How to change or mute WhatsApp notification sounds on a Pixel

howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-change-or-mute-whatsapp-notification-sounds-on-a-pixel/ · Checked October 2026 · Google Pixel 10a, Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005), WhatsApp 2.26.41.77

5 of 5 steps with real screenshots · 1 official source below

Device

Android

Shown on

Google Pixel 10a, Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005), WhatsApp 2.26.41.77

App

WhatsApp

Real screenshots

5 of 5 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Open WhatsApp Settings

   On the Chats tab, tap the three dots at the top right, then Settings.

   Done

2. 

   Tap Notifications

   It is below Appearance: Message, group & call tones.

   Done

3. 

   Tap Notification tone

   Under Messages. Ours was Default (Kernel). Groups have their own tone further down.

   Done

4. 

   Pick a sound

   Ours opened the phone's sound picker: Currently set Default (Kernel), then sound collections such as My Sounds, Pixel Sounds and Sound Matters. We went back without changing it.

   Done

5. 

   To mute WhatsApp, use the Pixel's switch

   Pixel Settings, Apps, WhatsApp, Notifications: All WhatsApp notifications. Below it are categories, full-screen notifications and the notification dot.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• Sounds inside chats? Conversation tones at the top of WhatsApp's Notifications plays sounds for incoming and outgoing messages. Ours was on.

  

• No Popup notification? Ours showed Popup notification as Not available. WhatsApp says pop-up previews changed with Android 10 and are set in the phone's notification settings. Source: Can't see or hear notifications

If this does not work

• Notification arrives but is silent? WhatsApp says a tone set to Silent gives no sound even with Android sounds on. Also check Do Not Disturb. Source: Can't see or hear notifications
• Custom tone keeps resetting? WhatsApp says to use MP3, OGG, WAV or M4A in the Notifications folder, reset notification settings, then pick the tone again. Source: Can't see or hear notifications

About this guide

WhatsApp has its own tone settings, and Android has a master switch for the whole app. The phone's switch wins.

The screenshots are from our Google Pixel 10a with Android 17 and WhatsApp 2.26.41.77, in Dark mode, taken on 25 October 2026. We did not change any sound.

Good to know

If notifications come late, see WhatsApp notifications delayed on a Pixel.

In short: WhatsApp Settings, Notifications, Notification tone; or Pixel Settings, Apps, WhatsApp, Notifications.

📷 See real photos from the Pixel 10a in our Camera Lab, next to 10 other phones.