Shouldn't the ring/silent switch silence all sounds?

Shouldn't the ring/silent switch silence all sounds at a system level, including those made by third-party apps? That's how my Treo worked, and it worked well.
(I'm aware that clock alarms still ring, regardless of the setting, as pointed out in the user manual: that's a nice feature in case someone forgets and leaves the switch set to "silent.")
But for example, I was in a long meeting the other day, and the topic veered to something in which I wasn't involved. I whipped out my new iPhone, set to silent, and decided to give Scrabble a whirl. You can guess what happened: its lame startup sounds made every head turn. I gave a sheepish look.
Should my beef be with Scrabble's developers, or with the iPhone 3G itself? Annoyingly, there's no way to silence Scrabble's startup sounds, even if you turn off all other in-game sounds, so that's just plain annoying. But it still seems to me that I should be able to keep the in-game sounds (which I like) on, but silence them with the hardware switch when needed.
UPDATE: Found this thread, which addresses my question. Reading through it, I think it's Apple's responsibility to invoke a system-wide mute (with the exception of clock alarms) when the switch is set to silent.

I too assumed the phone mute button would silence the speaker in all places. I thought that's what it's for. But I wrote to EA for the Scrabble issue. I got a dumb generic response. Now today I got a servey asking me to rate their serivce response. Oy!

Similar Messages

  • Disabling the external ring/silent switch on a 3G

    Is there any way to disable the exernal Ring/Silent switch so it cannot go into the Silent mode using that switch.?
    When I slide the phone out of its case, my thumb catches the edge of the Ring/Silent switch and moves it to the Silent position without realizing it. Now after the phone is reinserted in the case, I dont hear an incoming call because its vibrating instead. Vibrating in the case while hanging on my belt doesn't get my attention at all and I miss the call.

    Your only solution is to get another case that doesn't make you grab the phone at the switch. (Be sure it's specifically designed for the 3G phone so that it doesn't block the proximity sensors.)

  • Iphone 6 ring/silent switch not working

    The ring/silent switch on the left side of my iphone 6 is stuck in silent mode and when I try to switch it into ring mode it doesn't stick and just springs back down. Anyone else having this issue?

    I am experiencing the same problem with my new iPhone 6 (16 GB, White-Champagne / Sprint).
    The switch doesn't work as it should. (Silent or Ring Modes)
    When switched the button doesn't change any setting.
    Meanwhile at rare moments (has happened 2 times now) the phone quickly alternates between silent & ring modes (like back & forth 5 cycles within seconds) without any activation of switch or any function.
    On hold as we speak with Apple tech agent though (1800MYAPPLE), the agent is escalating the problem to her senior tech supervisor we (the agent and I) are waiting for him/her. Will update with outcome shortly.

  • IPhone ring/silent switch doesn't work.

    Weird problem. My colleague has an iPhone 3G which worked fine for over a year. But recently it developed a problem, its ring/silent switch doesn't really do anything. Earlier it showed an image on the screen notifying the change of mode. But now nothing happens.
    The phone was not dropped and was not exposed to any shock as it is permanently kept on his desk, he never takes it anywhere (yes, even I find that weird ).
    What could be the problem? He's very worried. Can someone help please?

    hi there,
    hope your problem is sorted but if not you could  try the following tip i posted to a similar question:
    for anyone who's iphone buttons (hardware) are not working, there is something you could try w/out taking your phone apart.
    go to settings --> general--> accessibility-->turn on assistive touch
    this results in a small on screen touch activated version of your home button popping up on your screen - press it to see options such as : home. if you press it then select device, you will see further options such as mute. hope this helps.. would love to know how you go...
    good luck!

  • Iphone ring/silent switch has stopped working

    My iphone 3gs ring/silent switch has stopped working, whenever i switch it over to silent, it vibrates but then flickers between ring and silent and then ends up staying on ring, even when it is in the silent position. HELP!

    Have you dropped your phone? Is it still under warranty? Does sound like a physical hardware issue, and I doubt anyone here can help further than telling you to make an appointment at a genius bar and get it fixed or replaced if allowed.

