How to turn off the sound in a specific app on Android: a complete guide

Are you tired of annoying sounds in a messenger, game or social network, but don’t want to completely turn off notifications? Or do you need to temporarily turn off the sound in YouTube, TikTok or WhatsAppwhile you are at work? On Android, there are several ways to turn off sound in in a separate applicationwithout affecting the others. In this article we will analyze all the current methods - from standard settings to hidden functions for experienced users.

It is important to understand that the interface may differ depending on the Android version and shell (for example, One UI y Samsung, MIUI y Xiaomi or pure Android on Google Pixel). However, the general principles work on all devices. If you don't find the item you need in the menu, check alternative ways or use universal solutions like Do Not Disturb mode for individual applications.

We will also look at what to do if the sound in an application is not turned off through standard settings (this happens in some games or streaming services). To do this, you will need additional tools - from built-in developer functions to third-party utilities. But first things first.

1. Mute sound through application notification settings

The easiest and safest way is to configure notifications directly in the application settings. This method works for most instant messengers, social networks and system utilities. Here's how to do it:

1. Open "Settings" on your phone.
2. Go to Applications → All applications (or Manage applications on some devices).
3. Find the desired application in the list (for example, Telegram or Instagram) and tap on it.
4. Select an item Notifications.
5. Turn off the switch Sound or set it to Mute.

On some devices (for example, Samsung Galaxy s One UI) the path may be slightly different: Settings → Notifications → Advanced settings → Notifications from applications, then select the desired application and turn off the sound.

⚠️ Attention: In some applications (for example Viber or WhatsApp), you can mute notification sounds only for individual chats. To do this, open the dialog, click on the contact's name and select Silent or Disable notifications.

If there is no separate switch for sound in the application settings, try turning off notifications completely, and then turning them back on, but without sound. This method will work for Facebook, Twitter and other social networks.

2. Using the Do Not Disturb mode for individual applications

Function Do not disturb (or Do not disturb on some devices) allows you to flexibly control sounds. You can configure it to mute only selected apps without affecting others. This is convenient if you need to temporarily turn off the sound, for example, while sleeping or working.

Instructions for most devices:

1. Open Settings → Sound and vibration → Do not disturb (or Do not disturb mode).
2. Select Permissions or Exceptions.
3. Find the item Applications and add to the list those for which you want to mute the sound.
4. Set a schedule or activate the mode manually.

On Xiaomi the path may look like like this: Settings → Sound and vibration → Do not disturb → Rules → Add rule → Applications.

The advantage of this method is that you can configure automatic mute by time or event (for example, when connecting to a Wi-Fi network at work). will eliminate the need to turn the mode on and off manually every time.

Open sound settings|Find the "Do not disturb" section|Add the application to exceptions|Set a schedule (optional)|Check the operation of the mode-->

3. Disabling media sound in the application (for games and games). streaming services)

If you need to turn off the sound not in notifications, but directly in the application itself (for example, in a game Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile, or YouTube), then the standard notification settings will not help. There are two options here:

• 🎮 Inside the application: Many games and media players have their own sound settings. Usually they are in the menu Settings → Sound or Settings → Multimedia. There you can turn off music, sound effects or voice acting.
• 🔇 Global mute of media sound: Press the physical button volume reduction on the phone until the 🔇icon appears. This will mute the sound in all applications, but will not affect notifications and calls.

For streaming services like Spotify or YouTube Music can be used sound control gesture: Settings → System → Gestures → Quick mute (not available on all devices).

⚠️ Attention: In some games (for example Free Fire or Call of Duty Mobile) the sound can be turned off only in the settings of the game itself. Globally muting media sound through the volume buttons may result in you not hearing important game signals (for example, enemy footsteps).

If you need to mute the sound in only one application, but leave it in the others, use the method from the next section - setting up sound profiles.

4. Creating a separate sound profile for an application

Not everyone knows, but in Android you can assign different sound profiles for different applications. This is useful if you want, for example, WhatsApp to make sounds, but Facebook not. To do this:

1. Install an application to manage sound profiles, for example Tasker or MacroDroid (free versions are available in Google Play).
2. Create a new task (macro) with the condition The application is running.
3. Select the desired application (for example, TikTok).
4. Add an action Set media volume to 0%.
5. Save the task and activate it.

Now, every time you open the selected application, the sound in it will automatically turn off when you close the application, the volume will return to the previous one. value.

Management application	Advantages	Disadvantages
Tasker	Maximum flexibility, support for complex scenarios	Complex interface, paid version for full functionality
MacroDroid	Easier to use, free version with basic functions	Limited number of macros in the free version
Automate	Visual stream editor, no need for root access	May be slow on weak devices

If you do not want to install third-party applications, try using built-in Android tools. For example, some devices Samsung have a feature Modes and routines (Settings → Additional features → Modes and routinethat allows you to create rules for individual applications.

