To change text message notification sound on Android, you need to adjust settings either within your messaging app or through your phone's system notification settings. The exact steps depend on your phone model and the messaging app you use, so the following methods cover the most common paths.
Change the sound in your messaging app
Open the messaging app you use for text messages, such as Google Messages or Samsung Messages. Tap the menu icon (usually three vertical dots or lines) and select "Settings." Tap "Sound" or "Notification sound" and choose a new tone from the list.
Change the sound through system notification settings
Open your Android device's Settings app. Go to "Apps & notifications" or "Notifications" (the label varies by phone maker). Find your messaging app in the list of installed apps and tap it. Tap "Sound" and select your desired alert tone. This method works for any messaging app and uses your phone settings and controls directly.
Set a custom notification sound for one contact
To assign a unique text tone to a specific person, open the Contacts app and select the contact. This way you know who messaged without looking at your phone.
Change notification sounds in third-party messaging apps
For WhatsApp, open the app and go to Settings > Notifications. Under "Messages," make sure "Show notifications" is turned on, then tap "Sound" to pick a tone. For Textra SMS, open the app, tap the menu icon, go to Settings > Customize Notifications, tap the notification you want to change, then tap "Sound" and choose a new tone.
What to do if your text notification sound isn't working
First, check that Do Not Disturb is turned off, swipe down from the top of your screen to see if it's enabled. Make sure your phone's volume is turned up, not set to silent or vibrate only. Verify that the correct sound is selected in your messaging app's notification settings. Finally, go to your system Settings > Apps, tap your messaging app, then tap "Notifications" and confirm that notification permissions are enabled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my own audio file as a text message notification sound?
Yes, you can use a custom audio file. Copy the file into a folder named "Notifications" on your phone's internal storage or SD card, then it will appear in the sound selection list when you choose a notification tone.
Why does my text notification sound keep resetting to default?
This can happen if you have a third-party sound management app overriding your settings, or after a system update. Re-select your preferred sound in the messaging app or system notification settings, and check that no battery-saving app is restricting the messaging app's notifications.
Can I set different notification sounds for different messaging apps?
Yes, each messaging app has its own notification settings. Change the sound for each app individually through its in-app settings or through your system's app notification settings.
How do I turn off text message notification sound completely?
You can also mute all notifications for the app in your system notification settings.
Can I set a custom notification sound for specific contacts?
Yes, open the Contacts app, select the contact, tap the menu icon, tap "Set ringtone" or "Notification sound," and choose a unique tone.
What should I do if I don't hear any sound for text message notifications on my Android phone?
Check that your physical volume buttons are turned up and not set to silent or vibrate only. If the volume is fine, restart your phone to clear any temporary software glitches.