  • The Ringer-Off switch is too inflexible for me... What options do I have?

    The Ringer-Off switch is too inflexible for me... What options do I have?
    Even with the Ringer Switch off, I still want some alerts and alarms to make noises, and not just vibrate.
    It used to be that setting a Reminder could cause a Sound-Alert with the ringer switched off, but this is been "fixed" (broken) in iOS 6, I think.
    Only Timer alarms can make sounds (via the speaker) with the ringer switched off, as far as I can tell, although Music and some other Non-Alarm apps can make sounds, somehow. I have heard no good explanation of how this is achieved.
    What options do I have in which categories?

    ChrisJ4203 wrote: Okay, now we are getting somewhere. You do not want to use the mute switch.
    Yes, I said that a couple of times, athough Ringer switch ON and OFF have unspecified senses, as I noted, so I said "Sound Enabled" to clarify.
    I have been giving feedback to Apple for 27 yrs now, 100s of them, with not a single one acknowledged or implemented. Much better chatting here, and similar sites.
    Since we cannot control Apple (Ha!) or encourage or affect them, it seems the switch must not be used to disable alerts and sounds, but to leave that to smarter software.
    The "Do Not Disturb" switch is getting closer, but needs much much more flexibility, including for example, Sounds when email arrives from a specific person (like the ring-twice, and Allow Calls from Favourites, which I  would NEVER do.)
    An Allow-Calls from these numbers (list: x, y, z) would be nice, as Favourites includes people I would never want to interrupt me.
    Perhaps Do Not Disturb by a 3rd party? Anyone know of such a thing?

  • My iphone 4 does not make any sound except when i have call. Any sound notification for example whatsapp or email or playing song i could not hear a pip, but when blug the earphone i could hear all sound via earphone, any advise??

    My iphone 4 does not make any sound except when i have call. Any sound notification for example whatsapp or email or playing song i could not hear a pip, but when blug the earphone i could hear all sound via earphone, any advise??

    Check the Mute switch, which is on the left side of the phone above the volume buttons.

  • Does the silence switch, switch off all sound?

    I have an iPhone, and I need all sound deactivated as I bring my iPhone to high school. Does the silent switch on the side, mute everything? I don't want app notifactions and emails popping up in class. Or do I have to manually switch off the sound?

    http://support.apple.com/kb/TA38625

  • I have an iphone 6.  The ringer doesn't make a sound.   I have tested the ringer and it sounds however when I receive a call or text or email the ringer is silent

    I have an iphone 6.   The ringer remains silent when I receive a call, text or email.  It shows I am receiving a call on the screen but there isn't any sound.  I cannot figure out what is wrong.

    If you've checked the mute switch as razmee209 has suggested and it's not enabled, the next thing to check would be Do Not Disturb. Do you see a small crescent moon in the status bar? Check Settings>Do Not Disturb and turn it off.

  • Can I get total silence, all sounds off, on 6  without turning phone off?

    Can I turn off all sounds on 6 plus without having to turn phone off?

    If you just want to temporarily turn on all sounds from notifications, phone calls, messages, etc. you can turn on Do Not Disturb in your notification center. You can mute the iPhone by toggling the mute switch on the left side. As far as other apps, there may be some that you need to manually turn off to completely disable the sounds.

  • I updated the ios7.02, and lost all sounds.  What do I do?  This is on my iPad.

    When I updated to ios 7.02 on my i Pad, I lost all sounds.  What can I do to get them back?

    (A) Reset iPad
    Hold down the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button at the same time for at least ten seconds, until the Apple logo appears
    (B) Make sure sound is not muted in Control Center; tap on the little bell. Swipe upwards from bottom of screen to launch Control Center

  • Since installing the larest update, I lost all sounds/speaker. How do I resolve it?

    Since installing the most recent  update I have lost all sound from the speakers.  Cannot adjust volume it stays muted. HOw do I resolve it?

