How do you make my phone make a noise when I plug it in?

When you plug in your phone to charge, you may notice it makes a noise or plays a charging sound. This is an intentional feature designed by phone manufacturers to provide audio feedback when a charger is connected. The sound alerts you that the charging process has begun and the phone is receiving power from the charger. It can be useful to confirm your device is actually charging, especially if the battery is fully depleted.
The charging noise occurs because of interactions between the magnetic fields in the phone’s internal circuitry and the magnetic fields produced by the charger. When current flows into the phone from the charger, these electromagnetic fields oscillate and create audible noise through electromagnetic induction. The sound is then produced from the phone’s internal speaker.
While once common, charging noises are now optional on most phones. Users can enable or disable the charging sounds based on their preferences. Understanding the basics of why phones make noise when plugged in can help troubleshoot any issues with enabling or customizing the charging audio feedback.
Understanding the Charging Noise
The charging noise that occurs when plugging in a phone is related to the power management system and charging components inside the phone. It is controlled by the operating system and is technically caused by coil whine from the inductors in the phone’s charging circuit as they rapidly turn on and off to regulate power flow. When power is first connected, the charging system ramps up to quickly gauge the battery level and determine the optimal charging speed. This rapid pulsing of power causes the inductors to vibrate at high frequencies which creates an audible noise.
The operating system enables these charging noises as a form of user feedback that power is being delivered. Both iOS and Android have settings to toggle charging sounds on or off. Some users find the noise disruptive, while others appreciate the confirmation that their device is charging properly.
Checking if Your Phone Supports Charging Noises
Before enabling charging noises, you’ll first want to check if your specific iPhone or Android phone model supports these sounds. Older phones may not have this capability built-in.
On iPhone models, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics. Look for an option called “Lock Sounds” and toggle this on to enable charging sounds when you connect your phone. If you don’t see this option, your iPhone likely doesn’t support charging noises (Apple).
For Android phones, open your Settings app and search for “charging sounds” or look in Sound/Audio settings. See if there is a toggle to enable “Charging Sounds” or “Docking Sounds.” If you can’t find these options, your Android model may not be able to play charging noises (Apple).
You can also plug your phone into a charger and listen for any sound. If it’s silent, your phone likely doesn’t have the capability without a third-party app. Check your user manual or contact the device manufacturer if you’re unsure.
Enabling Charging Noises on iPhones
Most modern iPhones have the ability to play a sound when connecting the charging cable. This feature must be enabled in the Settings app before it will work. Here is a walkthrough for turning on charging sounds on an iPhone:
1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap on “Sounds & Haptics”.
3. Under the “System Sounds” section, ensure the toggle next to “Charging” is turned on (white). This will enable charging sounds.
4. Connect your iPhone to a charger cable. You should now hear a chime, ding, or other sound effect indicating charging has started.
5. To disable charging sounds again in the future, simply return to this menu and toggle off “Charging”.
The ability to customize the exact charging sound effect is covered later in this guide. But this on/off toggle in Settings is the primary way to enable or disable charging noises on an iPhone.
Enabling Charging Noises on Android Phones
Most Android phones have a built-in option to enable charging noises when you plug in your device. Here is how to turn on charging sounds on Android phones:
Open the Settings app on your Android phone.
Tap on Sound & vibration or a similarly named section.
Scroll down and look for an option called Charging sound, Charging notification sound, or something similar. Tap on it.
Toggle the switch on to enable charging noises. If the switch is already on, toggle it off and back on to re-enable the charging sound.
You can now hear a sound when connecting your Android phone to power. The default is typically a “ching” sound, but you may be able to customize it (more details below).
Some Android skins, like those from LG, Sony or Xiaomi, may hide these settings in different areas. If you can’t find the charging sound option, try searching the Settings app for “charging”.
This enables system-level charging noises in Android. However, not all phones support the feature. Older devices or certain models may not have an option to enable charging sounds.
