Ringing notifications WhatsApp can become a real problem if you are in dozens of active chats or groups. Constant beeps distract from work, interfere with sleep and create information noise. Fortunately, Android and the messenger itself offer several ways to turn off the sound of notifications - both for individual contacts and for all messages at once.

In this article we will look at 5 proven methodsincluding hidden settings WhatsApp, system parameters Android and even radical solutions for those who want to get rid of sounds forever. You'll learn how to turn off notifications for all chats, set exceptions for important contacts, and what to do if audio comes back after an app update. And also - how to bypass WhatsApp restrictions and turn off the sound even for groups where you are not the admin.

Why WhatsApp ignores the "Mute" settings and what to do about it

Many users are faced with a situation where the notification sound returns on its own. This happens due to the nature of the work WhatsApp:

  • 🔄 Automatic updates —after installing a new version of the messenger, the settings may be reset.
  • 📱 System conflicts —some manufacturers (Xiaomi, Huawei, Samsung) block the background operation of applications, which disrupts notification settings.
  • 🔔 Priority chats —if you have ever unmuted an important contact, WhatsApp may ignore global settings.

Before you mute, check:

  1. Version WhatsApp (update to the latest in Google Play).
  2. Battery settings for the application (allow background work).
  3. No duplicate notifications in system settings Android.
📊 How often are you distracted by WhatsApp notifications?
Constantly, this problem
Sometimes, but tolerable
Nearby, but not in the way
Disabled them a long time ago

Method 1: Global mute for all chats in WhatsApp settings

The simplest method is to use the built-in settings of the messenger. It is suitable if you want turn off sound for all messagesbut keep vibration or pop-up notifications.

Instructions:

  1. Open WhatsApp and tap three dots in the upper right corner.
  2. Select Settings → Notifications.
  3. In section Messages uncheck Sound.
  4. For groups, repeat the action in the section Groups.

Please note: this method does not disable sounds of calls and voice messages. For them, the settings will have to be changed separately in the same sections.

Mute for personal chats|Mute for groups|Vibration checked (if necessary)|Changes saved-->

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI, EMUI) WhatsApp may ignore these settings due to battery optimization. In this case, use Method 3 (system settings Android).

Method 2: Mute individual chats or groups

If you need to leave notifications only for important contacts, and mute the rest, use individual chat settings.

How to do this:

  1. Open the desired chat or group.
  2. Tap on name contact/group at the top of the screen.
  3. Select Mute (or Disable notifications on some versions).
  4. Specify the deadline: 8 hours, 1 week or Always.

For groups there is a nuance: if you are not an admin, you will not be able to turn off notifications forever - the maximum period is usually 1 yearBut there is. workaround:

How to turn off the sound in a group forever if you are not an admin

1. Disable notifications for the maximum period (1 year).

2. 1-2 days before the expiration, re-set “Mute” to another setting. year.

3. This trick allows you to maintain silence indefinitely, without waiting for WhatsApp to reset the settings.

Chat type Max. Can I disable it forever
Personal chat Forever Yes
Group (you are the admin) Forever Yes
Group (you are not an admin) 1 year No (but can be extended)
Channels Forever Yes

Method 3: Mute sound through Android system settings

If settings WhatsApp do not work due to battery optimization or other restrictions, use system settings Android. This method is guaranteed to turn off the sound, but can also hide other notifications (pop-ups, icons).

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → WhatsApp → Notifications.
  2. Disable the switch Sound (or Notification sound on some firmware).
  3. You can select a category to disable it completely Messages and deactivate it.

On Samsung the path may differ: Settings → Notifications → Additional settings → WhatsApp → Sound.

💡

If there is no option in System Settings to turn off sound separately from notifications, set WhatsApp Importance to Low or Silent.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO after turning off sound in System Settings The vibration may also disappear. To return it, enable Vibrate for notifications in settings WhatsApp.

Method 4: Using Do Not Disturb mode for WhatsApp

If you need to turn off the sound only at certain times (for example, at night), use the Do not disturb (DND) with exceptions.

How to set up:

  1. Open Settings → Sound → Do not disturb.
  2. Turn on the mode and select Graph (for example, from 23:00 to 8:00).
  3. In the section Exceptions add Messages and select Only from favorite contacts.
  4. In WhatsApp mark important chats as Favorites (star at the top of the chat).

The advantage of this method: you will not miss important messages, but other notifications will arrive no sound.

💡

The "Do not disturb" mode is the only way to turn off the sound of scheduled notifications without manually setting up each chat.

Method 5: Radical solution - disabling notifications via ADB (for advanced)

If none of the methods helped, and the sound of notifications continues to irritate, you can completely block notifications WhatsApp at the system level. This will require connecting to ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

⚠️ Warning: This method will disable all notifications from WhatsAppincluding calls. Use it only if other methods do not work.

Instructions:

  1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → System → About phone → Build number (tap 7 times, then return to Settings → System → For developers).
  2. Connect your phone to the PC and run the command: 
    adb shell pm grant com.whatsapp android.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS off
  3. Restart the device.

To return notifications, use the command: 

adb shell pm grant com.whatsapp android.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS on

⚠️ Attention: On Android 13+ this method may not work due to changes in permission policy. In this case, use system settings (Method 3).

What to do if the notification sound returns on its own

If after turning off the sound appears again, the problem lies in one of three factors:

Cause How to check Solution
Auto-update WhatsApp Check the version in Google Play Disable auto-update for the application
Battery optimization Settings → Battery → Optimization Add WhatsApp to exceptions
Reset settings after reboot Check the sound after reboot Use Method 3 (system settings)

Additional measures:

  • 🔧 Clear the cache WhatsApp in Settings → Applications → WhatsApp → Memory.
  • 📱 Check if third-party launchers or applications are installed to manage notifications (for example, Nox Cleaner, CCleaner).
  • 🔄 If the problem persists, try reinstalling WhatsApp (back up your chats first).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about muting the sound in WhatsApp

Is it possible to turn off the sound of notifications, but leave the vibration?

Yes. In the settings WhatsApp (Settings → Notifications, disable Sound, but leave the option enabled Vibration. On some firmwares (MIUI) vibration will have to be configured in the system parameters Android.

Why you can’t turn off the sound in groups forever?

WhatsApp limit the maximum period for disabling notifications for groups where you are not an admin to 1 year. This is done so that users do not “forget” about groups. The workaround is to extend the mute once a year (see Method 2).

Will the mute work if I log out of my account and log in again?

No, when I log out of my account, all the settings notifications are reset. After re-logging in, you will have to configure the sound again. To avoid this, use Method 3 (system settings Android), which do not depend on the account WhatsApp.

Is it possible to turn off the sound only for media files (photos, videos, etc.) voice)?

No, WhatsApp does not provide separate settings for media notifications. You can only:

  • Disable media download notifications in Settings → Storage → Autoload media.
  • Use Method 2 (mute the sound for a specific chat).
How to turn off the sound of notifications on WhatsApp Web?

Sound settings for WhatsApp Web synchronize with mobile application. If you turned off the sound on your phone (by any of the described methods), it will automatically turn off in the web version. Additionally, you can:

  1. Mute the sound in the browser (right button on the tab → Mute).
  2. Use extensions to block notifications (for example uBlock Origin).