Your smartphone's volume buttons do more than you think.

Hi folks,

July 4 was yesterday and our cruise ship had front row seats for the Fireworks in Ketchikan, Alaska. We had especially beautiful weather for the fireworks as well as our earlier kayak tour and Eagle sightings. Check out our photo album here. 

Below is your Tech Tip for the week. We will not be on YouTube this Sunday.

You certainly don't want your phone to ring loudly and upset the wildlife! Do you know how to mute your ringer? Or is the volume button just used to turn up or down your music? If you prefer, you can read the article online.

Mastering Your Phone's Volume and More: When you press the volume up or volume down button what's happening? Is it changing the volume of your phone ringer? Is it changing the volume of who you're listening to on a phone call. Is it changing the volume of your notifications? Or is it changing the volume of music or videos?

Ever wonder what your phone’s volume buttons actually do? They’re smarter than you think!

Volume Buttons: Context is Key

 Generally, your phone’s volume buttons are context-sensitive. This means what they control depends on what you’re doing:

Playing a video or music? The buttons adjust media volume.

On a call? They control the in-call listening volume.

But what happens when nothing’s playing? That’s where things get interesting.

 Controlling Your Ringer Volume

 Both iPhones and Androids offer ways to control your ringer volume, and even use your volume buttons for more than just sound!

 iPhone: Silence and Shortcuts

 On iPhones, your volume buttons can control your ringer, but there’s a setting to consider:

Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringers and Alerts: Look for the “Change with Buttons” toggle.

Off: Your ringer volume is set in this menu and won’t change accidentally with the side buttons. This can be great if you tend to miss calls!

On: When no other sounds are playing, your volume buttons will adjust your ringer. This is handy for quickly silencing your phone when you’re seeking quiet, like around wildlife!

The Mute Switch (or Action Button)

Older iPhones: You’ll find a physical mute switch on the left side, above the volume buttons. If you see red, your phone is muted and will only vibrate. It’s a quick way to silence your phone, but remember to flip it back!

iPhone 15 and newer: This switch is replaced by the Action Button. A long press mutes or unmutes your phone. This versatile button can also be customized for 13 different functions (like starting a voice memo or camera). Check Settings > Action Button to explore your options. For example, one of the choices is Voice Memo. Swipe left 5 times to see it/set it and then go back to the main settings. Now, whenever you longpress on the action button, the voice memo recorder will start. Longpress again to stop it.

 Android: More Volume Controls

 On Android phones, pressing a volume button usually brings up a slider. You can often access more detailed controls:

Tap the 3-dot menu next to the slider. This will typically reveal separate sliders for your ringer, media, notifications, and more.

Here you can set each type of sound separately. If you tap the gear wheel, you'll see even more settings, including a toggle called "Use Volume buttons for media" If this is on, then the volume buttons will only affect media. If this is off, then - when nothing is playing - the volume buttons will change your ringer volume. 

 Stop That Ringing!

 Here’s a favorite pro-tip: If your phone starts ringing at an inconvenient time (like in a quiet theater), you don’t have to fumble to answer or hang up. Just press any physical side button (volume up, volume down, or power). The ringing will stop immediately, but the call will still be there, ready for you to answer or let go to voicemail. You can even do this if the phone is in your pocket by simply squeezing the sides!

 Volume Buttons as a Camera Shutter

 And for a fun bonus, did you know your volume buttons can act as a camera shutter? When you’re using your phone’s camera app, simply press either volume button to take a picture! This is often more comfortable than tapping the on-screen button, especially when holding your phone horizontally. It even works with the volume buttons on earbuds for a remote shutter!

This feature works on both iPhones and Androids, though some Androids might have a camera setting that lets you choose if the volume buttons take a picture or zoom.