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How to activate silent mode in Android 5.0 Lollipop

silent mode
© Motorola

Prepare to be disturbed; silent mode has vanished from the latest version of Android. In all of the excitement about Android 5.0 Lollipop something went unnoticed by a lot of people. Anyone with a Nexus 6 will know – as will anyone who has managed to grab the OTA update or manually update the Nexus 5 – silent mode has been removed from Android 5.0. There's a trick on how to activate silent mode, but by default you'll have to make do with either a very quiet ring tone, or a vibrating phone.

silent mode
How to activate silent mode on Android 5.0 Lollipop. © Motorola

If you try to put your Android 5.0 phone into silent mode by turning down the volume, you will find something strange happens. The lowest level you can set the volume to is 1. Hit the volume down button one more time and your phone will switch to vibrate mode – there is no option to have the volume set to 0 and disable vibration. Well, there is, but it's not ideal.

There are in fact a couple of workarounds. The first is to turn the volume all the way down to activate vibrate mode, tap volume up to set the volume level to 1, and then reboot your phone. When Android restarts, you'll be in silent mode, but it's a far from perfect solution. The other option is to switch notification mode to the None settings, but this means that your phone will make no noise at all – including silencing your alarms.

Check out the video from Motorola that shows how the volume settings work:

Are you frustrated by the lack of silent mode in Android 5.0 Lollipop? Do you think Google should release an update to reinstate the feature?

Source: Talk Android

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Mark Wilson

Mark Wilson
Freelance writer

Mark cut his journalist teeth writing for print magazines at the turn of the millennium, and then embraced the web as his permanent office. He has worked with just about every mobile operating system that has existed since the early 90s, but found Android to be his spiritual home. Always on the hunt for the newest and most exciting hardware and software, Mark is keen to share his discoveries.

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61 comments
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  • 1
    G A Sep 15, 2016 Link to comment

    Really stupid move, Google. You've succeeded in making a simple task impossible, and given us an all but useless alternative.


  • 1
    Gregory Weiss May 12, 2016 Link to comment

    Google, you're really messing up here - this is such a frustrating annoyance, I'm just about done with Android. Give me back silent mode!!!


  • 1
    Oolon Colluphid Apr 19, 2015 Link to comment

    Android 5 is so crap I shelved my Nexus and purchased a BLU phone running 4.4.2 - finally I have control of the device again and can manage the volume in an intelligent way. I'm all for progressing technology, but not to the point that re-learning basic functions takes 100's of search queries to get answers. Or maybe this is Google's objective - find new ways to get them to search???


  • 1
    m w Apr 6, 2015 Link to comment

    I try to lower the volume of the ringer on my phone to vibrate in the completely inefficient fashion that this lollipop has created, and instead I end up lowering the volume on the phone, not the ringer. To lower the ringer to vibrate, I have to go into settings. How do I fix this?


  • 1
    M Neely Apr 1, 2015 Link to comment

    To create a "Silent Mode" in lollipop...

    1. Go to Settings and click on "Sound and notification"

    2. Make sure ring tone is not on vibration mode

    3. Select "Silent" ring tone from the ring tone menu (scroll to the top in ring tone selector menu)

    4. Now just turn down the volume on the sliders for "notifications" and "system" volume settings.

    5. Done


  • 3
    Rafa Napule Mar 30, 2015 Link to comment

    Hello guys.

    One friend of mine had this phone and I saw the problem.

    I suddenly developer an app that if you set your volume to 0 there will be a popup which will show you a chooser between SILENT and VIBRATE.

    Please, would you give it a chance? ;)
    The app is called "WLHF (What Lollipop Has Forgotten)" on Google Play


  • 2
    Candy Brintnall Mar 6, 2015 Link to comment

    HELP! I just need to turn my text and email notifications down while I'm at work and I no longer see the option when I press my down arrow for volume. It only gives me an option for ringtone.

    Rafa Napule


    • 3
      Rafa Napule Apr 9, 2015 Link to comment

      I developed an app that if you set your volume to 0 there will be a popup which will show you a chooser between SILENT and VIBRATE.

      Please, would you give it a chance? ;)
      The app is called "WLHF (What Lollipop Has Forgotten)" on Google Play


  • 3
    Lars Panzerbjrn Feb 23, 2015 Link to comment

    This lack is one of the main reasons why I'm going back to KitKat and skipping Lollipop.
    TBH, there's so much wrong with Lollipop that my next phone will probably be either WP or iOS...


    • 3
      Rafa Napule Apr 9, 2015 Link to comment

      I developed an app that if you set your volume to 0 there will be a popup which will show you a chooser between SILENT and VIBRATE.

