- How to mute yourself during a WhatsApp call
- How to mute someone else in a group call
- Muting quick reference
- How to mute call notifications from a group
- Try noise cancellation before muting
- When the mute button won't work
- Can you mute someone in a one-to-one call?
- Muting and data use
- Group call rules worth knowing
- Other controls you'll find next to mute
- Guests on WhatsApp group calls
- My advice
- Frequently asked questions
To mute yourself on a WhatsApp call, tap the microphone icon on the call screen; tap it again to unmute. In a group call you can also mute someone else by tapping and holding their name and choosing Mute, but WhatsApp says you can only mute someone three times.
Most people searching this want one of three things: mute their own microphone, mute a noisy person in a group call, or stop call notifications. Here's how to do each, built from WhatsApp Help, read in October 2026.
How to mute yourself during a WhatsApp call
- Start or answer a voice or video call.
- Look at the controls at the bottom of the call screen.
- Tap the microphone icon to mute yourself.
- Tap it again when you want to talk.
On WhatsApp Web and the desktop app, WhatsApp says you click the Microphone icon during the call to mute or unmute. Web calling works on Windows, Linux and Mac, and you'll need a microphone and speakers or a headset connected.
How to mute someone else in a group call
- In the group call, find the person's name or video tile.
- Tap and hold on their name.
- Tap Mute.
Two things to know. The person can unmute themselves at any time by tapping their own microphone icon. And WhatsApp's tips say you can only mute someone three times, so it's for the odd noisy moment, not for controlling who talks.
Muting quick reference
| What you want | How to do it | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Mute your own microphone | Tap the microphone icon on the call screen | Tap again to unmute |
| Mute someone in a group call | Tap and hold their name, then Mute | They can unmute themselves; limit of three times per person |
| Stop a group's call notifications | Group name, Notifications, Mute notifications under Calls | You choose how long |
| Cut background noise without muting | Tap the menu during a one-to-one call and turn on Noise cancellation | Not available on every device |
How to mute call notifications from a group
If a group keeps ringing you, muting the call itself won't help. Mute the group's call notifications instead:
- Open the group and tap its name.
- Tap Notifications.
- Under Calls, tap Mute notifications.
- Choose how long, then tap OK.
For calls from numbers you don't know, silencing unknown callers is the cleaner fix.
Try noise cancellation before muting
If the problem is background noise rather than you talking, WhatsApp has a Noise cancellation switch for one-to-one calls. During the call, open the call menu and turn it on. You'll see a banner confirming it's on. WhatsApp notes it isn't available on all devices.
When the mute button won't work
If people can't hear you even when you're unmuted, check WhatsApp has permission to use your microphone in your phone's settings, and that no headset is connected that you've forgotten about. My guide to fixing a WhatsApp microphone that isn't working covers the rest. WhatsApp also recommends a headset for the best audio, because separate external microphones and speakers can cause echo.
Can you mute someone in a one-to-one call?
WhatsApp's help only describes muting other people in group calls. In a one-to-one call, you control your own microphone. If someone's noisy, turning your volume down is your only option short of ending the call.
Muting and data use
Muting your microphone doesn't change much about data, but call type does. WhatsApp's tips say to make and answer calls on Wi-Fi to save data, and there's a Use Less Data for Calls switch under Settings, then Storage and data. If you're worried about your allowance, my guide on how much data WhatsApp video calls use has more.
Group call rules worth knowing
- Up to 32 people can join a WhatsApp group voice call.
- You can't switch a group voice call to a video call.
- You can't remove someone during a group voice call.
- Only group members can join a call started from a group chat.
Knowing those limits saves a lot of fumbling when you're hosting. Muting is the only control you have over other people once the call starts.
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Other controls you'll find next to mute
- Messages: tap the message icon during a call to read and send messages in that chat without hanging up.
- Add someone: tap the add icon during a call, or Add to call from a chat, to bring another person in.
- Video: in a one-to-one voice call, tap the camera to switch to video. They can choose to keep their own camera off.
- End or leave: tap the red button to end a one-to-one call or leave a group call.
Guests on WhatsApp group calls
People without a WhatsApp account can join a group voice call through a shared call link in a web browser on a computer. WhatsApp shows them with (Guest) after their name. Guests can use audio, video, screen sharing and reactions, but they can't add or remove people or send messages. WhatsApp says you can mute other people in a group call, and guests take part as participants.
My advice
Get into the habit of tapping the microphone the moment you join a group call, then unmute to speak. It saves everyone from your background noise, and it means you'll never need to be muted by someone else.
Frequently asked questions
How do I mute myself on a WhatsApp call?
Tap the microphone icon on the call screen. Tap it again to unmute.
Can I mute someone else on a WhatsApp call?
Yes, in a group call. Tap and hold their name and tap Mute. They can unmute themselves at any time.
How many times can you mute someone on WhatsApp?
WhatsApp says you can only mute someone three times in a group call.
How do I mute a call on WhatsApp Web?
During the call, click the Microphone icon to mute or unmute.
How do I stop a WhatsApp group from ringing me?
Tap the group name, then Notifications, then Mute notifications under Calls, and choose how long.
Can I mute someone in a one-to-one WhatsApp call?
WhatsApp only describes muting other people in group calls. In a one-to-one call you control your own microphone.
Can guests on a WhatsApp group call be muted?
Yes. Guests who join through a call link take part with audio and video, and WhatsApp says you can mute other people in a group call.
