Quick Answer
Yes, it is possible to add custom notification sounds to WhatsApp. Users can set different notification sounds for individual chats or groups, as well as change the default notification sound for the entire app.
Steps to Change WhatsApp Notification Sounds
Here are the steps to change notification sounds on WhatsApp:
- Open WhatsApp and go to the chat or group you want to customize the notification sound for.
- Tap on the name or photo at the top of the chat screen.
- Scroll down and tap on “Custom notifications”.
- Toggle “Use custom notifications” on.
- Tap on the default sound option to pick a new notification sound.
- WhatsApp will open your phone’s internal storage, tap on the sound file you want to set as the custom notification.
- The selected sound will now play for notifications from that chat or group.
To change the default notification sound for all chats in WhatsApp:
- Open WhatsApp and tap on the 3 dot menu icon in the top right.
- Go to Settings > Notifications.
- Tap on Notification Tone.
- Select the sound you want to set as the default.
The default options include all the builtin notification sounds on your phone. You can also add custom sound files as options here by putting them in your phone’s internal storage folders like Ringtones or Notifications.
Requirements for Custom Notification Sounds
WhatsApp allows MP3, WAV, OGG, and AMR sound files to be used as custom notification sounds. There are some requirements for the sound files:
- File size should be under 300 KB.
- Length should be under 30 seconds.
- Bit rate should be under 100 kbps.
- Sample rate should be 8,000 Hz or 16,000 Hz.
Sound files that meet these requirements can be set as custom notification tones in WhatsApp for individual chats or groups.
How to Add Custom Sound Files
To add custom sound files for use in WhatsApp notifications:
- Get an MP3, WAV, OGG or AMR sound file from your computer or an online source.
- Make sure it meets WhatsApp’s file requirements listed above.
- Connect your phone to a computer and transfer the sound file over.
- On your phone, place the sound file into the Ringtones or Notifications folder.
- Open WhatsApp and go to notification settings to select the new sound.
On Android phones, the Ringtones folder is usually found at internal storage/Ringtones and the Notifications folder at internal storage/Notifications.
Placing custom sound files here makes them available as options to select for any app’s notifications, including WhatsApp.
Creating Your Own Notification Sounds
You can also create your own custom MP3 or WAV sound files to use for WhatsApp notifications. Here are some options:
- Use audio editing software like Audacity to mix sounds together into a short file.
- Convert YouTube videos into sound files using online converters.
- Use soundboards and sound effect websites to mix effects into a file.
- Record your own sounds or music clips and export as MP3/WAV.
Make sure to trim the file to under 30 seconds and export at 8000 Hz sample rate or lower to meet WhatsApp’s requirements.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you are having trouble setting a custom notification sound for WhatsApp, here are some things to check:
- Make sure the sound file is one of the supported formats – MP3, WAV, OGG, AMR.
- Confirm the file size is under 300 KB and length is under 30 seconds.
- Check that the file is saved in the correct Ringtones or Notifications folder.
- Try restarting WhatsApp after adding new sound files.
- Make sure notification sounds are not disabled in your phone’s system settings.
- Check that you updated WhatsApp to the latest version.
- Try setting a default sound first before custom chat sounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does WhatsApp let you set custom notification sounds?
Yes, WhatsApp has an option to set custom notification sounds for individual chats and groups. You can also change the default sound for all notifications.
What file formats can I use for custom sounds?
WhatsApp supports MP3, WAV, OGG, and AMR sound file formats for notifications. The files must be under 300 KB and 30 seconds long.
Where do I get custom notification sound files?
You can get sound files from online sources, convert videos/music to MP3/WAV files, create your own using audio software, or record sounds and export them. Place the files in your Ringtones/Notifications folder.
How do I set a custom sound for an individual chat?
Open the chat, tap the contact’s name, go to Custom Notifications > Use Custom Notifications, then select the sound file to set for that chat’s notifications.
Can I use custom sounds for WhatsApp groups?
Yes, the same steps used for individual chats can be followed to set a custom notification sound for any group chat or broadcast list.