      Please, would you give it a chance? ;)
      The app is called "WLHF (What Lollipop Has Forgotten)" on Google Play


  • 1
    Maxsoundcaraudio uk Feb 20, 2015 Link to comment

    Why the hell developer's can't test firmware 100% before it gets sent out I don't know!
    kitkat was just fine but now lollipop ( lollipop sucks ) has been released half my apps don't work anymore and no mute app will work correctly either as there's no way of muting the phone since the firmware update WTF ? Galaxy s5


  • 1
    Andrei Daniel Banto-zs Feb 20, 2015 Link to comment

    Hello everybody!

    Please help me i did that thing that Mark said on a galaxy s5 and now I can not take the phone ouț of silent mode,can anyone help me:

     The first is to turn the volume all the way down to activate vibrate mode, tap volume up to set the volume level to 1, and then reboot your phone. When Android restarts, you'll be in silent mode, but it's a far from perfect solution
    Tks very much


    • 3
      Rafa Napule Apr 9, 2015 Link to comment

      I developed an app that if you set your volume to 0 there will be a popup which will show you a chooser between SILENT and VIBRATE.

      Please, would you give it a chance? ;)
      The app is called "WLHF (What Lollipop Has Forgotten)" on Google Play


  • 1
    RIGIN JAMES Feb 17, 2015 Link to comment

    Sometimes video play back also goes wrong for android 5.0.2. Especially HD videos


  • 1
    RIGIN JAMES Feb 17, 2015 Link to comment

    Google should definitely provide some updates for android 5.0.2. So that all bugs are eliminated


  • 1
    CvH Feb 14, 2015 Link to comment

    Turn down vibration intensity to get a working silent mode while maintaining working functionality of your alarm clock! See link for instructions:
    www.edbblog.dk/index.php/silent-mode-in-android-lollipop-workaround-without-reboot/


    • 3
      Rafa Napule Apr 9, 2015 Link to comment

      I developed an app that if you set your volume to 0 there will be a popup which will show you a chooser between SILENT and VIBRATE.

      Please, would you give it a chance? ;)
      The app is called "WLHF (What Lollipop Has Forgotten)" on Google Play


  • 1
    Sylvia V. Feb 12, 2015 Link to comment

    As I never use the vibration option anyway, I just went into the sound menu (you easily get there by pressing the shortcut for a few seconds) and turned the vibration intensity down to zero. Thus, I'm back with the full "normal" silence mode with my shortcut.

    But, yes - I also can't see any advantage in depriving us from the old settings. They could have offered us the mentioned new feats without making life less easy for the rest of us.


  • 2
    Malcolm B Feb 11, 2015 Link to comment

    To all of those hurling abuse at Google for the change, remember you and your phone's manufacturer paid exactly $0 to Google for Android. Also, some of the issues being experienced relate to the customisations that manufacturers make to Android before releasing it to their (your) phones.

    Finally, there are many free or low cost apps which will enable you to do many of the things being talked about here. A little research will surface many options.


    • 1
      Michael Coates Feb 23, 2015 Link to comment

      I bought my Nexus 5 direct from Google, I'm pretty certain that Android isn't a free gift to me but even if it were I would still have the right to complain considering it's the only OS I can use on my phone.

      There are zero free apps or low cost apps that will enable silent mode, the functionality of it has been entirely stripped from the OS and of the numerous apps I have tried, they all revert to priority mode - because the code for silent within Android is set to revert it to priority by default.

      It's a terrible change, to set it up close to what I want it to do means messing around, it certainly isn't a 'simple solution' as you described above - by the way, I love it when people say something is simple and then write a massive paragraph - much better than 'click the volume rocker all the way down for silent mode'.

      Priority mode sucks, I'm either happy to have everything come through or I want it silent with no vibrate but alarms enabled for when I'm at work and going to bed. That's all. I can't imagine a situation when I don't want whatsapp to bother me but I'm ok with phone calls getting through. Easily the most frustrating thing about LP


    • 1
      Siddharth Kaul Apr 26, 2015 Link to comment

      Tell your beloved google not to show ADS then and use AD-less apps in google store, if it is not concerned!


  • 2
    Malcolm B Feb 10, 2015 Link to comment

    The simple solution is to press volume up or down, select priority mode and then tap on the settings (gear) icon next to "Priority interruptions only". From the displayed screen you can selectively disable "Events and reminders", "Calls" and "Messages" while still leaving alarms on and you can also set exceptions so that selected contacts can still call or message. Finally, you can also set down times (such as your regular sleep time) to have the phone automatically set to Priority mode at specified times.

    Once you have configured Priority mode the first time, you can simply press volume up or down and select Priority (and you can even choose to have normal volumes automatically restored after a specified amount of time).

    It's silent mode on steroids!