    Hello there, ospreytom.
    The following Knowledge Base article offers up some great steps for troubleshooting issues with audio on your Mac:
    Troubleshooting issues with no audio from built-in speakers on Macs
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1574
    Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities.
    Cheers,
    Pedro.

  • My iphone 5 has no sound out the speakers, all it will do is play out alarm tone, all sound were Working this morning, I have re set my phone many times

    My iphone 5 has no sound out the speakers, all it will do is play out alarm tone, all sound were Working this morning, I have re set my phone many times, please help

    Hey Amiee_19,
    Thanks for the question. It sounds like your Ring/Silent switch may be toggled:
    Ring/Silent switch - iPhone
    http://help.apple.com/iphone/7/#/iph3bd01398
    Ring/Silent switch
    Flip the Ring/Silent switch to put iPhone in ring mode or silent mode .
    In ring mode, iPhone plays all sounds. In silent mode, iPhone doesn’t ring or play alerts and other sound effects.
    Important: Clock alarms, audio apps such as Music, and many games play sounds through the built-in speaker, even when iPhone is in silent mode. In some areas, the sound effects for Camera and Voice Memos are played, even if the Ring/Silent switch is set to silent.
    For information about changing sound and vibration settings, see Sounds and silence.
    Use Do Not Disturb. You can also silence calls, alerts, and notifications using Do Not Disturb. Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen to open Control Center, then tap the Do Not Disturb button . See Do Not Disturb.
    If the above does not resolve your issue, see this article:
    iPhone: No sound or distorted sound from speaker
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS5180
    Thanks,
    Matt M.

  • Ring/silent tab

    I just got the 3G white iPhone last week and yes, I'm having reception problems and half of my calls when I'm in 3G mode are dropped, but this is another concern. There is a slight gap in the ring/silent switch when in the ring mode, that concerns me. I'm afraid dust and or moisture will get in the the phone eventually cause problems with time! I took it in to an Apple store and I was told all of the phones have that and they hadn't noticed it before. Has anyone seen inside one yet to know if the gap is covered inside or protected in anyway?

    well to exclude any software problems :
    Restore as new :
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4137
    (afterwards test to check if issue is still there )
    If issue persists call AppleCare or get an appointment at Genius Bar to exchange the device because it has hardware problems .

  • HT1349 how does one turn on the ring tone for the iPhone 4s

    hy, i just purchased a new i phone and my ring tone will not work and neather will my message reminder. wheh i go into settings i press sounds but abovt the word vibrate is the word silent  even though all my ring tone and message tones  are set.

    Check to see if you have flipped the ring/silent switch on the left side of the phone above the volume up button.  (If it is red, your phone is on Silent.)  The setting you see determines whether or not your phone will vibrate when this switch is set to Silent.  If Vibrate is set to On below this it means that the phone will vibrate when the switch is flipped to the Silent (red) position.

Maybe you are looking for

  • Update to STB created a brick and poor customer service

    To whom it may concern,  I honestly have lost all faith in Verizon FIOS and will start pricing to replace your service first thing in the morning. This evening I spent 1.5 hours on the phone trying to get my set top box fixed. This was a total waste

  • How can I debug a routine created in Deletion of similar requests?

    Hello Experts, I need some help from you. I need to delete overlapping requests and the common settings you can set are not suitable, so I decided to write my own ABAP routine. But how can I debug a routine, which is implemented in the deletion of si

  • Why can't I share any videos on my iPod touch?

    Whenever I go to share one of my videos on my iPod touch, I select which ones I want and select share, but then no buttons pop up or anything. There aren't any options like when I go to send photos. Anyone have an idea of why this is happening?

  • Applet to write file on IE4.0

    Hi all, Please help, the situation is like this, server has no support for web, no Java plugin... client browsers' are equipped only with IE4.0, and they will not be upgraded nor plugged with Java Plug-in. On these strict circumstances, how could i r

  • How can I turn off Keychain from asking for my password EVERY time I check for mail?

    how can I turn off Keychain from asking for my password EVERY time I check for mail? This is really driving me nuts..... Thanks