Why hasn’t anyone copied the mute switch on Apple and OnePlus phones?

Opinion from

Jon Fingas

If you ask iPhone and OnePlus buyers about their preferred design details, chances are they’ll point to the mute button or the slider on the side. And for good reason – it’s an easy way to calm your phone down in a hurry when you’re at work or don’t want to annoy others with notification pings. You don’t have to wade through the menus to find a silent mode while others cast disapproving looks in your direction.

But why wasn’t there any significant effort to copy the mute switch? Unfortunately, it’s not quite as easy as it looks as there are some very practical complications. With that in mind, we’d argue that no matter when the benefits could easily outweigh the disadvantages, companies should give it a try.

Here’s why others didn’t copy the mute button …

There’s an immediate reason phone manufacturers may not go without mute: It takes efforts that organizations aren’t always ready to do. Android does not have a standardized approach to these types of switches, so companies need to design both the switch itself and the software that makes it work. Even if it isn’t a Herculean task, it can consume precious time that a brand would prefer to spend elsewhere during a tightly packed phone development cycle.

Even so, brands could face legal hurdles even if they are excited about the idea of ​​a mute switch. Apple, OnePlus and other companies have often drafted patents and commercial apparel claims that they want to protect in court. A rival who too closely mimics a bill could risk a lawsuit, a trade ban, or both. It may be easier to skip the feature altogether than to draft patents or enter into licensing agreements.

And yes, there is a chance that a mute switch isn’t as high a priority as it used to be. According to our survey, most people don’t make a lot of calls. While you certainly have more reasons to mute your phone besides making a phone call, it was one of the main reasons these switches exist in the first place. Apple carried the feature over to the original iPhone in 2007, when apps and the mobile web were still in the background for voice chatting, and a lot has changed in the past 14 years.

… But here’s why they should do it anyway

As many reasons as there are for companies not to fool the mute button, it doesn’t mean they are right. If anything, we’d love to see more phone manufacturers implement this hardware control, even if they have to find alternatives that don’t lead to court battles.

Simply put, silencing your phone’s warnings through software is a hassle. Usually, you need to unlock your phone and open a control panel. That’s fine for the occasional change of preference, but it can be problematic if you scroll back and forth frequently. Besides, there’s a good chance you’re in a rush. You likely had a moment at work, at school, or even in bed when you tried to calm your phone down from embarrassment. Browsing through the screen interface makes these moments all the more uncomfortable. Granted, Android makes this switch a little easier, but it’s still a process compared to flipping a simple switch.

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A hardware mute switch avoids all of these headaches. If your phone rings or a notification goes off, you can do it almost immediately. In this case, quick access can lead to a change in habits. You may be more likely to turn the sound on (e.g. to make sure you have an important text message) when you can just as easily turn it off later. Why should you worry about the noise your phone makes when you are almost instinctively in control of it?

Let’s be realistic: you probably won’t see mute switches becoming ubiquitous anytime soon. You still have to buy Apple or OnePlus devices for now. There is a specific use case for them, however, and it is not surprising if one or more well-known manufacturers find a way to implement the functionality. When they’re ready to get into the job, they could stand out and woo enthusiasts who want more control.