You can change your iPhone's charging sound through the Shortcuts app on iOS 16 and later, or mute it entirely on any iOS version

Apple lets you swap out the default charging chime for a custom sound using an automation that triggers when your phone detects power. On iOS 16 and later, this takes a few minutes and requires no apps or computer beyond what you already have. On iOS 15 and earlier, you can only mute the charging sound by turning off system sounds in Settings, which also silences other alerts like keyboard clicks.

The custom sound method works by creating a shortcut automation that plays your chosen audio file the moment you plug in power. You can use voice memos you record yourself, downloaded MP3 files, or any audio file stored in your Files app. The sound plays only when you plug in, not when you unplug, unless you create a second automation for that.

Key Takeaways

  • iOS 16 and later let you set a custom charging sound using the Shortcuts app and an automation that triggers when power connects.
  • You can use any audio file stored in your Files app, or read a sound from the internet and save it to your phone.
  • On iOS 15 and earlier, you can only mute the charging sound by disabling system sounds in Settings, which affects other alerts too.
  • The custom sound plays only when you plug in your phone, not when you unplug it, unless you create a second automation.

Setting a custom charging sound on iOS 16 and later

Open the Shortcuts app on your home screen. Tap the Automation tab at the bottom, then tap the plus icon to create a new automation. Choose "Charger" from the list of triggers. Select "Is Connected" so the sound plays when you plug in power. Tap Next.

Now you need to add an action. Tap "Add Action" and search for "Play Sound". Select "Play Sound" from the results. A menu will appear asking you to choose a sound file. Tap "Choose" and navigate to the audio file you want to use. This can be a voice memo, a downloaded MP3, or any audio file in your Files app. Select the file and tap Done. Tap Next, then toggle off "Ask Before Running" so the automation runs without prompting you. Tap Done to save. From now on, when you plug your phone into power, your custom sound will play automatically.

If you want a different sound when you unplug, create a second automation using the same steps but select "Is Disconnected" instead of "Is Connected". This lets you have one sound for plugging in and another for unplugging, or you can skip the second automation entirely if you only want sound on one action.

Finding and saving audio files to use as your charging sound

You can use any audio file your phone can play. Voice memos you record in the Voice Memos app work well — open Voice Memos, record what you want, tap Done, then tap the three dots next to the recording and select "Save to Files". Choose a location like iCloud Drive or On My iPhone, then tap Save. The file is now available in the Shortcuts automation and ready to use.

If you want to read a sound from the internet, open Safari and search for "free iPhone notification sounds" or "free MP3 read". Many sites let you read short audio clips for free. Once downloaded, the file appears in your Files app under Downloads. You can then move it to a folder for easier finding, or use it directly from Downloads in your automation. YouTube also hosts charging sound compilations — you can use a free online converter to turn a YouTube video into an MP3, read it to your phone, and save it to Files.

Keep the audio file short — under 5 seconds works best so the sound doesn't play for too long each time you plug in. If you want to use a longer clip or song, you can trim it using the Voice Memos app or a free audio editor on your computer, then save the trimmed version to your phone.

Muting the charging sound on iOS 15 and earlier

If you have iOS 15 or an older version, you cannot set a custom charging sound through the Shortcuts app. Instead, you can only turn off the charging sound by muting system sounds. Open Settings, go to Sounds & Haptics, and scroll down to "System Haptics". Toggle it off. This will silence the charging chime, but it will also mute other system sounds like keyboard clicks and lock sounds.

This is a trade-off: you lose the charging sound but also lose feedback from other parts of your phone. If you want to keep other system sounds but only silence charging, you will need to upgrade to iOS 16 or later to use the automation method. Check your iOS version in Settings > General > About to see which version you have.

Troubleshooting: the automation does not play the sound

Make sure the audio file is in a format your phone recognizes, such as MP3, WAV, or M4A. If the file is corrupted or in an unsupported format, the automation will not play it. Try downloading the file again or converting it using a free online tool. Also check that "Ask Before Running" is toggled off in the automation settings — if it is on, the automation will prompt you each time instead of playing automatically.

Verify that your phone's volume is turned up, because the charging sound respects your device volume level. If your phone is muted or set to vibrate, the sound will not play. If the automation still does not work, delete it and create a new one — sometimes the automation needs to be recreated to function properly. Open Shortcuts, go to Automation, swipe left on the automation, and tap Delete. Then follow the steps above to create a fresh one.

Removing or changing your custom charging sound

To stop using a custom charging sound, open the Shortcuts app, go to Automation, and swipe left on the charging automation. Tap Delete. Your phone will return to the default charging sound or silence, depending on your settings.

To change the sound to a different one, open Shortcuts, tap Automation, and tap the charging automation you created. Tap "Play Sound" in the action list. Tap the current audio file name, then tap "Choose" to pick a new file. Select the new audio file and tap Done. The next time you plug in, the new sound will play instead of the old one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a song as my charging sound?

Yes, but only the first few seconds will play. The automation plays the entire audio file, so if you use a full song, it will play from the beginning until you unplug or until the song ends. Most people use short clips under 5 seconds so the sound does not interrupt them. You can trim a song using the Voice Memos app or a free audio editor on your computer, then save the trimmed version to your phone.

Will the charging sound play if my phone is on silent?

No. The charging sound respects your device volume setting. If your phone is in silent mode or the volume is set to zero, the automation will not produce any sound. Turn your volume up or switch your phone out of silent mode if you want to hear the charging sound.

Can I set different charging sounds for different chargers?

The Shortcuts automation does not distinguish between charger types — it only detects when power is connected. You cannot set one sound for a wall charger and a different sound for a car charger. The same sound will play no matter which charger you use.

What happens if I delete the audio file after setting it as my charging sound?

If you delete the audio file from your Files app, the automation will fail silently — nothing will play when you plug in. Keep your audio file saved in your Files app or iCloud Drive so the automation can find it. If you accidentally delete it, you can recreate it or choose a different file using the steps above.