Where to find notification sounds on your device

The steps to change a notification sound depend on whether you want to change it for one specific app or for all notifications at once. Most phones let you do both. On Android, you'll go through Settings. On iPhone, you'll use the Notifications section inside Settings, but your choices are more limited — iPhones don't let you pick custom sounds for individual apps the way Android does.

Before you start, know that some apps override your phone's notification settings and use their own sounds instead. Social media apps, messaging apps, and games often do this. If you change your phone's default notification sound and an app still makes its own noise, you'll need to change the sound inside that app itself, not in your phone's main settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Android phones let you change notification sounds in Settings under Sound and Vibration, and you can set different sounds for different apps.
  • iPhones let you change notification sounds only through the Notifications section in Settings, and only for apps that respect those settings.
  • Many apps ignore your phone's default notification sound and use their own — you'll need to change the sound inside the app to stop it.
  • The built-in sounds your phone offers are usually limited, but some phones let you use your own audio files as notification sounds.

Changing notification sounds on Android

Open Settings and scroll down to find Sound and Vibration (the exact name varies by phone brand). Tap it. You'll see options for different notification types — ringtone, notification sound, alarm sound, and sometimes others. Tap Notification Sound to see what's available on your phone. Most Android phones come with 10 to 20 built-in notification sounds. Pick one and tap it to hear a preview, then tap OK or Save.

This changes the default sound for all apps that don't have their own notification settings. To change the sound for a single app, go back to Settings and find Apps or Application Manager. Find the app you want to change, tap it, then look for Notifications. Some apps have a Notification Sound option right there. If yours does, tap it and pick a different sound. If the app doesn't have that option in Settings, you'll need to open the app itself and look for notification settings inside it — usually under Settings or Preferences within the app.

Changing notification sounds on iPhone

Open Settings and tap Notifications. Scroll down and find the app you want to change. Tap it. Look for Sound — if the app has this option, you'll see a list of available sounds. Tap the one you want. iPhone's built-in notification sounds are limited compared to Android, and you cannot use your own audio files as notification sounds on iPhone.

Not every app respects iPhone's notification sound settings. If you change the sound in Settings and the app still makes its old noise, the app is using its own sound. Open the app itself and look for Settings, Preferences, or Notifications inside the app. Some apps let you pick from a list of sounds; others let you turn notifications off but not change the sound. If the app doesn't offer a way to change it, you're limited to muting the app entirely through Settings.

Using your own audio files as notification sounds on Android

Some Android phones let you use your own music or audio files as notification sounds, but the process is different depending on your phone brand. The easiest way is to use a file manager app to move your audio file into the Notifications folder on your phone's storage. On most Android phones, this folder is located at Internal Storage > Media > Notifications. If that folder doesn't exist, create it.

Once your audio file is in the Notifications folder, go to Settings > Sound and Vibration > Notification Sound. Your custom file should appear in the list. Some phones require the audio file to be in a specific format — MP3 usually works, but WAV and OGG files work on some phones too. If your file doesn't show up, try converting it to MP3 using a free online converter or a music app on your phone. iPhones do not support custom notification sounds through Settings, though some third-party apps claim to work around this limitation.

Why an app keeps using its own notification sound

Apps like WhatsApp, Slack, Discord, Instagram, and most games have their own notification sound settings that override your phone's default. This is intentional — the app makers want their notifications to stand out. To change these, you must go into the app itself, not your phone's Settings.

Open the app and look for Settings, Preferences, or a gear icon. Find Notifications or Sound Settings. Most apps show you a list of available sounds and let you pick one. Some apps let you upload your own sound file. If you don't see a notification sound option in the app's settings, the app either doesn't let you change it or has turned off notifications entirely. In that case, your only option is to mute notifications for that app through your phone's Settings, which will silence it completely.

Testing your new notification sound

After you change a notification sound, send yourself a test notification to make sure it worked. The easiest way is to send yourself an email or a message through a messaging app. Wait a few seconds and listen for the new sound. If you don't hear it, check that your phone's volume is turned up — many people accidentally have their phone on vibrate or silent mode.

If you still don't hear the new sound, the app may be using its own notification settings instead of your phone's default. Go back into the app itself and check its notification sound settings. Some apps also have a Do Not Disturb schedule that silences notifications during certain hours, so check that too. If you changed the sound for a single app and it's still not working, restart the app completely by closing it and opening it again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set different notification sounds for different apps?

On Android, yes — go into each app's settings and change the notification sound individually. On iPhone, you can change sounds for apps that support it through Settings > Notifications, but many apps don't let you pick custom sounds. Some iPhone apps only let you turn notifications on or off, not change the sound.

Why does my app still make the old sound after I changed it?

The app is using its own notification sound settings instead of your phone's default. Open the app itself and look for Settings or Preferences inside it, then find the Notifications or Sound option. Change the sound there instead of in your phone's Settings.

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

On Android, you can move an audio file to your phone's Notifications folder and select it as a notification sound, though the process varies by phone brand. On iPhone, you cannot use custom audio files as notification sounds through Settings, though some third-party apps claim to offer workarounds.

How do I turn off notification sounds without turning off notifications completely?

On Android, go to Settings > Sound and Vibration > Notification Sound and look for a Silent option, or set the volume to zero. On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications, find the app, and turn off Sound. The app will still send notifications, but they won't make a noise.

Will changing my notification sound affect my ringtone?

No. Notification sounds and ringtones are separate settings. Changing one does not change the other. You can have a loud ringtone and a quiet notification sound, or vice versa.