Are you tired of the standard “ping pong” in WhatsApp and want to set a unique notification sound? Or, conversely, return the original ringtones after resetting the settings? In this article we will look all ways to download WhatsApp sounds on Android from official files to custom solutions. We will also tell you how to install them correctly so that the messenger does not reset the settings after updating.

The problem is that WhatsApp does not provide direct access access your sound files through the Play Market or the official website. But that doesn't mean it's impossible to get them! We tested 5 working methods ranging from extracting from APK to using third party apps. Important: some methods require root access or working with system files, so check your data backup first.

If you are looking for more than just notification sounds, for example, original WhatsApp voice effects for calls (incoming/outgoing signal), they can also be downloaded - more on that in a separate section. And for those who like customization, we will provide instructions on how to replace standard sounds with your own melodies in the format .mp3 or .ogg.

1. Where are the original sounds of WhatsApp on Android stored

All sound files of the messenger are built into APK application package and are located along the path:

/data/data/com.whatsapp/files/notification/

But there is a nuance: without root access you cannot just copy these files. Even if you use a file manager like Total Commander or FX File Explorer, the folder /data/data/ will be hidden from the user without special rights.

Here is a list of original sounds that you will find in this directories:

  • 🔔 notification.mp3 — standard notification of a message
  • 📞 ringtone.mp3 — sound of an incoming call
  • 🎵 group_notification.mp3 — notification of a message in a group
  • 🔄 sent.mp3 — sound of sending a message (in some versions)
  • 📥 incoming.mp3 — alternative sound for incoming calls (regional version)
⚠️ Attention: In the latest versions of WhatsApp (2026+), the path to sounds may be different. If the folder notification/ is empty, check /data/data/com.whatsapp/files/ for the presence of the archive sounds.zip —you need to unpack it.

If you have root accesscopy the files to any available folder (for example, /sdcard/Downloads/) and use them to configure notifications. Without root, proceed to the following methods.

📊 Which WhatsApp sound do you want to replace?
Message notification
Call
Sending sound
Group notification
All of the above

2. How to extract sounds from WhatsApp APK file (without root)

This method works on any Android deviceas it does not require special rights. You will need:

  • 📱 Smartphone or PC
  • 📁 WhatsApp APK file (can be downloaded from APKMirror)
  • 🛠 APK unpacking application (for example, APK Extractor or 7-Zip on PC)

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Download the latest version of WhatsApp in format .apk from a reliable source (for example, APKMirror).
  2. Rename the file to whatsapp.zip (this archive!).
  3. Unpack the archive using 7-Zip or another archiver.
  4. Go to the folder assets/ or res/raw/ - there you will find sound files in the format .ogg.
  5. Copy the necessary files to your phone and convert to .mp3 (if required).

The downloaded APK corresponds to your version of WhatsApp

The archiver supports the .apk format (7-Zip, WinRAR)

There is enough space on the phone for unpacking

Sound files have the extension .ogg or .mp3-->

If there are no sounds in the folder res/raw/ try searching for them in assets/sounds/. In some versions of the messenger, the files may be encrypted - in this case only method with root access or using ready-made collections (see the next section).

3. Ready-made collections of WhatsApp sounds: where to download

If you don’t want to bother with extracting from APK, you can download ready-made sets of sounds. 3 verified sources:

Source Sound type Format Link (security)
Zedge Original + custom MP3, OGG ✅ Verified (Play Market)
WhatsApp Sounds Archive (GitHub) Original (all versions) OGG, WAV ✅ Open source
Notification Sounds (Telegram channels) Custom + rare MP3 ⚠️ Check files for viruses

The most reliable option - application Zedge (available in Play Market). How to use it:

  1. Install Zedge and open the "Notifications" section.
  2. In the search, enter WhatsApp notification.
  3. Select the sound you like and click "Download."
  4. Go in Settings → Sounds → WhatsApp Notifications and select the downloaded file.
💡

In Zedge you can download not only notifications, but also call sounds for WhatsApp calls. Search by tag #WhatsAppCall

For those looking for exact copies of the original WhatsApp sounds, we recommend the archive on GitHub (search by request WhatsApp sounds repository). There you will find files from different versions of the messenger, including rare regional variants (for example, the Indian or Brazilian version of notifications).

4. How to install downloaded sounds in WhatsApp

Downloading sounds is half the battle. Now you need to install them correctly so that WhatsApp “sees” them. There are two ways:

Method 1: Through WhatsApp settings (simple)

  1. Place the downloaded sounds in the folder /sdcard/Notifications/ or /sdcard/Ringtones/.
  2. Open WhatsApp → ⋮ → Settings → Notifications → Notification tone.
  3. Select your sound in the list (if it is not there, restart your phone).

Method 2: Through the file manager (for experienced)

If WhatsApp does not see sounds, try:

  1. Create a folder /sdcard/WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Notifications/.
  2. Place sound files there (necessarily in the format .mp3 or .ogg).
  3. Restart WhatsApp and check the list of notifications.
⚠️ Attention: WhatsApp caches sounds. If after installation the new tone does not play, clear the application cache in Settings → Applications → WhatsApp → Memory → Clear cache.

If the sound still does not appear in the list, check:

  • 🔊 File format (should be .mp3 or .ogg)
  • 📁 The folder is located in the root directory (not inside other folders)
  • 📱 The phone does not block access to files (check permissions)
💡

WhatsApp scans sounds only in standard folders (Notifications/, Ringtones/).If you create your own folder, the messenger will ignore it.

