Sound notifications, background music or annoying sound effects in applications can be annoying, especially when you are in a public place or trying to concentrate. Fortunately, Android offers several ways to control sound at the level of individual applications - from basic system settings to advanced tools for advanced users.

In this article we will examine all possible methods: from standard muting the sound through the phone settings to using the Do Not Disturb mode and specialized utilities. You will learn how to mute the sound in YouTube, TikTok, messengers or games without affecting system sounds, as well as how to automate the process using Tasker or MacroDroid. We will separately consider cases when an application ignores system settings - and what to do about it.

1. Standard mute through Android settings

The most obvious way is to use the built-in tools Android. This method works on all devices, regardless of OS version or manufacturer (with the exception of highly customized firmware, for example, on some smartphones Xiaomi or Huawei).

To turn off the sound for a specific application:

  1. Open Settings → Applications.
  2. Find the desired application in the list and tap on it.
  3. Select an item Notifications.
  4. Disable the switch Sound or set notification priority to Mute.

On some devices (for example, Samsung Galaxy c One UI) the path may be slightly different:

  • 📱 Settings → Notifications → Advanced → Application sounds
  • 🔊 Here you can adjust the volume for each application separately.
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If the application is not in the settings options to turn off the sound, try holding down the notification from this application in the curtain and selecting "Mute Sound" in the context menu.

Limitation of the method: it only works for notifications, but not for sounds within the application itself (for example, music in Spotify or sound effects in games). This will require other methods.

2. Using Do Not Disturb mode for individual applications

Function Do not disturb (DND) allows you to flexibly manage sounds, including the ability to turn them off selectively for certain applications. This is convenient if you want, for example, to leave sounds for WhatsAppbut disable them for Facebook.

How to set it up:

  1. Go to Settings → Sound → Do disturb.
  2. Select Applications (or Exceptions on some devices).
  3. Add the applications you want allow sounds (the rest will be muted).
  4. Activate the mode Do not disturb through the quick settings panel.

On Android 12+ the ability to create rules for DND mode:

  • 🕒 Set up automatic activation on a schedule (for example, at night).
  • 📵 Turn off sounds only for selected applications, leaving alarms or calls.
  • 🎵 Allow media playback (for example, music in YouTube Music), but block notifications.
📊 How often do you use Do Not Disturb mode?
Every night
Only in meetings
Near important people
Never

Important: on some firmware (for example, MIUI from Xiaomi) DND mode can completely disable all sounds, including alarms. Check your exception settings!

3. Mute sound within an application

Many applications have their own sound settings that do not depend on system parameters. For example, in Instagram or TikTok you can turn off the video playback sound by default, and in games you can mute the music.

Where to look for these settings:

  • 🎮 Games: usually in Settings → Sound (separate sliders for music and sound effects).
  • 📺 Video players (YouTube, Netflix): volume button directly in the player or in the account settings.
  • 💬 Messengers (Telegram, Viber): Settings → Notifications → Sound.
  • 📱 Social networks (Facebook, TikTok): option "Play video without sound" in the feed settings.

Example for YouTube:

  1. Open the application and tap on the avatar in the upper right corner.
  2. Select Settings → Playback.
  3. Disable the option Autoplay and install Default sound: Off.
Why do some apps have no sound settings?

Some apps (especially little-known ones or those with aggressive monetization) deliberately hide mute options to keep the user interacting with the content longer. In such cases, only system muting (see section 4) or deleting the application will help.

If the application does not provide such options, this may be a sign intrusive advertising or poor optimization. In this case, it is worth considering alternative apps.

4. Forced mute through accessibility settings

A little-known trick: Android there is a function Delete sound (Mono audio or Sound balancethat can mute the sound for all applications except system ones. This method is suitable for devices without root access.

How to enable:

  1. Go to Settings → Accessibility → Hearing.
  2. Find option Sound balance or Mono sound.
  3. Move the slider all the way to the left or right - this will turn off stereo sound and may muffle sounds in some applications.

The effectiveness of the method depends on the firmware. On some devices (Google Pixel, OnePlus) this works stably, on others (for example, Realme) it may not produce results.

Manufacturer Option name Efficiency
Samsung Mono sound Medium (muffles, but does not turn off completely)
Google Pixel Sound balance High (complete disabling for some applications)
Xiaomi Audio balance Low (works only for media)
OnePlus Mono audio High (completely disabled for games)

On devices with Android 13+ this method may not work due to changes in processing audio streams. In this case, proceed to the next section.

5. Third-party applications for sound control

If system methods do not help, third-party utilities will come to the rescue. They allow you to flexibly configure the sound for each application, including forced muting.

