How do I change my text message tone?

Why Change Your Text Tone?

Changing your default text tone allows you to customize your phone’s personality. Setting unique tones for different contacts makes it easier to identify incoming texts without having to look at your phone. It’s also a fun way to express yourself through ringtones that match your style.

Research shows that custom ringtones and notification sounds provide several benefits:

• Custom tones help identify senders, so you know who is texting without having to look at your phone (Source).
• Unique tones for specific contacts add personality to your device (Source).
• Fun, creative tones allow you to showcase your musical tastes and style (Source).

Overall, customizing your text tone is an easy way to make your phone feel more personal.

Finding Your Phone’s Text Tone Settings

The first step to changing your text tone is accessing the tone settings on your phone. Each mobile operating system keeps this in a slightly different place:

On iPhone, open Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Text Tone to manage the tone for text messages and iMessages [1]. This is where you can choose a new default tone or customize tones for individual contacts.

On Android, open Settings > Sound > Phone ringtone. The Phone ringtone setting controls notification sounds including the tone for text messages. From here you can pick a preset tone or choose a custom sound file [2].

Knowing where these text tone settings are located on your specific model of iPhone or Android phone is the first step to changing up your phone’s sounds.

Choosing a Default Tone

iPhone comes pre-installed with a variety of text tone options to choose from for your default text notification sound. The default options include classic sounds like Tri-tone and Opening as well as more modern chimes like Note and Chord.

When choosing a default iPhone text tone, you’ll want to consider the length and style. Short 1-2 second tones like Bell or Chime are quick and won’t draw too much attention. Longer tones like Radar or Alarm will play out fully when you get a text. Pick a tone that matches your personal style – modern chimes for a sleek vibe or retro sounds like Old Phone for a vintage feel.

According to polls, some of the most popular default text tones on iPhone include Tri-tone (https://strawpoll.com/most-popular-iphone-text-tone), Marimba, and Chime. But don’t be afraid to browse the options and select something unique to you.

Using Custom Tones

One of the best parts of customizing your text tones is being able to use audio files beyond the default options. You can add tones in common formats like MP3 and WAV from your computer. There are also many online stores where you can download fun, creative ringtones and text tones, like Zedge. Some popular places to find custom tones include:

• iTunes Tones Store
• Zedge ringtone and wallpaper app
• Myxer free ringtones
• PacifiCoast alerts and tones

You can also easily create your own custom tones by recording audio clips on your phone. Sing a song, say something silly in a funny voice, or make any other sounds you want to use. Just record yourself using the Voice Memos app or other recording app on your iPhone, and then save it to use as a tone.

The key is to keep the tone short – under 30 seconds is ideal. Then just use iTunes or the Files app to import it onto your phone. Get creative and have fun making tones that will make you smile every time your phone rings or you get a text!

Setting Tones for Individual Contacts

You can set a unique text tone for individual contacts on both iPhone and Android. This allows you to identify who is texting you without even looking at your phone.

On iPhone:

• Open the Contacts app and select the contact you want to customize.
• Tap Edit in the upper right corner.
• Scroll down and tap Text Tone.
• Select the desired tone from the list or tap Add New Tone to use a purchased or custom tone.
• Tap Done to save the change.

On Android:

• Open the Contacts app and select the contact.
• Tap Edit contact in the upper right corner.
• Scroll down and tap Ringtone.
• Select the tone you want.
• Tap OK to save.

Now when that person texts you, your phone will play the unique tone you’ve set so you know it’s them! It’s an easy way to customize your text messaging experience.

Creating Tones from Scratch

If you want full creative control over your text tone, you can create custom ringtones from scratch using audio editing apps like GarageBand or Audacity. Here are the basic steps:

1. Source an audio clip you want to use. This can be a song you like, a sound effect, or an original recording. Make sure you have permission to use the audio if it’s not your own.

