It’s a common scenario: you’re in a meeting, at the movies, or just trying to get some sleep, and your iPhone keeps buzzing with notifications. It can be distracting and sometimes embarrassing. But don’t worry, iOS 17 makes it super easy to hide alerts on your iPhone. By following a few simple steps, you can ensure that your phone stays silent when you need it to be.
You can also watch this video about how to hide alerts on your iPhone for additional info.
iOS 17 Tutorial: How to Hide Alerts on an iPhone
Before we dive into the steps, let’s talk about what hiding alerts actually does. When you hide alerts for a specific conversation or app, you won’t see notifications pop up on your screen, and your phone won’t vibrate or make a sound. But don’t worry, you won’t miss any messages or notifications – they’ll still be waiting for you in the app whenever you’re ready to check them.
Step 1: Open the Messages app or the app with the alerts you want to hide
When you want to hide alerts for a specific conversation, start by opening the Messages app.
Opening the Messages app is the first step because it’s where all your text conversations are stored. If you’re trying to hide alerts for a different app, open that app instead.
Step 2: Swipe left on the conversation or notification
Once you find the conversation, swipe left on it to reveal more options.
Swiping left on the conversation is how you access the hidden menu options that allow you to manage notifications for that specific chat.
Step 3: Tap the bell icon with the slash through it
After swiping left, you’ll see a bell icon with a slash through it. Tap that icon to hide alerts.
Tapping the bell icon is the key action that will mute notifications for that conversation. The slash through the bell signifies that alerts are off.
Step 4: Confirm you want to hide alerts
Your iPhone will ask if you’re sure you want to hide alerts. Confirm to proceed.
This step is just a confirmation to make sure you didn’t tap the bell icon by accident. Once you confirm, you’ll no longer be disturbed by notifications from that conversation.
After completing these steps, you’ll have successfully hidden alerts for the conversation or app of your choice. You won’t receive any notifications on your lock screen, in notification center, or with sounds. But remember, the messages and notifications aren’t gone; they’re just not actively alerting you. You can always go back and check them at your convenience.
Tips for Hiding Alerts on an iPhone
- Do you have a group chat that never seems to quiet down? Hiding alerts for group chats can be a sanity saver.
- If you’re worried about forgetting to check a conversation with hidden alerts, pin it to the top of your Messages app so it’s always in view.
- You can also schedule Do Not Disturb or Focus modes to automatically hide alerts during specific times of the day.
- Remember, hiding alerts is different from blocking a contact. Hiding alerts simply silences notifications, while blocking a contact prevents them from messaging you altogether.
- If you’re hiding alerts for an app, you can usually manage these settings directly within the app’s notification settings for more customization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between hiding alerts and turning on Do Not Disturb?
Hiding alerts silences notifications for a specific conversation or app, while Do Not Disturb silences all calls and alerts that arrive while your iPhone is locked.
Can I still see the messages for a conversation with hidden alerts?
Yes, even with alerts hidden, all messages will be available in the Messages app whenever you choose to view them.
Will hiding alerts affect my ability to receive calls or messages?
No, hiding alerts only affects the notifications. You’ll still receive all calls and messages as usual.
Can I hide alerts for all my conversations at once?
No, you have to hide alerts individually for each conversation you want to silence.
If I hide alerts, will the sender know?
No, the sender will not be notified that you’ve hidden alerts for the conversation.
Summary
- Open the app with the alerts you want to hide.
- Swipe left on the conversation or notification.
- Tap the bell icon with the slash through it.
- Confirm you want to hide alerts.
Conclusion
Hiding alerts on an iPhone using iOS 17 is a nifty feature that helps you control your notifications and maintain focus when necessary. Whether you’re in a meeting, enjoying a movie, or simply winding down for the day, this function ensures that your phone doesn’t interrupt the peace. It’s important to remember that hiding alerts doesn’t mean ignoring important messages or notifications; it’s simply about managing when and how you receive these interruptions. By using the steps we’ve outlined and considering the additional tips and FAQs, you’re now equipped to tailor your iPhone experience to your lifestyle. So go ahead, hide those alerts with confidence and enjoy your newfound serenity. And if you ever need a refresher on how to hide alerts on an iPhone, you know where to find the information.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.