To customize Samsung notification sounds on your Galaxy phone, open Settings > Sounds and vibration > Notification sound, then tap a sound to preview it and tap it again to select it as the default for all alerts. This single setting controls the tone for every app notification unless an app provides its own sound options.
How to customize Samsung notification sounds
Samsung Galaxy phones use one preset notification sound for all alerts by default.
Step 1: Open the settings menu
Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the Quick settings panel and tap the gear icon, or open your app list and tap the Settings app.
Step 2: Go to sounds and vibration
In the Settings menu, tap Sounds and vibration to reach the sound settings where the notification sound option lives. Samsung phones offer different sound modes, such as Sound, Vibrate, or Silent, selectable in the Sound settings menu.
Step 3: Choose your notification sound
- Tap Notification sound.
- Tap any preset sound to hear a preview.
- Tap the sound you want to set it as the default for all notification alerts.
Samsung devices offer various sound effects that can be applied to notification sounds for personalization.
How to test your new notification sound
While in the Notification sound list, tap a listed sound to hear a preview before selecting it, as documented by Samsung.
Troubleshooting unexpected notification sounds
If your phone makes a random notification sound, check two places in Settings. First, go to Settings > Notifications > App notifications to review which apps are allowed to send alerts. Second, go to Settings > Notifications > Advanced settings > Repeat notification alerts, because repeated alerts can keep sounding until the notification is dismissed.
If a custom notification sound doesn't apply, check that the app has Storage permission enabled under Settings > Apps > [App] > Permissions.
If notification sound changes don't take effect, try restarting the device to refresh the system.
Clearing the cache and data of a problematic app (Settings > Apps > [App] > Storage) can resolve notification sound glitches.
Resetting app preferences (Settings > Apps > three-dot menu > Reset app preferences) can fix notification sound customization issues, though it resets all app preferences.
Keeping the phone's software updated can resolve compatibility or functionality issues with notification sound customization.
Frequently asked questions
How can I restore the default notification sound on my Samsung phone?
Open Settings > Sounds and vibration > Notification sound, scroll to the top of the preset list, and tap the default option (often labeled “Default” or the original Samsung tone).
How do I turn off notification sounds on my Samsung phone?
Go to Settings > Sounds and vibration > Notification sound and select “None” or set your phone to Silent mode using the volume keys or Quick settings panel. You can also mute individual apps in Settings > Notifications > App notifications.
Does Samsung support different notification sounds for different apps?
Samsung’s official support pages document only one Notification sound for all notification alerts. The Settings app does not provide a built-in way to assign a unique sound to individual apps on Galaxy phones, though some third-party apps may offer their own notification sound settings.
Does Samsung support custom audio files as notification sounds?
Unlike some Android community guides suggest, no official Samsung instructions confirm a “My Sounds” option or a plus button for importing files within the notification sound picker.
How can I use my own music as a notification sound?
Open My Files or File Manager, navigate to the music file, tap More options, and choose to set it as a notification sound.
Why does my Samsung phone keep repeating the same notification sound?
Samsung documents that repeated notification alerts can keep sounding until the notification is dismissed.
For the wider topic, see vibration settings on your phone.
