How to turn on the sound of VKontakte messages on Android: 5 methods + solutions to common errors

Are you missing important messages in VKontaktebecause the phone does not make beeps? The problem may lie both in the settings of the messenger itself and in the system parameters Android. In this article, we will analyze all possible reasons - from trivial errors in notification settings to conflicts with energy saving.

The peculiarity of VK on Android is that the sound of messages depends on three factors at once: application settings, system permissions and battery optimization policy. For example, even if everything is turned on in the messenger, MIUI or EMUI can automatically block background notifications. We will consider solutions for all popular shells - Samsung One UI, Xiaomi MIUI, Huawei EMUI and pure Android.

Important: if you use VK Messenger separately from the main application, the sound settings may be duplicated or conflict. In the article we will provide instructions for both options.

Why the sound of notifications in VK on Android disappeared

Before turning on the sound, let's look at the reasons for its absence. Here 5 most common scenarios:

• 🔕 Notifications in VK itself are disabled — the user accidentally or intentionally turned off the sound in the application settings.
• 📵 System restrictions —Android blocks background activity of VK due to battery optimization (especially relevant for Xiaomi, Huawei, Oppo).
• 🔔 Do not disturb mode — enabled at the system level or for a specific chat in VK.
• 🗑️ Cache or application data is damaged —after updating VK, the settings may be lost.
• 🎵 Problems with the phone's sound profile —for example, silent mode or low media volume is selected.

If the sound is gone after updating VK or Android, first try to restart the phone - this resets temporary conflicts between the application and the system. In 30% of cases, the problem is solved this way.

⚠️ Attention: On phones with MIUI 14+ i ColorOS 13+ VK may automatically be included in the list of "sleeping" applications, which blocks notifications. Check this in the section Settings → Battery → Battery optimization.

Method 1: Turn on sound in VK settings

Let's start with the most obvious - checking the settings inside the application. The instructions are relevant for VK version 8.0+ (both the main application and a separate messenger).

1. Open VK and tap on the icon ⚙️ Settings (in the lower right corner on the main screen).
2. Go to section Notifications.
3. Select Sounds and vibration.
4. Activate the switch Notification sound.
5. Below you can select a melody from those suggested or add your own (the file must be in format .mp3 or .wav).

If you use VK Messenger separately, the path will be slightly different:

Open VK Messenger → Profile → Settings → Notifications → Sound notifications

After changing the settings be sure to checkwhether a test notification is received. To do this:

1. Return to the section Notifications.
2. Tap on Test notification.
3. If the sound is not played, there is a problem lies in the system settings (see Method 2).

Method 2: Setting up notifications at the Android level

Even if everything is turned on in VK, Android can block sounds at the system level. This is especially true for phones with aggressive battery optimization (Xiaomi, Huawei, Realme). Let's look at the universal algorithm for all versions of Android 10+.

Step 1. Checking VK permissions

1. Open Phone Settings → Applications.
2. Find VK (or VK Messenger) in the list and tap on it.
3. Go to Notifications.
4. Make sure that switch Allow notifications active.
5. Tap on Sound and select a melody (not "Silent" or "Mute").

Step 2. Excluding VK from battery optimization

• 🔋 For Xiaomi (MIUI): Settings → Battery → Battery optimization → All applications → VK → Unlimited
• 🔋 For Samsung (One UI): Settings → Device maintenance → Battery → Background mode → VK → Enable
• 🔋 For Huawei (EMUI): Settings → Applications → VK → Battery → Manual control

Step 3. Checking the "Not" mode disturb"

Sometimes users accidentally activate this mode, which muffles all sounds. To check:

Settings → Sound → Do Not Disturb → Check schedule and exceptions

Make sure that VK is added to the list of exceptions or the mode is disabled.

Method 3: Resetting notification settings VK

If the sound disappeared after updating the application or changing the phone, resetting notification settings may help. This will return all settings to factory settings, but will not delete your messages or account data.

Instructions:

1. Open Phone Settings → Applications.
2. Find VK and tap on it.
3. Select Storage and cache.
4. Click Erase data (do not confuse with Clear cache!).
5. Confirm the action. The application will restart and you will need to log in to your account again.

After the reset:

• 🔄 Go to VK and check your notification settings (Method 1).
• 🔊 Launch a test notification.
• 📱 Restart your phone if the sound does not appear immediately.

⚠️ Attention: Resetting application data will delete all local settings, including saved passwords (unless you use Google autofill). Make sure you remember your login details in advance.

What to do if the reset did not help?

If after the reset there is still no sound, the problem may be due to a conflict between VK and other messengers (for example, Telegram or WhatsApp), which monopolize the sound channel. Try temporarily disabling notifications in other applications and check VK.

