Where to find notification sounds and how to change them
The steps to change your text notification sound depend on whether you use an iPhone or Android phone, and which messaging app you use. On both phones, you'll go into Settings, find the app that sends your texts, and pick a new sound from the list available. The process takes about two minutes and doesn't require restarting your phone.
Most people change the notification sound for their default messaging app — that's Messages on iPhone and Google Messages or Samsung Messages on Android. But if you use WhatsApp, Telegram, or another third-party app, the steps are similar: open that app's settings instead of the system Settings.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications > Messages, scroll down to Sound, and tap to hear and select a new sound.
- On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Messages (or your messaging app), tap Notifications, then Advanced, then Sound, and choose from the list.
- You can set different notification sounds for different contacts by using Focus modes on iPhone or Do Not Disturb rules on Android.
- If you don't hear a new sound after changing it, check that your phone is not in silent mode and that the volume is turned up.
- Third-party messaging apps like WhatsApp have their own notification sound settings inside the app, separate from your phone's system settings.
Changing notification sounds on iPhone
Open Settings and tap Notifications. Scroll down and tap Messages (or whichever app sends your texts). You'll see a list of options including Sound.
Tap Sound. A list of available sounds will appear. Tap any sound to hear a preview — your phone will play it at full volume so you can tell what it sounds like. When you find one you like, tap it again to confirm the selection. The checkmark next to the sound name means it's now active.
If you want a sound that's not in the default list, you can purchase additional sounds through the iTunes Store, but the built-in options cover most preferences. Go back to the Messages notification settings to verify the new sound is selected.
Changing notification sounds on Android
Open Settings and tap Apps (or Applications, depending on your phone brand). Find and tap Messages or whichever app sends your texts. Tap Notifications.
Look for an option called Advanced or Default Notification Sound. Tap it. A list of sounds will appear. Tap a sound to preview it, then tap it again to select it. Some Android phones let you choose a sound from your phone's music library instead of the preset list — if you see an option to browse files or choose from your music, you can use that instead.
The exact wording and location of these settings varies by phone manufacturer. If you can't find Notifications in the app settings, try looking for Sound or Alert Sound instead. Samsung phones sometimes put this under App Notifications rather than just Notifications.
Setting different sounds for different people
On iPhone, you can assign a unique notification sound to a specific contact using Focus modes. Open the contact in your Contacts app, tap Edit, scroll down, and tap Ringtone or Text Tone. Choose a sound for that person. When they text you, you'll hear that sound instead of your default.
On Android, the process depends on your phone. Some phones let you set a custom notification sound per contact directly in the Contacts app — open the contact, tap Edit, and look for a Notifications or Sound option. If your phone doesn't have that feature, you can create a Do Not Disturb rule that assigns a sound to messages from specific contacts, though this is more complex.
Why you might not hear the new sound
If you changed the notification sound but still hear the old one, check three things. First, make sure your phone is not in silent mode — on iPhone, check the mute switch on the side of the phone; on Android, swipe down from the top and look for a Silent or Vibrate icon. Second, turn up the volume using your phone's physical volume buttons while a notification comes in. Third, go back to Settings and confirm the new sound is actually selected with a checkmark.
If the sound still doesn't play, restart your phone. Sometimes the notification system doesn't register a change until you do. Turn the phone off completely, wait ten seconds, and turn it back on.
Changing sounds for third-party messaging apps
If you use WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, or another messaging app instead of your phone's default Messages app, the notification sound settings are inside that app, not in your phone's Settings. Open the app, go to Settings (usually a gear icon), tap Notifications, and look for Sound or Notification Sound. The steps are similar to what you'd do in your phone's Settings, but you're changing the sound for that specific app only.
This means you can have different notification sounds for different apps — for example, a specific sound for WhatsApp and a different sound for your regular text messages. Each app controls its own notification sound independently.
Turning off notification sounds entirely
If you want texts to arrive silently, go to the same notification sound settings and look for an option called None, Silent, or Mute. Select that instead of a sound. Your phone will still show a notification on your screen and may vibrate, but it won't make a sound.
Alternatively, you can use your phone's Do Not Disturb or Focus mode to silence all notifications during certain hours or when you're doing something specific. This is useful if you want sounds during the day but silence at night.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a song from my music library as a notification sound?
On Android, many phones let you browse your music library when choosing a notification sound. On iPhone, you can't directly use a song as a text notification sound through Settings, but you can use a custom ringtone if you create it in GarageBand or another app and save it to your phone. It's simpler to choose from the built-in sounds.
Why does my notification sound keep changing back to the default?
This usually happens after a phone update. Go back to Settings and select your preferred sound again. If it keeps reverting, restart your phone after making the change. Some apps also reset notification sounds when they update — if this happens, you'll need to change it again in that app's settings.
Can I have different notification sounds for text messages and other notifications?
Yes. Text messages use the sound you set in Messages or your messaging app's notification settings. Other notifications like emails, calendar reminders, or social media use their own app-specific sounds. Each app has its own notification sound setting, so you can customize them separately.
What if I can't find a Sound option in my app's notification settings?
Some phones hide this setting under Advanced or Additional Settings. Look for anything labeled Sound, Alert, or Ringtone. If it's still not there, your phone manufacturer may not allow custom notification sounds for that particular app. Try restarting your phone and checking again.
Does changing the notification sound affect my ringtone for phone calls?
No. Your text notification sound and your phone call ringtone are separate settings. Changing one doesn't affect the other. You can have a loud ringtone for calls and a quiet sound for texts, or vice versa.