This guide shows how to mute your iPhone for ringer, alarms, music, and calls across all models.

How to mute your iPhone

Follow the steps below to silence ringer, alarms, music, and calls on any iPhone model.

Muting your iPhone (ringer, alarms, music)

  • Toggle the side control to silence the ringer and notifications.
    • iPhone 15/16/17 family and Air: Press the Action Button on the left side. If it is set to Silent Mode, the phone will be silenced. To change its function, open Settings, tap Action Button, then select Silent Mode.
    • Other iPhone models: Flip the Mute switch on the left side; the red indicator behind the switch shows the device is silenced.
  • Open the Clock app, go to the Alarms tab, and toggle the alarm off. Note that Silent Mode does not affect alarm volume; you can lower the alarm volume with the Volume buttons but not mute it completely.
  • While music or video is playing, press the Volume Down button or use the in‑app volume slider until the sound reaches zero.

Muting yourself during a phone call

  • Place or receive a call as usual.
  • Move the iPhone away from your head to keep the screen on.
  • Tap the on‑screen Mute button (a microphone with a slash) to mute your microphone. You can still hear the other party.
  • Press and hold the Mute button to place the call on hold, allowing you to browse or add another participant (supported by some networks).
  • Tap the Mute button again to unmute or resume the call.

Enabling Do Not Disturb

  • Swipe down from the upper‑right corner to open Control Center.
  • Tap Focus (moon icon).
  • Tap Do Not Disturb at the top of the screen. This silences notifications and phone calls while alarms continue to sound. You can set a duration or location‑based schedule.
Pro tip: For quick access, add the Do Not Disturb toggle to your Control Center via Settings → Control Center → Customize Controls.

Silencing your iPhone helps you stay focused and avoid unexpected interruptions during meetings, classes, or sleep. By mastering the side switch, Action Button, and Do Not Disturb, you can tailor the device’s behavior to each situation. Muting the microphone during calls protects your privacy and prevents background noise from being heard. Managing alarm volume separately ensures you never miss important alerts while still keeping other sounds muted.