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Settingly

Sound and haptics

Silent Mode

Most people call this silencing the ringer and alerts.

Silent Mode stops the ringer and alert sounds, but it never silences alarms, media playback or critical alerts.

Available

This setting is present on your iPhone.

  • We have this path on file but have not yet confirmed it against an official source.

Where to find it - iOS 16 and later

  1. Settings
  2. Sounds & Haptics

What it does

Older iPhones use the physical Ring and Silent switch. Newer models use the Action button or Control Centre. Haptics in Silent Mode is a separate setting deciding whether the phone still vibrates.

What changes

When it is on

The ringer and alerts are silent.

When it is off

The phone rings and alerts normally.

Should you turn it on?

Good reasons to turn it on

  • Meetings, cinemas and shared offices.
  • Alarms still work, so it is safe overnight.

Good reasons to turn it off

  • You will miss calls unless you are watching the screen.
  • It does not silence media, so a video still plays sound.

Battery

No real change

Privacy

No real change

Performance

No real change

Cellular data

No real change

Storage

No real change

Out of the box: Ringer on.

Questions people actually ask

Will my alarm go off on silent?
Yes. Alarms are never silenced by Silent Mode or by a Focus.
Where is the silent switch on newer iPhones?
Replaced by the Action button, which is set to Silent Mode by default.

If it is not working

  • Alarms always sound. Silent Mode does not affect them.
  • A Focus is a better tool for silencing notifications selectively.
  • Haptics in Silent Mode controls whether vibration continues.

Related settings