What is a Silenced Call? How to set up and turn it off?

Imagine you’re in a quiet library, in a pin-drop silent room. Only you hear is soft rustle of pages turning📖.

Until your phone rings, breaking the silence with a loud buzz📱. Your peaceful moment is gone, and you are trying to silence your call😬.

There is a way you can prevent yourself from being embarrassed in situations like this, and that is a silenced call. According to its name, it silences known or unknown incoming calls.

So, how to enable that, and what can it do other things for you?🤔

In this article, we will discuss what is a silenced call, how to enable and disable it on your iphone and Android, along with when to use it effectively.

So, let’s get into it. 🚀

What is a silenced call?

A silenced call is a state on your phone in which you receive a call, but your phone does not vibrate, ring, or make any sound.

You will receive the call, but your phone will not make any sound and will remain quiet.

You will not even notice the call until you check your call log. This feature can be beneficial when you are attending meetings, in a no-phone zone, or while concentrating on something.

What is a silenced unknown caller?

Silenced unknown caller means your phone remains silent when you receive calls from numbers that are not saved in your contact lists. It goes straight to voicemail or your missed calls list. Yet, you can get a ring and notification if someone from your contact list calls you.

To enable it, you can find a feature called “silenced unknown caller” on your iPhone. This feature is great to use if you receive frequent calls from telemarketers, scammers, or random wrong numbers.

It is a simple-to-use tool that lets you avoid the distraction of unwanted calls while being available only to important people. By its name, it only silences the call of an unknown caller. Thus, it is called silenced unknown callers.

How to turn on silence call on an iPhone?

If you are an iPhone user wanting to get rid of random wrong numbers and unwanted calls, enable silence calls.

iPhone allows you to silence your calls only for unknown callers that are not saved in your contact list along with all contacts. Here’s how you can enable silenced calls on iPhone.

Option 1: To Silence unknown callers

This option of perfect for you if you want your iPhone to stay in silent mode for incoming calls from unknown callers. Especially calls from unknown numbers or spam calls.

You won’t hear a hear or any notifications after you have enabled this feature. If you want to check that if you have received any calls from an unsaved number, you need to check your call log.

Here’s how you can enable this feature:

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

Step 2: Scroll down and tap on Phone.

Step 3: Tap on Silence Unknown Callers.

Step 4: Toggle the switch to ON, and it will turn green.

After you have enabled this feature, you will receive only the ring of incoming calls that you have saved in your contact list.

Option 2: Turn on DND mode

If you want to silence all your incoming calls on your iPhone, including known and unknown numbers, you can just enable (Do not Disturb) DND mode. Enabling DND mode silences all your calls, including silence notifications of apps and text messages.

This can be beneficial for you during the time when you need silence while sleeping or focusing on your important task. DND mode allows you to choose which contacts are allowed to reach you during this time.

Here’s how to turn on Do Not Disturb on your iPhone:

Step 1: Open the Settings app.

Step 2: Tap on Focus.

Step 3: Select Do Not Disturb from the list.

Step 4: Under People, tap Allow Calls From to choose contacts who can still call you.

Step 5: You can also set a schedule or manually turn on DND by tapping the switch at the top.

Once you have activated, all other calls that are from known or unknown numbers will be silenced.

You’ll still see missed call notifications later, but your phone won’t ring or vibrate during the time DND is enabled.

How to turn on silence call on Android

If you’re an Android user and tired of random calls from telemarketers or unknown numbers or just want some peace and quiet, Android gives you several easy ways to silence calls, whether it’s all incoming calls or just specific ones.

Just like the iPhone, Android allows you to silence unknown callers or use Do Not Disturb (DND) mode to mute everything. You can even use third-party apps for more advanced call control.

Here’s how you can enable silenced calls on your Android phone.

Option 1: Turn On Do Not Disturb Mode

This is the easiest way to silence all incoming calls, including from contacts and unknown numbers. When you enable Do Not Disturb mode, your phone won’t ring or vibrate for calls, messages, or app notifications.

This is perfect when you’re in a meeting, working, sleeping, or simply want some distraction-free time.

Follow these steps to turn it on:

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your Android phone.

Step 2: Tap on Sound & Vibration or Notifications (this might vary slightly depending on your phone model).

Step 3: Select Do Not Disturb.

Step 4: Tap on People or Calls and choose who can reach you while DND is on (e.g., starred contacts or favorites).

Step 5: Set a schedule if you want it to activate automatically or manually turn on DND by tapping the switch.

Once you activate it, all other calls, including those from an unknown number,s will be silenced. You’ll still see missed call notifications, but your phone will stay quiet.

Option 2: Use Third-Party Apps

If your Android phone doesn’t offer the “Silence Unknown Callers” feature by default, or if you want more advanced control, you can use third-party apps to manage and silence calls.

These apps often allow you to:

• Block or silence unknown numbers
• Filter spam or telemarketing calls
• Create a whitelist of contacts who can call you
• Automatically hang up or redirect unwanted calls

Popular apps you can try include:

• Truecaller
• Hiya
• Calls Blacklist
• Should I Answer?

How to use them:

Step 1: Go to the Google Play Store and download a trusted call blocker app (like Truecaller or Hiya).

Step 2: Open the app and follow the setup instructions.

Step 3: Grant necessary permissions (like access to your contacts and call logs).

