Smartphone Huawei Honor 10 (model COL-AL10/AL00/TL10/TL00) still remains popular among users due to its balanced characteristics and reliable firmware EMUI on database Android 8.1–10. However, even with such a proven device, situations may arise when you need to quickly turn off the sound - be it an unexpected call in a meeting, annoying notifications from instant messengers, or the need to concentrate without extraneous noise.

Unlike modern flagships, where sound controls are often hidden behind a variety of gestures and context menus, Honor 10 offers several direct methods muting audio - from classic physical buttons to software functions like Do Not Disturb mode. At the same time, many users overlook hidden option “Quick mute” in the notification curtain, which works even on a locked screen. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, including those that are not documented in official instructions.

1. Classic method: volume buttons

The most obvious and universal method is to use physical volume buttons located on the left side of the device. On Honor 10 they work according to an algorithm that depends on the current state of the smartphone:

  • 🔊 Screen on: short pressing the button Volume down reduces the sound level. A long hold (2-3 seconds) puts the device into silent mode (a bell icon with a strikethrough will appear in the status bar).
  • 📵 Screen off: Volume buttons by default only adjust alarm sound. To turn off all notifications, you will first have to unlock the screen.
  • 🔕 Vibration instead of sound: if after pressing the buttons a vibration icon appears (📳), then the “Vibration” mode is activated. To turn off the sound completely, press the button Volume down again.

Important feature: on Honor 10 There is no separate button for switching sound profiles (as, for example, on some smartphones Samsung). Therefore, to fine-tune the settings, you will have to go to the menu or use the notification curtain.

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If the volume buttons do not respond, check whether the Do Not Disturb mode is activated in the settings or whether the case is blocking them. Try removing the case and repeating the action.

2. Notification curtain: quick access to sound

The notification curtain in EMUI (shell) contains hidden sound control options that many users do not notice. To turn off the sound through it: Huawei/Honor) contains hidden audio control options that many users don't notice. To turn off sound through it:

  1. Pull down from the top edge of the screen to open the curtain.
  2. Find the icon 🔔 Sound (usually located in the first row of quick settings).
  3. Tap icon once - the sound will be turned off (a crossed out bell will appear). Pressing again will return the sound.

If the 🔔 icon is not in the visible area, do the following:

  • 🔍 Click on the ⚙️ Edit icon (pencil) in the curtain.
  • 📱 Drag the icon Sound or Sound Mode to the active area.
  • 🔒 Commit the changes by clicking on the checkmark.

On Honor 10 also works gesture to quickly mute the sound: slide two fingers down the curtain (full opening), then hold the icon 🔔 1-2 seconds - a menu will appear with a profile selection (“Sound”, “Vibration”, “Mute”)

📊 Which method of muting the sound do you use more often?
Volume buttons
Notification curtain
No mode disturb"
Sound settings
Other

3. Do Not Disturb mode: complete silence

The Do Not Disturb function (Do Not Disturb, DNDon Honor 10 allows you not only to turn off the sound, but also to block visual notifications, vibration and even the LED indicator. This is ideal for sleeping, important meetings or exams. You can activate the mode in three ways:

  1. Through the curtain:
    • 📱 Open the notification curtain.
    • 🔕 Find the icon Do not disturb (usually looks like a crossed out circle or crescent).
    • 🔘 Tap it once to activate.
  • Through settings: 
    Settings → Sound → Do not disturb

    Here you can set up a schedule, exceptions for calls from selected contacts and even allow alarms.

  • Voice assistant:

    If Google Assistant or Huawei Assistantis activated on your device, say: “Ok Google, turn on Do Not Disturb».

    • By default, Do Not Disturb is turned off all sounds and vibrations, but you can configure exceptions:

    Type notifications Can it be allowed in DND? How to set up
    Calls Yes In DND settings, select “Allow calls” → “Favorite contacts” or “Everything.”
    SMS and instant messengers Yes Activate the "Messages" option and specify applications (for example, WhatsApp, Telegram).
    Alarms Yes (by default) Disabled only manually in the DND settings.
    Media (music, video) No DND does not affect multimedia playback.
    What to do if the “No” mode disturb" does not work?

    If sounds continue to play after activating DND, check:

    1. Are applications added to the exception list (for example, YouTube or Spotify can ignore the mode).

    2. is priority mode activated in the DND settings (it allows notifications from “important” contacts).

    3. Does the mode conflict with other functions, for example Digital well-being or Parental controls.

    4. Mute the sound for individual applications

    Sometimes you need to turn off the sound not completely, but only for specific apps - for example, for Instagram, TikTok or games On Honor 10 this can be done in two ways. ways:

    Method 1: Through application settings

    1. Go to: 
      Settings → Applications → Applications
    2. Select the desired application (for example, Facebook).
    3. Tap on Notifications → turn off the switch Sound or Vibration.

