Android devices are known to be very customizable. Users can change almost every aspect of its interface, including notification sounds. However, setting a notification sound on an Android device may not be as straightforward as it may seem at first glance, especially for novice users. In this article, we will explain various methods to set a notification sound on Android devices and explore some of the issues users might face when doing so.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
To follow this article and set a notification sound on your Android device, you will need:
- An Android smartphone or tablet
- The default file manager app or another file explorer app installed on your device
- A sound file you want to use as your notification sound stored on your device or downloaded from the internet
What Requires Your Focus?
Setting a notification sound requires you to focus on the following things:
- Location of the sound file you want to set as your notification sound.
- Options to set a notification sound in different apps may be different.
- Some apps may have a built-in notification sound editor.
Different Methods to Set A Notification Sound on Android
Method 1: Setting the Notification Sound from Device Settings
If you want to set a custom notification sound for all apps on your device, this method will be useful:
- Open the Settings app on your device by tapping the gear-shaped icon.
- Scroll down and tap on ‘Sound and vibration’.
- Find ‘Notification sound’ and tap it.
- A list of available notification sounds will appear, and you can select the desired sound from it.
- If the sound you want isn’t on the list, tap on ‘Add’ and browse to the sound file you want to use from your device’s storage. After that, you’ll be able to select it from the list of available sounds.
Pros:
- Easy to access and use.
- Changes the notification sound system-wide, so it works for all apps.
Cons:
- Limited to available default notification sounds or the ones you manually add to your device.
- You can’t set different notification sounds for different apps using this method.
Method 2: Setting the Notification Sound from an App’s Settings
Different apps may have different settings options for notification sounds. For example, we’ll explain how to set the notification sound for the Gmail app in this method:
- Open the Gmail app on your device.
- Tap the three horizontal lines in the top-left corner to open the app menu.
- Scroll down and tap on ‘Settings’.
- Tap on the Gmail account you want to change notifications for.
- Tap on ‘Label notifications’.
- Select the label (inbox, promotions, social, etc.) to which you want to set a custom sound.
- Tap on ‘Sound’ to choose a notification sound from the list of available sounds on your device or browse to the sound file you want to use from your device’s storage.
Pros:
- You can set different notification sounds for different apps.
- You can set different notification sounds for different labels or types of notifications within an app.
Cons:
- The notification sound options may vary between different apps.
- You may have to dig deep within an app’s settings to find the notification sound options.
Method 3: Using a Third-Party App to Set Custom Notification Sounds
If you’re not happy with the default notification sounds on your device and want more flexibility, there are many third-party apps on the Google Play Store that let you set custom notification sounds for various apps. Some of these apps also have built-in sound editors. Here’s an example using the app ‘Zedge’:
- Open the Google Play Store app on your device.
- Search for ‘Zedge’ in the search bar and install it.
- Open the Zedge app and tap on the ‘Hamburger Menu’ icon on the top left corner of the screen.
- Tap on ‘Settings’.
- Tap on ‘Notification’.
- Tap on ‘Notification sound’.
- Select the app for which you want to set a custom notification sound.
- Tap on ‘Choose custom notification’ and browse to the sound file you want to use from your device’s storage.
- After selecting the sound, select ‘Save’.
Pros:
- More flexibility in choosing and setting custom notification sounds.
- Some apps may have built-in sound editors that let you modify notification sounds.
Cons:
- Using third-party apps may slow down your device or display ads.
- Third-party apps may not be as reliable as built-in options.
Why Can’t I Set A Notification Sound on Android?
There might be several reasons why you can’t set a notification sound on your Android device, including:
- Notification sound settings are disabled in the device’s do not disturb mode.
Fix: Open the device settings> Sound and vibration> Do not disturb> Allow exceptions> set to All or Priority only mode - The sound file you want to use as a notification sound is corrupted or unsupported.
Fix: Choose a different sound file or convert the file to a compatible format like MP3 or WAV. - The notification sound file is too large.
Fix: Optimize the sound file or choose a smaller one.
Implications and Recommendations
Setting a custom notification sound can help you differentiate between important notifications and mundane ones. However, it’s important to set notification sounds that are not too intrusive or disruptive to you or others around you. Consider using softer sounds or vibrations for less important notifications.
5 FAQs about Setting A Notification Sound on Android
Q1: How do I reset my default notification sound?
A: Go to your device’s Settings app > Sound and vibration > Notification sound > Choose default notification sound. Then select the sound.
Q2: Can I set different notification sounds for different groups or contacts?
A: Yes, you can. Some messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Telegram allow you to set custom tones for different groups and contacts.
Q3: Can I set a custom notification sound for a specific app without using a third-party app?
A: Yes, many apps have their own notification sound settings. Check the settings of the app you want to set a custom notification sound for.
Q4: What file formats are compatible with Android’s notification sound feature?
A: Android’s notification sound feature supports the following file formats: MP3, WAV, OGG, and FLAC.
Q5: How do I convert an audio file format to a compatible format for Android notification sounds?
A: You can use various apps and websites to convert audio file formats. Some popular options include Audacity, Online-Convert, and Freemake Audio Converter.
In Conclusion
Setting a custom notification sound on Android can be helpful for those who receive a lot of notifications and want to differentiate between them. Above, we explored different methods to set a notification sound on Android devices. Setting notification sounds with third-party apps allows for more flexibility, but users should be mindful of the potential consequences of using these apps. Likewise, they must also check the device’s settings and the configurations of the apps used to ensure that notification sound would work correctly.