

Turning off notification sounds without muting your phone

If you want Instagram notifications to appear on your screen but not make a sound, you can silence them without affecting other app notifications or your phone's overall volume. On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications > Instagram, tap the notification type, and toggle off Sound. On Android, follow the same steps to the Sound option and select None or Silent.

This is useful if you want to see Instagram alerts during work or meetings but don't want the sound to distract you. Your phone will still vibrate if vibration is turned on for notifications, so you'll still know something arrived.

Why you might not hear notification sounds

If you've set a notification sound but don't hear it, check three things first. Open your phone's volume settings and make sure the volume is turned up — many people accidentally lower it and forget. Second, check that Instagram notifications are not muted in your phone's Do Not Disturb or Focus mode settings. On iPhone, go to Settings > Focus and check each active Focus mode. On Android, check Settings > Notifications > Do Not Disturb.

Third, confirm that notifications are actually turned on for Instagram. On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications > Instagram and make sure Allow Notifications is toggled on. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Instagram > Notifications and check that notifications are enabled. If all three are correct and you still hear nothing, restart your phone — this often fixes notification issues.

Setting different sounds for different people

Instagram doesn't let you assign a unique notification sound to a specific person's messages the way some messaging apps do. However, you can turn on notifications for some people and off for others using Instagram's mute feature. Open a direct message conversation, tap the person's name at the top, and look for Mute Messages. You can mute notifications from that person while still receiving their messages.

If you want to hear a special sound only for messages from someone important, your best option is to use your phone's native messaging app instead of Instagram Direct Messages, since those apps often have per-contact notification settings. For Instagram itself, you're limited to one sound per notification type across all conversations.

Restoring default notification sounds

If you've changed your notification sounds and want to go back to what Instagram originally used, you can reset them to your phone's default notification sound. On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications > Instagram, tap the notification type, and select Default. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Instagram > Notifications, tap the channel, and select Default or your phone's system notification sound.

This returns the notification to whatever sound your phone uses for standard app alerts. You won't lose any other settings — just the custom sound choice for that particular notification type.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

On iPhone, you can add custom sounds through iTunes or the Files app, but they must be in a specific format (usually .m4r). On Android, you can place audio files in your Notifications folder, but not all file types work. Most people find it easier to stick with built-in sounds, since custom sounds require technical steps and may not work reliably.

Why do I hear a notification sound for Instagram but didn't change any settings?

Your phone came with a default notification sound for all apps. If you've never changed it, you're hearing that default sound. If the sound changed suddenly, check whether you recently updated Instagram or your phone's operating system — updates sometimes reset notification settings.

Can I turn off notification sounds just for direct messages but keep them for likes?

Yes. On both iPhone and Android, each notification type has its own sound setting. Go to your phone's notification settings for Instagram, find Direct Messages, and turn off the sound while leaving the sound on for Likes, Comments, or other types.

Will changing notification sounds affect notifications from other apps?

No. Each app has its own notification settings. Changing Instagram's notification sound won't affect Facebook, Twitter, text messages, or any other app. Your phone keeps these settings separate.

What if my phone doesn't show Instagram in the notification settings?

Make sure Instagram is actually installed on your phone and that you've opened it at least once. If it's installed but not showing up, try restarting your phone. If it still doesn't appear, uninstall Instagram and reinstall it from the App Store or Google Play Store.