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To set a sound for one conversation in Samsung Messages, open the conversation, tap More options (the three vertical dots), choose Notification sound, and select a tone. To change the general notification sound, open Settings > Sounds and vibration > Notification sound. These are message alerts, not call ringtones; menu options can vary by Galaxy model, carrier, software version, and messaging app.
Choose between a default sound and a conversation-specific sound
Use the phone’s general notification sound if you want a shared default for alerts. Samsung Messages also lets you choose a different notification sound for an individual conversation, when that option is available on your device. The two choices serve different purposes:
- General notification sound: sets the broad default notification tone through the phone’s sound settings.
- One conversation: sets an alert for a specific thread in Samsung Messages.
A message alert is separate from your call ringtone, so changing the ringtone will not necessarily change incoming text notifications. Samsung’s sound-settings guidance covers notification sounds separately from ringtones.
Set a sound for one conversation in Samsung Messages
- Open Messages and select the conversation you want to customize.
- Tap More options, shown as three vertical dots.
- Tap Notification sound.
- Choose the tone you want for that conversation.
Samsung says the selected tone plays when the next message arrives. If you do not see Notification sound, the option may differ with your device, carrier, software, or active messaging service. Samsung’s instructions for changing a conversation’s notification sound describe this route for Samsung Messages.
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Change the general notification sound
- Open Settings.
- Tap Sounds and vibration.
- Tap Notification sound.
- Select a tone from the available choices.
This changes the phone’s general notification sound rather than assigning a unique tone to a single Samsung Messages conversation. Available choices and labels can vary by device and carrier. See Samsung’s notification-sound instructions.
If you use Google Messages
Google Messages has its own notification controls. In the app, tap the profile icon > Messages settings > Notifications to review notification, sound, and vibration options. Samsung documents this app-level route in its Google Messages notification guidance.
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- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
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Do not assume the Samsung Messages per-conversation menu is also present in Google Messages: the available controls can depend on the installed app and software version, and Samsung’s guidance does not establish one stable route for setting a unique sound per Google Messages conversation.
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On some One UI releases, notification categories may be hidden until you enable a system setting. Samsung Community accepted solutions describe this version-dependent workaround:
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- Open Settings > Notifications > Advanced settings.
- Turn on Manage notification categories for each app.
- Return to Settings > Apps, select your messaging app, and tap Notifications > Notification categories.
- Open the relevant category and choose Sound.
The setting and category options are not guaranteed to appear on every Galaxy phone or software version. This troubleshooting path is based on Samsung Community guidance.
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- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
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