This wikiHow teaches you how to customize your notification settings on an Android. In addition to changing your general alert sound, you can often set different notification tones for certain apps, as well as assign custom alert tones to your contacts. Androids come with pre-installed tones, but if you’re looking for something different, you can download a new one from an app like Zedge, use an existing audio file, or even create your own new tone.
Before you start: Ensure your Android device has storage available to save custom sounds and that you have access to a file manager app.
Warning: Improperly configured notification settings can lead to missed alerts or undesired disturbances.
How to change your Android notification sounds
Follow these steps to customize your notification sounds, whether for general alerts or individual apps.
- First, save a custom sound to your Android. You can download them from a website like notificationsounds.com or use an app like Zedge.
- If you download from Zedge, you can tap the download icon and save to the Media Folder. To keep using tones regardless of the app, download the audio files instead.
- If you have an audio file on your computer, transfer it to your Android via email or USB. Ensure the audio formats are compatible (MP3, M4A, WAV, OGG).
- Open your file manager app; it usually has a folder icon. For Samsung, it’s called My Files; on a Pixel, it’s called Files. Alternatively, download a third-party file manager like Cx File Explorer from the Google Play Store.
- Create a Notifications folder if you don’t have one. Navigate to Internal Storage, look for a folder named “Notifications,” or create one if absent.
- Navigate to your downloaded audio files. Check the Download folder or wherever the file is saved. Zedge saves notification sounds directly to the “Notifications” folder.
- Copy or move the audio files to your Notifications folder using your file manager’s options.
- Use your new audio file as a notification sound by accessing the notification sound settings.
Changing the default notification sound
- Tap Sound & vibration or Sound. This option varies by device but usually involves sound settings.
- Tap Notification sound or Default notification sound to select a new notification tone.
- If the menu is hard to find, use the search feature to look up Notification sound.
- Scroll through available sounds and tap to preview them.
- Tap Save or OK if prompted. Some devices automatically apply changes.
Changing notification sounds for individual apps
- Open your Android’s Settings by swiping down and tapping the gear icon.
- Tap Apps & notifications, then select Apps or Notifications.
- Choose the app you want to edit to open its information page. If needed, view more apps by tapping See all.
- Tap Notification categories. This choice varies per app and allows sound changes.
- Select a notification category to edit its sound settings.
- Tap Sound to select a new notification tone.
- Tap OK or Save to finalize your settings.
Adding custom text sounds
- Open your text messaging app and tap on a conversation.
- Open the menu by tapping the ⋮ icon (three vertical dots) in the top-right corner.
- Select Details in Google Messages to find notification settings.
- Choose Notifications or Notification sound in Samsung Messages.
- Select a new sound and tap OK or Save to apply the change.
Pro tip: When creating your own sounds, keep them short—ideally around one second—to enhance functionality as notification tones.
Customizing your notification settings can significantly improve your mobile experience. By setting unique tones for different notifications, you can better manage your alerts and prioritize important messages. This organization helps avoid distractions from less important notifications, allowing you to focus on what matters most. Whether it’s using built-in sounds or creating your own, personalizing notification alerts can streamline your daily communication and enhance your productivity on an Android device.
