How do I turn ringer on or off on iPhone without the side button?

I’m struggling to find where I can turn my ringer for my phone on or off in the iPhone 16 other than by activating the sidebar shortcut.


I want to use the shortcut for something else, but I also want to have the ability to mute my ringer when I am at work. How do I do that?



[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 16 Pro, iOS 18

Posted on Apr 7, 2025 9:44 AM

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Apr 7, 2025 9:47 AM in response to mgoth

I believe you are referring to the Action Button. Here’s what I did to have multiple shortcuts with that button.


Open the Shortcuts app, create a new Folder, add the shortcuts you want in there including the Silent Mode shortcut. I have made it below for you:


https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/7ebb0742d483484582fb22c5ba97fe76


Then, set your Action Button to the Folder. When you press and release the Action Button, all the shortcuts will appear so you can choose.

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Apr 7, 2025 9:47 AM in response to mgoth

I assume you're referring to the Action Button above the volume controls on your iPhone? If you have reserved that for something else, open Control Center when you want to mute your phone, by sliding down on your home page, from the top right hand corner and tap the bell icon, which will mute your phone.

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Apr 7, 2025 10:12 AM in response to mgoth

mgoth wrote:

I’m familiar with the action button and I wanna use that for something else other than turning my ringer on and off

So my question is, how do I turn my ringer on and off without the action button?

As far as I know, the only two ways to turn Silent Mode on is the Action Button/Silent Switch and the Control Center.

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Apr 7, 2025 10:52 AM in response to mgoth

mgoth wrote:

Thank you for your response. I am speaking about the action button and I know how to use that.

My question is, is there a way to turn the ringer on and off without shortcuts or the action button?

Apologies. I see you have now found how to use Control Center to Mute your phone.

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Apr 7, 2025 10:17 AM in response to mgoth

mgoth wrote:

Thank you!! Control center prompt added “silent mode”all to my favorites. This seems to have worked. :)

seems crazy to me that that wasn’t an option under phone 🤷🏼‍♀️

thank you all for your help

You are very welcome!

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Apr 7, 2025 10:39 AM in response to lobsterghost1

lobsterghost1 wrote:

I assume you're referring to the Action Button above the volume controls on your iPhone? If you have reserved that for something else, open Control Center when you want to mute your phone, by sliding down on your home page, from the top right hand corner and tap the bell icon, which will mute your phone.

Excellent suggestion! I always forget about that. Great to hear that it solved the OP's problem.

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Apr 7, 2025 10:16 AM in response to mgoth

Thank you!! Control center prompt added “silent mode”all to my favorites. This seems to have worked. :)


seems crazy to me that that wasn’t an option under phone 🤷🏼‍♀️


thank you all for your help

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How do I turn ringer on or off on iPhone without the side button?

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