Where to find Instagram's notification sound settings

Instagram's notification sound settings live in your phone's system settings, not inside the Instagram app itself. This is true whether you use iPhone or Android — the app sends notifications to your phone's operating system, and your phone controls what sound plays when they arrive.

You cannot change notification sounds from within Instagram. If you open Instagram and look for a "notification sound" option in the app's settings menu, you will not find it. Instead, you need to go to your phone's main settings and locate Instagram in the notifications section there.

Key Takeaways

  • Instagram notification sounds are controlled through your phone's system settings, not through the Instagram app itself.
  • On iPhone, you adjust notification sounds in Settings > Notifications > Instagram, then tap Sound to choose a different tone.
  • On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Instagram > Notifications, then select Sound to pick a new notification tone.
  • You can set different sounds for different types of Instagram notifications — messages, likes, comments — if your phone's Android version supports notification channels.
  • If you do not see a Sound option, your phone may be set to silent mode or your notification settings may be restricted by your device administrator.

Changing notification sound on iPhone

Start by opening the Settings app on your home screen — the gray icon with white gears. Scroll down and tap Notifications. You will see a list of all apps that send you notifications. Find and tap Instagram.

Once you are in Instagram's notification settings, look for the option labeled Sound. Tap it. Your phone will play a preview of each available sound as you scroll through the list. Choose the one you want to hear when Instagram notifications arrive. Some phones also show a Haptic option just below Sound — this controls whether your phone vibrates along with the sound.

After you select a sound, tap Back or swipe back to the previous screen. The change takes effect immediately. The next time you receive an Instagram notification, it will use the new sound you chose.

Changing notification sound on Android

Open your phone's Settings app. Tap Apps or Applications — the exact name varies by manufacturer. Scroll down and tap Instagram. Then tap Notifications.

Look for an option called Sound or Notification sound. Tap it to see the list of available sounds. Your phone will play a preview of each one as you tap it. Select the sound you want. Some Android phones also let you choose different sounds for different notification types — for example, one sound for direct messages and another for likes. If you see options like Messages, Likes, or Comments, you can set a unique sound for each one.

After you choose your sound, tap the back arrow or the checkmark button to save your choice. On some Android versions, the change saves automatically when you select it.

Why you might not see a Sound option

If you open Instagram's notification settings and do not see a Sound option at all, your phone is likely in silent mode. Check the physical mute switch on the side of your iPhone, or check whether your Android phone's volume is turned all the way down. When your phone is muted, no notification sounds will play, even if you have chosen a specific sound in settings.

Another reason the Sound option might be missing: your phone's administrator has restricted notification settings. This sometimes happens on work phones or school-issued devices. If you see a message saying notifications are managed by your organization or device administrator, you will not be able to change the sound until those restrictions are removed.

On some older Android phones, the Sound option appears under a different name, such as Ringtone or Alert tone. If you cannot find Sound after following the steps above, look for these alternative labels in the same Notifications menu.

Setting different sounds for different notification types

If you want Instagram messages to make one sound and likes to make a different sound, Android phones running version 8.0 or newer support this through notification channels. After you tap Instagram in your Settings app, instead of going directly to Notifications, look for an option called Notification channels or Advanced. Tap it.

You will see a list of notification types — typically Direct messages, Likes and comments, Follows and requests, and similar categories. Tap the type you want to customize. Then tap Sound and choose a different tone for that specific notification type. Repeat for each type you want to customize.

iPhone does not offer this level of customization through settings. If you want different sounds for different Instagram notifications on iPhone, you would need to use Focus modes or Do Not Disturb schedules, which is a more complex workaround and not recommended for most users.

Testing your new notification sound

After you change your notification sound, you can test it without waiting for a real Instagram notification. Ask a friend to send you a direct message on Instagram, or use a second device to send yourself a message. When the notification arrives, your phone will play the new sound you selected.

If the sound does not play, check that your phone is not in silent mode and that you actually saved your choice in settings. Go back into Settings > Notifications > Instagram > Sound and confirm that your chosen sound is still selected. If it has reverted to the default, your phone may have reset the setting — try selecting it again and make sure you tap Save or Back to confirm the change.

Turning off Instagram notification sounds entirely

If you want Instagram notifications to arrive silently — no sound, no vibration — go to Instagram's notification settings on your phone. On iPhone, tap Sound and scroll to the very top of the list. You should see an option labeled None. Select it. On Android, look for an option called Silent or None at the top of the Sound list and tap it.

You can also turn off all Instagram notifications by toggling off the main Allow Notifications switch in Instagram's notification settings. This stops all notifications from arriving, including visual badges on the app icon. Most people prefer to keep notifications on but mute the sound instead, so they still see that someone has messaged them without being interrupted by a sound.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a custom sound I recorded myself?

On iPhone, you cannot add custom sounds through settings — you can only choose from Apple's built-in notification tones. On Android, some phones allow custom sounds if you save an audio file to a specific folder on your device, but this varies by manufacturer and Android version. Check your phone's notification settings to see if a Custom or Add sound option appears.

Why does my notification sound keep changing back to the default?

Instagram updates sometimes reset your notification settings to the default. If this happens, go back into Settings > Notifications > Instagram > Sound and select your preferred sound again. You may need to do this after major app updates, though it is not common.

Can I set a different notification sound just for Instagram messages, not for likes?

Yes, but only on Android 8.0 and newer. Go to Settings > Apps > Instagram > Notification channels, then tap Direct messages and set a sound for that channel alone. iPhone does not support per-notification-type sounds in settings, so all Instagram notifications will use the same sound.

What if I want no sound but still want my phone to vibrate?

On iPhone, set the Sound to None but leave the Haptic option turned on. On Android, set Sound to Silent and look for a Vibration toggle in the same notification settings — turn it on if it is off. This gives you tactile feedback without audio.

Does changing the notification sound in settings affect other apps too?

No. Each app has its own notification sound setting. Changing Instagram's notification sound will not affect notifications from Facebook, Twitter, email, or any other app. You control each app's sound independently through that app's section in your phone's notification settings.