How to Set Different Notification Sounds for Different Apps on Android Phones

With so many apps installed on our phones, there are a number of notifications that can confuse us. It’s hard to tell which app is sending which notification and whether it matters. I use different notification sounds for each app to make my life easier. same wish? Learn how to keep different notification sounds for different apps on Android phones and tablets.

Using separate notification sounds that are different from the default tone comes in handy in a variety of situations. For example, you can’t or don’t want to touch the phone while cooking, driving or doing similar activities.

Let’s see how to change the default tone for Android apps and keep a separate notification tone.

Method 1: From Phone Settings

Android 8.0 Oreo changed the way with notification channels that allow to set app notifications for apps individually. However, the setting to change the default app tone is buried deep within the settings.

Here are the steps to help you change the default notification sound of any Android app.

Stage 1: Open Settings on your phone and go to Apps & notifications, Installed Apps or Manage apps depending on the option available.

Step 2: Under All apps, tap the app for which you want to change the notification sound. Let’s take WhatsApp as an example. Tap WhatsApp.

Stage 3: Tap Notifications under WhatsApp. If you are on an earlier Android version, you will get the Default sound or Sound option. Tap on it to change the hue.

But on phones running Android 8.0 Oreo and above, you will see various notification channels or categories. For example, under WhatsApp notifications you will see categories such as Group notifications and Message notifications. You’ll notice that notification categories usually have a toggle and a flat bar in front of them.

Note: In Android Settings, wherever you see a flat bar next to the setting name, this means tapping the setting name (not the toggle button) will reveal more settings.

So, tap the text Message Notifications to reveal more settings.

Then tap on Advanced and then on Sound. Assign a different notification tone for WhatsApp messages from contacts. You can also customize other settings related to notifications on this screen.

Fly: Learn how to mute WhatsApp notifications on Android and iOS.

Similarly, you can set a different tone for WhatsApp group messages by tapping the Group notifications category channel. For other apps, you’ll see app-based categories. Tap on the notification category to reveal the Sound setting to change the default notification tone.

Note: If an app does not support notification categories, you will see the Advanced option directly under Notifications. Tap Advanced, then tap Sound to change the default tone. In some cases, you will see the Sound option directly under Notifications.

Use the same steps to change the default tone for other apps. Let’s take another example of the Gmail app.

How to Set Different Notification Tone for Different Gmail Accounts on Android

Some users add multiple Gmail accounts to their phones for various reasons. These accounts can be professional or personal. Keeping a separate email notification sound for each account will help distinguish the importance of the email.

Stage 1: Open Settings and go to Apps or Installed apps.

Step 2: Tap Gmail under All apps.

Stage 3: Tap on Notifications. You will be greeted by various notification channels categorized by your Gmail account. Tap the Email or Mail text under your Gmail account for which you want to change the notification sound.

Fly: Notice the flat bar next to the Email option? Don’t forget to tap the text before the flat bar to open more customization settings like sound.

Step 4: Tap Advanced under the Notification category to see more options. Tap on Sound. Select the tone you want to use. Check any other Gmail notification settings you need to customize.

How to Change Message Notification Sound on Android

To change the text tone, go to Settings > Apps. Tap the Messages app, then tap Notifications. Depending on different manufacturers, you will see different categories of notifications. Tap on Incoming messages or General depending on the option available. Next, tap on Advanced and then on Sound. Change the tone.

For dual SIM handsets, you will see SIM 1 and SIM 2 notification categories under Notifications. To change the notification tone, tap the required SIM and go to Advanced > Sound.

Note: In summary, to change the notification tone of any app, go to Settings > Apps > (app name) > Notifications > (notification category) > Sound (or Advanced > Sound).

Method 2: From Application Settings

Some Android apps offer a built-in setting to change the default notification tones. So you can also customize the notification sound inside the app. You can even customize notification tones for individual contacts if your app allows it.

Let’s say you want to change the ringtone on your phone. For that, open your default Phone app. Tap the three-dot icon at the top. Select settings.

Tap something similar like Sounds & vibration or Call alerts/Ringtones. Tap on Ringtone and choose a new ringtone.

Fly: To set a different ringtone for each contact, open the Contacts app and edit your contact. You will see the ringtone area. Tap that and choose a new ringtone for that contact. Repeat the steps for other people. Learn how to set different message tones for different contacts on Android.

Similarly, if you want to customize the WhatsApp notification sound, open WhatsApp Settings from the app. Go to Notifications. Here you will see notification options for individual and group messages. Tap the Notification tone to change the sound.

In some apps, tapping on the Notification setting takes you to the Notification screen, which you’ll see if you go to Phone Settings > Apps > (app name) > Notifications. In such cases, tap on the notification category as shown in method 1 above to change the default tone.

Pro Tip: If the above methods don’t suit you, install NotifiCon app to customize notifications on Android phones.

Hello Google

While Google tries to keep things simple, they actually make some settings harder to find. It takes a deep dive into the settings to change the default notification sound. I hope things get better in the future.

Next: Wondering what Do not disturb mode is on Android phones and how it differs from silent or Airplane mode? Find the answer in the next link.