Choose quiet with a clear scope.
- 01
Notifications
Open the conversation’s notification controls.
What this tells youYou are changing alerts for the intended conversation.
Check which notification types the current control includes. A message alert and a call alert may have separate choices.
- 02
Duration
Choose the duration or behavior shown in your app.
What this tells youYou know when the chosen mute ends or how to reverse it.
Use a duration actually offered in your app. If alerts return, compare the selected duration and current setting before diagnosing a fault.
- 03
Screen previews
Review lock-screen previews independently.
What this tells youYou have checked what your own device exposes outside the app.
Lock-screen previews and other connected screens deserve a separate check using a harmless, agreed message.
Less noise is one specific outcome.
| Choice | Intended effect | Still worth checking |
|---|---|---|
| Mute conversation | Reduce the selected conversation alerts. | The chat and new messages may remain available. |
| Choose duration | Set when the preference should end, if offered. | The current setting when alerts return. |
| Hide previews | Limit displayed message content on your device. | Other screens or notification types you use. |
| Block or report | Address a contact boundary or harmful conduct. | Current scope and the context needed for a report. |
Before and after a notification choice.
If the issue is an abusive sender rather than noise, assess reporting and blocking instead.
Alerts interrupt
A harmless incoming message creates an interruption in this fictional example.
The chat stays available
The illustrated conversation is muted. You can still review its messages; quiet alerts do not mean contact has stopped.
If the result is not what you expected.
Alerts returned
Check whether the duration ended and whether the alert type was included. Read the setting in the intended conversation.
Compare the control’s purpose →Text is still visible outside the chat
Inspect the device’s preview controls and any connected screens. A mute selection is not a complete device-privacy review.
Review screen previews →Contact itself is the problem
Assess reporting or blocking using the official explanation. Muting is not a promise that the sender cannot contact you.
Choose a contact boundary →Keep one clear expectation.
For example: “Reduce this conversation’s message alerts for the offered period.” Then check that specific result rather than assuming every sound, call or screen preview is covered.
Keep this boundary.
Muted messages may remain available in the chat.
Muting does not erase existing copies or make a conversation private on an unlocked device. Review the device and contact boundary separately.
References and current instructions
Go to the source.
Labels, menu placement and feature availability can change. These are original interface illustrations; use the current official explanation before changing a setting.
Find the current article for your device and account type.