Where to find Snapchat notification settings

Snapchat's notification sound controls live in your phone's settings, not inside the Snapchat app itself. This means the steps differ slightly depending on whether you use an iPhone or Android device, but the principle is the same: you tell your phone's operating system what sound to play when Snapchat sends you a notification.

On both platforms, Snapchat does offer some notification controls within the app — you can turn notifications on or off, or silence them during certain hours. But to actually change the sound that plays, you need to go to your phone's main settings menu and find the Snapchat entry there.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone users change Snapchat notification sounds through Settings > Snapchat > Notifications > Sound, then pick from the list of available alert tones.
  • Android users go to Settings > Apps > Snapchat > Notifications > Sound, and can choose from system sounds or sounds stored on their device.
  • Snapchat's in-app notification settings let you turn notifications off entirely or mute them during specific hours, but do not control the actual sound.
  • If you do not see a Sound option in your phone's Snapchat settings, your device may not support custom notification sounds for that app.
  • The notification sound you choose applies to all Snapchat alerts — messages, friend requests, stories — unless your phone's operating system allows per-contact customization.

Changing notification sound on iPhone

Open the Settings app on your iPhone and scroll down until you see Snapchat listed among your installed apps. Tap Snapchat to open its settings page.

Once inside Snapchat's settings, tap Notifications. You will see a toggle for "Allow Notifications" at the top — make sure this is turned on, or you will not hear any sound at all. Below that, look for the Sound option and tap it.

Your iPhone will show you a list of available alert tones. These are the standard notification sounds that come with iOS, plus any custom alert tones you have added to your phone. Tap the sound you want to use. A preview will play so you can hear what it sounds like before you confirm. Once you have selected it, the change takes effect when ready.

Changing notification sound on Android

Open the Settings app and look for Apps or process Manager — the exact name varies by manufacturer and Android version. Scroll through the list of installed apps until you find Snapchat, then tap it.

Inside Snapchat's app settings, tap Notifications. You may see a list of different notification categories — for example, "Messages" or "Friend Requests" — depending on your Android version. If you see these categories, tap the one you want to customize. Then look for Sound and tap it.

Android will show you a list of available notification sounds. These typically include system sounds that came with your phone, and may also include custom sounds you have stored in your device's audio files. Select the sound you want. Unlike iPhone, Android does not always play a preview, so you may need to test it by having someone send you a Snapchat message to hear how it actually sounds on your device.

Controlling notifications without changing the sound

If you want to reduce how often you hear Snapchat notifications but do not want to change the sound itself, you can adjust settings inside the Snapchat app. Open Snapchat, tap your profile icon in the top left corner, then tap the gear icon to open Settings.

Scroll down to Notifications and tap it. Here you can turn notifications on or off entirely, or use the Mute Notifications option to silence them for a set period — usually 1 hour, 8 hours, or until you manually turn them back on. You can also choose which types of notifications you want to receive, such as messages only, without affecting the sound itself.

What to do if you do not see a Sound option

Some Android devices, particularly older models or those running older versions of Android, do not allow individual apps to have custom notification sounds. If you open Snapchat's notification settings and there is no Sound option, your phone does not support this feature for Snapchat.

In this case, your only option is to use the default notification sound your phone is set to play for all apps, or to turn Snapchat notifications off entirely. You can still use the in-app mute feature to silence notifications during certain hours without changing the system-wide sound.

Using custom sounds on iPhone

If the built-in iPhone alert tones do not appeal to you, you can add custom notification sounds to your phone and use them for Snapchat. Custom sounds must be in .m4r format and no longer than 40 seconds. You can create these using GarageBand, iTunes, or a third-party audio editor.

Once you have created a custom sound file, you can add it to your iPhone through iTunes on a computer, or by using an app like Ringtone Maker that lets you create and install sounds directly on your phone. After the sound is installed, it will appear in the Snapchat notification sound list just like the built-in tones, and you can select it the same way.

Using custom sounds on Android

Android is more flexible with custom notification sounds. You can use audio files in .mp3, .wav, or .ogg format, and they can be longer than iPhone's 40-second limit. To add a custom sound, place the audio file in your phone's Notifications folder — usually found at Internal Storage > Media > Notifications or Internal Storage > Ringtones, depending on your device.

Once the file is in the correct folder, open Snapchat's notification settings and tap Sound. Your custom file should appear in the list. If it does not show up, try restarting your phone or using a file manager app to confirm the file is in the right location and that the file format is supported by your device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set different notification sounds for different types of Snapchat messages?

On iPhone, you cannot set different sounds for different message types through Snapchat's settings. The sound you choose applies to all notifications. Some Android devices allow this through their notification settings, but it depends on your phone's manufacturer and Android version — check your phone's app notification settings to see if per-category sound control is available.

Why is my Snapchat notification sound not playing?

First, check that "Allow Notifications" is turned on in your phone's Snapchat settings. Second, check your phone's overall volume — if your device is on silent or vibrate mode, you will not hear the sound. Third, confirm that a sound is actually selected in Snapchat's notification settings; if it shows "None," no sound will play. If all of these are correct, restart your phone and try again.

Can I use a song from my music library as a Snapchat notification sound?

On iPhone, you would need to convert the song to .m4r format and add it as a ringtone first, which is complicated. On Android, you can place an .mp3 file in your Notifications folder and use it directly, though very long songs may not work well as notifications. For both platforms, it is easier to use a dedicated ringtone-making app or stick with the built-in alert tones.

Does changing the notification sound in my phone's settings affect other apps?

No. The notification sound you set for Snapchat in your phone's settings applies only to Snapchat. Other apps keep their own notification sounds unless you change them separately in each app's settings.