Where to find notification sound settings

The path to notification sounds depends on what device you use. On Android, open Settings, then tap Apps & notifications (or just Notifications on some phones). On iPhone, go to Settings, then Notifications. On Windows, open Settings, then System > Notifications & actions. On Mac, open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer versions), then Notifications.

Most devices let you change sounds at two levels: globally (all notifications sound the same) or per app (each app gets its own sound). Where you make the change determines which one you are adjusting. If you want one app louder and another quieter, you will need to go into that specific app's settings rather than the system-wide notification panel.

Key Takeaways

  • Android and iPhone both let you change notification sounds in their main Settings app under Notifications, then by tapping the specific app you want to adjust.
  • Windows and Mac have system-wide notification sound settings, but some apps override those with their own sounds that you change inside the app itself.
  • Changing a notification sound to silent or vibration only is the same process as choosing a different sound — you are selecting from the same menu.
  • Some apps store notification sounds in their own settings rather than letting you pick from your phone's sound library, so check inside the app if you cannot find the option in system settings.

Changing sounds on Android

Open Settings and go to Apps & notifications. Scroll down and tap Notifications. You will see a list of apps that send notifications. Tap the app whose sound you want to change. Tap Notification sounds or Sound (the exact wording varies by phone maker). A list of available sounds will appear — these are the sounds stored on your phone. Tap the one you want to hear, and it will play a preview. Tap it again to confirm.

If you want to use a sound you downloaded or recorded yourself, you may need to save it to your phone's Notifications folder first. On most Android phones, you can do this through a file manager app. Open the file manager, navigate to Internal Storage > Media > Notifications, and move your audio file there. Then return to the notification sound menu and your file should appear in the list.

Some apps, like Gmail or Slack, have their own notification settings that override the system settings. If you change the sound in Settings but the app still uses a different sound, open the app itself, go to its Settings, and look for Notifications or Sound. Change it there instead.

Changing sounds on iPhone

Open Settings and tap Notifications. Scroll down to find the app you want to adjust and tap it. Tap Sounds. iPhone shows you a list of available notification sounds — these are built into iOS. Tap the sound you want to hear, and it will play immediately. The checkmark shows which sound is currently selected.

iPhone does not let you add custom notification sounds through Settings the way Android does. If you want to use a sound you created or downloaded, you have two options: use a shortcut automation (which is complex) or check whether the app itself has a notification sound setting. Many apps like Slack, Discord, and email clients let you pick a sound from within their own settings, separate from the iOS system menu.

If an app is not in your Notifications list, it either does not send notifications or you have already turned them off for that app. To turn notifications back on, go to Settings > Notifications, scroll to the bottom, tap Notifications again, and look for the app in the "Allow Notifications" section.

Changing sounds on Windows

Open Settings and go to System > Notifications & actions. Scroll down to Advanced settings and look for App notifications. Tap an app to see its notification options. Some apps let you change the sound here, but most do not — Windows notification sounds are limited compared to phones.

For most Windows apps, the notification sound is set inside the app itself, not in Windows Settings. Open the app, go to its Settings or Preferences, and look for Notifications or Sound. This is where you will find the actual sound options for email clients, messaging apps, and other programs that send alerts.

If you want to change the system notification sound that plays for all apps (the default Windows alert), go to Settings > System > Sound, then scroll down to Advanced > Volume mixer. This controls the overall volume but not the specific sound file. To change the actual alert sound, you need to go to Settings > Ease of Access > Audio and look for notification sound options there, though this varies by Windows version.

Changing sounds on Mac

Open System Preferences (or System Settings on macOS Ventura and newer). Click Notifications. On the left, you will see a list of apps. Click the app you want to adjust. Look for a Sound dropdown menu. Click it to see available notification sounds — these are the alert sounds built into macOS. Select the one you want.

Not all apps appear in the Mac Notifications panel. If an app is missing, it either does not send notifications or you have turned them off. To turn them back on, click the app in the list and make sure Allow notifications is checked. If the app still does not appear, check inside the app itself — some programs like Slack and Discord manage their own notification sounds and do not use the system menu.

Mac also lets you turn off the notification sound entirely for specific apps without turning off notifications themselves. In the Notifications settings, uncheck Play sound for notifications next to the app name. The notification will still appear on your screen, but silently.

Turning notifications silent or vibration-only

On Android, the process is the same as changing to a different sound. When you tap Notification sounds, the list includes a silent option (usually labeled None or Silent) at the top. Tap it to turn off the sound for that app. The notification will still appear on your screen — you are only removing the audio and vibration.

On iPhone, tap Sounds in the app's notification settings and look for None at the top of the list. Tap it to silence that app's notifications. If you want vibration without sound, check whether the app has a separate Vibration option in its own settings — the system Notifications menu does not always expose this choice.

On Windows and Mac, open the app's settings (not the system notification settings) and look for a Sound or Alert option. Many apps have a dropdown that includes None, Silent, or Mute. Select that option to turn off the sound while keeping notifications visible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I not see the app I want to change in the notification settings?

The app either does not send notifications, or you have turned them off for that app. On Android and iPhone, scroll to the bottom of your Notifications settings list — you may find a section for apps with notifications disabled. Tap the app and turn notifications back on. On Windows and Mac, the app may not appear until it sends at least one notification.

I changed the notification sound in Settings but the app still uses a different sound

The app has its own notification settings that override the system settings. Open the app itself, go to its Settings or Preferences menu, and look for Notifications or Sound. Change the sound there instead. This is common with email, messaging, and work apps like Slack, Teams, and Gmail.

Can I use a song or custom audio file as a notification sound?

On Android, yes — save the audio file to your phone's Notifications folder using a file manager, then select it from the notification sound menu. On iPhone, this is difficult without using shortcuts. On Windows and Mac, most apps do not support custom sounds, though some (like Discord) let you upload audio files in their own settings.

How do I make notifications vibrate instead of making a sound?

On Android, open the app's notification settings and look for a Vibration option separate from Sound — you can usually turn one on and the other off independently. On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications > [App] and toggle Sounds on or off, then check the app's own settings for a Vibration option. Windows and Mac do not have vibration for notifications unless your device has a haptic motor.

Why is there no sound option for some of my apps?

Some apps do not send notifications at all, or they send only silent notifications (like a badge number on the app icon). Others manage notifications through their own settings rather than the system menu. Open the app and check its Settings for a Notifications section. If nothing appears there, the app may not support sound notifications.