Are you tired of hearing the same Instagram notification sound every time someone likes your photo or sends you a message? Many users find the default sound boring or annoying after a while. The good news is that you can change it to something more pleasant or personal. On Android devices, you can change your Instagram notification sound through the app settings or your phone’s notification settings, while iPhone users currently can only change all notification sounds at once through their device settings.
Instagram notifications keep us connected to our social circles, but the default sound might not suit everyone’s taste. Android users have more flexibility in customizing their Instagram notification sounds. They can choose from a variety of pre-installed sounds or even set custom tones. Unfortunately, iPhone users have more limited options due to iOS restrictions.
How to Change Your Instagram Notification Sound
Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms, and notifications keep users updated on likes, messages, comments, and more. However, the default notification sound can get repetitive or may not suit your preferences. Luckily, you can change the Instagram notification sound on both Android and iPhone, though the process differs slightly depending on your device.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to customize your Instagram notification sound so you can easily recognize alerts without even looking at your phone.
Changing Instagram Notification Sound on Android
Android users have more flexibility when it comes to changing notification sounds, as the operating system allows customization at the app level. Here’s how you can do it:
Method 1: Change Instagram Notification Sound from Phone Settings
- Open Settings – Go to your device’s Settings app.
- Navigate to Apps & Notifications – Scroll down and select Apps (or Apps & Notifications on some devices).
- Find Instagram – Tap on Instagram from the list of installed apps.
- Go to Notifications – Select Notifications to view all alert settings for Instagram.
- Select a Notification Category – Depending on your device, you may see categories like Direct Messages, Comments, Likes, or Mentions. Tap on the one you want to change.
- Tap Sound – Under the Sound option, tap to choose a new notification sound from the list of available tones.
- Save and Exit – Once you’ve selected a new sound, exit the settings. The change will take effect immediately.
Method 2: Use a Custom Notification Sound (For Advanced Users)
If you want to use a custom sound (e.g., a downloaded tone or a recording), follow these steps:
- Download or Create a Custom Sound – Save your preferred notification tone in MP3 or WAV format.
- Move the File to the Notifications Folder – Use a file manager app to place the sound file in the Notifications folder on your device’s internal storage.
- Follow the Steps Above – When selecting a notification sound for Instagram, you should now see your custom tone in the list of options.
Changing Instagram Notification Sound on iPhone
Unlike Android, iOS does not allow users to change app-specific notification sounds unless the app itself provides customization options. Unfortunately, Instagram does not offer built-in settings for sound customization. However, you still have a few workarounds:
Method 1: Change Instagram Notification Settings in iOS
- Go to Settings – Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Select Notifications – Scroll down and tap Notifications.
- Find Instagram – Locate Instagram in the list and tap on it.
- Customize Notification Style – While you can’t change the sound, you can enable or disable sounds, badges, and banners for Instagram alerts.
Method 2: Change the Default iPhone Notification Sound (Affects All Apps)
If you want a unique sound for all notifications, you can change the default iPhone notification sound:
- Go to Settings – Open Settings and tap Sounds & Haptics.
- Select Text Tone – Scroll down to Text Tone (this is the default sound for many notifications).
- Pick a New Sound – Choose from Apple’s built-in tones or buy a new one from the Tone Store.
This won’t change the sound specifically for Instagram but will affect notifications for apps that use the system default sound.
Why Can’t iPhone Users Change Instagram’s Notification Sound?
Unlike Android, Apple restricts app-level notification sound customization unless the app itself includes an option to modify it. Some apps, like WhatsApp and Telegram, allow users to choose different notification sounds within the app settings, but Instagram does not currently offer this feature.
If Instagram introduces custom notification sounds in a future update, iPhone users will likely see an option to change it within the app. Until then, users can only toggle sounds on or off through iOS settings.
Final Thoughts
Changing your Instagram notification sound is easy on Android but limited on iPhone. Android users can customize sounds directly in settings or even use custom audio files, while iPhone users must rely on system-wide notification tones.
If you find Instagram’s default sound annoying or too generic, adjusting it can help you differentiate your notifications and make sure you never miss an important message or update.
Key Takeaways
- Android users can customize Instagram notification sounds through both the app and device settings.
- iPhone users must change all notification sounds together through iOS settings rather than just Instagram’s sound.
- Customizing notification sounds helps create a more personalized and less disruptive social media experience.
Understanding Instagram Notification Sounds
Instagram notification sounds help users stay connected with their social media activity. These audio alerts signal when you receive likes, comments, direct messages, and other interactions on the platform.
The Role of Notifications
Notifications are essential for staying updated on Instagram activity. They alert users when someone interacts with their content or account. This helps people respond promptly to messages and engage with followers.
On Instagram, notifications appear in two ways: visual alerts on your screen and audio sounds. The sounds play a key role in catching your attention even when you’re not looking at your device.
For business accounts and content creators, notification sounds are particularly important. They help in managing customer inquiries and responding to comments quickly. This timely engagement can boost follower satisfaction and account growth.
Types of Instagram Notification Sounds
Instagram offers several notification sounds based on different activities. The standard sounds vary between Android and iOS devices.
| Notification Type | Description | Platform Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Messages | Alerts when you receive a private message | Android & iOS |
| Likes & Comments | Sounds when someone engages with your posts | Android & iOS |
| Story Mentions | Notification when tagged in stories | Android & iOS |
| Live Stream | Alerts when accounts you follow start live videos | Android & iOS |
| Custom Sounds | Ability to set unique sounds for Instagram | Android only |
Android users have more flexibility with notification sounds. They can customize different sounds for various Instagram activities through their device settings.
iPhone users face more limitations. They typically cannot change Instagram notification sounds specifically without changing all app notifications.
