Where to find notification sound settings

Notification sounds on iPhone are controlled through the Settings app, not through individual apps themselves. Open Settings, then tap Notifications. From there, you choose which app's sounds you want to change, and iOS gives you options for that specific app's alerts.

The sound you hear depends on which notification type triggered it — a text message sound is separate from an email sound, which is separate from a calendar reminder. Each app can have its own sound, or you can use the default iPhone tones. The steps are the same regardless of which sound you want to change.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, tap Notifications, select an app, then tap Sound to choose from iPhone's built-in tones or a custom sound you've added to your phone.
  • Different notification types within the same app — like text messages versus iMessage — can have different sounds if you set them separately in each app's own settings.
  • You can silence all notifications by turning on Focus modes, or silence just one app by turning off its notifications entirely in the Notifications settings.
  • Custom notification sounds must be added to your iPhone through a computer or a third-party app before they appear as options in Settings.

Changing the sound for a specific app

Start in Settings and tap Notifications. Scroll through the list and find the app whose sound you want to change — for example, Messages, Mail, or Reminders. Tap the app name.

Inside that app's notification settings, look for an option labeled Sound or Notification Sound. Tap it. A list of available sounds appears — these are iPhone's built-in tones like Chime, Bells, or Radar. Tap the sound you want to hear. You'll hear a preview of it immediately. The change takes effect right away.

Using custom sounds instead of built-in tones

iPhone lets you use sounds you've created or downloaded, but they have to be on your phone first. Custom notification sounds must be in a specific audio format (.m4r, .wav, or .aiff) and added through either a computer with iTunes or Finder, or through a third-party app that handles custom sounds.

Once a custom sound is on your phone, it appears in the Sound list alongside the built-in tones. If you don't see a custom sound you know you added, check that it's in the correct format and that it was imported to the right location. Some apps like Zedge or Notification Sounds let you download tones directly to your iPhone without needing a computer.

Different sounds for different notification types

Some apps let you set different sounds for different kinds of alerts. In the Messages app, for example, you can set one sound for text messages and a different sound for iMessage notifications. To do this, open Settings, tap Notifications, then tap Messages. You'll see separate options for Text Tone and iMessage Tone — each can have its own sound.

Mail works the same way: you can set different sounds for different email accounts if you've added multiple accounts to your iPhone. Check inside each app's notification settings to see whether it offers these separate controls. Not all apps do.

Silencing notifications without deleting them

If you want to turn off sound for an app entirely without turning off its notifications, open Settings, tap Notifications, select the app, and toggle off Sound. The app will still send you notifications, but they'll arrive silently — you'll see them on your lock screen or in the notification center, just without audio or vibration.

You can also use Focus modes to silence notifications from specific apps during certain times. Open Settings, tap Focus, create a new Focus (like "Work" or "Sleep"), and choose which apps can send notifications while that Focus is active. When you turn on that Focus, only those apps will make noise.

Vibration patterns and haptic feedback

Notification sound is separate from vibration. Even if you turn off sound, your iPhone can still vibrate when a notification arrives. In the same notification settings where you control sound, look for Vibration or Haptic options. You can choose a vibration pattern, turn vibration off entirely, or leave it on while the sound is off.

On newer iPhones with haptic feedback, some apps let you choose between different vibration patterns — like a single tap, a double tap, or a custom pattern. Check the app's notification settings to see what options are available.

Troubleshooting when sounds don't work

If you've set a notification sound but don't hear it, first check that your iPhone isn't in Silent mode. The mute switch on the side of your phone silences all notifications, even if you've set custom sounds. Flip it so the orange indicator isn't showing.

Next, verify that the app's notifications are actually turned on. Go to Settings, Notifications, find the app, and make sure the toggle at the top is switched on. If notifications are off, no sound will play. Also check that the app itself hasn't overridden your settings — some apps have their own sound controls inside the app that can mute notifications even if iOS is set to play them.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Not directly. iPhone's notification sounds must be shorter audio files in specific formats (.m4r, .wav, or .aiff), not full songs from Apple Music or your library. You can convert a portion of a song to the right format using a computer and iTunes or a third-party app, then add it to your iPhone as a custom notification sound.

Why don't I see a Sound option in an app's notification settings?

Some apps don't give you control over notification sounds — they use their own built-in sound and don't let you change it through iOS settings. Check the app itself to see if it has its own notification or sound settings. If not, you're limited to turning notifications on or off for that app.

Will changing a notification sound affect all devices on my Apple ID?

No. Notification sound settings are specific to each iPhone or iPad. If you change the sound for Messages on one device, it won't change on your other devices. You'll need to adjust sounds separately on each device.

Can I set a different sound for notifications from one person?

For Messages, yes — you can assign a custom notification sound to a specific contact through the Messages app itself. Open a conversation with that person, tap their name at the top, scroll down, and look for a sound or alert option. Other apps may not offer this level of control.