5. Custom sounds: how to make your own notifications for WhatsApp

Do you want WhatsApp to play your favorite melody or funny sound when you send a message? The main thing is to comply with technical requirements. data-i="163">🎵 Format::

  • 🎵 Format: .mp3 or .ogg (preferred)
  • ⏱ Duration: up to 5 seconds (otherwise it will be cut off)
  • 🔊 Bitrate: no higher than 192 kbps (to save space)
  • 📛 File name: without spaces and special characters (for example, my_notification.mp3)

How to create your own sound:

  1. Take an audio file and trim it to 3-5 seconds (you can in Audacity or online services like mp3cut.net).
  2. Convert to .mp3 with a bitrate of 128-192 kbps.
  3. Place the file in /sdcard/Notifications/.
  4. In WhatsApp, select it as a notification tone.

Examples of creative sounds for WhatsApp:

  • 🎬 Excerpt from the film ("Terminator: I’ll be back»)
  • 🎮 Sound from the game (Minecraft "Block of notes", CS:GO "Bomb installed")
  • 🐦 Bird singing or sounds of nature
  • 🤣 Meme sounds (“Oh no, no, no" from Vine)
How to make a notification sound from a YouTube video

1. Download the video using 4K Video Downloader or yt1s.com.

2. Trim the desired fragment in Audacity (Effects → Amplify to remove noise).

3. Export to .mp3 with settings: 44100 Hz, 128 kbps.

4. Place the file in /sdcard/Notifications/ and select in WhatsApp.

If the sound does not play, check it on another player - the file may be damaged. WhatsApp can also ignore sounds with DRM protection DRM protection (for example, downloaded from Apple Music or Spotify).

6. Problems and solutions: why WhatsApp doesn’t see sounds

Even after proper installation, sounds may not work. Let's consider top 5 reasons and ways to eliminate them:

Problem Cause Solution
Sound is not displayed in list File in an unsupported format Convert to .mp3 or .ogg
Sound is cut off Duration >5 seconds Cut the file in the audio editor
WhatsApp resets the sound after updating The cache is not cleared Clear the cache in the application settings
The sound plays, but is quiet Low volume in the file Increase the volume in Audacity (Effects → Normalize)
Sound works, but not for all chats Individual settings notifications Check the settings for a specific chat

If none of the methods helped, try:

  1. Reinstall WhatsApp (with a preliminary backup of chats).
  2. Check whether sounds are blocked Do Not Disturb mode or energy saving.
  3. Update WhatsApp to the latest version (sometimes bugs are fixed in new releases).
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example MIUI or ColorOS) WhatsApp may ignore custom sounds due to manufacturer restrictions. In this case, only replacing the firmware with stock Android or using Magisk modules.

7 will help. Alternative messengers with flexible sound settings

If WhatsApp is too limited in setting up notifications, consider alternatives:

  • 📱 Telegram: allows you to set different sounds for each chat, supports .mp3 and .m4a.
  • 💬 Signal: there is a built-in library of sounds + the ability to upload your own.
  • 🔒 Session: a minimalistic messenger with open source code and flexible notifications.
  • 🌐 Discord: although not a messenger, it allows you to customize sounds for each server.

For example, in Telegram you can:

  1. Go to chat settings → Notifications → Sound.
  2. Select any system sound or upload your own.
  3. Set up vibration and LED separately for each contact.

If confidentialityis important to you, pay attention to Signal —there notification sounds are configured as flexibly as in Telegram, but with better data protection.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about WhatsApp sounds

Is it possible to download WhatsApp sounds without root and a computer?

Yes! Use the application Zedge or download ready-made sounds from Telegram channels (for example, @WhatsAppSounds). You can also extract sounds from APK directly on your phone using APK Extractor and an archiver RAR.

Why are notification sounds reset after WhatsApp update?

This is a known problem. WhatsApp sometimes resets custom settings when updating. To avoid this:

  1. Before updating, make a backup of the sounds (copy them to the cloud).
  2. After the update, do not open WhatsApp immediately - first return the sounds to their place.
  3. Clear the application cache (Settings → Applications → WhatsApp → Memory → Clear cache).
How to make different sounds for different chats in WhatsApp?

WhatsApp does not support individual sounds for individual chats (unlike Telegram). Workaround:

  1. Create chat shortcuts on the home screen. (long press on chat → “Shortcut on the main screen”)
  2. Use the application Tasker or MacroDroidto assign different sounds to different shortcuts.

This is a half-measure, but it works on most devices.

Where can I find the original WhatsApp sounds for iPhone to use on Android?

WhatsApp sounds for iOS i Android are different, but you can:

  1. Download sounds from iPhone via iTunes (they are stored in /Library/Audio/UISounds/ on Mac).
  2. Find them on GitHub (look for repositories like iOS-system-sounds).
  3. Convert in .mp3 and install it on Android as a custom sound.

Please note that sounds for iOS can be in the format .caf —they need to be converted.

Is it possible to return old WhatsApp sounds (before 2020)?

Yes, but for this you need:

  1. Find the APK of the old version of WhatsApp (for example, 2.19.352 on APKMirror).
  2. Extract sounds from the APK (see section 2).
  3. Set them as custom notifications.

Please note: older versions of WhatsApp may not support modern features (for example, disappearing messages or reactions).