Turn off text notification sounds in Settings

The fastest way to silence text notifications is through the Messages app settings. Open Settings, scroll down and tap Messages, then find Sounds & Haptics. Tap the sound option next to Text Tone and select None at the top of the list. This stops your phone from playing a sound when a text arrives, but you will still see the notification on your lock screen and in the notification center.

If you want to keep the sound but make it quieter, you can choose a different tone from the same menu — options like "Bells" or "Chime" are gentler than the default. You can also toggle off Vibration in the same screen if you want to disable the haptic feedback entirely.

Key Takeaways

  • Turning off Text Tone in Messages settings stops notification sounds without hiding the text notification itself.
  • You can silence texts from specific people by opening a conversation, tapping their name at the top, and toggling off Notify Me.
  • Focus modes let you allow texts only from certain contacts while silencing everyone else during specific times or activities.
  • Do Not Disturb silences all notifications including texts, though emergency contacts can still reach you if you allow repeated calls.

Mute notifications from one person or group

If you want to silence texts from a specific contact without affecting others, open the conversation with that person. Tap their name or the group name at the top of the screen, then scroll down and toggle off Notify Me. You will still receive their messages, but your phone will not alert you when they arrive.

This setting works for individual contacts and group chats separately. You can mute one group conversation while keeping notifications on for another, or silence one person while staying notified by everyone else in a group chat.

Use Focus modes to allow only certain contacts

Focus modes let you create custom notification rules for different situations. Open Settings, tap Focus, and tap the + button to create a new Focus. Choose a name like "Work" or "Sleep" and select which apps can send notifications — you can allow Messages but only from specific people.

Once you set up a Focus, you can turn it on manually or schedule it to activate at certain times. For example, a "Sleep" Focus can silence all texts except from family members, and turn on automatically at 10 p.m. each night. You can also set a Focus to activate when you arrive at a location, like your workplace.

Turn on Do Not Disturb for complete silence

Do Not Disturb silences all notifications, including texts, calls, and alerts. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center, then tap the moon icon to turn it on. Your phone will not alert you to anything while it is active, though you can still see notifications when you unlock your screen.

If you need emergency contacts to reach you, go to Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb and tap Calls. Toggle on Repeated Calls to allow someone to reach you if they call twice in three seconds. You can also add specific contacts who are always allowed through.

Silence notifications temporarily with a scheduled downtime

Downtime is a built-in feature that silences notifications on a schedule you set. Open Settings, tap Screen Time, then Downtime. Toggle it on and set start and end times — for example, 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. During downtime, texts and other notifications will be silenced unless they come from contacts you have marked as favorites.

Unlike Do Not Disturb, Downtime is meant to run automatically every day at the same times. You can turn it off temporarily by opening Control Center and tapping the Screen Time icon, but it will turn back on at the next scheduled time.

Adjust notification preview settings

If you want to keep notification sounds but hide the message content on your lock screen, you can change what the notification shows. Open Settings > Notifications > Messages and tap Show Previews. Choose When Unlocked to show the full message only after you unlock your phone, or Never to hide the message content entirely and show only "1 New Message" instead.

This keeps you aware that a text arrived without broadcasting the content to anyone who can see your lock screen. The notification sound will still play unless you have turned off Text Tone in Messages settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the person know I have silenced their texts?

No. Silencing notifications does not send any signal to the other person. They will not know whether you have their notifications on or off, and the message will still arrive normally on your phone.

Can I silence texts at night but keep them on during the day?

Yes. Set up a Focus mode or Downtime schedule that turns on automatically at your bedtime and turns off in the morning. You can also use Do Not Disturb and schedule it in Settings to activate at specific times each day.

What is the difference between muting a conversation and turning off notifications?

Muting a single conversation (toggling off Notify Me) silences only that person or group. Turning off Text Tone in Messages settings silences all text notifications. Focus modes and Do Not Disturb affect all apps, not just Messages.

If I silence texts, will I still see them in the Messages app?

Yes. Silencing notifications only stops the alert sound and vibration. The text will still arrive and appear in your Messages app — you just will not be notified when it comes in.

Can I allow texts from family while silencing everyone else?

Yes. Create a Focus mode that allows Messages only from contacts in your Favorites list, then add family members to Favorites. Turn on the Focus manually or schedule it for specific times.