Conclusion
WhatsApp provides an option to customize notifications with unique sounds for each chat or group. Users can add MP3, WAV, OGG or AMR sound files as custom tones by putting them in the appropriate folder and selecting them in WhatsApp’s notification settings. Custom sounds allow users to identify different WhatsApp notifications without even having to look at their phone. Exploring notification customization can make the messaging experience more engaging.
Other Useful WhatsApp Tricks
Pin Important Chats
Pin up to 3 chats to the top of your WhatsApp home screen so you can quickly access them. Tap and hold a chat, then tap the pin icon.
Mute Chats
If you don’t want to receive notifications from a chat, you can mute notifications for 8 hours, 1 week, or always. Just tap and hold the chat, then tap Mute.
Change Wallpaper
You can set a custom wallpaper for WhatsApp’s background. Tap the 3 dots menu > Settings > Chats > Wallpaper to change it.
Star Messages
Star important messages so you can easily find them later. Long press a message and tap the star icon to save it to your starred messages.
Email Chats
Email yourself a chat history or part of a conversation for record keeping. Tap and hold the chat, tap More > Email chat.
Disable Read Receipts
Don’t want senders to see when you’ve read their messages? Turn off read receipts in Settings > Account > Privacy.
Media Visibility
You can configure WhatsApp to show photos and videos automatically, or require you to tap them first. Change this in Settings > Chats.
Dark Mode
Enable dark mode for an AMOLED black theme. Go to Settings > Chats > Theme and select Dark.
Text Formatting
Bold, italicize, and strikethrough your messages by surrounding text with symbols like *word* _word_ and ~word~.
Profile Photos
Tap your own profile photo > Edit to change it. Tap contacts’ profile photos to save or delete them.
Group Calls
Start a group call with up to 8 participants by tapping the phone icon in a group chat. Video calls support up to 4 people.
Share Your Status
Share text, photos, or videos in your temporary WhatsApp status that disappears after 24 hours.
Notifications
Customize notifications for each chat and mute or unsilent them with just a swipe in the notifications shade.
Chat Backups
Your chat history is regularly backed up to Google Drive or iCloud so you can restore it when reinstalling WhatsApp.
Hide Chats
On iPhone, you can hide entire chats from your main chat list. Just swipe left on a chat and tap Hide.
WhatsApp Voice and Video Calls
WhatsApp also offers free voice and video calling features:
- Make one-on-one voice calls to contacts by tapping the phone icon in chat.
- Start a video call by tapping the video camera icon in chat.
- Receive incoming WhatsApp calls even when you’re in another app.
- Seamlessly switch from voice to video, and from regular call to group call.
- Use features like mute, speaker and add participant during calls.
- Make voice and video calls over Wi-Fi to avoid using cellular data.
Group Voice and Video Calls
WhatsApp has group calling capabilities:
- Make group voice calls with up to 8 participants.
- Video calls support up to 4 participants simultaneously.
- Add participants during an ongoing group call if space allows.
- Mute your mic or turn off video any time during group calls.
Group calls help family, friends and teams collaborate over voice and video conveniently.
WhatsApp Business Features
WhatsApp also offers a separate app called WhatsApp Business aimed at small businesses:
- Create a business profile with business info, email, store addresses, etc.
- Set quick replies to frequently asked customer questions.
- Send product photos, catalogs, and other content.
- Enable away messages when you’re unable to respond.
- Stats to see how many messages are read.
- Greetings messages to introduce customers to your business.
- Labels to organize and prioritize incoming chats.
These features help businesses connect with customers and sell products more efficiently using WhatsApp.
Top WhatsApp Tips and Tricks
Here is a summary of some useful WhatsApp tips and tricks covered in this article:
- Set custom notification sounds for contacts and groups.
- Pin important chats to the top.
- Bold, italicize, and strikethrough messages.
- Email chat histories and backups.
- Change chat wallpaper.
- Use WhatsApp on multiple devices.
- Make voice and video calls.
- Enable dark mode.
- Mass message contacts with Broadcast Lists.
- Star and mute important messages.
Mastering these tips will enhance your WhatsApp messaging and calling experience.