How to personalise Alerts on Android with Custom Notification Sounds

Hearing the same alert sound for every call or message can get confusing, especially in busy environments. Android makes it easy to personalise notification sounds so you can instantly recognise who’s calling or which app needs your attention. With a few simple settings, you can create a sound setup that feels organised and tailored to your daily use.

This guide walks you through practical ways to customise notification tones across Android devices, without relying on complicated tools or advanced technical steps.

What You Can Do with Android Sound Settings

Android offers flexible controls that let you:

• Change the default alert sound used by most apps
• Set different tones for calls, messages, and notifications
• Assign unique sounds to specific contacts
• Customise alerts inside individual apps like email or messaging

These options work on most modern Android versions, although menu names may vary slightly depending on your phone brand.

Changing the Default Notification Sound on Android

If you want one main alert sound for your device, Android allows you to update it from system settings.

Start by opening Settings, then go to Sound & vibration (on some phones, this may appear as Sounds or Apps & notifications). Inside this section, look for Notification sound or Default notification tone.

Here, you’ll find built-in sound libraries such as nature-inspired tones, soft chimes, or classic alert styles. Tap any sound to preview it, then select it to apply the change. This tone will now be used by apps that don’t have their own custom sound settings.

Assigning Custom Ringtones to Individual Contacts

Android also lets you recognise callers without even checking the screen.

Open the Contacts app and select a contact. Tap the edit or settings icon and look for Ringtone or Contact sound. You can choose from system ringtones or select an audio file stored on your phone.

Once saved, calls from that contact will play the chosen ringtone, making it easier to identify important callers instantly.

Custom Message Sounds for Text Conversations

Text message alerts can be customised separately, especially if you use Google Messages or Samsung’s default messaging app.

In Google Messages, open the app, tap your profile or menu icon, and go to Message settings → Notifications. Under incoming messages, you’ll find the option to change the alert sound. Selecting it opens your full list of available tones.

You can also set different sounds for individual conversations. Open a chat, tap the menu icon, and choose Notification settings for that contact. This is useful if you want priority messages to stand out.

Samsung devices using Samsung Messages offer similar options, though the layout may vary depending on the One UI version.

Custom Sounds for Apps Like Email and Phone

Many apps allow their own notification sounds, giving you even more control.

For email alerts in Gmail, open Settings → Apps → Gmail → Notifications. You can select different sounds for each email account linked to your phone.

The Phone and Messages apps follow similar paths. Open the app’s notification settings from the system menu and choose a sound for incoming calls or messages. This helps keep alerts clearly separated by purpose.

Final Thoughts

Custom notification sounds can make everyday phone use calmer and more organised. Android’s built-in tools let you personalise alerts for calls, texts, emails, and apps without installing extra software.

By setting distinct sounds, you reduce confusion, respond faster to important alerts, and create a mobile experience that fits your routine. A few minutes in your sound settings can make a noticeable difference in how your phone feels and functions