    • 2
      Angie Hall Feb 10, 2015 Link to comment

      Priority interruptions isn't that simple. No options come up when I press the volume button. I have to go into the settings manually and set it. And there are no downtime options available either so I am not able to set timed. I don't know if it is different from phone to phone or my update is buggy but either way, it's inconvenient. If it worked the way it is apparently supposed to I'd be less annoyed. I still fail to understand how removing a basic option such as mute is an improvement or was even necessary.


      • 2
        Malcolm B Feb 10, 2015 Link to comment

        So when you press volume up/down you see the volume slider but you don't see "NONE PRIORITY ALL" below the slider? What brand and model of phone are you using and what version of Android is installed?


      • 2
        Angie Hall Feb 10, 2015 Link to comment

        Samsung Galaxy S5. 5.0. And no there is no slider when I press volume.


      • 2
        Malcolm B Feb 11, 2015 Link to comment

        Ah, I see. I think you'll find that Samsung have changed the interface from the stock lollipop one that Google designed (as they frequently do) and removed the priority option. Is there still a sound toggle button in the quick access bar when you swipe down from the top of the screen?


      • 3
        Rafa Napule Apr 9, 2015 Link to comment

        I developed an app that if you set your volume to 0 there will be a popup which will show you a chooser between SILENT and VIBRATE.

        Please, would you give it a chance? ;)
        The app is called "WLHF (What Lollipop Has Forgotten)" on Google Play


  • 2
    Angie Hall Feb 5, 2015 Link to comment

    I am REQUIRED to have silent mode activated at work. Not vibrate. Not sound. SILENT. Which idiot thought this "improvement" was a good idea? Silent mode is a basic function. Get it together google and fix this. The first workaround doesn't work on my phone. The second is just moronic.


    • 3
      Rafa Napule Apr 9, 2015 Link to comment

      I developed an app that if you set your volume to 0 there will be a popup which will show you a chooser between SILENT and VIBRATE.

      Please, would you give it a chance? ;)
      The app is called "WLHF (What Lollipop Has Forgotten)" on Google Play


  • 2
    Sophie Apfel Feb 4, 2015 Link to comment

    OMG this is nuts... have they not tested this at all? It's not only the silent mode but now they are forcing us to use a silly colour scheme I mean come on android I can see them losing a lot of customers over this botch up. I don't have an iPhone as I want to be able to customise my phone as I want it not how some engineer in their hermatically sealed chamber wants my phone to be... Grrrrrrrrrrrrr rant nearly over... come on Google bring out an update and blinking quick!

    Angie Hall


    • 3
      Rafa Napule Apr 9, 2015 Link to comment

      I developed an app that if you set your volume to 0 there will be a popup which will show you a chooser between SILENT and VIBRATE.

      Please, would you give it a chance? ;)
      The app is called "WLHF (What Lollipop Has Forgotten)" on Google Play


  • 2
    Ana Kokorus Feb 4, 2015 Link to comment

    I want my phone to get a mute opption! This is not a solution you are giving us above. I will have to ask for the previous Android instalation and replace Lollipop. I just think the Mute opption is essential.

    Sophie Apfel


  • 2
    Mihai Chiper Jan 27, 2015 Link to comment

    Fuck android 5.0


  • 2
    Mihai Chiper Jan 27, 2015 Link to comment

    Fools... Why not a silent mode? Fools.


  • 1
    Lydia Smyth Dec 31, 2014 Link to comment

    I'm using Nexus 5 Lollipop version and I also find it very irritating since there is no option to keep it silent without vibrate. There is no option in settings as well.


  • 1
    Anirudh Beria Dec 22, 2014 Link to comment

    Its really frustrating that the they forgot / did not put this option in lollipop. I was so happy with keeping my phone on silent (no whatsapp vibration) and also listening to alarms in morning.


  • 1
    Franco Dario Lombardo Llull Nov 26, 2014 Link to comment

    While waiting for next update, just get AudioGuru from the Google Play Store. It has the ability to separate audio for alarm, ring, media, etc.


  • 1
    Trond Thorbjoernsen Nov 24, 2014 Link to comment

    Android 5.0 Lollipop has a silent mode. It is actually better than before!
    When changing the volume, press «none« or «priority» to set the silent mode for either a time period or indefinetly.

    Please update the article!


    • Mark Wilson 9
      Mark Wilson Nov 24, 2014 Link to comment

      I mentioned that in the article. The problem with 'none' is that it silences alarms (which may not be what you want), while 'priority' needs to be configured whenever you want to use it. It's far less useful and intuitive than a simple 'stop my phone making noises apart from alarms' setting... and that's what everyone is used to.

      Angie HallAmanoop Jac


  • 2
    jaydarl Nov 23, 2014 Link to comment

    My initial reaction to not having a straight forward silent mode was "wtf". But it has turned out that it was more of an afraid of change thing than a bad functionality thing. For one, I no longer miss calls due to accidentally adjusting the volume from vibrate to silent. Now, when it's on vibrate, it's there, not one accidental touch away from silent. I like how I can do the "priority" or "none" thing for a set time so that I don't forget to turn back on the ringer. I imagine one has to be sure the "indefinitely" button is not set, but I do not see that as an issue for me. My vote is for Google not to change it back to the old way.


