Viber has long become one of the most popular instant messengers on Android, combining text messages, calls and group chats. However, constant notifications can interfere with work, sleep or relaxation, turning a useful tool into a source of irritation. Completely resetting settings or deleting an application are too drastic measures when you just need to silence specific notifications.
The Android system provides flexible tools for managing sound profiles, allowing you to fine-tune the behavior of each installed application. The user can choose complete silence, vibration, or leave sound only for important contacts. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the available ways to turn off sound in Viber, from system settings to internal options of the messenger itself.
In addition, we will look at the nuances of the Do Not Disturb function and explain why sometimes the sound can return after rebooting the device. Understanding the logic of notifications in Android 12, 13 and 14 will help you create the perfect balance between accessibility and silence.
Quickly disable notifications through Android settings
The fastest way to silence the messenger is to use the system menu notifications. Starting with Android 8.0, Google introduced notification channels, which give the user unprecedented control over how the app communicates events. You can mute the sound for all messages at once without going into the application itself.
To do this, pull the notification shade down and find any message from Viber. Press and hold your finger on a notification until a pop-up menu or settings gear appears. By clicking on the settings icon, you will be taken to the menu for managing notification channels for a specific application.
Here you will see a list of categories, such as “Messages”, “Calls” or “Groups”. By clicking on a specific category, you can completely turn off the sound by selecting the “Mute” or “Important” (vibrate) mode. This allows you, for example, to leave sound for personal calls, but completely mute group chats.
If the gear icon doesn't appear when you long press it, try swiping the notification left or right to open the hidden action menu.
Using system settings is the most reliable method, since these settings take precedence over the internal settings of the application itself. Even if sound notifications are enabled in Viber, the Android system can block them at the notification channel level.
Setting up sound inside the Viber application
The second level of control is located directly in the messenger interface. The developers Viber have provided their own sound settings that work in conjunction with system permissions. To get to this section, open the application and go to the “More” menu (three dots in the lower right corner).
Select the item Settings, and then go to the section Notifications. Here you will find the Notification Sounds toggle. If you turn it off, the app will stop making sounds when you receive new messages, but vibration may remain active if it is turned on separately.
It is important to note that settings within the app may reset after major software updates. Therefore, if you notice that the sound has returned after the update Vibercheck this section again. Also here you can select the default melody or set silence for incoming calls through the “Ringtone” item.
- 🔇 Notification sounds —the main switch for all text messages.
- 📳 Vibration —allows you to leave tactile feedback when the sound is turned off.
- 🔔 Ring sound —a separate setting for incoming voice calls.
- 💬 Preview —disable the display of message text on the lock screen.
Don't forget that changes take effect immediately. However, if you have synchronization enabled with other devices (for example, Viber on a PC or tablet), audio settings may not automatically sync between gadgets.
Do Not Disturb mode: global mute
The Do Not Disturb function in Android is a powerful tool for creating temporary silence. Unlike disabling notifications for a specific application, this mode blocks all sounds and vibrations of the system, except those included in exceptions.
You can activate the mode through the quick settings panel by clicking on the crescent icon. In the deeper settings of the section Sound and vibration you can configure the schedule. For example, the phone will automatically go into silent mode every night from 23:00 to 07:00.
The key feature is setting exceptions. You can allow silence interruption only for selected contacts or repeat calls (if the same person calls twice within 15 minutes). This ensures you don't miss an emergency call, even if general audio is muted.
⚠️ Attention: In some versions of Android, Do Not Disturb mode may hide visual notifications on the lock screen. Make sure that the “Hide Content” option is disabled if you want to see message texts without sound.
Using this mode is especially convenient in cinemas, in meetings or during sleep, when you need to ensure complete silence from all applications, not just from Viber. The system itself will return the sound profiles to their original state after the specified time.
Mute the sound for individual chats and groups
Often a situation arises when you need to mute only one noisy group or an intrusive interlocutor, leaving other notifications active. Viber implemented the “Mute” function for individual dialogues, which works regardless of the general settings.
To use this option, open the list of chats and find the desired dialogue. Tap and hold on a chat until it's highlighted, then tap the speaker icon in the top menu bar. Alternatively, you can go inside the chat, click on the contact name or group name at the top and select the option Mute.
The system will prompt you to select the mute duration: for 1 hour, for 8 hours, for 24 hours or forever. When you select the “Forever” option, a crossed out speaker will appear next to the chat name, indicating that notifications from this contact are received without sound.
| Duration | Scenario description | Automatic turn on |
|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | Short-term meeting or lunch | No |
| 8 hours | Working day or night sleep | No |
| 24 hours | Weekend or trip | No |
| Forever | Constantly active but noisy group | Requires manual activation |
This function is extremely useful for managing information noise in large work chats or interest groups, where messages arrive every few seconds. You can read them at a convenient time, without being distracted by constant notifications.
☑️ Checking the settings of a specific chat
Sound problems after updating the system
Users often encounter a situation where, after updating the version of Android or the application itself Viber sound settings are reset. This is due to the fact that new versions of the OS may change the structure of notification channels, requiring reconfiguration of access rights.
If the sound appears unexpectedly, first check to see if the application permissions have been reset. Go to Settings phone, find the Applicationssection, select Viber and make sure that the permission to send notifications is active. Sometimes the system may automatically turn off “background activity” to save battery power, which also affects the delivery of notifications.
Another reason may be a conflict with third-party memory cleaning apps or antivirus apps. Such utilities can aggressively terminate messenger processes, preventing the sound signal from triggering in a timely manner. In this case, you need to add Viber to the exclusion list or "white list" of the battery optimizer.
⚠️ Attention: The Android settings interface may differ depending on the smartphone manufacturer (Samsung, Xiaomi, Pixel). If you do not find the item described, use the search inside the settings menu for “Notifications.”
In rare cases, completely reinstalling the application helps. Before doing this, it is recommended to make a backup copy of your chats so as not to lose your chat history. After a clean installation, reconfigure sound profiles following the instructions in the previous sections.
Why does sound only work when the screen is unlocked?
This is a common problem on smartphones with aggressive energy saving. When the screen is turned off, the system “kills” the messenger process. Solution: go to Settings -> Applications -> Viber -> Battery and select the “No restrictions” or “Do not optimize” mode.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will the sender know that I have muted the sound in Viber?
No, the sender of the message will not receive any notifications that you have muted the sound. For him, the message will be delivered and read (if you have opened the chat) as usual. The “Read” status depends only on the fact that the dialog is opened, and not on the sound settings.
Is it possible to turn off the sound only for calls, but leave it for messages?
Yes, this is possible through the Android system notification channels. In the application notification settings Viber find the “Calls” category and turn off the sound for it, leaving the “Messages” category active. This will allow you to hear signals about new texts, but not be distracted by incoming calls.
Why does Viber still vibrate, although I turned off the sound?
Sound and vibration are two independent parameters in Android. Turning off the sound does not automatically turn off vibration. To remove it, you need to find the “Vibration” item in the same notification settings and switch it to the “Off” position.
Are the silent mode settings for individual chats reset?
Usually the silent mode settings for specific chats are saved even after restarting the phone or updating the application. However, if you uninstall and install the application again, these settings will have to be set again manually.
How can I quickly get the sound back if I accidentally turned it off?
The fastest way is to go back to the application's notification settings (long press on the Viber icon on the desktop) and turn on the "Notification sounds" switch. If you used Do Not Disturb mode, simply turn it off in the notification shade.
Flexible customization of notification channels in Android allows you to create a personalized sound profile, leaving important contacts audible and drowning out information noise.