Symptoms
- App notification plays the default sound instead of a custom one
- No sound plays at all for that app's notifications
- Sound worked before and changed unexpectedly
- Sound is correct for some notification types in the app but not others
Likely causes
- CommonCustom notification sound not properly set in app or phone settingsSound assignments can reset after an app update or OS update.
- CommonDo Not Disturb or Focus mode exceptions not configured for this appEven allowed notifications can play silently if sound exceptions aren't set.
- PossibleMedia volume or notification volume turned down separately from ringer volumePhones often have separate volume sliders for different sound types.
- PossibleApp-specific sound setting overridden by phone-wide defaultSome apps have their own sound menu separate from the system notification settings.
- Less commonCorrupted or missing custom sound fileA custom tone file can become inaccessible after a system update.
What to do
- Check the app's individual notification settings for a sound selection.
- Check the phone's system-wide notification settings for that specific app.
- Confirm notification/media volume is turned up, separate from ringer volume.
- Check Do Not Disturb or Focus mode settings for exceptions related to sound.
- Reselect the desired sound even if it appears correct, to refresh the setting.
- Restart the phone.
- Update the app in case of a settings-related bug.
When to call a pro
No professional repair needed; this is a settings-level fix.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.