If your iPad’s ringtones keep breaking your focus, you can silence them in just a few taps. The fastest way to turn off the ringer is by swiping down from the top-right corner, opening Control Center, and tapping the bell icon to turn on Silent Mode.
This stops calls and alerts from making noise, but your music or videos won’t be affected. If you want more control, you’ve got options.
You can lower or mute the ringer volume in Settings. Or use Do Not Disturb to schedule quiet hours when you just want some peace.
These tools let you decide exactly how and when your iPad makes sound. Whether you want a quick fix or a more custom setup, you’ll find steps below that fit what you need.
Quick Steps to Turn Off Ringer on iPad
You can silence your iPad in a few different ways. The main options are adjusting sound in Settings, using the side switch on some models, or turning on Do Not Disturb for total quiet.
Using the Ringer and Alerts Slider
Open the Settings app. Go to Settings > Sounds (or Sounds & Haptics).
At the top, you’ll see the Ringer and Alerts slider. Move it left to lower the volume, or all the way down to mute alerts.
This changes incoming call sounds, text tones, and other notifications. If you want to use the volume buttons for this, turn on Change with Buttons in the same menu.
Now, the side volume keys will control ringer and alerts instead of just media. This works on all iPads, even ones without a mute switch.
Muting with the Side Switch
Some iPads have a physical switch on the side, near the volume buttons. This switch can control mute or screen rotation lock.
If it’s set to mute, flipping the switch turns on silent mode instantly. You’ll see a quick on-screen message that the ringer is off.
Flip it back to restore sound. To check or change what the switch does, go to Settings > General > Use Side Switch To and pick Mute.
This is the fastest way to toggle sound. Not all iPads have this switch, though, so you might need to use software options if yours doesn’t.
Activating Do Not Disturb
If you want to silence more than just the ringer, use Do Not Disturb. Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center and tap the crescent moon icon.
This blocks calls, alerts, and notifications while the screen is locked. You can allow calls from certain contacts by tweaking Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb.
You can also schedule Do Not Disturb to turn on automatically at certain times, like at night or during work. This way, you won’t have to mess with the ringer every time you need quiet.
✏️ Once your iPad is set the way you like, you might also want to personalize it further. 👉 By reading our guide, How to Rename iPad: Quick Step-by-Step Guide, you’ll learn how to give your device a custom name.
Using Control Center to Silence iPad
You can quickly turn off the ringer without opening Settings. Control Center gives you direct access to sound controls, including Silent Mode, so you can mute alerts and calls in a few steps.
Accessing Control Center
To open Control Center, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen. This works on most modern iPads, like iPad Pro and iPad Air.
If your iPad has a Home button, swipe up from the bottom edge instead. This shows shortcuts for brightness, volume, and Silent Mode.
You don’t need to unlock your iPad for this—Control Center works from the Lock Screen unless you’ve turned that off in Settings > Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode.
If Control Center is tricky to reach, you can make it easier. Go to Settings > Control Center and turn on Access Within Apps so you can swipe it open from anywhere.
Toggling Silent Mode
Once you’re in Control Center, look for the bell icon. That’s the Silent Mode control.
- If the bell is highlighted or red with a slash, Silent Mode is on.
- If the bell is gray without a slash, Silent Mode is off.
Tap the bell to switch between the two. When Silent Mode is on, your iPad silences ringtones and alerts, but alarms and some media sounds still play.
This is handy if your iPad doesn’t have a mute switch. It also lets you check if Silent Mode is active without using the volume buttons.
You can still adjust ringer volume separately in Settings > Sounds & Haptics. That keeps notifications at your preferred level even when Silent Mode is off.
Scheduling Silence with Do Not Disturb
You can keep your iPad silent at certain times by scheduling Do Not Disturb. It blocks calls, alerts, and notifications automatically, so you don’t have to remember to silence things every time.
Setting Up Scheduled Do Not Disturb
To set a schedule, open Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb. Tap Add Schedule or Automation and pick a time, location, or app trigger.
For example, you might set it for every night from 10 PM to 7 AM. You can add more than one schedule if you want silence at work and again at bedtime.
Each schedule runs on its own, so you don’t have to keep turning it on. Make sure the Scheduled toggle is on, or your times won’t work.
You can always adjust or delete schedules later in the same menu.
Customizing Do Not Disturb Options
Once you’ve scheduled Do Not Disturb, you can fine-tune how it works. Go to Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb and find the Allowed Notifications section.
Here, pick which people or apps can still reach you. Maybe you want calls from family but silence everyone else.
You can also allow time-sensitive notifications, like calendar reminders or alarms, so you don’t miss something important. There’s even an option to hide notifications from the lock screen during quiet hours.
This gives you control over what gets through and what stays silent. It’s pretty flexible.
⌨️ If your keyboard ever acts up while typing, don’t worry. Read our article, How to Fix Floating Keyboard on iPad: Quick & Easy Solutions, for simple fixes.
Managing Ringer and Alerts Settings
You can control how your iPad handles sounds by tweaking the ringer and alerts settings. These let you set the volume for notifications and decide how different alerts behave.
Adjusting Volume in Settings
The Ringer and Alerts slider in Settings controls the sound level for calls, messages, and notifications. It’s separate from media volume, so changing it won’t mess with your music or videos.