  • 1
    hayles_pink Nov 22, 2014 Link to comment

    I use silent mode every night so I noticed this was fine the first night of the update :-( very frustrating. Why would they remove such a basic, highly useful function? Quickly silence the phone when going to an appointment, going to bed, don't want to disturb little ones when they are asleep, going to the movies, in a restaurant ...


    • 1
      Trond Thorbjoernsen Nov 24, 2014 Link to comment

      The silent mode in Android 5 is better. See lasts post here


  • 3
    pauladev Nov 20, 2014 Link to comment

    Further to my comment above re using Powerful Control to enter Silent mode, I have discovered that the mobile data and wifi switches have problems in that app. I am trying to contact the owner.


  • 2
    Infobleep Nov 20, 2014 Link to comment

    I use AudioManager Pro which still has a mute/silence function but not sure that it is silencing the vibrate par, so they will have to fix that or remove the functionality . It also allows you to get time based profiles, which I've used in the past.


  • 3
    pauladev Nov 19, 2014 Link to comment

    I have been using the Powerful Control App and Large widget since my Nexus 4, and this seems to turn my phone to silent when you press the speaker control button once. This mutes the phone, and if you press it again it has vibration only.


  • 19
    Glostermeteor Nov 18, 2014 Link to comment

    I use silent mode all the time. Basically at night or in meetings. Im sticking with KitKat until there is a way of receiving silent notifications


    • 1
      Trond Thorbjoernsen Nov 24, 2014 Link to comment

      There is a silent mode. See the last to posts here or google it.


  • 5
    Wanda M. Nov 18, 2014 Link to comment

    How was such an important feature omitted? There should be an immediate fix.


  • 5
    Stevan Nov 17, 2014 Link to comment

    Anyone noticed that the N5 gets extreemly laggy when it comes to 15% batery and the batery saver turns on? or is it just me


    • 3
      hhaalloo hhaallo Nov 18, 2014 Link to comment

      Yes, the battery saver reduces the clocking speed oft the processor.
      As a result it lags.


  • 8
    red Nov 17, 2014 Link to comment

    I wonder if the app Shush would be a good fit for this problem?

    I agree, a hard switch button accessible on the side of the phone is ideal. Palm got that one right a long time ago.


    • 2
      Andy Dennie Nov 18, 2014 Link to comment

      I'm the developer of the Shush! app, and as it happens, I'm working on a widget that will let you silence the ringer and of course (optionally) choose the time to restore it back to your desired volume. Stay tuned.

      Rich Levy


      • Mark Wilson 9
        Mark Wilson Nov 21, 2014 Link to comment

        Thanks for letting us know!


  • 4
    Cyril Bihary Nov 17, 2014 Link to comment

    Android, bring back silent mode, please!


  • 5
    Stevan Nov 17, 2014 Link to comment

    say goodbye smartphone in schools without the "silent" button ..


  • 2
    Dave Nov 17, 2014 Link to comment

    There is priority option you can set and that way set which sounds can interrupt priorty mode like alarms, messages and phone. That mode can also be time regulated. Its awesome. Play with it for awhile until you get comfortable. It really is a great feature.


    • Mark Wilson 9
      Mark Wilson Nov 17, 2014 Link to comment

      You're right, but it's not very handy for those 'I want spent mode right now' moments.


    • 2
      jaydarl Nov 23, 2014 Link to comment

      I agree. I have learned to appreciate it more than the old way for silent.


  • 2
    Chr90 Nov 17, 2014 Link to comment

    I'm very frustated by the lack of this function. Like what the hell? I mean it is a good idea to customize the level of what comes through, but hell I don't want my Smartphone to make _any_ noise or let it vibrating at all. I had Light Flow (which does not work right now) to customize the LED App by App to distinguish between different Notifications (red for GMail, Blue for Facebook and so on). So I don't need Sound or Vibrating at all, I just want my Smartphone to shut the hell up.

    Jesus Google, wtf? This is so much of a standard function as it can get, hell even iOS devices have a Hardware-Button just to do that!

    Amanoop Jac


    • Mark Wilson 9
      Mark Wilson Nov 17, 2014 Link to comment

      A hardware button to mute sound would be a great addition to many handsets. That's one thing I miss from my old iPhone 3GS!

      Amanoop JacChr90


  • 19
    Moni Mihailov Nov 16, 2014 Link to comment

    I never used that mode, but I see how handy it can be for some users. Google should definitely bring it back. If they don't, my next bet is that most OEMs will bring it back :)

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