Change Instagram Notification Sound on Android

How to Change Instagram Notification Sound on Android Devices.

Learn how to change the Instagram notification sound on your Android phone. If you’re tired of the same default sound every time you get a message or comment, you can pick something different or even use a custom sound.

I’ll show you this on a Sony Xperia 1V running Android 15. The steps work on Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, Motorola, and most other Android phones.

Two ways to change Instagram notification sounds

There are actually two places where you can control Instagram sounds:

1. Inside the Instagram app – Controls which types of notifications you receive
2. Inside Android system settings – Controls the actual sound for each notification type

You need to use both. The Instagram app decides what to notify you about. Android decides what sound to play.

Step 1: First, check Instagram’s in-app notification settings

Before changing sounds, make sure Instagram is actually allowed to send you notifications for the things you care about.

Step 1: Open the Instagram app

Step 2: Tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner

Step 3: Tap the three lines (?) in the top right corner

Step 4: Tap “”Settings and privacy””

Step 5: Tap “”Notifications””

Here you can control what Instagram sends you:

• Following and followers – New followers, follow requests accepted
• Likes and comments – When someone likes or comments on your post
• Messages and calls – Direct messages, video calls
• Live and Reels – Live streams, Reels updates

Make sure the things you want to hear are turned ON.

Step 2: Change notification sounds in Android system settings

Now that Instagram knows which notifications to send, you can change what they sound like.

Step 1: Open the Settings app (gear icon)

Step 2: Tap “”Notifications””

Step 3: Tap “”App settings”” or “”See all apps”” (depending on your phone)

Step 4: Scroll down and tap “”Instagram””

Step 5: You will see all the notification categories for Instagram. Common categories include:

• Direct messages
• Comments
• Likes
• Video calls
• Live broadcasts

Step 6: Tap on the category you want to change (for example, “”Direct messages””)

Step 7: Tap “”Sound””

Step 8: Pick a new sound from the list

Step 9: Tap OK or Save

What if a category says “”Sound – None””?

Some Instagram notification categories have no sound by default. This includes things like “”Likes”” and “”Comments.””

You can add a sound to these categories if you want to hear them. Just tap the category, tap “”Sound,”” and pick a sound from the list.

Should you add sounds to Likes and Comments? That depends. If you get a lot of likes and comments, your phone will make noise very often. Most people leave these as silent. But if you run a business account or want to reply quickly to comments, adding a sound might be useful.

How to use a custom sound for Instagram

Want a unique sound for Instagram notifications that no other app uses?

Step 1: First, get the audio file on your phone (MP3, M4A, or OGG format)

Step 2: Follow the steps above to get to the Instagram notification category

Step 3: Tap “”Sound””

Step 4: Tap the plus icon (+) or “”Add sound”” (looks different on different phones)

Step 5: Navigate to where your audio file is stored

Step 6: Tap the file to select it

Step 7: Now that sound appears in your list

Changing the sound for Instagram Direct messages

This is the most common Instagram notification to customize.

Step 1: Settings > Notifications > App settings > Instagram

Step 2: Tap “”Direct messages”” (or “”Instagram Direct””)

Step 3: Make sure “”Allow notifications”” is turned on

Step 4: Tap “”Sound””

Step 5: Pick a new sound

Step 6: Tap Save

Now when someone sends you a DM, you will hear your chosen sound instead of the default.

Changing the sound for Instagram video calls

Video call notifications can be set separately from messages.

Step 1: Settings > Notifications > App settings > Instagram

Step 2: Tap “”Video calls”” (or “”Instagram video call””)

Step 3: Tap “”Sound””

Step 4: Pick a sound

Some people prefer a more urgent or louder sound for calls so they don’t miss them. Others want the same sound as messages. Your choice.

How to turn off Instagram notification sounds completely

If you want to see Instagram notifications on your screen but not hear them:

Step 1: Settings > Notifications > App settings > Instagram

Step 2: Tap on each category (Direct messages, Comments, etc.)

Step 3: Turn OFF the “”Sound”” toggle for each one

Step 4: Or just set “”Sound”” to “”Silent”” or “”None””

You will still see notifications in your notification shade. You just will not hear them.

How to pause all Instagram notifications temporarily

Instagram has a built-in pause feature. This is useful if you are in a meeting or want a break.

Step 1: Open Instagram

Step 2: Go to your profile

Step 3: Tap the three lines (?)

Step 4: Tap “”Notifications””

Step 5: Tap “”Pause all””

Step 6: Choose how long to pause for (15 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours)

Step 7: Tap “”Pause””

After the time is up, notifications turn back on automatically.

Why can’t I change the sound for some Instagram notification categories?

There are a few possible reasons:

The category has no sound by default – Some categories (like “”Likes””) are set to silent. You can still add a sound by tapping into the category and selecting one.

Notifications are disabled – If Instagram notifications are turned off at the system level, you cannot change individual sounds.

Outdated app – Make sure Instagram is updated. Go to the Play Store and check for updates.

Phone brand differences – Samsung, Pixel, Sony, and other phones organize notification settings slightly differently. Look for “”Notification categories”” or “”Notification channels.””

Can you set different sounds for different people on Instagram?

No. Instagram does not let you set custom sounds for specific contacts like some messaging apps do. All direct messages will use the same sound.

How to only get sound for messages but not for likes

This is a common preference. Here is how to set it up:

Step 1: In Instagram app settings, turn OFF notifications for “”Likes”” and “”Comments””

Step 2: Keep “”Messages”” and “”Video calls”” turned ON

Step 3: In Android settings, set a sound for “”Direct messages”” in Instagram

Step 4: For “”Comments”” and “”Likes,”” leave sound as “”None””

Now you will hear sound only for messages and calls, not for likes and comments.

Quick summary

To change Instagram notification sound on Android:

1. Open Settings > Notifications > App settings > Instagram
2. Tap on the notification category you want to change (Direct messages, Comments, etc.)
3. Tap “”Sound””
4. Pick a new sound from the list
5. Tap Save

To add sound to a category that has no sound:

• Same steps as above, but you will be adding a sound instead of changing one

To turn off all Instagram notification sounds:

• Turn OFF “”Sound”” for each category, or turn off notifications entirely

To control which notifications you receive:

• Open Instagram > Profile > Three lines > Settings > Notifications
• Toggle each type on or off

Common notification categories and what they mean:

Category	What it does
Direct messages	Someone messages you privately
Comments	Someone comments on your post
Likes	Someone likes your post
Video calls	Someone is calling you
Live	Someone starts a live broadcast

Thanks for watching. Let me know in the comments if you have other questions about Instagram notification settings on Android.