GOOGLE PIXEL
How to change the notification sound on a Google Pixel (Android 17)
In short
Open Settings, Sound and vibration and tap Notification, under Sound and vibration patterns. Open a sound collection such as Pixel Sounds, tap a sound, then tap Save at the top right. Ours was Kernel.
4 of 4 steps show a real screenshot from our Pixel 10a. Each step was checked against the maker's own instructions, linked at the end.
Steps
- 1
Open Sound and vibration
Open Settings and tap Sound and vibration: Volume and haptics.
- 2
Tap Notification
Under the Sound and vibration patterns heading, Notification is just below Ringtone. Notification said Kernel / Classic short vibration on ours. Tap it.
- 3
Open Pixel Sounds
The top shows Currently set: Kernel, with Classic short vibration. Under Sound collections, tap one, such as Pixel Sounds, between My Sounds and Sound Matters.
- 4
Pick a sound and tap Save
Pixel Sounds said 25 available, with a Notification volume slider and Kernel ticked on ours. Tap a sound, then Save at the top right. There is no Cancel button: Back leaves without saving, which is what we did.
If you do not see this option
- Called Default notification sound? Google's Pixel help names it Default notification sound under Sound & vibration. On our Pixel 10a with Android 17 it was the Notification row under Sound and vibration patterns. Source: Change volume, sound & vibrate settings on your Pixel phone or Pixel Tablet
- A different sound for one app? Google says you can choose different notification sounds for different apps, in the settings menu inside each app. Source: Change volume, sound & vibrate settings on your Pixel phone or Pixel Tablet
- Want to use your own sound? My Sounds, the first collection, lists sound files you add. On 1 November 2026 we copied a short MP3 into the phone's Notifications folder, and it appeared in My Sounds as 2 available: None and the new file. We did not save it as the notification sound, and removed the file again.
If this does not work
- New sound didn't stick? You probably went Back without tapping Save. Pick the sound again and tap Save at the top right.
- Too quiet? Drag the Notification volume slider on the sound list to the right.
- No sound at all? Check Do Not Disturb and modes, then Pixel not getting notifications.
- Phone only vibrates for notifications? The ring setting may be on Vibrate or Mute. Google's help describes pressing a volume button and tapping the ring control above the slider to switch between Ring, Vibrate and Mute.
- Volume changes the wrong slider? The volume buttons usually change media volume. Google says to press a volume button and open the menu to reach separate sliders for call, ring, notification and alarm volume.
- One app still uses its old sound? Google says some apps have their own notification sound in the settings menu inside the app. Change it there.
Good to know
Vibrations, on the Notification page, changes the vibration; ours was Classic short vibration. See how to change vibration and haptics.
The ringtone works the same way: how to change the ringtone. Missed something? See notification history.
The new sound applies to every app that uses the phone's default notification sound, from the next notification on. Apps that set their own sound keep it. Alarms and calls are not affected; they have their own sound settings. To undo, open Notification again, choose the old sound, which was Kernel on ours, and tap Save.
If you would rather be told about some notifications by a flash of light, see how to turn on flash notifications.
About this guide
- Device
- Android
- Shown on
- Google Pixel 10a, Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005)
- App
- Settings
- Path
- Settings › Sound and vibration › Notification
- Real screenshots
- 4 of 4 steps
- Checked
- October 2026
- Sources
- 2 official, linked below
Sources
Links checked October 2026. Menus and features can change with updates.Spotted a mistake? Menus change with updates, and we want every step to match your screen. Email us about this page or use the contact form. We read every report, and fixes are listed on What changed.
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