Why can apps override the mute button?

[droplink]

Why is this (still) a thing?
I set the button to mute, accidentally click on a Twitter video and BOOOM THE WHOLE TRAIN can hear the video on full volume.
This is so annoying that I have to police the apps themselves, when the idea is for the ..mute button... to do it?

 

[msackey]

Why is this (still) a thing?
I set the button to mute, accidentally click on a Twitter video and BOOOM THE WHOLE TRAIN can hear the video on full volume.
This is so annoying that I have to police the apps themselves, when the idea is for the ..mute button... to do it?

Because that mute button is not to mute all sounds. It's to mute the ringer and notification alerts. Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics, and read the text at the bottom which says: "Silent Mode: In Silent mode, you don't hear ringtones and alerts. iPhone can still play sounds, like when you play music or videos."

I was wondering what Apple officially calls that button and it doesn't say "mute". It says "Ring/Silent":

Use the side button, Home button, and other controls on your iPhone - Apple Support

Learn about the buttons and other controls on your iPhone.

support.apple.com

 

[droplink]

Because that mute button is not to mute all sounds. It's to mute the ringer and notification alerts. Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics, and read the text at the bottom which says: "Silent Mode: In Silent mode, you don't hear ringtones and alerts. iPhone can still play sounds, like when you play music or videos."

I was wondering what Apple officially calls that button and it doesn't say "mute". It says "Ring/Silent":

Use the side button, Home button, and other controls on your iPhone - Apple Support

Learn about the buttons and other controls on your iPhone.

support.apple.com

Thanks that is the thing, but why is that a thing?
Call it silent, call it mute, I want the phone to be ...without sound... when I use the whatever button.

 

[msackey]

Thanks that is the thing, but why is that a thing?
Call it silent, call it mute, I want the phone to be ...without sound... when I use the whatever button.

I can see that that you’d like the button to act like a mute button on a TV. I can see why Apple didn’t do that since there’s another on-screen control specifically for the other sounds

 

[addamas]

If you want silent phone - open control center and turn down volume to turn it off completely… with mentioned switch turned to silent mode

 

[NoBoMac]

Or can automate this. I've got a Shortcut that runs when certain Focuses turn on that sets the speaker volume to zero. When Focus turns off, reset back to previous volume level (save the value in a file in Files app under "On My iPhone").

Sure, overkill and or pain for getting on a train, but another possible option/direction to go (even if not wanting/needing to go a Focus route).