Silent mode on Android devices is a convenient way to avoid interruptions during meetings, classes, or any other situation where you need to minimize distractions. However, there are times when you still need to hear from specific contacts, such as family members or close friends, even when your phone is on Silent mode. Android offers several ways to achieve this functionality. This guide will take you through the process step-by-step, including using Do Not Disturb (DND) settings and third-party apps.
Using Do Not Disturb Mode
Do Not Disturb (DND) mode is a powerful feature on Android that lets you silence notifications and calls while allowing exceptions for specific contacts. Here’s how to set it up:
- Access Do Not Disturb Settings
- Open Settings: Navigate to the ‘Settings’ app on your Android device.
- Sound & Vibration: Depending on your device model, tap on ‘Sound & Vibration’ or ‘Sounds. ‘
- Do Not Disturb: Select ‘Do Not Disturb’ from the menu.
Method 1: Star Important Contacts
For specific contacts to bypass silent mode on your Android phone, you can add them to your Starred Contacts list. Here’s how:
- Open the Contacts app on your Android device.
- Locate the contact you wish to allow to reach you during silent mode.
- Tap on their name to access their contact details.
- In the top right corner, tap the empty star icon to add them to your Starred Contacts list. Repeat this for any other contacts you want to include.
- Next, navigate to your phone’s Settings app and select “Sound & vibration” (or “Sound & notification” on some devices).
- Tap on “Do Not Disturb.”
- Under the “Calls” section, tap on “Allow Calls.”
- Choose “Starred contacts only.”
Following these steps, calls from the contacts on your Starred Contacts list will ring even when your phone is silenced.
Method 2: Customize Do Not Disturb Settings
To fine-tune which contacts and notifications can interrupt you when your Android device is in “Do Not Disturb” mode, follow these steps:
- Open Settings, navigate to Sound & vibration (or Sound & notification) and tap Do Not Disturb.
- Select Allow exceptions (on some devices, this might be labeled as Priority only allows).
- In the Calls section, you’ll find options for allowing calls from specific contacts:
- Anyone: Permits calls from any contact, regardless of their status.
- Contacts only: Only allows calls from individuals in your contacts list.
- Starred contacts only: Allows calls exclusively from starred contacts (as mentioned earlier).
- None: Blocks calls from all contacts.
- Choose your preferred option, such as Contacts only, to enable calls from contacts in your list.
- For further customization, tap on Calls from and select Favorite Contacts. This enables you to designate a custom group of contacts that are exempt from Do Not Disturb.
- To create a Favorite contacts group, access the Contacts app, tap the menu button, and choose Create label. Assign a name like “Favorites” or “VIP” and add the desired contacts to this group.
Following these steps, you can tailor the Do Not Disturb mode to suit your needs and ensure important contacts can still reach you when necessary.
Method 3: Use a Third-Party App
Built-in options on your Android device don’t meet your needs for managing calls and notifications during silent mode; you can explore third-party apps designed for this purpose. Here’s how to proceed:
- Visit the Google Play Store on your Android device.
- Use the search bar to find third-party apps that offer advanced call and notification management features, such as allowing specific contacts to bypass silent mode.
- Please read the descriptions and user reviews to identify an app that suits your requirements and has positive feedback regarding its functionality and reliability.
- Download and install the selected app on your device.
- Follow the app’s setup instructions to grant necessary permissions and configure its settings according to your preferences.
- Explore the app’s features, including options to prioritize calls from specific contacts, create custom notification rules, and more.
- Test the app to ensure it effectively manages calls and notifications during silent mode as desired.
How to Make Certain Contacts Ring on Silent Android
You may now wish to know how to make certain contacts ring on a silent Android phone. Worry not; we’re done with the talking part now. Let’s understand how you can put your phone on silent mode yet receive calls from only preferred contacts.
Via Silent Mode
- Open the Phone App: Launch the “Phone” app on your device to access your contacts.
