Finding and customizing the notification sound on Facebook Messenger is easy once you know where to look. The notification sound alerts you when you receive new messages so you don’t miss important conversations. This article will walk through step-by-step how to locate and change the notification sound on both desktop and mobile.
Locating the Notification Sound Setting on Desktop
If you use Facebook Messenger on a computer, here are the steps to find and customize the notification sound:
- Open Facebook Messenger in your web browser and log into your account if you aren’t already logged in.
- Click on your profile picture in the top right corner and select “Settings” from the drop-down menu.
- On the left side of the Settings page click on “Notifications”.
- Under the “Messages” section click on “Sound” to expand the drop-down menu.
- You will see the current notification sound listed under “New Message”. Click on the drop-down arrow to view and select from different built-in sounds.
- To use a custom sound, click “Add Custom Sound” and select an audio file from your computer.
- Click “Save Changes” at the bottom of the page to confirm the new notification sound.
And that’s it! The next time you get a new message on Messenger for desktop the selected sound will play to alert you. You can repeat these steps at any time to choose a different notification sound.
Customizing Notification Sounds on Desktop
Facebook Messenger offers several pre-set notification sounds you can choose from. But you can also upload custom audio files as your alert tone. Here are some tips for picking or creating a custom Messenger notification sound:
- Choose an MP3, WAV or other common audio file format. Make sure the file size is under 400 KB.
- Pick a short sound or alert tone so it’s not too disruptive. Alerts that are 1-3 seconds work best.
- Consider using unique sounds not already used for other notifications on your computer to avoid confusion.
- Tools like Garageband or Audacity can be used to record or create custom alert tones.
- Get creative and use a sound clip from a song, a funny audio meme, or memorable movie/TV quote.
Using a custom sound that you associate with Messenger notifications can be helpful if you use multiple chat apps and want to differentiate them. Just make sure to pick something not too loud or distracting!
Finding Notification Settings on Mobile
The process for changing the notification sound is similar on the Facebook Messenger mobile app. Follow these steps:
- Open the Facebook Messenger app on your iPhone, Android or other mobile device.
- Tap your profile picture at the top left and choose “Settings”.
- Select “Notifications”.
- Tap on “Sound” to view and change the notification tone.
- The default tones will be listed along with any custom sounds added.
- Tap a sound to preview it. Then tap “Save” to confirm your selection as the new notification sound.
The updated notification sound will now alert you to new Messenger messages on mobile. Use the same steps to pick a different tone anytime.
Adding Custom Sounds on Mobile
As with the desktop app, you can upload custom audio files as your notification sound on mobile. Here are tips for creating unique custom notification tones:
- Record a short audio clip using a recording app on your phone or tablet.
- Use an app like Garageband to create and export a tone or sound effect.
- Convert an existing song snippet, sound clip or other audio into an MP3 file.
- Make sure the file size is under 400 KB before uploading.
- Pick a memorable tone from a favorite song, movie scene, meme or other source.
Custom sounds help make your Messenger notifications stand out from other apps. Just be sure to choose something distinctive but not too long or distracting.
Troubleshooting Notification Sounds
If you are having trouble getting Facebook Messenger notification sounds to work properly, here are some troubleshooting tips:
Notification Sounds Not Working on Desktop
- Check your computer’s volume setting and make sure sound is not muted.
- Try testing another sound like your ringtone to confirm your speakers work.
- Verify the sound file you selected is a supported audio format.
- Make sure system notifications are allowed in your browser settings.
- Check if Do Not Disturb is enabled in your OS sound settings.
- Refresh the page and test the sound again after changing settings.
Notification Sounds Not Working on Mobile
- Confirm your device volume is turned up and not silenced.
- Check if Do Not Disturb is enabled in your phone’s settings.
- Test another app’s notifications to see if sounds work elsewhere.
- Ensure you have allowed notifications for Messenger in your phone settings.
- Force close and relaunch the Messenger app.
- Try setting a different notification sound and testing.
If you still can’t get the notification sound working after troubleshooting, reach out to Facebook Messenger support for further help.
Conclusion
Customizing your notification sound is an easy way to personalize Messenger and avoid missing messages. Just navigate to the Notification Settings on desktop or mobile and select a built-in tone or upload an MP3 for custom alerts. Troubleshoot issues with sound by checking device settings, testing other apps, and contacting support if needed. With the ideal notification tone set up, you’ll never miss an important Facebook message again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won’t my Messenger notification sounds work?
Here are some common reasons Messenger notification sounds may not be working:
- Your device’s volume is muted or too low.
- Facebook’s sound settings are disabled or set to “None”.
- You have Do Not Disturb enabled on your device or browser.
- The sound file format is not supported.
- Notifications are blocked for Messenger in device settings.
- There’s a connection issue causing sound not to play.
Do custom notification sounds only work on the mobile app?
No, you can add custom notification sounds on both the Messenger mobile app and desktop browser version. Just select “Add Custom Sound” in the Notification Settings on either platform.
Can I set different notification sounds for different Messenger contacts?
Unfortunately no, Facebook Messenger does not currently allow setting unique notification sounds for individual contacts or conversations. The sound you choose will be used for all incoming messages.
What file formats work for custom notification sounds?
Messenger supports common audio formats like MP3, WAV, WMA, MP4, M4A and AAC files for custom sounds. The file size must be under 400 KB.
How do I turn off all Messenger notification sounds?
To disable notification sounds entirely, open the Notification Settings and change the “New Message” sound to “None”. This will mute all incoming message alerts.
Comparison of Notification Options on Desktop and Mobile
| Notification Setting | Messenger Desktop | Messenger Mobile App |
|---|---|---|
| Sound Options | Default tones, custom MP3/audio | Default tones, custom MP3/audio |
| Visual Alerts | Unread message counts | Badges, banner alerts |
| Mute Settings | Mute for set duration | Mute always/1hr/8hrs/24hrs/1wk |
| Do Not Disturb | Set in OS settings | Set in app and OS settings |
As the table shows, both platforms allow custom sound uploads and have similar sound selection capabilities. Mobile has additional options like custom mute durations and more visual notification settings.
Guide to Notification Settings
Here is a quick guide to some of the other notification settings available for Facebook Messenger:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Show Desktop Notifications | Enables alerts on your computer screen for new messages. |
| Unread Message Counts | Shows the number of unread chats and messages. |
| Vibrate | Makes your phone vibrate for notifications. |
| Light | Flashes LED light for new notifications based on phone settings. |
| Preview | Shows preview text of messages in alerts. |
These provide additional customization options for Messenger alerts. Try enabling different combinations to optimize notifications for how you use Messenger.
Final Thoughts
Finding where to change your Facebook Messenger notification sound takes just a few taps in the app or browser settings. Customizing your tone allows you to personalize alerts and avoid ignoring new messages. Whether you want to hear a funny meme, movie clip, or a standard tone, the option is there. Just be sure to choose a sound that is noticeable but not too distracting based on how you use Messenger. With notifications optimized for your needs, you can stay connected to the conversations you care about.