To turn off mute on a Samsung phone, press the Volume Up button until the mute icon disappears from the screen. This is the fastest of the three methods Samsung documents for leaving mute on Galaxy phones: using the Sound mode setting, using the Volume pop-up, or using the Quick settings panel.
Use the volume button to unmute
- Locate the Volume Up button on the side of your Samsung Galaxy phone.
- Press the Volume Up button repeatedly until the on-screen volume pop-up appears and the mute icon (a speaker with a line through it) is no longer shown.
- If needed, tap the expand arrow on the volume pop-up to adjust ring, notification, media, and system volumes individually using the sliders.
Samsung notes that if your goal is to change between Sound, Vibrate, and Mute modes without losing customized sound levels, you should use the Sound mode setting instead of the Volume buttons. The Volume buttons adjust all volume levels, so using them to unmute may also raise your media or alarm volume higher than you prefer.
Change the sound mode in Quick settings
- Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick settings panel.
- Look for the speaker icon in the Quick settings area. On newer Galaxy phones, tapping this icon toggles between Sound, Vibrate, and Mute modes.
- Tap the speaker icon until it changes to a speaker without a line through it, indicating the phone is no longer muted.
- If the speaker icon is not visible, swipe down again to expand the full panel, then tap the Settings icon (gear icon) and navigate to Sounds and vibration to select a sound mode.
This method gives you direct access to the volume, mute and speaker controls without needing to open the full Settings app. If your specific Samsung model doesn't have a physical mute button, you can still use software shortcuts. Simply swipe down from the top of the screen to access the notification panel, and find the sound or volume icon. Tapping or long-pressing it will toggle between silent and sound modes.
Turn off mute from the Settings menu
- Open the Settings app on your Samsung Galaxy phone.
- Tap Sounds and vibration.
- Tap Sound mode.
- Select Sound to turn mute off. The three selectable modes are Sound, Vibrate, and Mute.
This is the documented path Samsung provides to unmute a phone when you want to ensure your custom volume levels for ringtones, notifications, and media remain unchanged. Using the Sound mode setting is preferred over the Volume buttons when preserving those custom levels matters to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my Samsung phone is muted?
When your Samsung phone is muted, a mute icon (a speaker with a line through it) appears briefly on the screen when you press the Volume buttons. You will also hear no sound from ringtones, notifications, or media playback, and incoming calls will not produce an audible alert.
What does the mute icon look like on a Samsung phone?
The mute icon is a small speaker symbol with a diagonal line through it. It appears in the status bar at the top of the screen and in the volume pop-up when the phone is set to Mute mode.
What is the quickest shortcut to silence my Samsung phone?
The quickest way to silence your Samsung phone is to press and hold the Volume Down button until the phone enters Vibrate or Mute mode, depending on your settings. You can also swipe down the Quick settings panel and tap the speaker icon to toggle to Mute.
Does restarting my Samsung phone turn off mute?
No. The mute state is preserved across restarts, so you must use one of the three documented methods: the Volume button, Quick settings, or the Settings menu.
Can I use the Samsung SmartThings app to unmute my phone?
The three documented methods are the Volume button, Quick settings panel, and Settings menu.
Why is my Samsung phone stuck on mute?
If your Samsung phone is stuck on mute and you're unable to turn off the mute function using the volume buttons or software settings, check if there is any debris or obstruction in the phone's audio jack or speaker. Cleaning it gently may resolve the issue.
How do I set automatic mute periods on my Samsung phone?
Samsung phones offer a feature called 'Do Not Disturb' mode which allows you to set up automatic mute periods. To access this feature, go to the Settings app and search for 'Do Not Disturb' or 'Sound & vibration' settings.
