The quickest way to mute a headset is to press the physical mute button on the headset itself, which silences your microphone, not your speakers. This is different from your phone's Silent mode, which only stops ringtones and notifications, not your call audio.
How to mute a headset: what you're actually controlling
When you mute a headset, you are silencing the microphone so other participants on a call or meeting cannot hear you. You can still hear them through the speakers. This is not the same as putting your phone in Silent mode, which silences incoming ringtones and alerts but does not affect your microphone during a call.
Check for a physical mute button first
Look for a dedicated mute button or switch on the headset earcup or inline cable. This is the fastest method because it does not require touching your device or any app. The button is often marked with a microphone icon or a crossed-out microphone symbol. Press it once to mute, press it again to unmute.
Mute your headset mic on an iPhone
There is no system setting on an iPhone that mutes a headset microphone. To mute during a call, use the in-call mute button that appears on the screen during an active phone or FaceTime call. For third-party apps like Zoom or Webex, use the mute control within that app. To put the phone in Silent mode, use Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ring/Silent controls or flip the Ring/Silent switch toward the back of the iPhone. Apple's headphone settings path: Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual > Headphone Accommodations, then turn on Headphone Accommodations (though this does not mute the headset).
Mute your headset mic on an Android phone
Android does not have a documented universal setting to mute a headset microphone. Instead, use the physical mute button on your headset if it has one, or tap the mute icon within your calling or meeting app during an active call.
Use the mute button in your calling or meeting app
In apps like Zoom, Webex, and net2phone, tap or click the microphone icon in the call window to mute and unmute. This mutes your microphone only, you can still hear the other participant. net2phone says mute disables the microphone only and you can still hear the other participant. In net2phone, you can also change the audio source during a call by selecting Audio or Speaker, then choosing the device you want. Bluetooth headsets or earbuds must already be connected to appear as an option.
When your headset mute syncs with the app
Some headsets, such as Cisco models with Webex, can sync their physical mute button with the app. Pressing the mute button on the headset will also mute you in the meeting, and pressing it again will unmute both the headset and the app. Webex documents that the headset mute/unmute sync applies specifically when connected to a Cisco headset.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mute my headset without a physical mute button?
Yes. If your headset does not have a dedicated mute button, use the mute control inside your calling or meeting app, or unplug the headset to silence the microphone.
Does muting my headset mute my speakers too?
No. Muting a headset silences only the microphone. You will still hear audio through the speakers unless you also lower the volume or mute the audio output from your device.
Why does my headset mute button not work in some apps?
Some apps do not support hardware mute buttons. In that case, use the app's on-screen mute icon instead. Check your headset's documentation for app compatibility.
Can I mute my headset while listening to music?
Muting your headset microphone does not affect music playback. To silence music, use the mute or pause control in your music app or lower the device volume.
For the wider topic, see general headset setup.
