How can I disable the mute button on the side of iPhone 8?

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Level 1

9 points

How can I disable the mute button on the side of iPhone 8?

Set up my elderly parent, who lives alone, with an iPhone 8. We want to make sure she always has a connection with someone should she need help. The mute button is so easy to switch without knowing you've done so and that means she can't hear the phone ring. Making what can be a wonderful safety tool, totally worthless. I've search all over the web for a solution and found hundreds of others looking for a solution but other than using a different case, glue or electrical tape, the only other solution is to use the touch assist. Touch assist places an extra "unlabeled" button on the screen that only serves to confuse her. HELP Apple, why haven't you addressed this issue?

iPhone 8

Posted on Feb 4, 2020 1:05 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

KiltedTim

Level 10

224,808 points

Feb 4, 2020 1:08 PM in response to jjjjmars

If you're primarily concerned about being able to reach her, open the contact records for the family members, etc. that you always want to ring through. Go to the ringtone and text tone settings for each contact and turn on Emergency Bypass.

Calls and texts from those numbers will ALWAYS sound, regardless of the mute switch or Do Not Disturb settings.

Always.... this includes when she's in church or a movie and thought she put her phone on mute so it didn't disturb anyone, but it blares out the ringtone set you you when you call her anyway.

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Answer 2

Feb 4, 2020 1:07 PM in response to jjjjmars

You can’t disable it.

And this is a user-to-user forum. Apple isn’t here to address.

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Answer 3

jjjjmars Author

Level 1

9 points

Feb 4, 2020 1:18 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Well actually I can, with a hot glue gun. I know Apple isn't going to answer in this forum. I was simple looking for some creative ideas and hoping that Apple will eventually pay attention, people requesting a solution. After all, Apple is receiving requests on this directly, from myself and others, according to what I've seen in my web searches.

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Answer 4

jjjjmars Author

Level 1

9 points

Feb 4, 2020 1:14 PM in response to KiltedTim

Thank you, that actually might be a good solution. Not perfect, but we don't have a large number of people that need to always get through, so I'll give it a try. I just didn't think of it on my own, so thanks for being creative!

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Answer 5

Feb 4, 2020 1:37 PM in response to jjjjmars

I was thinking about that, but didn’t think “abusing” the hardware was a good solution. And it wouldn’t stop her from lowering the volume. I wasn’t aware of Tim’s solution - I like that.

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Answer 6

jjjjmars Author

Level 1

9 points

Feb 4, 2020 1:44 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Yes, I’d rather not abuse the hardware too. If it comes to glue though, at least hot glue can be easily removed. First I’ll give Tim’s suggestion a try. Thanks for sharing with me.

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How can I disable the mute button on the side of iPhone 8?

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