To turn silent mode on or off on an iPhone 14, use the Ring/Silent switch on the upper left side of the phone, above the volume buttons. Push it toward the back of the iPhone so you see an orange stripe to turn silent mode on; push it toward the screen to turn silent mode off and hear rings and alerts again. A Silent Mode On or Silent Mode Off banner confirms the change. In recent iOS versions, you can also turn silent mode on or off in Settings > Sounds & Haptics, or from Control Center, which is handy if the switch is hard to reach or broken.
This guide covers every way to control silent mode on the iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, and 14 Pro Max, what silent mode does and doesn’t silence, how it differs from Do Not Disturb, and fixes when your iPhone still makes noise.
Method 1: Use the Ring/Silent switch
- Find the small switch on the left edge, above the volume buttons.
- Flip it toward the back of the phone. The orange stripe means silent mode is on.
- Flip it toward the screen to turn silent mode off.
The iPhone 14 series is the last standard lineup to use this switch on all models; the iPhone 15 Pro and later models replaced it with the customizable Action button.
Method 2: Use Settings or Control Center (newer iOS versions)
- Settings – in recent iOS versions, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and use the Silent Mode switch.
- Control Center – swipe down from the top-right corner. If you don’t see a silent mode control, tap + (or touch and hold an empty area) and add it from the control gallery, where your iOS version supports it.
If you use these while the physical switch is set the other way, the most recent change wins until you flip the switch again.
Method 3: Use AssistiveTouch if the switch is broken
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch and turn it on.
- Tap the floating button, then Device > Mute (or Unmute).
What silent mode silences
- Silenced – ringtones, text tones, most app alerts, keyboard clicks, and lock sounds.
- Still plays – alarms set in the Clock app, timers, music and videos, and games (media volume is separate). Some apps may still play sounds when you’re actively using them.
- Vibration – choose whether the iPhone vibrates in silent mode in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Haptics (options like Play Haptics in Silent Mode or Always Play, depending on your iOS version).
Silent mode vs. Do Not Disturb
| Silent mode | Do Not Disturb / Focus | |
|---|---|---|
| Sounds | Off for calls and alerts | Silences notifications |
| Notifications | Still appear on screen | Hidden or held until later |
| Exceptions | None | Allow specific people and apps; repeated calls can get through |
| Schedule | No | Yes, by time, location, or app |
Troubleshooting
- iPhone still rings in silent mode – check that orange is showing on the switch, or that Silent Mode is on in Settings. Media and alarms aren’t silenced.
- No sound after turning silent mode off – raise the ringer volume in Settings > Sounds & Haptics and turn on Change with Buttons if you want the volume buttons to control it. Also check that a Focus isn’t on.
- Switch feels stuck – remove the case; some cases block the switch. Clean around it gently with a soft brush.
- Switch does nothing – restart the iPhone. If it still doesn’t respond, use Settings or AssistiveTouch and contact Apple about a repair.
Frequently asked questions
Will my alarm go off in silent mode?
Yes. Clock app alarms play even when silent mode is on, at the ringer volume set in Clock.
Can I make only some contacts ring in silent mode?
Not with silent mode. Use a Focus like Do Not Disturb with allowed people instead, or give a contact an Emergency Bypass in their ringtone settings.
Does silent mode save battery?
Only slightly. It mainly stops sounds; vibrations use a little power.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.