Stop phantom message tones on an Android phone By Steve Alexander, Star Tribune February 14, 2021 — 2:00pm Text size Copy shortlink: Dave Elgethun, Eden Prairie A: The problem is probably a misbehaving app or an error in the phone's sound software. Try these methods to fix it: • See if the problem lies with an app. One method is to click Apps, then Settings and then "Notifications." You will see a list of your phone's apps, each with an on-off switch. Turn them off one at a time to see if the unwanted tone goes away. Another method is to put the phone in "safe mode" (see tinyurl.com/1loueefc). If the problem disappears in safe mode, then an app that you have added to the phone is at fault. You will need to uninstall your acquired apps one at a time to find the culprit.