Discord on mobile sends a default notification sound for every message, mention, and direct message. You may want to replace this sound with a custom tone to distinguish Discord notifications from other apps or to use a sound you prefer. Discord does not offer a built-in option to upload your own sound files directly within the app. However, you can change the notification sound by using your phone’s system settings to assign a custom sound to the Discord app. This article explains the exact steps to set a custom notification sound for Discord on both Android and iOS devices.
Key Takeaways: Changing Discord Notification Sound on Mobile
- Android App Info > Notifications > Sound: Change Discord’s notification sound to any ringtone stored on your device.
- iOS Settings > Notifications > Discord > Sounds: Select one of the built-in alert tones for Discord notifications.
- No direct upload option: Discord does not allow uploading custom audio files; you must use system sound pickers or pre-loaded tones.
How Discord Notification Sounds Work on Mobile
Discord for mobile uses the operating system’s notification framework to play sounds. The app does not have its own sound library or a setting to upload custom tones. Instead, when Discord sends a notification, it triggers the system notification service, which plays whatever sound is assigned to the Discord app in your phone’s settings. This means you can change the sound only through the system settings, not inside Discord itself.
On Android, you can assign any audio file stored on your device as the notification sound for Discord. On iOS, you are limited to the built-in alert tones that Apple provides. You cannot use a custom MP3 or other audio file as a notification sound for Discord on iOS unless you use a third-party workaround or a custom ringtone created through Apple’s GarageBand app.
Discord also provides in-app notification preferences that control which events trigger a sound. For example, you can disable sounds for direct messages or mentions independently. These settings do not change the sound itself, but they let you control when a sound plays.
Steps to Change Discord Notification Sound on Android
The following steps apply to devices running Android 10 or later. The exact menu names may vary slightly depending on your device manufacturer and Android version.
- Open Android Settings
Open the Settings app on your Android phone. Scroll down and tap Apps or Applications. - Find Discord in the app list
Tap See all apps or App management. Scroll until you find Discord. Tap it to open the App Info screen. - Open Notifications settings
On the App Info screen, tap Notifications. This shows all notification categories for Discord, such as Direct Messages, Server Messages, and Mentions. - Select a notification category
Tap the category you want to change the sound for. For example, tap Direct Messages to change the sound for DMs. A new screen with category-specific options opens. - Change the sound
On the category settings screen, tap Sound. A system sound picker opens. It shows a list of built-in ringtones and notification sounds. To use a custom sound, tap the Add or + button if available, or select a sound file from your file manager. On most devices, you can browse to a folder that contains an audio file. Select the file and tap OK or Done. - Repeat for other categories
If you want a different sound for mentions or group DMs, go back to the Notifications list and repeat steps 4 and 5 for each category.
After changing the sound, test it by having someone send you a message on Discord. The new sound should play when the notification arrives.
Steps to Change Discord Notification Sound on iOS
iOS does not allow you to assign a custom audio file as a notification sound for third-party apps. You can only select from the built-in alert tones that Apple provides. The following steps work on iOS 15 and later.
- Open iOS Settings
Tap the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. - Tap Notifications
Scroll down and tap Notifications. A list of all installed apps appears. - Select Discord
Scroll down and tap Discord. The Discord notification settings screen opens. - Tap Sounds
Under the Alerts section, tap Sounds. A list of built-in alert tones appears, grouped by category. - Choose a tone
Tap any tone to preview it. After you find one you like, tap the back arrow in the top-left corner to save the selection. The sound is now set for all Discord notifications.
If you want to use a custom sound on iOS, you must create a custom ringtone using GarageBand or a similar tool and then assign it to Discord through the Sounds menu. This process is complex and not recommended for most users. The built-in tones cover many common preferences.
If Discord Still Uses the Old Sound After Changing Settings
Sometimes the system does not immediately apply the new notification sound. This can happen due to cached settings or a pending system update.
Android: Clear Discord Cache
Go to Settings > Apps > Discord > Storage. Tap Clear Cache. Do not tap Clear Data, as that will reset your login and preferences. After clearing the cache, restart your phone and test the notification again.
iOS: Restart the Device
Hold the side button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears. Slide to power off. Wait 30 seconds, then press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. After the restart, check if the new sound plays.
Both Platforms: Verify Do Not Disturb Is Off
If your phone is in Do Not Disturb or Focus mode, notifications may be silenced entirely or use a default silent tone. Open Control Center and check that Do Not Disturb is turned off. Also ensure that Discord is allowed to bypass Do Not Disturb in your system settings.
Discord In-App Notification Sound Settings
Inside the Discord app, you can control which events trigger a sound. This does not change the tone itself, but it lets you stop unwanted sounds.
- Open Discord and go to User Settings
Tap your avatar in the bottom-right corner. Tap the gear icon in the top-right corner to open User Settings. - Tap Notifications
Under App Settings, tap Notifications. - Adjust sound preferences
Toggle Message Notifications Sound to On or Off. Toggle In-App Sounds to On or Off. You can also set specific servers or direct messages to mute sounds individually.
Discord Notification Sound Customization: Android vs iOS
| Item | Android | iOS |
|---|---|---|
| Custom sound support | Yes, any audio file on the device | No, only built-in alert tones |
| Sound assignment method | System App Info > Notifications > Sound | System Settings > Notifications > Discord > Sounds |
| Per-category sounds | Yes, each notification category can have a different sound | No, one sound applies to all Discord notifications |
| Third-party workaround for custom tones | Not needed | Requires GarageBand or similar tool |
Changing the Discord notification sound on mobile is a system-level task, not an in-app setting. On Android, you have full control to assign any audio file to specific notification categories. On iOS, you are limited to Apple’s built-in tones unless you create a custom ringtone. After making the change, test the notification and clear the app cache if the new sound does not play. For finer control over when sounds play, use Discord’s in-app notification settings to mute specific servers or message types.