Where to find notification sounds in your phone's settings
The steps to change a notification ringtone depend on whether you use an iPhone or Android phone, but both let you pick a different sound from your phone's built-in library. On iPhone, you'll go through the Settings app. On Android, the path varies slightly by manufacturer — Samsung phones, Google Pixels, and others each organize this a little differently — but the general idea is the same: find the app, then find its notification settings, then pick a new sound.
Before you start, know that you're changing the sound for an entire app or category of notifications, not individual messages. If you want your text messages to sound different from your emails, you'll set those up separately. Most people change notification sounds one app at a time as they notice which ones are too quiet, too loud, or just annoying.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone users change notification sounds in Settings > [App Name] > Sounds & Haptics, then pick a new sound from the list.
- Android users typically go to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Notifications, then select a sound from the available options.
- You can only choose from sounds already on your phone — you cannot upload custom ringtones through settings on most phones.
- Changing a notification sound affects all notifications from that app unless the app itself has a separate setting for different message types.
- If you don't hear a new sound after changing it, check that your phone is not in silent mode and that the app has permission to send notifications.
How to change notification sounds on iPhone
Open the Settings app and scroll down until you find the app whose notification sound you want to change. Tap on it. Not every app appears in the main settings list — only apps that have notification settings show up here. If you don't see the app you're looking for, it may not have customizable notification sounds.
Once you've tapped the app name, look for Sounds & Haptics or just Sounds. Tap it. You'll see a list of sound options. The current sound has a checkmark next to it. Tap any other sound to hear a preview — your phone will play a short sample. Once you find one you like, tap it to set it as your new notification sound. The checkmark moves to your selection automatically.
If you want different sounds for different types of notifications from the same app — for example, a different sound for direct messages than for group messages — some apps let you set this inside the app itself rather than in Settings. Check the app's own preferences or settings menu. Most messaging apps have this option, but email apps and others may not.
How to change notification sounds on Android
The exact path depends on your phone's manufacturer, but the general route is the same. Open Settings and look for Apps or Applications. Tap it. Find the app whose notification sound you want to change and tap on it. Then look for Notifications or App Notifications.
Once you're in the notification settings for that app, you should see an option for Sound or Notification Sound. Tap it. A list of available sounds appears. Tap any sound to hear a preview. When you find one you want, tap it to confirm. The setting saves automatically.
On Samsung phones specifically, you may need to go to Settings > Notifications > Advanced Settings > Apps, then find your app and tap Sound. On Google Pixel phones, the path is Settings > Apps & Notifications > [App Name] > Notifications > Sound. If you're not sure which manufacturer made your phone, check Settings > About Phone — it will say Samsung, Google, OnePlus, or another brand name at the top.
What to do if you can't find the sound you want
Your phone only shows sounds that are already stored on it. You cannot upload a custom ringtone or use a song from your music library as a notification sound through the settings menu on most phones. If the built-in sounds don't appeal to you, your options are limited to what came with your phone.
Some Android phones let you add custom notification sounds by placing audio files in a specific folder on your phone's storage, but this requires connecting your phone to a computer or using a file manager app. This is more technical than most people need, and it does not work on iPhone at all. If you want a truly custom sound, you may need to use a third-party app that specializes in ringtones, though these apps often require payment or show ads.
Why you might not hear your new notification sound
You changed the sound but your phone still plays the old one, or plays no sound at all. The most common reason is that your phone is in silent mode. On iPhone, check the physical mute switch on the left side of the phone — it should not be in the down position. On Android, swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open Quick Settings and make sure Silent or Do Not Disturb is not turned on.
The second most common reason is that the app does not have permission to send notifications. Go back to Settings, find the app, and look for Notifications. Make sure the toggle next to "Allow Notifications" or similar wording is turned on. If it's off, turn it on, then change the sound again. Some apps also have a separate setting for whether sound is enabled — look for a toggle that says Sound specifically and make sure it's on.
If you're still not hearing anything, restart your phone. Close the Settings app completely, then power off your phone and turn it back on. This clears temporary glitches that sometimes prevent sounds from playing. After the restart, test the notification sound by opening the app and triggering a notification if possible, or by going back into Settings and tapping the sound name again to hear the preview.
How to set different sounds for different apps
You can set a unique notification sound for every app on your phone if you want. The process is the same each time: open Settings, find the app, go to Sounds or Notifications, and pick a new sound. Do this for as many apps as you like. Your phone remembers each choice separately.
Many people set loud, distinctive sounds for apps they need to respond to quickly — like messaging apps or work email — and quieter or less intrusive sounds for apps that are less urgent, like social media or news apps. Others set the same sound for all notifications to keep things simple. There's no right answer; it depends on what works for your daily routine.
If you change your mind about a sound later, you can always go back and pick a different one. The process is identical each time, and you can change notification sounds as often as you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a song from my music library as a notification sound?
Not through the standard settings menu on iPhone or most Android phones. Your phone only shows sounds that came pre-installed. Some Android phones let you add custom sounds by placing audio files in a specific folder, but this requires a computer or file manager app and is not supported on iPhone.
Will changing the notification sound affect my ringtone for calls?
No. Notification sounds and ringtones are separate settings. Changing one does not change the other. Your phone has a ringtone for incoming calls and separate notification sounds for messages, emails, and app alerts.
What if an app doesn't show up in my Settings list?
The app either doesn't have customizable notification sounds, or it hasn't sent any notifications yet. Try opening the app and triggering a notification, then go back to Settings — it may appear in the list after that. If it still doesn't show up, the app's developer did not build in this feature.
Can I set a different sound for each contact's text messages?
This depends on your messaging app. Some apps like iMessage on iPhone and certain Android messaging apps let you set custom sounds per contact in the app's own settings, separate from the phone's notification settings. Check your messaging app's preferences or settings menu to see if this option exists.
Why does my notification sound keep changing back to the default?
Some apps reset their notification sounds when you update them. If this happens repeatedly, check whether the app has its own notification settings inside the app itself — sometimes the app's internal settings override the phone's settings. You may need to change the sound in both places.