Where to find the text notification sound settings

Open Settings on your iPhone, then tap Sounds & Haptics (on newer models) or Sounds (on older ones). Scroll down to find Text Tone — this is the setting that controls what sound plays when you receive a text message. Tap it to see your options.

The list shows all the built-in sounds Apple includes on your phone. Each one has a name like "Chime", "Bells", "Chord", or "Ding". You can tap any sound to hear a preview before you choose it. Once you tap a sound, a checkmark appears next to it, and that becomes your new text notification sound.

Key Takeaways

  • Text notification sounds are changed in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Text Tone, not in the Messages app itself.
  • You can preview any sound by tapping it before you confirm your choice.
  • Different contacts can have different text sounds if you set a custom notification in their contact card.
  • If you do not hear a preview sound, check that your phone is not in Silent mode or Do Not Disturb.
  • You can use custom sounds you have downloaded or created, but they must be in the right format and added through a computer.

Setting different text sounds for specific people

If you want one person's texts to make a different sound than everyone else's, you do not change the main Text Tone setting. Instead, open the Contacts app, find the person's name, and tap Edit in the top right. Scroll down and tap Text Tone, then choose a sound just for that contact.

When that person texts you, their custom sound will play instead of your default text tone. This is useful if you want to notice texts from your boss, a family member, or someone else right away. The main Text Tone setting still applies to everyone else.

Why you might not hear the text sound

If you changed the text sound but do not hear it when messages arrive, check whether your phone is in Silent mode. Look at the left side of your phone near the volume buttons — if the switch is flipped toward the back of the phone, Silent mode is on, and notification sounds will not play. Flip it forward to turn Silent mode off.

Also check Do Not Disturb. Open Settings, tap Focus, and look for Do Not Disturb. If it is turned on, text sounds may be muted depending on your settings. You can turn it off or adjust which notifications come through while it is active.

Using custom sounds you have downloaded

Apple lets you add custom notification sounds, but the process requires a computer and iTunes or Finder. The sound file must be in M4A or WAV format and no longer than 40 seconds. If you have a sound file that meets these requirements, you can add it to your phone by connecting to a Mac or Windows computer and using iTunes (on older computers) or Finder (on newer Macs).

Once the sound is on your phone, it will appear in your Text Tone list in Settings. This is more involved than choosing a built-in sound, so most people stick with Apple's options unless they have a specific sound they want to use.

Turning text sounds off completely

If you do not want any sound when texts arrive, open Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Text Tone and scroll to the very top. You will see an option called None. Tap it, and text messages will arrive silently. You will still see the notification on your lock screen or in the notification center — you just will not hear a sound.

This is different from Silent mode. With None selected, other notification sounds (like calls or alarms) will still play normally. Only text messages will be silent.

Text sounds in group messages and iMessage

The text tone setting applies to all text messages, whether they come through SMS (regular text), MMS (picture messages), or iMessage (Apple's messaging service). You cannot set different sounds for iMessage versus regular texts — they all use the same Text Tone setting unless you have set a custom sound for that specific contact.

Group messages use the same sound as individual texts. If you want group texts to be silent while individual texts make a sound, you would need to mute the group conversation instead. Open the conversation, swipe left on it (or long-press it), and tap Mute.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a song as my text notification sound?

Not directly from your music library. You would need to convert a song to M4A or WAV format, trim it to 40 seconds or less, and add it through a computer using iTunes or Finder. Most people find this too complicated and stick with built-in sounds instead.

Why does my text sound play even though I have Do Not Disturb on?

Do Not Disturb has settings that let certain people through. Open Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb and check which contacts are allowed to notify you. You can also set it to allow all notifications from specific people while silencing everyone else.

If I change my text tone, does it change for everyone I text with?

No. The text tone is what you hear when someone texts you. It does not affect what sound appears on their phone when you send them a message. Each person controls their own notification sounds.

Can I have a different text sound for work and personal contacts?

Yes, but you have to set it contact by contact. Open each work contact, tap Edit, scroll to Text Tone, and choose a sound. Then do the same for personal contacts with a different sound. Your main Text Tone setting is the default for anyone you have not customized.