Sharing concepts is a great way to provide feedback and suggestions for potential new features on WhatsApp. After exploring the concept of WhatsApp calls on Apple Watch, we're excited to introduce another one about a system for importing custom notification tones and accessing a dedicated in-app Tones Store!
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Concept: | Expanded notification tone options |
| Availability info: | This feature is just a concept and it isn't available on WhatsApp yet. We hope it could be implemented in the future based on user feedback and further development. |
| Previous news: | Concept Presents WhatsApp Voice Call Features for Apple Watch Users! |
How WhatsApp Users Use Notification Tones to Identify Chats
WhatsApp currently allows users to choose a notification tone from a limited set provided by the app. For example, these include 12 alert tones and 7 classic tones for the iOS app, which can be assigned to chats and groups. This feature gives users a basic level of personalization and helps notifications feel less generic. Associating a specific tone with a contact or group allows users to recognize who is messaging them without looking at their phone. Simply hearing the sound can already provide enough context, making it easier to manage multiple conversations throughout the day without constantly checking the device.
However, the way people use WhatsApp has changed significantly over time. More conversations, groups, and channels now live inside the app, increasing the number of daily notifications. With such a limited selection of tones, it becomes harder to clearly distinguish between different conversations, as many chats end up sharing the same sounds. Some of the default tones may also feel repetitive or unsatisfying for many users, reducing the sense of personalization and making notifications less effective. This growing gap is exactly the problem our concept aims to solve on iOS and Android, a limitation that has affected many users for years.
The concept introduces a more flexible and expressive approach to notification sounds. Users can import custom tones directly from the Files app, allowing them to reuse audio they already have on their device. This opens the door to more personal sounds that reflect individual preferences. The process feels natural and integrated, without adding complexity to the user experience. The result is greater freedom while still respecting the simplicity users expect.
Alongside importing, the concept also includes a dedicated Tones Store inside WhatsApp. This store, managed directly by WhatsApp, offers a curated collection of notification tones designed specifically for messaging contexts. It is especially useful for users who want to expand their tone collection but don't know where to find new sounds. The store provides an easy way to discover, preview, and download tones directly within the app. The idea is very similar to the existing Sticker Store, giving users a familiar experience while exploring and adding new tones to their library.
The store includes a search functionality, so if a user already knows a tone by name, they can easily find it. Filters are available to help users browse tones by style or genre, making it simple to explore sounds that fit a particular mood. Selecting a filter updates the list to show only tones within that category, making the discovery process faster. Additionally, a "Popular" filter highlights the most downloaded tones by other users, allowing users to quickly see what is trending.
Users can quickly preview and download tones without leaving the app. This playback functionality allows users to listen to each tone before deciding whether to add it to their personal tone library. For every tone, its size in KB is displayed, giving users a clear idea of how much space each tone will occupy. The concept is designed to improve how users relate to notifications in a crowded messaging environment. By expanding the available tones and introducing new ways to acquire them, users can better organize their auditory space.
It's worth noting that the feature described in this concept is not currently available on WhatsApp. While this is purely our concept at the moment, we hope it may be considered for a future update of the app. We believe that adding the ability to import custom tones and access a dedicated Tones Store directly within WhatsApp would be a significant improvement, as it would greatly enhance personalization and usability for users managing multiple chats, groups, and channels. If we receive any updates or news regarding the possible implementation of this feature in the future, we will be sure to share it in a new article on this website. We hope you enjoyed learning about our concept, and we welcome your feedback.
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