Where to find Snapchat's notification sound settings

Snapchat's notification sound settings live in your phone's system settings, not inside the Snapchat app itself. This is because Snapchat uses your phone's default notification channels, which means you control the sound through the same place you'd change notifications for any other app.

On both iPhone and Android, you'll go to your phone's Settings app first, then find Snapchat in the apps list, then look for Notifications. The exact path and what you see next depends on which phone you have, so the steps below walk through both.

Key Takeaways

  • Snapchat notification sounds are controlled through your phone's Settings app, not through Snapchat itself.
  • On iPhone, you navigate to Settings > Notifications > Snapchat, then tap Sound to pick a new notification tone.
  • On Android, the path is Settings > Apps > Snapchat > Notifications, and you may see separate sound options for different notification types like messages and stories.
  • If you don't see a Sound option, your phone may be set to Silent or Do Not Disturb mode, which overrides app-level notification sounds.
  • You can set different sounds for different types of Snapchat notifications on Android, but iPhone typically uses one sound for all Snapchat alerts.

Changing the notification sound on iPhone

Open the Settings app on your iPhone and scroll down until you see Snapchat in the list of installed apps. Tap on Snapchat to open its settings page.

On the Snapchat settings page, tap Notifications. You'll see a list of notification options. Look for the option labeled Sound (it may also say "Sounds and Haptics" depending on your iOS version). Tap that option to see the available notification sounds your phone offers.

A list of sounds will appear — these are the same notification tones available for any app on your iPhone. Scroll through and tap the sound you want to use. You'll hear a preview of each sound as you tap it. Once you've picked one, the setting saves automatically and you can close Settings.

Changing the notification sound on Android

Open the Settings app on your Android phone and look for Apps or Application Manager (the exact name varies by phone brand). Tap it, then search for or scroll to find Snapchat in the list.

Tap Snapchat, then look for Notifications or App Notifications. Android often breaks notifications into categories — you might see separate entries for Messages, Stories, Snaps, or other notification types. Tap the category you want to change the sound for.

Look for an option labeled Sound or Notification Sound. Tap it to see the list of available sounds on your phone. Select the sound you want, and the change takes effect immediately. If you have multiple notification categories, you can set a different sound for each one — for example, a unique sound for direct messages but a different sound for story updates.

What to do if you don't hear the notification sound

If you've changed the sound but still don't hear anything when you get a Snapchat notification, check whether your phone is in Silent or Do Not Disturb mode. On iPhone, look at the physical mute switch on the side of the phone — if it's flipped toward the back, your phone is silenced. On Android, swipe down from the top of the screen to see your quick settings and check whether Do Not Disturb is turned on.

Also check your phone's overall volume. Press the volume up button a few times to make sure your phone's notification volume is turned up, not just the ringer volume. Some phones have separate volume controls for calls, notifications, and media.

If the sound still doesn't play, go back into Snapchat's notification settings and make sure the Sound option is actually enabled — sometimes it's toggled off separately from the notification permission itself. On Android especially, check that you haven't muted notifications for that specific category.

Using custom notification sounds

iPhone limits you to the sounds that come built into iOS — you can't add your own custom notification sound through the standard settings. If you want a truly unique sound, you'd need to use a shortcut or third-party app, which is beyond what most people need.

Android is more flexible. Some Android phones let you add custom sounds by placing audio files in a specific folder (usually called Notifications or Ringtones in your phone's file system), and then those sounds appear in your notification sound list. The exact process depends on your phone brand and Android version, so if you want to try this, search for "custom notification sounds" plus your specific phone model.

Turning off Snapchat notifications entirely

If you want to stop getting Snapchat notifications altogether rather than just change the sound, go back to the same Notifications settings page where you changed the sound. Look for a toggle or switch labeled Notifications, Allow Notifications, or Show Notifications, and turn it off. This silences all Snapchat alerts, not just the sound.

You can also turn off notifications for specific types of Snapchat activity. On Android, you might see separate toggles for Messages, Stories, or Friend Activity. Turn off only the ones you don't want to hear about, and leave the others on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set different notification sounds for messages versus stories?

On Android, yes — if Snapchat has separate notification categories, you can set a different sound for each one. On iPhone, you typically get one notification sound for all Snapchat alerts, though this depends on your iOS version and whether Snapchat has set up multiple notification channels.

Why don't I see a Sound option in Snapchat's notification settings?

Your phone may be in Silent or Do Not Disturb mode, which overrides app-level sounds. Check your phone's physical mute switch (iPhone) or quick settings (Android). Also make sure notifications are actually enabled for Snapchat — if the main Notifications toggle is off, you won't see sound options.

Will changing the notification sound affect other apps?

No. Each app has its own notification sound settings. Changing Snapchat's sound won't affect notifications from Messages, Instagram, or any other app on your phone.

Can I use a song as my Snapchat notification sound?

On iPhone, no — you're limited to the built-in notification sounds. On Android, some phones let you add custom audio files to your notifications folder, but this varies by phone brand and isn't available on all devices.