How to Change Notification Sound on iPhone For Different Apps

Changing the notification sound on your iPhone can be a great way to personalize your device and make it more enjoyable to use. Whether you want to assign a unique sound to a specific app or simply switch up your notification tones, this guide will walk you through the process step by step.

Video Tutorial:

The Challenge of Changing Notification Sounds on iPhone

Changing notification sounds on an iPhone can be a bit tricky, as Apple does not provide a built-in option to customize sounds for individual apps. By default, all app notifications on an iPhone use the same sound. However, there are several methods you can use to work around this limitation and achieve the desired customizations.

Method 1: Using Third-Party Apps

One way to change the notification sound for different apps on your iPhone is by using third-party apps specifically designed for this purpose. These apps allow you to choose from a wide range of sounds and assign them to specific apps. Follow the steps below to change notification sounds using a third-party app:

1. First, download a reliable third-party app from the App Store that offers custom notification sounds. Some popular apps include "Ringtones for iPhone!" and "ZEDGE."
2. Once the app is installed, open it and browse through the available sound options.
3. Choose a sound you like and tap on it to preview.
4. If you are satisfied with the sound, tap on the "Download" or "Set" button to assign it to the app.
5. Open the Settings app on your iPhone and navigate to "Notifications."
6. Select the app for which you want to change the notification sound.
7. Tap on "Sounds" and choose the sound you assigned using the third-party app.
8. Exit the settings, and the new sound will be applied to the selected app.

Pros:
1. Provides a wide range of sound options to choose from.
2. Allows customization for individual apps.

Cons:
1. Requires downloading and installing a third-party app.
2. Some apps may contain ads or require in-app purchases.
3. May not be as reliable as built-in solutions.

Method 2: Creating Custom Ringtones

Another method to change notification sounds on your iPhone is by creating custom ringtones. This method involves converting audio files into ringtone format and assigning them to specific apps. Follow the steps below to create and assign custom ringtones:

1. Choose the audio file you want to convert into a ringtone. It should be in a compatible format, such as MP3 or M4R.
2. Use a third-party audio editing software or an online converter to trim the audio file to the desired length (usually around 30 seconds).
3. Convert the trimmed audio file into the M4R format, which is the default ringtone format for iPhones.
4. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable and open iTunes.
5. Drag and drop the converted M4R file into the "Tones" section of iTunes.
6. Sync your iPhone with iTunes to transfer the custom ringtone to your device.
7. Open the Settings app on your iPhone and navigate to "Sounds & Haptics."
8. Select the app for which you want to change the notification sound.
9. Tap on "Sounds" and choose the custom ringtone you created.

Pros:
1. Allows for complete customization of notification sounds.
2. Doesn’t require downloading additional apps.

Cons:
1. Requires a computer and iTunes to create and transfer custom ringtones.
2. Can be time-consuming and complicated for users unfamiliar with audio editing software.
3. Custom ringtones may not be supported by all apps.

Method 3: Utilizing Accessibility Features

There is a lesser-known method to change notification sounds on your iPhone by utilizing the accessibility features. This method involves creating custom vibrations that can be assigned to specific apps. Follow the steps below to change notification sounds using accessibility features:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone and navigate to "Accessibility."
2. Tap on "Touch" and then "Vibration."
3. Select "Create New Vibration" and tap on the screen to create your custom vibration pattern.
4. Name the vibration pattern and save it.
5. Open the Settings app and navigate to "Notifications."
6. Select the app for which you want to change the notification sound.
7. Tap on "Sounds" and choose "Vibration."
8. Scroll down and select the custom vibration pattern you created.

Pros:
1. Allows for unique and personalized notification alerts.
2. No need to download additional apps or convert audio files.

Cons:
1. Limited to creating custom vibrations rather than actual sounds.
2. May not be as distinguishable as actual audio notifications.
3. Custom vibrations may not be supported by all apps.