5. Mute the sound through accessibility settings

A little-known method - use accessibility settings to mute the sound in a specific application. This works due to the Removing sounds, which is initially intended for people with hearing impairments, but can be useful in other cases.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Accessibility.
2. Find the section Hearing or Sound.
3. Activate the option Removing sounds or Mono audio (names may differ).
4. In some versions of Android here you can select Applications and add those for which you need turn off the sound.

This method does not always work stably, as it is intended for other purposes. However, on some devices (for example Google Pixel or OnePlus) it allows flexible control of sound in individual applications.

⚠️ Attention: On devices Xiaomi with a shell MIUI function Removing sounds can completely mute the sound in all applications. Before using, check its operation in safe mode.

If this method does not work, try the next one - it is more reliable, but requires a little more effort.

6. Using ADB to mute sound in an application (for advanced users)

If standard methods do not help, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) a debugging tool that allows you to manage system settings. This method is suitable for experienced users, as it requires connecting the phone to the computer.

Step-by-step guide:

1. Turn on Developer mode on the phone: go to Settings → About phone and click on Build number.
2. Go back to Settings → System → For developers and activate USB debugging.
3. Connect the phone to the computer and install ADB (can be downloaded from the official website Android Developers).
4. Open the command line (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and enter:

   adb shell pm mute APP_PACKAGE true

   For example, for Facebook the command would be:

   adb shell pm mute com.facebook.katana true

5. To return the sound, use the same command, but with false at the end.

List of packages of popular applications:

• 📱 WhatsApp: com.whatsapp
• 📱 Instagram: com.instagram.android
• 🎮 PUBG Mobile: com.tencent.ig
• 🎵 Spotify: com.spotify.music

⚠️ Attention: ADB commands may not work on some custom firmware or devices with debug blocking (for example, on some models Huawei without Google services Also after rebooting the phone). the sound may return - you will have to repeat the command.

If ADB seems too complicated, try the following method - it does not require connecting to a computer.

How to find the application package without ADB?

Open Google Play, find the desired application and copy the link. It will indicate the package. For example, for Telegram the link looks like this: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.telegram.messenger, where org.telegram.messenger is the package.

7. Third-party applications for sound control

If the built-in Android tools do not cope, you can use third-party utilities. They offer more options for fine-tuning the sound in individual applications. Here are the most proven options:

• 🔊 App Volume Control —allows you to set individual volume for each application. Works without root access.
• 🎛️ Volume Sync — synchronizes the volume between different types of sounds (media, notifications, calls) and allows you to create profiles for applications.
• 🔇 Mute App Sounds —a specialized application for muting sound in selected apps. There is a schedule function.

Example setup in App Volume Control:

1. Install the application from Google Play.
2. Open it and provide access to special features (this is necessary for the utility to work).
3. In the list, find the desired application and move the volume slider on 0.
4. Save the settings.

The advantage of third-party applications is that they often offer additional functionssuch as:

• Automatic mute by schedule.
• Sound control via widgets on the home screen.
• Creating “white lists” of applications for which the sound is always on.

⚠️ Attention: Some applications for sound control (for example, Volume Booster) may request root access. Be careful - providing root access is not secure and may void your warranty.

If you don't want to install additional apps, go back to the first section and try the default settings again - you may have missed the right step.

Frequently asked questions

Can you mute the sound in an application without turning off notifications?

Yes, in most cases, notification sound and in-app sound are controlled separately. For example, in WhatsApp you can turn off the sound of notifications in the chat settings, but the sound of voice messages within the application will remain. For media players (for example YouTube), sound is controlled only within the application or through global media sound settings.

Why is the sound in the game not turned off through the phone settings?

Games often use their own sound engine, which does not depend on the Android system settings. In this case, the sound can only be turned off in the settings of the game itself or through special utilities like App Volume Control. Also, some games (for example Genshin Impact) block volume changes through the phone buttons during gameplay.

Will muting the sound via ADB work after rebooting the phone?

No, ADB commands that change application settings are reset after rebooting. To keep the sound muted permanently, you need to either repeat the command every time you turn on the phone, or use automation (for example, through Tasker), which will apply the settings when you launch the application.

How to mute the sound in TikTok or Instagram Reels?

In these applications, the sound is controlled inside the player. You can:

1. Click on the speaker icon in the lower right corner of the video (in TikTok).
2. Use the volume buttons on your phone to turn the volume down to zero (this will only mute the sound in the application if it is active).
3. In your account settings (TikTok: I → Settings → Video settings) disable autoplay sound.

To completely turn off the sound in all videos, use the method with App Volume Control or ADB.

Is it possible to turn off the sound in Google Chrome for individual tabs?

Android does not support muting the sound for individual tabs in the browser at the system level. However, you can:

• Mute the sound on the web page itself (if there is a player with a sound button).
• Use an extension for Chrome like Mute Tab (works only on PC).
• Reduce media volume through the phone buttons while the tab is active.