The best applications for this task:

  • 🔇 App Volume Control — adjusts the volume for each application separately (required Android 5.0+).
  • 🎛️ Volume Sync — synchronizes volume levels between applications.
  • 🤖 MacroDroid — automates muting the sound based on triggers (for example, when starting a game).
  • 🔧 Tasker —advanced automation (for advanced users).

Example settings in App Volume Control:

  1. Install the application from Google Play.
  2. Grant permission to change system settings (a request will appear the first time you launch).
  3. Select an application from the list and move the volume slider to 0.
  4. Activate the option Forced shutdown (if available).

☑️ Preparing to use third-party utilities

Completed: 0 / 4

Warning: Some utilities (for example, Tasker) require accessibility permissions, which may pose a security risk. Install only verified applications with high ratings.

6. Mute sound via ADB (for advanced users)

If you're ready to dive into technical details, ADB (Android Debug Bridge) allows you to mute the sound for a specific application at the system level. This method works without rootrights, but requires a connection to a computer.

Instructions:

  1. Enable USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About phone → Build number - tap 7 times, then return in Settings → System → For developers).
  2. Connect the phone to the PC and run the command: 
    adb shell settings put global app_volume [package_name] 0

    Replace [package_name] with the application identifier (for example, com.facebook.katana for Facebook).

  3. Restart the device.

To find package_name applications, use the command: 

adb shell pm list packages | grep "keyword"

For example, for Instagram:

adb shell pm list packages | grep insta

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The method with ADB is reversible: to return the sound, replace 0 in the command with 15 (maximum volume).

⚠️ Attention: incorrect use ADB may disrupt the system. Do not change the settings for system applications (for example, com.android.systemui).

7. Radical methods: turning off sound via root or deleting files

If all else fails, there are radical methods - but they require root-rights and can disrupt the stability of the system. Use them only as a last resort!

Options:

  • 🔨 Deleting sound files applications via Root Explorer (folder /data/data/[package_name]/files or /sdcard/Android/obb).
  • 🔧 Change permissions applications via Lucky Patcher (may lead to errors).
  • 🗑️ Freezing the application via Titanium Backup (if the sound comes from the system software).

Example for deleting sound files:

  1. Install Root Explorer or FX File Explorer with support root.
  2. Go to /data/data/[package_name]/files.
  3. Find files with extensions .mp3, .ogg, .wav and delete them.
  4. Restart the device.

⚠️ Attention: Deleting system audio files (for example, from /system/media/audio) can lead to loss guarantees or device malfunctionAlways make a backup copy before such actions!

What to do if the application stops working after deleting files?

Restore the deleted files from a backup or reinstall the application. If the problem persists, try clearing the cache and application data in the Android settings.

FAQ: Frequent. questions

Is it possible to turn off the sound in the application without turning off notifications?

Yes, in most cases. In the application notification settings (Settings → Applications → [name] → Notifications), you can turn off the sound, leaving vibration or pop-up windows. The Do not disturb c mode will also help. exceptions.

Why in some games the sound is not turned off through system settings?

Games often use their own audio engine (for example, Unity or Unreal Engine), which ignores system restrictions. In such cases, it will help:

  • Mute the sound in the game settings.
  • Use App Volume Control or ADB.
  • Deleting game sound files (requires root).
How to automatically mute the sound in the application by schedule?

Use MacroDroid or Tasker:

  1. Create a new rule (Macro).
  2. Select trigger Time or Launch application.
  3. Add action Change volume or Run ADB command.
  4. Set target volume level on 0.

An example command for Tasker: 

am start -a android.media.action.SET_VOLUME --ei android.media.extra.VOLUME_STREAM_TYPE 3 --ei android.media.extra.VOLUME_VALUE 0

Why did the old methods of muting the sound stop working after updating Android?

Starting with Android 10, Google tightened control over audio streams. In new versions:

  • Applications can ignore system ones. volume settings.
  • Some ADBcommands stopped working.
  • Function Sound balance may not affect applications.

Solution: use current utilities (for example, App Volume Control with support Android 13) or configure rules in MacroDroid.

Is it possible to turn off sound in system applications (for example, in a browser or camera)? summary>

For system applications, the methods are limited:

  • Use ADB (see section 6), but be careful - this may disrupt the system.
  • On some firmware (for example, LineageOS) you can turn off the sound via Settings → Sound → System sounds.
  • For Google Chrome mute the sound in the site settings: ⋮ → Settings → Site settings → Sound.

⚠️ Mute sound in system applications (for example com.android.systemui) can lead to loss of functionality (the sounds of locking, notifications, etc. will disappear).