To change it, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics. Drag the Ringer and Alerts slider left or right. A sample tone plays so you can hear the level.
You can also turn Change with Buttons on or off. When it’s on, the physical volume buttons adjust the ringer. When it’s off, the buttons only change media sounds, and the ringer volume stays put.
This helps if you want notification sounds to stay the same, even when you’re turning up your music.
Changing Sound Preferences
You can pick how alerts sound for different things. In Settings > Sounds & Haptics, you’ll see options like Text Tone, New Mail, and Calendar Alerts.
Each lets you pick a tone or set it to None for silence. For example:
|
Alert Type |
Customization Options |
|
Text Messages |
Choose tone or set to None |
|
|
Different tones for new messages |
|
Calendar Alerts |
Pick a tone or disable sound |
You can also change vibration patterns if you want a silent but noticeable alert. Tap Vibration at the top of each sound setting to pick a pattern or make your own.
This way, you control which notifications make noise and which don’t. It helps cut down on interruptions without muting your whole device.
Troubleshooting Ringer Issues
If your iPad’s ringer isn’t working right, it’s usually a software setting, an old update, or something with the hardware buttons. Checking these one by one helps you figure out what’s wrong.
Checking for Software Updates
Old software can mess with sound features, including Ringer and Alerts. Updates often fix audio and notification problems.
Go to Settings > General > Software Update. If there’s an update, download and install it. Make sure you’ve got Wi-Fi and enough battery or a charger plugged in.
After updating, test the ringer by moving the Ringer and Alerts slider in Settings > Sounds & Haptics. If you hear sound, the update probably did the trick.
If there’s no update, you can still toggle Change with Buttons off and on. Sometimes that refreshes things and fixes sound glitches.
Restarting Your iPad
Restarting clears temporary files and resets stuff running in the background that might mess with the ringer. It’s usually the easiest fix.
Press and hold the Top button (or Top + Volume button on some models) until the power slider shows up. Slide to turn off. Wait a few seconds, then press the Top button again until you see the Apple logo.
After restarting, go back to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and adjust the Ringer and Alerts slider. Test calls or notifications to see if it works now.
Verifying Hardware Buttons
If the ringer still isn’t working, check the physical controls. Some iPads have a side switch above the volume buttons that can mute sounds. Make sure it’s not set to silent.
Press the Volume Up button to check if the speaker’s muted. If Change with Buttons is on in Settings > Sounds & Haptics, the buttons should adjust the ringer volume.
If pressing the buttons doesn’t move the Ringer and Alerts slider on screen, the buttons might be damaged or stuck. You can still use the slider in Settings to adjust the ringer.
If you suspect hardware damage, it’s probably time to reach out to Apple Support or visit an authorized service provider.
📍 Keeping track of your iPad is just as important as managing sound. To stay prepared, check out our full article, How to Find My iPad: Quick Steps to Locate Your Device.
Enhance Your iPad with a CHESONA Keyboard Case
Silencing your iPad’s ringer is just one way to keep distractions away. If you also want to boost productivity and protect your device, a keyboard case can be a game‑changer.
CHESONA makes premium options that turn your iPad into a versatile workstation—perfect for typing, streaming, or working quietly while your iPad stays muted.
- CHESONA Step Series Keyboard Case for iPad 10th 10.9″: A slim, backlit keyboard case with dual Bluetooth channels, so you can switch between devices easily while staying distraction‑free.
- CHESONA ArmorDock Series Keyboard Case for iPad Pro 12.9″ (6/5/4/3): A rugged, all‑in‑one case with built‑in ports, HDMI output, and SSD storage support—ideal for professionals who need power and protection on the go.
- CHESONA Cloud Series Keyboard Case for iPad Pro 13″ (M4) 2024: Designed for Apple’s latest iPad Pro, this sleek case delivers a premium typing experience while keeping your device lightweight and portable.
With the right CHESONA case, your iPad stays protected, your workflow stays smooth, and you can enjoy peace and quiet whenever you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the steps to silence an iPad?
Swipe down from the top-right corner to pull up Control Center. Tap the bell icon to mute the ringer.
If you prefer, hold the Volume Down button and the sound will drop to zero.
Can I mute my iPad without using the buttons?
Yep, that’s possible. Head over to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and slide Ringer and Alerts all the way left.
Or just tap the bell icon in Control Center—no button pressing needed.
How do I disable sound notifications on an iPad?
Open Settings > Notifications and pick the app you want. Flip off Allow Notifications or just turn off Sounds if you’re tired of alerts making noise.
Is there a way to schedule Do Not Disturb on an iPad?
Yeah, there is. Go to Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb and switch it on.
You’ll see an option to set a schedule, so your iPad goes quiet at certain times. Super handy, honestly.
What options are available to control the ringer volume on an iPad?
Change the ringer volume by going to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and using the Ringer and Alerts slider.
If you’d rather use the side buttons, just turn on Change with Buttons. Makes things easier for some folks.
How can I turn off the ringer for calls and notifications on an iPad?
Open Control Center and tap the bell icon. That’ll silence the ringer right away.
If you want to block calls and alerts, you can turn on Do Not Disturb in Settings. Or just drag the Ringer and Alerts slider all the way down to mute sounds completely.
