WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps worldwide, with over 2 billion users. One of the key features of WhatsApp is the ability to set custom notification tones for incoming messages, so you can easily identify when you receive a new WhatsApp message.
Checking if Message Tones are Enabled
Before setting a custom message tone, you first need to check if your message tones are enabled in WhatsApp. Here are the steps:
- Open WhatsApp on your phone
- Tap on the 3 dots or settings icon in the top right
- Go to Settings > Notifications
- Make sure that Notification Tone is toggled on
If Notification Tone is off, simply tap on it to enable it. This will allow custom message tones to be played when you get new messages.
Setting a Default Message Tone
Once message tones are enabled, you can set a default tone that will be used for all incoming WhatsApp messages. Here are the steps:
- Open WhatsApp Settings > Notifications as before
- Tap on Notification Tone
- You will see a list of preset tones provided by WhatsApp
- Listen to the tones and select the one you like
This tone will now be used for all new WhatsApp messages received. Most Android phones will have a Default ringtone option in this list which will play your default system notification sound.
Using Custom Notification Sounds
While WhatsApp provides some preset tones, you can use any sound file on your phone as a custom notification tone by following these steps:
- Copy the sound file you want to use to your phone’s internal storage or SD card. Supported formats include MP3, WAV, OGG, ACC.
- Go to WhatsApp Settings > Notifications > Notification Tone as before
- Tap on ‘Add Tone’ at the top of the tone list
- Select the sound file you want to use from your storage
The selected sound will now show up in your WhatsApp tones list and can be set as the message notification tone. You can add multiple custom sounds this way.
Setting Custom Tones for Contacts
Rather than having the same tone for all messages, you can set unique notification tones for specific contacts in WhatsApp. Here are the steps:
- Open the WhatsApp chat for the contact
- Tap on the contact’s name at the top
- Tap Custom Notification Tone
- Select a tone for this contact
Whenever you get a new message from this contact, WhatsApp will play the custom tone you selected. This allows you to easily identify messages from important contacts.
Disabling Message Tones at Night
Having different message tones for your contacts is useful, but constant notifications can be disruptive at night when you are trying to sleep. Fortunately, WhatsApp has a Do Not Disturb mode that will silence notifications during set hours.
- Go to WhatsApp Settings > Notifications
- Tap on Do Not Disturb
- Set the hours during which you want to disable notifications, e.g. 10pm to 7am
With this enabled, you will not get any message tones from WhatsApp during the set Do Not Disturb hours. The messages will still be delivered and you can check them in the morning.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you are not hearing any notification tones in WhatsApp despite following the steps above, here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Check your phone’s volume settings and make sure media volume is turned up
- Verify that Do Not Disturb mode is not accidentally enabled outside of your set hours
- For custom tones, check that the notification access for WhatsApp is enabled in your phone settings
- Make sure the sound file you selected as custom tone is not corrupted or deleted
- Force close and restart the WhatsApp app to refresh the notification settings
- On Android, clear WhatsApp cache and data before re-setting notification tones
Conclusion
Setting up custom notification tones for WhatsApp messages is easy and allows you to identify important contacts quickly. Make sure to set the right tones for your frequent contacts and disable tones at night for uninterrupted sleep. With these tips, you can get the most out of WhatsApp message tones.
| OS | Steps to Set Custom Tone |
|---|---|
| Android |
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| iOS |
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WhatsApp’s customizable notification tones allow you to set up different sounds for your contacts. This can be useful for identifying who is messaging you without having to check your phone each time. Some key advantages of using custom WhatsApp tones include:
- Setting unique tones for your important contacts like family, friends, work colleagues etc.
- Using songs, music clips or funny sounds that denote specific contacts
- Having a loud or shrill tone for groups and threads you are highly active in
- Setting soothing or muted tones for contacts you don’t need to respond to urgently
- Finding tones that are easy for you to distinguish when phone is not close by
- Matching contact tones to their personalities for a fun personal touch
However, there are some disadvantages to watch out for when using custom WhatsApp tones:
- Too many different tones can become annoying and confusing over time
- Loud or repetitive tones can be disruptive to people around you
- Having different tones for all contacts takes away from default tone familiarity
- Custom tones may not transfer over when you switch phones
- Some custom tones may not be officially supported and could cause issues
Overall, customized WhatsApp tones add a new dimension to your messaging experience. But use them judiciously for contacts that really need differentiation and be mindful of your surroundings when selecting tones. With some discipline, they can be an effective notification tool.
Some key pointers when choosing custom tones for WhatsApp contacts:
- Pick distinct tones of different pitches/tempos for easy identification
- Avoid tones that are too abrasive or loud
- Remember to keep volumes low in public settings
- Change tones for contacts if you no longer associate with the sound
- Don’t overdo it – stick to tones for your top 10-15 contacts
- Opt for subtle chimes for non-urgent contacts and groups
- Try to use unique custom tones not already in your environment
- Set a consistent default tone for new contacts
Sticking to these best practices will help ensure your custom WhatsApp tones are effective and not overbearing. Test out different tones carefully and pay attention to feedback from those around you when selecting sounds.
