If you don’t like the default, Android offers plenty of messaging apps. Many users switch to third-party SMS apps so they can set a custom tone for individual contacts. However, you don’t need to install any third-party apps to do this. The setting is built into most Android phones. The only caveat is that it is slightly buried and you have to look for it. That’s why we will help you.
Assigning a different message tone for individual contacts helps identify the sender without looking at or touching your phone. It comes in handy when you use the SMS app to message different types of people, such as your friends, acquaintances or coworkers. Only from the notification tone of the message you know who is texting.
Let’s check out how to set a custom message notification tone for contacts on Android phones from Google, Samsung and OnePlus.
How to Set Custom Message Tone in Google Messages App
Android Messages or Google Messages, Google’s messaging app, comes preinstalled on most Stock Android phones. It can also be installed on other phones from the Play Store.
Here are the steps for assigning a message tone to individual contacts:
Stage 1: Launch the Android Messages app and open the chat for which you want to change the text tone.
Step 2: Tap the three-dot icon in the upper right corner and select Details.
Stage 3: Tap on Notifications.
Step 4: Tap Advanced. Under Advanced, tap on Sound. Choose the notification tone you want to use for this special contact. Repeat the steps for other contacts and assign a different tone for each contact.
Pro Tip: Find out how the Android Messages app competes with the third-party Pulse SMS app on Android.
How to Set Custom Message Tone on Samsung Galaxy Phones
Samsung offers the messaging tone setting better than others. Here’s how to set a different message tone for contacts on Samsung Galaxy phones:
Stage 1: Launch the Samsung Messages app. Open the conversation with the person whose voice you want to change.
Step 2: Tap the three-dot icon and select Notification Sound. Select the tone you want to use.
Pro Tip: In Samsung Messages, you can assign a wallpaper, pin the chat and do other interesting things. Check out 6 Samsung text message settings to use like a pro. If you don’t like Samsung Messages, learn how Samsung Messages compares to Android Messages and how to import messages into Android Messages.
How to Set Custom Message Tone on OnePlus Phones
Follow these steps to set a custom message tone on OnePlus.
Stage 1: Launch the OnePlus SMS app on your phone. Open the chat of the person for whom you want to set a different tone. Compose a message if there is no previous chat history.
Step 2: Tap the three-dot icon at the top. Select People and options.
Stage 3: Tap on Notifications.
Step 4: You will be taken to the notification category screen. Tap on Sound and assign a tone for the selected contact. If you don’t see the sound directly, tap on Advanced > Sound.
Bonus Tip 1: How to Customize Other Message Settings for Contacts
In addition to setting a separate notification tone for contacts, you can use the above settings to mute a contact or enable/disable vibration for messages. You can even customize notification badges for individual contacts and choose whether to display the SMS content on the lock screen. Check out our guide explaining how to hide sensitive content on the lock screen on Android.
Bonus Tip 2: How to Change Message Tone for All Contacts on Android
If you want to assign a different text tone for all contacts, you need to change the message tone in your phone.
Here are the steps:
Stage 1: Open Settings on your phone and go to Apps or Installed apps.
Step 2: Search for your messaging app. Tap on it.
Stage 3: Tap on Notifications. Now, depending on your handset, things will be a little different here. If you have a dual SIM phone, you will see SIM 1 and SIM 2. Tap the SIM whose volume you want to set. On other phones, you’ll see Advanced or Incoming Messages. Tap on it.
Pro Tip: In app settings, wherever you see a bar before the toggle button, it indicates that you can access more settings within the option. Tap on it to reveal the extra settings.
Tap on Sound. If you see Advanced, tap on it and then on Sound. Choose a tone for your incoming messages under sound.
Create Custom Tones
The beauty of Android is that you can easily create your own custom tones and ringtones on the phone itself. You can even extract audio from videos and use MP3 cutters to create your own custom tone.
Next: Text messaging sound not working on your Android phone? Learn how to fix message notification tone not working in the next link.