Step 4: In the app’s settings, turn on the feature to silence or block unknown/spam calls.

Can the caller know if their call was Silenced?

No, the caller won’t know that their call was silenced. While the caller makes a call, they just hear a normal ring whether you have enabled silenced unknown caller, DND mode, or third-party apps.

When someone calls you during the silenced call, the call rings normally for them. If you have set up voicemail or call forwarding, they may hear several rings before it go to voicemail. There’s no message or signal telling them their call was muted or ignored.

When should you use a silenced call?

You cannot just make silent calls every time you want. If enabled, you can miss important calls, messages, and other notifications.

Here are some of the situations that when you should use a silenced call:

A. During important meetings.

If you’re middle of your client meeting, a single phone call can distract you and show a lack of professionalism. There’s nothing more disruptive than a phone ringing in the middle of a serious meeting.

Whether it’s a work presentation, a client call, or a team discussion, silencing your phone keeps you focused. You won’t have to worry about sudden ringtones throwing you or others off track.

B. While sleeping.

You will be able to mute calls from unknown numbers, as well as calls from non-emergency contacts, allowing you to sleep without worrying about anything. This saves you from late-night calls or spam messages.

You can also allow calls from significant individuals (e.g., family) while in Do Not Disturb mode with customized settings.

C. Places where you need to respect the Silent environment.

Some places just require silence, such as libraries, movie theaters, hospitals, religious places, and classrooms. Keeping your phone in silent mode in these spaces shows respect for others and avoids unnecessary embarrassment or disruption.

D. When you want to spend Quality time.

Whether you’re on your dinner date, playing games with the family, or diving in and having a deep conversation with a friend, notifications and phone calls can destroy the moment. Silencing your phone helps you be present, enjoy the moment, and engage with the people in life without any distractions.

Common reasons for silenced call

Sometimes, when you call someone, they might not answer even after many calls. Or you might also miss a call without hearing a sound. That is due to silenced calls; there are various reasons for that.

Some of them include:

1. If the user has turned on DND mode

When Do Not Disturb is enabled, the phone automatically silences all calls, messages, and notifications. This is a popular feature used during meetings, sleep, or any time the user wants to focus without interruptions. Unless you’re on their allowed contacts list, your call will go through silently.

2. Spam or unknown number silencing features

Many phones, especially iPhones and some Android devices come with a “Silence Unknown Callers” or spam protection feature. If your number isn’t saved in the contact list, the call might be silenced automatically. This helps users avoid spam, technical issues, telemarketers, and robocalls.

3. App-specific call silencing

Some third-party apps like Truecaller, Hiya, or custom dialer apps can manage incoming calls. If a user has set up call filtering or blocking through one of these apps, your call might be silenced without even ringing on their end. These apps often run in the background and apply custom rules set by the user.

4. The user manually muted the call

In some cases, the user might see the incoming call but choose to silence it manually. They can press the volume buttons or tap the decline or mute option on the screen. This won’t end the call, but it just stops the ringing sound on their phone while still letting the call go through.

Drawback of silenced call

While silencing calls can be helpful in reducing distractions, it’s not always great to use. There are a few drawbacks to keep in mind, especially if you’re using features like Do Not Disturb or Silence Unknown Callers.

This feature is great to use for peace of mind, but it also comes with drawbacks, such as:

A. Can miss important calls

One of the drawbacks of silencing calls is the risk of missing something important calls. You can miss important calls, such as a call from your doctor, a job opportunity, or an urgent family matter.

B. Real calls can also be silenced

While these features are enabled, they silence all the incoming calls. That can include real and genuine calls from your friends or family.

For example, if someone important is calling you from a new number or landline, your phone might silence it automatically even though it’s not spam.

Conclusion

Silenced calls give you the power to control when and how your phone can demand your attention. If you want peace of time and don’t want to be disturbed by any calls, just enable silenced calls until you want your phone to ring for a call.

Whether you want to avoid spam calls, filter out unknown callers, or simply take a break from the constant buzz of incoming phone calls, all you need is a silenced call. You can still get missed call notifications and call back when it’s convenient for you.

While silenced calls can let you enjoy your peacetime, however, it’s important to know when to use it perfectly so that you don’t miss anything important.

FAQs

Can I still see missed calls when the “Silence Unknown Callers” feature is enabled?

Yes, you can still see missed calls from unknown callers in your call log, but your phone will remain silent during the call, meaning it won’t ring or vibrate. You’ll only be alerted to the call once you check the missed call list.

Will the caller know that their call was silenced?

No, the caller won’t know if their call was silenced. They will hear the normal ring, and it will go straight to voicemail if not answered. There’s no indication on their end that their call was muted.

Can I turn off the “Silence Unknown Callers” feature?

Yes, you can easily disable this feature. Just go to your iPhone’s settings, tap on Phone, then toggle off the Silence Unknown Callers option.

What happens if I enable “Do Not Disturb” mode?

When you enable Do Not Disturb mode, your phone will silence all incoming calls, messages, and notifications. You can still allow calls from specific contacts, and missed call notifications will appear once DND is turned off.

Can third-party apps help with silencing calls?

Yes, apps like Truecaller or Hiya can block or silence calls from unknown or spam numbers. These apps offer more control, allowing you to customize which calls are silenced or blocked entirely.