How do I set a message tone?

Setting a custom message tone on your phone allows you to assign unique sounds to alert you when specific contacts message you. Having custom message tones helps you identify who is messaging without having to look at your phone. Most smartphones give you the ability to set custom tones for texts, emails, and other messaging apps. Here’s a quick guide on how to set a custom message tone on an iPhone or Android phone.

iPhone Custom Message Tones

The iPhone makes it easy to set custom text tones for individual contacts or groups of contacts. Here are the steps to set a custom text tone on an iPhone:

1. Open the Contacts app and select the contact you want to set a custom tone for.
2. Tap Edit in the upper right corner.
3. Scroll down and tap Text Tone.
4. Select the tone you want to use for this contact’s messages. You can browse the default tones or tap Add New Tone to import a custom tone.
5. Tap Done to save the new text tone setting.

Now when that contact messages you, your iPhone will play the unique tone you selected so you know it’s them. You can repeat these steps to set custom text tones for other individual contacts or whole contact groups. You can also set custom tones for emails from specific contacts through the Contacts app.

Adding Custom Tones to an iPhone

If you want to use a sound file as a custom message tone that isn’t already on your iPhone, you need to add it first. Here’s how:

1. Open the GarageBand app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Audio Recorder.
3. Record a short voice memo or open the Audio Browser and tap Apple Loops to browse free sound loops.
4. Trim the recording or loop down to 30 seconds or less.
5. Tap Share, then Ringtone.
6. Enter a title for the new tone and tap Export.

This will save the sound file to your iPhone’s ringtones folder so you can access it when setting custom tones.

Setting Vibration Patterns

In addition to custom tones, you can also set custom vibration patterns for contacts on your iPhone. To create a unique vibration pattern:

1. Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics.
2. Tap Vibration.
3. Tap Create New Vibration.
4. Tap the screen to create your desired vibration pattern.
5. Tap Stop when finished.
6. Name the vibration and tap Save.

Now when setting a custom tone for a contact, you can choose your custom vibration pattern as well.

Android Custom Message Tones

The process for setting custom message tones on Android phones is very similar to iPhone.

For contacts:

1. Open your Contacts app and select the contact.
2. Tap Edit contact.
3. Tap Default ringtone.
4. Select a tone or tap Add ringtone to import a new one.
5. Tap OK to assign the tone.

For text messages:

1. Open your Messages app.
2. Tap the Menu button (three vertical dots).
3. Tap Settings > Notifications.
4. Tap Default notification sound.
5. Select a tone or tap Add ringtone to import a new one.
6. Tap OK to assign the tone.

You can repeat this to set custom tones for all your frequent contacts. Most Android phones also allow you to set custom vibration patterns like on iPhone.

Adding Custom Sounds on Android

To add a custom sound file as a tone on an Android phone:

1. Copy the sound file to your phone’s internal storage or SD card.
2. Open the Files app and locate the sound file.
3. Tap on the file to play it.
4. Tap the Menu button (three dots) and select Set as ringtone.

The sound file will now show up as an option when selecting custom tones in your contacts or messaging apps.

Custom Tones for Other Apps

In addition to texts and calls, most phones also allow setting custom notification tones for other messaging apps and email accounts. The process is very similar:

WhatsApp Custom Tones

iPhone:

1. Open WhatsApp and tap Settings.
2. Tap Notifications > Message notifications.
3. Select the tone you want.

Android:

1. Open WhatsApp and tap the Menu button (three dots).
2. Tap Settings > Notifications.
3. Tap Message notifications and select the tone.

Facebook Messenger Custom Tones

iPhone:

1. Open Messenger and tap your profile pic.
2. Tap Notifications.
3. Tap Sound and select the tone.

Android:

1. Open Messenger, tap your profile pic and tap Notifications.
2. Tap Sound and select the tone.

Gmail Custom Tones

iPhone:

1. Open Settings and tap Notifications.
2. Scroll down to Gmail and tap Sounds.
3. Select the Gmail notification sound.

Android:

1. Open Gmail, tap the Menu button and tap Settings.
2. Tap your account name.
3. Tap Inbox sound and Notification sound to change tones.

This allows you to identify new emails without looking at your phone. Most email apps and other messaging services have similar notification settings to customize tones.

Conclusion

Setting custom tones for contacts, text messages, and apps is an easy way to personalize your phone’s notifications. With unique tones assigned to different senders, you can identify who is reaching out without having to look at the screen. Custom tones reduce confusion, prevent notifications from blending together, and make your phone feel more personal.

Take some time to set special tones for your frequent contacts, messaging apps, and email accounts. Just follow the steps for your iPhone or Android device. With custom tones configured, you’ll never have to guess who a notification is from again.