Customizing Android Notification Sounds
Android phones offer great flexibility in customizing your default and app notification sounds. Here are some tips for Android users:
- You can set a global default sound for all notifications in your Sound settings.
- Customize notifications for each individual app like WhatsApp in the App settings.
- Use any MP3 or other format audio file for your custom tones.
- Adjust sound volumes for notifications separately in Sound settings.
- Tap sounds can be used instead of ringtone files if preferred.
- Set quiet hours to disable sounds for set times like at night.
- Use Do Not Disturb modes like Priority for fine tuned control.
Take advantage of Android’s open sound system and remixing apps to create custom tones that are distinctly you. But don’t go overboard and try keeping consistent tones for categories of contacts.
Customizing iOS Notification Sounds
Although iOS has less flexibility than Android, you can still customize notification sounds:
- Open the Sounds settings to change default system sounds.
- Find the Notifications settings for an app to customize those alerts.
- You can use built-in sounds, GarageBand files, or purchased tones.
- Control notification volumes in Sounds or using the Volume buttons.
- Mute new contacts by default until you set custom tones.
- Use Do Not Disturb schedules to limit notifications as needed.
Work within the confines of iOS to pick pleasing tones that suit you. Avoid changing tones too frequently and stick to meaningful selections for key contacts to derive the most benefit.
Choosing Appropriate Notification Sounds
When deciding on custom notification tones for your WhatsApp contacts, consider these factors:
- Contact Type – Close friends & family, work colleagues, social circles, delivery alerts
- Notification Urgency – High priority contacts vs low priority groups
- Time of Day – Different tones for daytime vs night time notifications
- Location – Different tones for home vs public place notifications
- Message Frequency – Lower volume for constant pings from groups
- Uniqueness – Pick sufficiently distinct tones for each main contact
- Volume – Loudness should suit environment and urgency
Striking the right balance between personalized tones and notification management is important. Evaluate your different WhatsApp contacts and conversations to determine which ones really need customized sounds.
Tools for Creating Custom Notification Sounds
Here are some apps and tools you can use to create unique custom tones for WhatsApp or other apps on your smartphone:
| Tool | Platform | Description |
|---|---|---|
| GarageBand | iOS | App to mix and edit audio clips and music |
| Music Maker JAM | Android, iOS | Loop-based music mixing tool |
| Zedge | Android, iOS | Hub for notification tones, ringtones, wallpapers |
| Audio Converter | Android, iOS | Convert and edit sound formats |
| WavePad | Android, iOS | Record and edit audio and music |
Explore these apps to create customized notification tones that reflect your contacts’ personalities. But don’t get overwhelmed trying too many edits – a simple snip of a song or soundbite is often enough.
Troubleshooting Custom WhatsApp Sounds
If your custom WhatsApp notification tones are not working properly, try these troubleshooting tips:
- Confirm the sound file is in a supported format like MP3, ACC, M4A.
- Make sure the sound file is stored properly in local storage or SD card.
- Check that WhatsApp has notification access enabled in system settings.
- Try setting a default system tone first to isolate issues.
- Make sure all relevant sound and notification volumes are turned up.
- Check for any active Do Not Disturb modes muting notifications.
- Toggle off and on the custom tone option to force a refresh.
- For Android custom tones, check that notifications are not blocked for WhatsApp.
- Try resetting all WhatsApp notification settings to default then setting custom tones again.
- As a last resort, uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp to force refresh sound settings.
Following basic troubleshooting steps can help resolve most custom tone issues on WhatsApp. Reach out to customer support if problems persist across device restarts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set custom tones for WhatsApp groups?
Yes, you can set a custom notification tone for any WhatsApp group the same way as setting it for individual contacts – just select the group chat and choose the custom tone.
How do I send a custom tone to a friend on WhatsApp?
You can send any custom tone files to friends on WhatsApp like a regular audio attachment. They can then save the file and use it as their custom tone.
Can I use songs as custom tones in WhatsApp?
Yes, short snippets of any song in formats like MP3 can be set as your custom WhatsApp notification tone on both Android and iOS.
Can I set different message and group tones in WhatsApp?
Yes, you can choose to set distinct custom notification tones for incoming messages and group notifications within WhatsApp.
Where do custom tones stored on Android and iOS?
On Android custom tones are stored in device storage or SD card. On iOS they are available locally within the app’s Notification Tone settings.
Is there a limit on number of custom tones in WhatsApp?
There is no set limit on the number of custom tones you can add. However keeping it to 10-15 unique tones for main contacts is recommended.
How do I get funny tones for my WhatsApp contacts?
You can download funny tones like memes, sound effects etc from sources like Zedge and use them as custom WhatsApp tones.
Can I change tone without third-party apps?
On Android you can use inbuilt features like audiotrimmer to cut clips for tones without needing third-party apps.
Do my custom tones sync across devices?
Unfortunately, WhatsApp does not yet sync custom tones automatically across devices. You have to set them up again when switching phones.