Where to find the notification sound setting in Messenger
The notification sound setting lives in your Messenger app's sound and vibration preferences, not in your main Facebook settings. On both Android and iPhone, you open Messenger, tap your profile picture in the top left corner, scroll down to "Notifications and sounds," and then select "Notification sound" to pick a different alert.
The exact wording and location shift slightly between Android and iOS, but both platforms put this setting in the same general area. If you cannot find your profile picture in the top left, you may be using an older version of the app — updating Messenger from your phone's app store will bring you to the current layout.
Key Takeaways
- Open Messenger, tap your profile picture, and navigate to "Notifications and sounds" to reach the notification sound menu.
- Android users can choose from Messenger's built-in sounds or select any sound file stored on their phone.
- iPhone users can pick from Messenger's preset sounds but cannot import custom audio files the way Android allows.
- Turning off notification sounds entirely is also an option in this same menu if you prefer silent alerts or vibration only.
- The notification sound you set applies to all incoming messages unless you have created a separate contact-specific sound for one person.
Steps for Android users
On Android, open Messenger and tap your profile picture in the top left corner. Scroll down until you see "Notifications and sounds" and tap it. Then tap "Notification sound." A menu will open showing Messenger's built-in sounds — you can tap each one to hear a preview before you choose.
If you want to use a custom sound file you already have on your phone, look for an option labeled "My sounds," "Custom," or a folder icon at the top of the sound list. Tap that to browse audio files stored on your device. Select the file you want, and it will become your new notification sound. The file must be in a common audio format like MP3 or WAV for Messenger to recognize it.
Steps for iPhone users
On iPhone, the process is nearly identical up to a point. Open Messenger, tap your profile picture in the top left, scroll to "Notifications and sounds," and tap "Notification sound." You will see a list of preset sounds that come with Messenger — tap any one to preview it, then tap it again to confirm your choice.
Unlike Android, iPhone does not allow you to import custom audio files directly into Messenger's notification sound menu. Your choices are limited to the sounds Messenger provides. If you want a custom notification sound on iPhone, you would need to create a ringtone through the iPhone's Settings app and set it as your default notification sound for all apps, which affects more than just Messenger.
Setting a notification sound for one person only
Both Android and iPhone let you assign a unique notification sound to a specific contact. Open a conversation with that person, tap their name at the top of the chat, and look for "Notifications" or "Sound" in their contact card. Tap it and choose a different sound from the same menu you used for your default notification sound.
This is useful if you want to hear a distinct alert when one person messages you — for example, a louder or more distinctive sound for your boss or a family member. The custom sound overrides your default setting only for that person's messages. Everyone else will still trigger your default notification sound.
Turning off notification sounds completely
If you want Messenger to alert you silently — through vibration only, or no alert at all — return to "Notifications and sounds" and look for an option to disable sound or mute notifications. On Android, you may see a toggle for "Sound" that you can switch off. On iPhone, you can set the notification sound to "None" by scrolling to the top of the sound list.
Disabling the sound does not stop Messenger from sending you notifications — you will still see the message badge on your app icon and receive a vibration if your phone is set to vibrate. Only the audible alert is silenced. If you want to stop all notifications from Messenger, that is a separate setting in the same menu, usually labeled "Show notifications" or similar.
Troubleshooting when the sound does not change
If you selected a new notification sound but Messenger still plays the old one, force-close the app and reopen it. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Messenger, tap "Force stop," then reopen Messenger. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to close Messenger completely, then tap the app icon to reopen it.
If the problem persists, check that your phone's volume is not muted. On iPhone, check the physical mute switch on the side of the phone — if it is in the silent position, notifications will be silent even if you have selected a sound. On Android, open Settings and confirm that your notification volume is not set to zero. You can also try uninstalling and reinstalling Messenger, though this is rarely necessary.
When to contact Facebook support
If you have tried force-closing the app, restarting your phone, and reinstalling Messenger and the notification sound still will not change, the issue may be a bug in your version of the app. Check your phone's app store to confirm you are running the latest version of Messenger — outdated versions sometimes have glitches that newer updates fix.
If you are fully updated and the problem continues, you can report it to Facebook through the Messenger app itself. Tap your profile picture, scroll to the bottom, and look for "Help and support" or "Report a problem." Describe what you have tried and what is happening, and Facebook's support team will investigate. Response times vary, but they typically reply within a few days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a song as my notification sound?
On Android, yes — if the song file is stored on your phone, you can select it as your notification sound through the "My sounds" or custom folder option. On iPhone, you cannot import custom audio directly into Messenger, so you would need to create a ringtone in the iPhone Settings app first, which is more involved.
Will changing my notification sound affect other apps?
No. The notification sound you set in Messenger applies only to Messenger. Other apps like WhatsApp, email, or text messages will keep their own notification sounds. Each app has its own sound settings that work independently.
What if I want different sounds for different group chats?
Messenger does not let you assign sounds to group chats the way it does for individual contacts. You can set a custom sound for one person, but not for a group. Your only option is to use your default notification sound for all group chats or turn notifications off for specific groups.
Does the notification sound play if my phone is on silent?
On iPhone, no — the physical mute switch overrides all notification sounds. On Android, it depends on your phone's settings. Some Android phones respect the mute switch for all notifications, while others allow notifications to play even when the phone is in silent mode. Check your phone's notification settings to see how it handles this.
Can I set a notification sound just for message requests or group chats?
Messenger does not offer separate sounds for message requests or group chats as a category. You can only set a custom sound for an individual person's one-on-one messages. For everything else, you use your default notification sound.