Customizing Your Charging Noise
There are a variety of apps available on both iOS and Android to help customize the charging noise on your phone. These apps allow you to set custom sounds and ringtones to play when you plug your phone in to charge.
On Android, apps like Charging Sound in the Google Play Store let you choose from a selection of included sounds or use your own audio files for the charging noise. You can set separate sounds for when charging starts, finishes, has low battery, etc. Other Android options include apps like Custom Charging Sound and Charging Sound Effect.
For iPhones, the Charging Sound app in the iOS App Store provides similar customization options. You can use preset sounds or add your own from your music library. Features include setting different alerts for low battery, full charge, and the start/end of charging.
With these apps, you have control over the charging sounds your phone makes. You can choose fun or unique sounds to customize the experience.
Troubleshooting Issues
If the charging noise on your phone has stopped working, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can try:
- Check if your phone is actually charging when plugged in. Make sure the cable is not damaged and is properly connected to both the charger and your phone.
- Try using a different charging cable, charger, and outlet to see if the issue persists. The original charging equipment may be defective.
- Inspect your phone’s charging port for any debris like lint or dust. Carefully clean out the port with a toothpick.
- Restart your phone and check if the charging noise returns. A simple reboot can sometimes fix software glitches.
- Check your phone’s sound settings and make sure charging noises/vibrations are enabled under Sound & Haptics or Accessibility settings.
- Update your phone’s operating system, as the issue could be fixed in a newer OS version. Check for any available software updates.
- If the steps above fail, you may need to take your phone to an authorized service center for diagnosis and repair.
If your phone fails to charge at all, stops charging intermittently, or seems to be charging slowly, get the charging port checked for damage or corrosion. Charging issues can often be resolved by professional cleaning or replacement of damaged charging components.
Accessibility Uses
The charging noise can be very helpful for visually impaired users. When the iPhone is plugged in to charge, it will make a sound to indicate the charging has started. This audible confirmation provides feedback that the charging cable is properly connected, without needing to see the screen.
The iPhone’s accessibility features include options to customize the charging noise and make it louder if needed. Users can pick a custom tone or even record their own charging sound. This allows visually impaired users to choose a distinct tone that is easy for them to recognize.
There are also options to make the charging tone play through both speakers at higher volume. Together with the ability to customize the tone, these controls allow users with limited vision to easily identify when their iPhone begins charging.
The charging noise can be enabled even if other sounds are muted on the iPhone. This ensures the accessibility charging sound is not unintentionally silenced.
For those that rely on it, the charging sound is an important accessibility feature that provides simple but essential feedback. It empowers visually impaired iPhone users to easily charge their devices independently.
Considerations for Public Use
When charging your phone in public spaces, it’s important to be mindful of the noises your phone may make. The charging noises can be distracting or disruptive to others around you.
If you need to charge your phone while in a quiet space like a library, waiting room, or office, consider muting or lowering the volume of the charging noises. According to an article on phone charging etiquette, “Be mindful of others when charging your device in public. Keep ringers silent and volumes low.”
You may also want to avoid plugging your phone in to charge right before an important meeting or during a performance. The noises could be seen as rude or unprofessional in more formal settings.
If you do need to charge your phone, try to find a more secluded space like an empty corner or hallway. Avoid charging right next to someone’s workspace or in the middle of a quiet room.
Overall, be courteous of those around you. Charging noises can easily disturb others nearby, so mute them when possible or move to an area with less foot traffic. With some mindfulness, you can charge your phone without being disruptive.
Summary
In summary, enabling charging noises on your smartphone can provide some useful benefits. The sound alerts you when your phone begins charging, so you know it’s properly connected. This can prevent constantly checking or mistakenly thinking it’s not plugged in. The noise also serves as a reminder to unplug your phone when it’s finished charging. Additionally, it provides accessibility for vision-impaired users. However, it’s important to be mindful of your surroundings if using charging noises in public places. Overall, charging noises are a simple way to add both utility and personalization to your smartphone. Knowing how to enable them gives you more control over your device’s sounds and notifications.