Method 4: Set Up Siri Shortcuts

Another method to change notification sounds on your iPhone is by setting up Siri shortcuts. This method involves creating a custom shortcut that can be triggered by Siri to play a specific sound for a particular app. Follow the steps below to set up Siri shortcuts for custom notification sounds:

1. Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone (if it’s not already installed, download it from the App Store).
2. Tap on the "+" button to create a new shortcut.
3. Choose "Add Action" and search for the "Play Sound" action.
4. Select the "Play Sound" action and tap on "Choose Sound."
5. Browse through the available sounds or tap on "Import Sound" to add a custom sound from your device.
6. Once you’ve chosen the sound, tap on "Next."
7. Customize the shortcut name and icon as desired.
8. Tap on "Add to Siri" and record a phrase that will trigger the shortcut (e.g., "Play notification sound").
9. Open the Settings app on your iPhone and navigate to "Notifications."
10. Select the app for which you want to change the notification sound.
11. Tap on "Sounds" and choose "None" as the sound.
12. Ensure that the "Alert Style" is set to "None" as well.
13. Exit the settings, and whenever you trigger the Siri shortcut, it will play the assigned sound for the selected app.

Pros:
1. Allows for unique and customizable notification sounds.
2. Can be triggered hands-free using Siri.

Cons:
1. Requires the Shortcuts app and initial setup.
2. Custom sounds can only be triggered through Siri shortcuts.
3. Limited to playing sounds, and not supported by all apps.

Alternatives: What to Do If You Can’t Change Notification Sounds on iPhone

If you’re unable to change the notification sounds on your iPhone using the methods mentioned above, there are a few alternatives you can consider:

1. Use Silent mode: While it won’t change the notification sound, you can put your iPhone on Silent mode to avoid any sound notifications altogether. This can be useful in scenarios where you don’t want to be disturbed by notifications.

2. Enable LED flash alerts: If your iPhone has an LED flash, you can enable LED flash alerts, which will make the flash flash whenever you receive a notification. This can be a visual alternative to audio notifications.

3. Prioritize notifications: In the Notifications settings on your iPhone, you can choose to prioritize notifications from specific apps. This will make notifications from those apps appear at the top of the list and may help you quickly identify important alerts.

Bonus Tips

Here are a few bonus tips to enhance your notification sound customization experience on your iPhone:

1. Explore app-specific settings: Some apps, especially social media and messaging apps, have their own notification settings within the app. These settings often include options to customize notification sounds and other alert preferences.

2. Utilize Do Not Disturb mode: Do Not Disturb mode allows you to set specific time ranges during which you won’t receive any notifications. This can be useful if you want to temporarily mute all notifications, regardless of their sound.

3. Consider using different ringtones for different contacts: While this tip doesn’t specifically change notification sounds for apps, you can assign different ringtones to specific contacts. This way, even if the notification sound is the same, you can identify who is contacting you based on the ringtone.

5 FAQs about Changing Notification Sounds on iPhone

Q1: Can I set a different notification sound for each individual contact on my iPhone?

A1: No, changing the notification sound for individual contacts is not a built-in feature on iPhones. However, you can assign different ringtones to individual contacts, which will determine the sound when they call you.

Q2: Will changing the notification sound for an app affect other sound settings on my iPhone?

A2: No, changing the notification sound for a specific app will only affect the sound for that app’s notifications. Other sound settings, such as ringtone and system sounds, will remain unchanged.

Q3: Can I use any audio file as a custom ringtone for notifications?

A3: No, iPhones only support certain audio file formats for custom ringtones. The recommended format is M4R. Some online converters or audio editing software can help convert audio files into the appropriate format.

Q4: Are there any limitations when using custom notification sounds on my iPhone?

A4: Custom notification sounds may not be supported by all apps. Some apps have restrictions in place and only allow the use of default notification sounds provided by the system.

Q5: Do I need to jailbreak my iPhone to change notification sounds?

A5: No, all the methods mentioned in this guide do not require jailbreaking your iPhone. They utilize built-in features, third-party apps, or system settings accessible to all iPhone users.

In Conclusion

While changing notification sounds for different apps on an iPhone may not be as straightforward as desired, there are several methods available to achieve the customization you seek. Whether you opt for third-party apps, custom ringtones, accessibility features, or Siri shortcuts, you can personalize your notification experience to make it more enjoyable and distinguishable. Don’t forget to explore alternative options if changing notification sounds is not possible for a particular app, and consider bonus tips to further enhance your customization journey.