How to Change Notification Sound on Discord Desktop & Mobile

This guide shows you how to change the notification sound for Discord on both desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux) and mobile (iOS, Android). You’ll learn where to find the sound settings, how to pick a different sound, and how to troubleshoot when the change doesn’t stick. No prior technical knowledge is needed.

What You’ll Need

• Access to your Discord account (logged in on the device where you want to change the sound).
• The Discord app installed on your desktop or mobile device. The steps are the same for the browser version on desktop.
• If you want to use a custom sound file, you’ll need a compatible audio file (MP3, WAV, or OGG) saved on your device.

Step-by-Step

On Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux, or Web)

1. Open Discord and log in if you aren’t already.
2. Click the gear icon (⚙️) at the bottom-left corner, next to your username and avatar. This opens User Settings.
3. In the left sidebar, scroll down to the App Settings section and click on Notifications.
4. Scroll down to the Sounds section. You’ll see a drop-down menu labeled Sound (or Notification Sound).
5. Click the drop-down to see the list of available sounds. Some common ones are Classic, Discord, Robot, Beep, Ding, and Pop. Select one to preview it immediately.
6. If you want to use your own sound file, click Upload (or Custom if it appears) and choose an audio file from your computer. Note: the file must be in MP3, WAV, or OGG format and under 512 KB.
7. After selecting a sound, click the X or press Esc to close the settings. The change is saved automatically.

On Mobile (iOS and Android)

1. Open the Discord app on your phone or tablet.
2. Tap your avatar in the bottom-right corner to open User Settings.
3. Scroll down and tap Notifications.
4. Under the Sounds section, tap Notification Sound (or just Sound).
5. You’ll see a list of built-in sounds. Tap one to preview it. The selection is applied immediately.
6. To use a custom sound, tap Upload (or Custom) and pick an audio file from your device. The same file format and size limits apply as on desktop.
7. Tap the back arrow to exit settings. Your choice is saved.

That’s it. The next time you receive a notification (message, mention, or friend request), you’ll hear the new sound.

Common Mistakes

• Changing the wrong setting: Make sure you’re in Notifications under User Settings, not the server-specific notification settings. Server settings only affect that server’s alerts, not the sound itself.
• Not closing settings properly: On desktop, if you close the window using the X in the top-right corner of the settings panel, it saves. But if you press the red X in the top-left (on macOS), it might not save. Always use the X at the top-right of the settings panel or press Esc.
• Uploading an unsupported file: Discord only accepts MP3, WAV, and OGG files under 512 KB. If your file is too large or in a different format, the upload will fail silently.
• Expecting the sound to change for all device types: Notification sounds are set per device. Changing it on your phone does not change it on your desktop, and vice versa.

Tips

• Test the sound before you commit: When you click or tap a sound in the list, Discord plays it immediately. Use this to find one that isn’t too loud or annoying.
• Keep custom sounds short: A short, crisp sound (under 2 seconds) works best for notifications. Longer sounds can be cut off or become irritating.
• Use the same sound across devices: If you want consistency, note the name of your chosen sound and select it on all your devices.
• Mute specific servers or channels: If you only want to change the sound for certain servers, you can’t do that directly. Instead, mute the server or channel in its notification settings, and leave the global sound as is.
• Check for updates: Discord occasionally adds new sounds. Make sure your app is updated to see the latest options.

Troubleshooting

I changed the sound, but I still hear the old one.
First, check that you saved the change by closing settings properly. Next, check if you have a server or channel set to All Messages with a custom override. Go to the server’s settings → Notifications → and see if there’s a custom sound set there. Reset it to Default.

My custom sound won’t upload.
Ensure the file is in MP3, WAV, or OGG format and under 512 KB. Convert the file if needed (using a free audio converter). Also, try renaming the file to something without special characters or spaces.

The sound plays on desktop but not on mobile (or vice versa).
Remember that notification sounds are set per device. You need to change it separately on each device.

I don’t see any sound options at all.
This can happen if you’re using an older version of Discord. Update the app to the latest version. On mobile, also check that your device’s system notification sound is not set to Silent or Vibrate Only for Discord (check your phone’s settings app).

The sound is too loud or too quiet.
Discord doesn’t have a separate volume slider for notification sounds; it uses your system’s notification volume. Adjust that in your OS or phone settings. On Windows, use the Volume Mixer; on macOS, use Sound preferences; on mobile, use the volume buttons while a notification is playing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a song as my notification sound?
Yes, but it must be under 512 KB and in MP3, WAV, or OGG format. A typical song is much larger, so you’d need to cut a short clip and compress it.

Does the notification sound change for all servers at once?
Yes, the sound you pick in User Settings applies to all servers and DMs. To have different sounds per server, you’d need to use a third-party tool, which isn’t recommended.

Will changing the sound affect the sound of incoming calls?
No, the notification sound setting only affects message and mention notifications. The call ringtone is separate and cannot be changed in Discord settings.

Why does my phone still vibrate even after I changed the sound?
Vibration is a separate setting. In the same Notifications settings on mobile, you can toggle Vibrate on or off.

Can I reset the notification sound to the default?
Yes, simply go back to the sound list and select the first option, usually named Default or Classic.

Does the sound change apply to the browser version of Discord?
Yes, the browser version uses the same settings as the desktop app, so changing it there will affect the browser version as well.

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