Change Sound for Messages and Notifications on Android

How to Change Sound for Messages and Notifications on Android Devices.

Learn how to change notification sounds on your Android phone. If you’re tired of the same default beep every time you get a text, you can easily pick something new. You can even use your own custom sounds.

I’ll show you this on a Sony Xperia 1V running Android 15, but the steps are very similar on Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, Motorola, and most other Android phones.

First, check if Do Not Disturb is on

Before you test any sounds, make sure Do Not Disturb is turned off. When Do Not Disturb is on, your phone silences all notifications. You won’t hear anything you’re trying to set up.

To check:

• Swipe down from the top of your screen to see quick settings
• Look for the Do Not Disturb icon (a circle with a line through it or a minus sign)
• If it’s on, tap it to turn it off

How to change your main notification sound

This changes the sound for most apps on your phone, including Google Messages, WhatsApp, and other texting apps.

Step 1: Open Settings
Find the Settings app on your phone. It looks like a gear icon.

Step 2: Tap on Sound & Vibration
Look for “”Sound & Vibration”” or just “”Sound”” depending on your phone.

Step 3: Find Notification Sound
Scroll down until you see “”Notification sound”” or “”Default notification sound.”” Tap it.

Step 4: Pick a new sound
You’ll see a list of built-in sounds. Tap any sound to preview it. Your phone will play a sample so you can hear what it sounds like.

Step 5: Save your choice
Once you find a sound you like, tap “”OK”” or “”Save”” at the bottom of the screen. Some phones save automatically when you tap the sound.

That’s it. Now every notification from your messaging apps will use your new sound.

How to adjust notification volume separately

You can set the volume for notifications without changing your ringtone or media volume.

Step 1: Go to Sound & Vibration in Settings

Step 2: Find the volume slider for Notifications
You’ll see separate sliders for:

• Ringtone (calls)
• Media (music, videos, games)
• Notifications (alerts from apps)
• Alarm

Step 3: Drag the Notification slider left or right to lower or raise the volume

Step 4: Test it by sending yourself a text or asking someone to message you

How to use your own custom sound

Don’t like the built-in options? You can use any audio file on your phone as a notification sound.

Step 1: Get an audio file on your phone
Copy an MP3, M4A, or OGG file to your phone’s storage. You can:

• Download a sound from the internet
• Transfer a file from your computer
• Record your own sound

Step 2: Go to Settings > Sound & Vibration > Notification sound

Step 3: Look for an “”Add”” or “”+”” button
On most phones, you’ll see a plus icon or an “”Add notification”” option somewhere on the screen. Tap it.

Step 4: Find your audio file
Navigate through your storage to find the sound file you want to use.

Step 5: Select it
Tap the file. Your phone might ask you to confirm. Once selected, that sound becomes available in your notification sound list.

How to set different sounds for specific contacts

Want to know who’s texting you without looking at your phone? You can set custom sounds for individual contacts. The steps vary slightly by app.

For Google Messages (default on many Android phones)

Step 1: Open Google Messages
Find the conversation with the contact you want to customize.

Step 2: Tap the three dots in the top right corner of the conversation

Step 3: Tap Details or “”Group details””

Step 4: Tap Notifications

Step 5: Tap Sound
You might need to turn on “”Override default sound”” first.

Step 6: Pick a sound from the list or add your own

Step 7: Tap Save

Now when that specific person texts you, you’ll hear their unique sound.

For WhatsApp

Step 1: Open WhatsApp

Step 2: Open the chat with the contact you want to customize

Step 3: Tap the contact’s name at the top of the chat

Step 4: Tap Custom Notifications
You might need to turn this on first.

Step 5: Tap Sound

Step 6: Pick a sound and tap OK

How notification sounds work with different apps

Most apps use your phone’s default notification sound unless you change them individually. But many popular apps let you set custom sounds inside the app itself.

• Google Messages – Follow the steps above for per-contact sounds
• WhatsApp – Per-chat and per-group sounds available
• Telegram – Custom sounds per chat
• Facebook Messenger – Limited customization options
• Instagram – Uses system default, no per-contact sounds

How to turn notification sounds off completely

If you want your phone to be silent for notifications but still ring for calls:

Step 1: Go to Settings > Sound & Vibration

Step 2: Tap Notification sound

Step 3: Select “”Silent”” or “”None”” from the list of sounds

Now you’ll see notifications on your screen, but you won’t hear them.

How to set different sounds for different apps

Some apps let you change their notification sound in the app’s own settings. For apps that don’t, you’ll need to use your phone’s system settings.

On Samsung phones:

1. Go to Settings > Notifications
2. Tap “”App notifications””
3. Select the app you want
4. Tap “”Notification categories””
5. Tap the type of notification (like “”Messages”” or “”Alerts””)
6. Tap Sound and pick a new one

On Google Pixel and similar phones:

1. Go to Settings > Notifications
2. Tap “”App settings””
3. Select the app
4. Tap the notification channel you want to change
5. Tap Sound and pick a new one

Why can’t I hear my notification sound?

If you changed the sound but still don’t hear anything, check these things:

Do Not Disturb is on – Turn it off in quick settings

Volume is too low – Go to Sound settings and raise the Notification volume slider

Phone is on silent – Check the physical silent switch if your phone has one (some Sony and OnePlus phones do)

The app has its own mute setting – Open the app and check if notifications are turned off inside it

Battery saver is on – Some phones limit notifications when battery saver is active

Quick summary

To change your notification sound on Android:

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Sound & Vibration
3. Tap Notification sound
4. Pick a built-in sound or add your own
5. Tap Save

To set custom sounds for specific contacts in Google Messages:

1. Open the conversation
2. Tap the three dots
3. Tap Details
4. Tap Notifications
5. Tap Sound and pick one

To adjust notification volume:

1. Go to Sound & Vibration
2. Drag the Notification volume slider

That’s all there is to it. Pick sounds that you like and that you can actually hear. Some people prefer short, simple beeps. Others like longer tones or even song clips. Use whatever works for you.