WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. One common complaint many users have is that WhatsApp notification sounds seem excessively loud, especially compared to notifications from other apps. There are several reasons why WhatsApp notifications may seem louder than expected and some steps you can take to control the volume.
Default Notification Settings
One major reason WhatsApp notifications are loud by default is that the app uses attention-grabbing alert tones and vibrations. Unlike a standard text message tone, WhatsApp’s default alerts use a distinctive whistling sound followed by vibrations. This is meant to notify you clearly of new messages, but can seem jarringly loud, especially if you receive multiple WhatsApp notifications in a row.
WhatsApp’s default settings allow notifications to play at full volume, override Do Not Disturb settings, and repeat alert tones frequently if a message is not read. So a barrage of WhatsApp messages from a group chat may result in loud, repetitive notification sounds.
Media Messages Increase Volume
Another factor that can make WhatsApp notifications seem loud is receiving video or audio messages. The alert tone for media messages in WhatsApp is louder and more distinctive than for standard text messages. If you belong to chats where people frequently share videos, images, audio clips, or voice messages, the incoming notification sounds will be louder to differentiate these from plain text.
Notification Volume Differs Between Android and iOS
There is also a difference in default WhatsApp notification volume between Android and iOS devices. On Android, WhatsApp notifications play at the same system volume you have set for other apps. But on iPhones, WhatsApp notifications override the system volume and play at full volume by default, unless you specifically change this setting.
How to Adjust WhatsApp Notification Volume on Android
If WhatsApp notifications seem too loud on your Android phone, here are some steps to adjust the volume:
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Notifications
- Tap on Message notifications and adjust the Media volume slider to control loudness of notification sounds
- Under Advanced notifications, toggle off the “Repeat alerts” option to prevent loud repeating notification tones
- In your Android device’s Sound settings, you can also lower the volume for all notifications from WhatsApp
This will help customize WhatsApp’s notification loudness independently of your phone’s overall notification volume.
How to Change WhatsApp Notification Volume on iPhone
To turn down loud WhatsApp alerts on an iPhone:
- Go to Settings > Notifications > WhatsApp
- Under Sound, switch off the “Play Sound” option to mute WhatsApp notifications
- Alternatively, you can adjust the sound volume slider to reduce loudness
- Disable “Repeat Alerts” to prevent persistent notification tones
- In Sound settings, lower overall notification volume to minimize loudness
These steps will help control noisy WhatsApp alert tones without affecting notification sounds from other apps.
Use Do Not Disturb to Mute Notifications
A simpler option on both Android and iOS is to use Do Not Disturb mode to mute WhatsApp notifications. Enable Do Not Disturb and customize settings to block sound and vibration from WhatsApp. This will override loud alert tones without fully silencing the app’s notifications.
You can set timed Do Not Disturb schedules, allow exceptions for favorite contacts, or manually toggle it on and off as needed for events like meetings or sleep. Just note that WhatsApp’s own DND exception may need to be disabled under Notification Settings.
Turn Off Notification Popups
Another way to reduce WhatsApp noise is disabling notification popups that appear on your phone’s screen when new messages arrive. Constant popups can be distracting and exacerbate the feeling of loud, repetitive alerts.
On Android, go to WhatsApp > Settings > Notifications > Popup notification and toggle off. On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications > WhatsApp > Show Previews and select “Never.” You can also adjust additional notification settings like sounds, badges, and lock screen visibility.
Use a Silent Notification Mode
Some Android devices have sound profiles or notification modes you can enable for more granular control over notification loudness for specific apps. For example, Sony phones have a WhatsApp Silent Notifications mode that mutes notification sounds while still showing notifications. Check if your Android device brand includes similar features.
Customize Individual Notification Tones
If you don’t want to fully mute WhatsApp notifications, another option is changing the notification tone to a less jarring sound. Pick subtle tones like chimes or short melodic sounds that aren’t as disruptive.
On Android, go to Settings > Sound > Advanced > Default notification sound. On iPhone, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Sounds > Text Tone. Pick a new tone for WhatsApp notifications.
Conclusion
WhatsApp’s loud, attention-grabbing notification sounds can be disruptive and annoying at times. But you have many ways to take control over notification volume and behavior on both Android and iPhone devices. Adjust volume sliders, mute alerts, use Do Not Disturb selectivity, disable popups, or change tones for a less disruptive notification experience. With the right settings, you can still stay on top of WhatsApp messages without all the noise.