2. Import the audio file into GarageBand or Audacity. Trim it down to 30 seconds or less.

3. Add any effects or mix audio tracks together. You can layer sounds, incorporate loops, or edit the audio waveform.

4. Export the edited audio as an AAC or M4R file. Make sure the bitrate is set to 128kbps or higher for best quality.

5. Connect your iPhone to your computer and drag the edited ringtone file into iTunes. Go to Tones in your device settings and you’ll see your new creation!

The advantage of making ringtones from scratch is you can customize them exactly how you want. You can match tones to contacts or tailor them for certain notifications. Just make sure the final file is an AAC or M4R and 30 seconds or less. Get creative with audio editing to make the perfect custom text tone!

Sources: https://support.apple.com/en-us/102303, https://osxdaily.com/2020/09/11/how-set-song-ringtone-iphone-garageband/

Troubleshooting Tips

If your text tone still isn’t working after trying the steps above, here are some troubleshooting tips:

First, check that your phone’s volume is turned up loud enough to hear notifications. Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and make sure the volume sliders are adjusted to your desired levels.

Also check that the custom text tone file you are trying to use is a compatible audio format for your iPhone, such as .m4r or .aac files. If you’re using an incompatible format, it may not play as your text tone.

As a last resort, you can try contacting your wireless carrier for further help diagnosing your text tone issue. They may be able to reset network settings or pinpoint if there is a problem on their end preventing tones from coming through.

Things to Avoid

When selecting a custom text tone, there are some things you’ll want to avoid:

Extremely long tones can become disruptive or annoying, especially in a professional setting. Stick to tones that are 3-5 seconds maximum. Endless loops or songs used as custom tones should be avoided.

Offensive or disruptive tones, like sirens, screams, or gunshots, are better left unused. These startling noises can be upsetting to hear unexpectedly. It’s best to keep text tones lighthearted.

Unclear or very quiet tones may simply go unheard and unnoticed. Pick tones that are distinct and loud enough at normal volumes. Soft chimes or tones without a sharp attack may not cut through ambient noise.

Overall, be mindful of those around you when customizing your phone’s text tone. An unexpected or disruptive sound can be annoying in quiet areas. Keep it professional at work and inoffensive in public. Short, subtle tones are a safe bet.

Customizing Other Alert Sounds

In addition to changing your text message tone, you can also customize the notification sounds for other apps on your iPhone. This allows you to set unique tones for emails, calendar alerts, social media apps, and more so you can easily identify different notifications.

To change notification sounds for other apps:

1. Go to Settings > Sounds (or Sounds & Haptics on newer iPhones)
2. Tap on Ringtone or Text Tone
3. Tap on the app you want to change the alert sound for in the list
4. Select a new tone from the available options or tap Add New Sound to use your own audio file

Some apps like Calendar, Mail, and Facebook allow you to customize the notification sound right from the app’s settings instead of the main Settings app. Just tap the app’s Settings and look for notification sound options.

Get creative and choosesounds that are unique and identifiable for different apps. Popular choices are using different musical instruments, movie/TV quotes, or short sound effects. Just make sure to pick tones that aren’t too abrasive or annoying if you get a lot of alerts!

Get Creative and Have Fun!

Customizing your text tone is a great way to get creative and add some fun flair to your phone. Consider setting special tones for certain holidays, moods, or even inside jokes with friends. For example, set a spooky ringtone for texts around Halloween or a festive jingle for the December holidays. You can also match tones to your mood – set a soothing chime for when you need some zen or an energizing sound when you need a pick-me-up.

For extra fun, frequently rotate your text tones to keep things interesting. Zedge has a huge library of free ringtones you can browse for inspiration (https://www.zedge.net/find/ringtones/funny%20text%20message). Reddit users also suggest some creative ideas like using sound clips from TV shows or movies (https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/wqtpa/what_are_some_of_your_favorite_textnotification/). Keep your text tones fresh by changing them regularly – it’s an easy way to add a smile to your day!