Sometimes you want your phone to beep and sometimes you don’t

Last week we attended a Roadtrek RV Rally. As Geeks on Tour, we offer to get with people one on one and answer any questions they may have about their smartphones. One person asked:

“I don’t like that my phone beeps a loud notification every time I get an email. Emails aren’t that important. When I receive a Text message though, I do want a notification sound. Can I do that – turn off sounds for email and turn them on for Texts?”

Happily, the answer is Yes, but the exact steps can get a bit convoluted, and it depends on your type of phone and exactly what App you’re using for email and text messages.

Samsung phone settings for sound or silent on Emails and Texts

Turn ON notification sounds for Text messages

Following the same steps as above:

  1. Settings, Notifications
  2. Apps
  3. Select the app you use for Text messages, there are several possibilities
    Texting apps
  4. Select New Messages
  5. Select Alert
  6. Tap on Sound and choose one of the available sound effects

iPhone settings for sound or silent on Emails and Texts

To set your iPhone to not give a sound for new emails:

  1. Settings
  2. Notifications
  3. Find the correct Mail app (it might be GMail)
  4. Tap on Sounds, choose None

To set your phone to give a sound for new text messages:

  1. Settings
  2. Notifications
  3. Find the Messages app
  4. Tap on Sounds
  5. Select one of the listed sound effects
MrsGeek
Latest posts by MrsGeek (see all)