Method 4: Checking the phone's sound profile

Sometimes the problem lies not in VK, but in the general sound settings of the phone. For example, if the “Vibration” or “Silent” profile is selected, VK notifications will be silent, even if everything is configured correctly in the application.

How to check:

1. Click on the physical volume button on the side panel of the phone.
2. Make sure that the slider Media or Notifications is not in position "0".
3. If the screen displays the 🔔 icon with a crossed out speaker, tap on it to turn it on sound.

On some phones (for example, Samsung Galaxy) there are separate controls for:

• 📞 Calls
• 🎵 Media
• 🔔 Notifications
• 🔊 Alarm clocks

The item Notificationsis important for VK. If it is disabled, message sounds will not be played.

Manufacturer	Path to sound settings	Features
Samsung	Settings → Sound and vibration → Notification volume	Separate slider for notifications and media
Xiaomi	Settings → Sound → Volume	The 🔔 icon in the notification panel switches profiles
Huawei	Settings → Sound → Sound control	There is a "Smart Sound" mode - can mute notifications
Google Pixel	Settings → Sound → Notification volume	There is no separate control for media and notifications

Method 5: Reinstalling VK (last resort)

If all the previous methods did not work, a radical solution remains - completely reinstalling the application. This will help in cases where:

• 🐞 VK settings get lost after each update.
• 🔄 The sound is unstable (that is, it is not).
• 📱 The application gives errors when opening notifications.

Step-by-step guide:

1. Delete VK via Settings → Applications → VK → Delete.
2. Reboot your phone.
3. Install VK again from Google Play.
4. When you first start, allow all requests (notifications, contacts, storage).
5. Go to the notification settings and configure the sound (Method 1).

If you use VK Messenger, remove it too, since both applications may conflict.

⚠️ Attention: Before deleting VK, export important data (for example, saved messages or media files) if they are not synchronized with the cloud. To do this, use the function Data export in your account settings.

Solving specific problems

Sometimes the sound in VK does not work due to unobvious reasons. Let's consider rare but possible scenarios.

Problem 1: There is sound, but only when the screen is unlocked

This is due to the privacy policy of Android 12+. To always have notifications:

1. Open Settings → Applications → VK → Notifications.
2. Tap on the notification category (for example, "Messages").
3. Enable the option Show on locked screen.
4. Select severity level Maximum.

Problem 2: The sound works, but with a delay (after 5-10 minutes)

Typical for phones with aggressive energy saving. Solution:

• 🔌 Disable battery optimization for VK (see Method 2).
• 📶 Enable Mobile data always active in Settings → Network and Internet → Mobile network.
• 🔄 Disable the function Adaptive battery in the power settings.

Problem 3: There is sound, but not the melody that you selected

This is a VK bug that occurs after updates. The fix is this:

1. In the VK settings, select any other melody.
2. Save the changes.
3. Go back and select the desired melody again.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the sound of VK notifications

Why is there no notification sound in VK, although everything is turned on in the settings?

Most likely, the problem is in system restrictions. Check:

1. Notification permissions for VK in Android settings.
2. Excluding VK from battery optimization.
3. Notification volume in the phone's sound profile.

Also try disabling VPN or firewalls - they may block background activity messenger.

How to make VK vibrate with new messages?

Vibration is configured separately from sound:

1. Open VK and go to Settings → Notifications → Sounds and vibration.
2. Activate the switch Vibration.
3. Select the type of vibration (short, long, custom).

On some phones (for example, Samsung), vibration can also be configured in the system notification settings.

Is it possible to set different sounds for different chats in VK?

There is no such function in the standard VK application. However, you can:

• Use VK Messenger —there is an option for individual notifications for individual dialogs.
• Install third-party applications like Notification Historythat allow you to customize sounds.

In VK Messenger the path is this: Open chat → ⚙️ → Notifications → Notification sound.

Why does the VK notification sound only work when the application is open?

This happens due to:

1. Background activity restrictions —Android kills VK to save battery.
2. Internet problems —the application does not receive push notifications.
3. Bugs in VK —sometimes it helps reinstallation.

Solution:

1. Disable battery optimization for VK.
2. Enable Autostart for VK in the phone settings.
3. Check if the Internet is connected (especially if you use mobile data).

How to turn off the sound of VK notifications at night, but leave it on during the day?

Use Do not disturb mode s schedule:

1. Open Settings → Sound → Do not disturb.
2. Enable Scheduled and specify night hours.
3. In Exceptions add VK if you want only important notifications to sound.

An alternative is to use applications like MacroDroid to automatically mute VK sound at a given time.