- Access Contacts: Look for the “Contacts” option within the Phone app.
- Select Preferred Contacts: Choose the contacts you want to ring aloud, even in silent mode.
- Go to Contact Information: Navigate to the contact information page of each selected contact.
- Star the Contact: Locate the star icon on the contact information page and tap on it to mark the contact as starred.
- Access Settings: Exit the Phone app and open the “Settings” app on your phone.
- Navigate to Sound & Vibration: Find and tap “Sound & Vibration” within the Settings menu.
- Find Notification Settings: Scroll down until you find the option labeled “Notify about Calls.”
- Select “From Starred Contacts Only”: Choose the option that specifies “From starred contacts only.” This setting ensures that calls from the contacts you’ve starred will ring aloud even when your phone is in silent mode.
Via DND Mode
- Open Settings: Launch the Settings app on your Android device.
- Navigate to Sound & Vibration: Locate and select “Sound & Vibration” or a similar option depending on your device.
- Access Do Not Disturb (DND) Settings: Press “Do Not Disturb” to enter its settings.
- Allow Exceptions: Look for an option like “Allow Exceptions” or “Allow Calls” and tap on it.
- Choose Priority Only Allows: Select “Priority Only Allows” or a similar option.
- Specify Call Exceptions: Within the Call Exceptions section, you may see options like “Allow calls from” or similar. Tap on this option.
- Select “From Starred Contacts Only.” Choose the setting that specifies “From starred contacts only.”
- Set Contacts to Starred: Exit the DND settings and open the Phone app.
- Star Preferred Contacts: Find the contacts you wish to prioritize during silent mode, then navigate to their information page and tap on the star icon to mark them as starred.
- Test the Setting: Make sure to test the setting by putting your device in silent mode and having someone from your starred contacts call you to verify that their calls ring aloud.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I ring specific contacts when my Android phone is silent?
You can utilize the starred contacts feature and Do Not Disturb settings on your Android phone to ensure that specific contacts ring aloud during silent mode.
What is the starred contacts feature on Android?
The starred contacts feature allows you to mark specific contacts as necessary or favorites. Calls from starred contacts can be set to ring even when your phone is in silent mode.
How do I access the starred contacts feature on my Android device?
You can access the starred contacts feature through your phone’s Contacts app. Find the contact you want to prioritize, then tap on the star icon to mark it as starred.
Where can I find the Do Not Disturb settings on my Android phone?
The Do Not Disturb settings are typically in the Sound or Sound & Vibration section of your phone’s Settings app.
What does the Do Not Disturb feature do on Android?
Do Not Disturb mode silences notifications and calls to minimize interruptions. However, you can customize it to allow exceptions, such as calls from specific contacts.
How do I enable exceptions in Do Not Disturb mode?
Within the Do Not Disturb settings, you can enable exceptions to allow specific contacts to bypass silent mode and ring aloud.
Can I set Do Not Disturb to allow calls from starred contacts only?
You can set Do Not Disturb to allow calls from starred contacts only. This ensures that only contacts marked as starred will ring aloud during the silent mode.
How do I test if my settings are working correctly?
After configuring the settings to allow calls from starred contacts during silent mode, you can test it by putting your phone in silent mode and having someone from your starred contacts call you to see if it rings aloud.
Can I customize notification settings for starred contacts during silent mode?
You can customize notification settings for starred contacts, including whether their calls will ring aloud or be silenced during silent mode.
Can I add or remove contacts from the starred contacts list at a time?
Absolutely! You can add or remove contacts from the starred contacts list whenever you like, allowing you to adjust your preferences as needed.
Conclusion
Setting specific contacts to ring in silent mode on Android can be efficiently achieved through the starred contacts feature and Do Not Disturb settings. By marking important contacts as starred and configuring Do Not Disturb to allow calls from starred contacts only, you ensure that crucial calls are not missed even when your phone is silenced. This customization balances minimizing distractions and staying accessible to priority contacts.
