Where to find Instagram notification settings

On Instagram version 425.0.0, notification sounds are controlled through your phone's settings, not through the Instagram app itself. Instagram sends notifications to your device, and your device decides which sound plays. This means you'll need to go into your phone's main settings menu, not into Instagram.

The exact path depends on whether you use an iPhone or Android phone. Both let you pick a different sound for Instagram notifications, but the steps are different. You can also turn off notification sounds entirely if you prefer silent alerts.

Key Takeaways

  • Instagram notification sounds are controlled through your phone's settings, not the Instagram app itself.
  • On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications > Instagram and choose a sound from the Sound menu.
  • On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Instagram > Notifications and select a notification channel to change its sound.
  • You can set different sounds for different types of Instagram notifications, like messages versus likes.
  • If you don't see a Sound option, your phone may not have notification sounds turned on at the system level.

Changing notification sound on iPhone

Open the Settings app on your iPhone and scroll down until you see Notifications. Tap Notifications, then scroll down and find Instagram in the list. Tap Instagram to open its notification settings.

Once you're in Instagram's notification settings, look for the Sound option near the bottom of the screen. Tap Sound and you'll see a list of available notification sounds. Choose the one you want — you'll hear a preview when you tap it. The sound you select will play whenever Instagram sends you a notification.

If you want different sounds for different types of notifications, look for notification groups like Direct Messages or Likes. Each group may have its own Sound setting. Tap into each one and set the sound separately.

Changing notification sound on Android

Open Settings on your Android phone and look for Apps or process Manager — the exact name varies by phone maker. Find Instagram in the list and tap it. Then tap Notifications or App Notifications, depending on your phone.

You'll see a list of notification channels — these are different types of alerts Instagram can send. Common channels include Direct Messages, Likes, and Comments. Tap the channel you want to change, then look for Sound or Notification Sound. Tap it and choose from the available sounds on your phone.

Android phones often have different sound options than iPhones, so you may see different choices. You can set a unique sound for each notification channel, which means messages could play one sound and likes could play another.

What to do if you don't see a Sound option

If the Sound option is missing or grayed out, your phone's notification system may have sounds turned off at the system level. Check your phone's main sound settings — usually found in Settings > Sound or Settings > Sound and Vibration.

Make sure notifications are not muted or set to silent mode. On iPhones, check that the mute switch on the side of the phone is not turned on. On Android, check that Do Not Disturb mode is not active. Once you turn these off, the Sound option should appear in Instagram's notification settings.

Turning off notification sounds entirely

If you want Instagram notifications but without sound, go back to the Sound menu in your phone's settings and select None or Silent. This keeps notifications on your lock screen and notification center but prevents any sound from playing.

You can also turn off notifications for specific channels while keeping sound on for others. For example, you might silence notification sounds for Likes but keep sound on for Direct Messages. This way you hear alerts for messages but not for every like your posts receive.

Testing your new notification sound

After you change the sound, ask a friend to like one of your posts or send you a message. This will trigger a real notification so you can hear whether the new sound plays correctly. If you don't hear anything, go back and check that the Sound option is set to something other than None.

If the sound still doesn't play, restart your phone. Sometimes notification settings don't take effect until you restart. After restarting, have your friend send another notification to test again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a custom sound I recorded myself?

On iPhone, you can use custom sounds if you've added them to your phone through iTunes or the Files app, but Instagram can only use sounds that are already in your phone's notification sounds library. On Android, some phones let you add custom sounds to the notification folder, but this varies by manufacturer. Check your phone's sound settings to see if custom uploads are supported.

Why does my notification sound keep changing back?

If your sound resets after you change it, you may have accidentally selected a temporary preview instead of saving your choice. Go back into the Sound menu and make sure you tap the sound once to select it, then exit the settings. The sound should stay selected the next time a notification arrives.

Can I have different sounds for different Instagram accounts?

No. Your phone's notification settings explore to the Instagram app as a whole, not to individual accounts. If you have multiple Instagram accounts on the same phone, they will all use the same notification sounds. To use different sounds for different accounts, you would need to use separate phones or devices.

Will changing the notification sound affect other apps?

No. The notification sound you set for Instagram only affects Instagram. Other apps like Facebook, Twitter, or text messages will keep their own notification sounds. Each app has its own notification settings in your phone's main settings menu.

What if Instagram notifications aren't working at all?

If you're not receiving notifications from Instagram, the issue is usually not the sound setting. Check that notifications are turned on for Instagram in your phone's settings — look for a toggle that says Allow Notifications or similar. Also make sure Instagram has permission to send notifications. If notifications are on but still not arriving, try logging out of Instagram and logging back in.