    Method 2: Through the menu sound

    1. Open: 
      Settings → Sound → Application notifications
    2. Find the application in the list and turn off sound or vibration for it.

      3. Please note: some applications (for example, Viber or Zoom) have own sound settings inside the interface. In this case, you will have to go to the app menu and turn off notifications there.

      Find the application in the settings|Disable notification sound|Check the settings inside applications|Restart the application (if the sound is not lost)-->

      5. Hidden functions: quick gestures and voice commands

      EMUI on Honor 10 supports several non-obvious ways to control sound that speed up the process:

      • 🤏 Squeeze gesture palm":

        Activated in settings Motion control → GesturesIf you enable the option “Squeeze palm for screenshot”, then double palm squeeze can open the quick settings panel, where you can turn off the sound.

      • 🗣️ Voice commands:

        Say "Ok Google, turn off the sound" or "Hey Celia, turn on silent mode" (if assistant is installed Huawei).

      • 🔧 Power button:

        Hold the power button for 2-3 seconds, then tap on the icon 🔔 in the menu that appears (does not work on all versions EMUI).

    These methods are especially useful when the screen is locked or you are busy with another task. For example, during a video call Zoom you can quickly mute the microphone with a gesture without interrupting the broadcast.

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    Voice commands only work when there is an active Internet connection (cloud processing of the request is required).

    6. Disabling system sounds (keyboard, lock, charging)

    In addition to notifications and calls, Honor 10 plays system sounds: keyboard clicks, screen lock signal, charging connection melody, etc. Disabling them requires separate actions:

    1. Keyboard sounds: 
      Settings → System → Language and input → Gboard keyboard (or other) → Sound when pressed
    2. Sound lock/unlock: 
      Settings → Sound → Other sounds → Screen lock sounds
    3. Charging sound:

      Disabled there: Settings → Sound → Other sounds → Power connection sound.

    4. Camera sound:

      In some regions (for example, Japan, South Korea), the camera shutter sound cannot be turned off due to privacy laws. On Honor 10 for European firmware this is done in the camera settings (gear icon → “Sound”). shutter").

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    If, after turning off system sounds, they continue to play, check whether third-party launchers are installed (for example, Nova Launcher or Apex) - they may have their own sound circuits.

    7. works)

    In rare cases, the sound on Honor 10 may freeze - for example, after a firmware update or an audio driver failure. If none of the above methods worked, try:

    • 🔄 Reboot:

      Hold the power button for 10 seconds. before vibration - the device will reboot, and the sound settings will be reset to standard.

    • 🛠️ Resetting sound settings: 
      Settings → System → Reset → Reset all settings

      This will return only the sound, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings to factory settings, without affecting personal data.

    • 📱 Safe mode:

      Hold down the power button → hold “Power off” → confirm entering safe mode. If the sound disappears, the problem is in one of the installed applications.

    ⚠️ Attention: If the sound does not turn off even after resetting the settings, this may indicate on hardware failure (damage to the speaker or audio chip). In this case, contact a service center - independent repair without experience can result in damage to the board.
    ⚠️ Attention: On some firmware EMUI 9.x After resetting the sound settings, the sound in the headphones may disappear. To get it back, connect the headphones and restart the device.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions

    Why does it turn on by itself after turning off the sound with the buttons?

    This is due to the function "Automatic sound restoration" in EMUI. It is triggered when:

    • Connecting headphones.
    • Starting multimedia (for example, YouTube).
    • Changing the sound profile with another application (for example, Spotify).

    To disable auto-recovery, go to: 

    Settings → Sound → Advanced → Automatic sound recovery

    Can I turn off the sound only for calls, but leave notifications?

    Yes, for this:

    1. Open Settings → Sound → Sound mode.
    2. Select Vibration or No sound.
    3. Go back to Settings → Sound → Volume and manually set the slider Notifications to the desired level.
    How to turn off the sound in games without touching notifications?

    Use the function "Sound separation" (available at EMUI 9.0+):

    1. During the game, open the notification shade.
    2. Hold the icon 🔔 Sound → select Mute sound for games.

    If there is no option, turn off the sound directly in the game settings.

    Why does music still play in Do Not Disturb mode?

    DND mode does not block media (music, video, games) To turn them off:

    • Use the volume buttons during playback.
    • Mute the sound in the player (for example, in Spotify or YouTube).
    Is it possible to set up automatic mute on a schedule?

    Yes, through the “Not” mode disturb":

    1. Go to Settings → Sound → Do not disturb → Schedule.
    2. Specify days and times (for example, from 23:00 to 7:00).
    3. Set up exceptions for alarm clock or important contacts.