Notification Categories and Customization
Instagram organizes notifications into categories, making them easier to manage. The main categories include Post Notifications, Story Notifications, and Direct Message Notifications.
Users can customize which notifications they receive through the Instagram app settings. This helps filter out unwanted alerts while keeping important ones active.
For Android users, the customization goes further. They can change notification sounds by going to their device settings, selecting Apps, finding Instagram, and choosing Notifications.
Some newer Android versions even allow setting different sounds for different types of Instagram notifications. This helps users identify the type of notification without looking at their phone.
Instagram occasionally updates their default notification tones. These updates typically happen with major app updates or when the platform adds new features.
Modifying Instagram Notification Sounds
Customizing Instagram notification sounds allows you to personalize your social media experience. There are different methods available depending on your device type and operating system.
Changing Sounds on iOS
iPhone users face more limitations when trying to change Instagram notification sounds compared to Android users. iOS doesn’t allow direct customization of sounds for individual apps like Instagram.
To manage Instagram notifications on iPhone:
- Open the Settings app
- Scroll down and tap on “Instagram”
- Tap “Notifications”
- Toggle notifications on or off
In iOS 17 and iOS 18, you can choose between:
- Allow Notifications (on/off)
- Sounds (default iOS notification sound)
- Badges
- Time Sensitive Notifications
Unfortunately, iOS restricts users to the default notification sound for Instagram. Apple prioritizes system consistency over app-specific sound customization.
Using Third-Party Applications
Third-party applications can enhance your Instagram notification experience, especially for Android users.
Popular notification customization apps include:
| App Name | Main Features | Device Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| Notification Sounds | Custom sounds for different apps | Android only |
| IFTTT | Create automation for notifications | Android & iOS |
| Tasker | Advanced notification management | Android only |
These apps help bypass Instagram’s default notification limitations. Android users can set specific sounds for Instagram, while iPhone users can use IFTTT to create workarounds like getting SMS alerts for important Instagram activities.
Third-party solutions work best on Android due to its open system architecture. iOS restrictions make deep customization difficult.
Adjusting Notification Sounds for Instagram Direct
Instagram Direct messages have their own notification settings that can be adjusted separately from general Instagram notifications.
For Android users:
- Open Instagram
- Go to your profile
- Tap the three lines (menu) icon
- Select “Settings and Privacy”
- Tap “Notifications”
- Select “Direct Messages”
- Tap “Additional options in system settings”
- Choose your preferred notification sound
This allows you to assign unique sounds to Instagram Direct messages. You can set different tones for group messages versus individual chats.
For important contacts, you might want a distinctive sound. This helps you immediately recognize when certain people message you on Instagram.
Frequently Asked Questions
Instagram notification sounds can be customized on both iOS and Android devices. Different methods exist depending on your device type and operating system version.
What steps are required to adjust the alert tone for Instagram on iOS devices?
To change the Instagram notification sound on an iPhone, you need to use the device settings rather than the app itself. Open the Settings app and select Sounds & Haptics. Then tap on Text Tone to view available sound options.
Choose the sound you prefer from the list. This change will affect all app notifications on your iOS device, not just Instagram.
Can the Instagram alert tone be customized on Android smartphones, and if so, how?
Yes, Android users can customize Instagram notification sounds. Open your device Settings and navigate to Apps or Application Manager. Find and select Instagram from the list of installed apps.
Tap on Notifications and look for sound options. You may see categories like “All notifications” where you can select and change the alert tone to something you prefer.
Is it possible to set a unique sound for Instagram notifications on a Samsung device?
Samsung users can set unique notification sounds for Instagram. Open Settings on your Samsung device and go to Apps. Find Instagram in the list and tap on it.
Select Notifications and then choose the notification category you want to customize. Tap on Sound or Ringtone to pick a specific alert tone for Instagram notifications.
For users with iOS 17 on their iPhone, what is the process to change the Instagram notification sound?
In iOS 17, open the Settings app and scroll to find Sounds & Haptics. Tap on it and select Text Tone from the menu options.
Browse through the available sounds and select your preferred option. Remember that iOS 17 still applies this sound setting to all app notifications, including Instagram.
On an iPhone with iOS 18, how can one modify the sound for Instagram notifications?
For iOS 18 users, the process remains similar to earlier versions. Open Settings and navigate to Sounds & Haptics. From there, select Text Tone.
Choose your preferred notification sound from the available options. Currently, iOS 18 maintains the system-wide approach to notification sounds rather than app-specific settings.
What is the procedure to alter the sound cues for Instagram notifications for previous iPhone models such as the iPhone 13 or 14?
On iPhone 13 or 14 models, open the Settings app and tap on Sounds & Haptics. Select Text Tone from the list of options.
Choose your preferred notification sound from the available choices. The selected sound will apply to text messages and app notifications, including Instagram, as iPhones use a universal notification sound system.
| Device Type | Notification Sound Change Method | App-Specific Options |
|---|---|---|
| iOS Devices | Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Text Tone | Not available (system-wide setting) |
| Android Devices | Settings > Apps > Instagram > Notifications | Available for different notification categories |
| Samsung Devices | Settings > Apps > Instagram > Notifications | Available with custom sound selection |
