Why didn’t anyone copy the mute button on Apple and OnePlus phones?

Ask iPhone and OnePlus buyers about their favorite design touches and there’s a real chance that they’ll point to the mute button or slider on the side. And for good reason – it’s an easy way to silence your phone in a hurry when you’re at work or don’t want to disturb others with notification pings. You don’t have to scroll through the menus to find a quiet mode while others cast disapproving looks in your direction.

But why was there no substantial effort to copy the mute switch? It is not as simple as it seems, unfortunately, as there are some very practical complications. With that said, we would argue that companies should try, regardless of when the advantages could easily outweigh the disadvantages.

See why other people didn’t copy the mute button …

There is an immediate reason why phone manufacturers can avoid copying the mute button: it requires an effort that companies are not always willing to make. Android does not have a standardized approach to these types of switches, leaving companies to design the switch and the software that makes it work. Even if it is not a Herculean task, it can consume valuable time that a brand would prefer to spend elsewhere during a tight phone development cycle.

That said, brands can face legal obstacles, even if they are passionate about the idea of ​​a mute switch. Apple, OnePlus and other companies often design patents and trade dress claims that they are determined to protect in court. A rival who mimics change too closely may risk prosecution, a ban on trade, or both. It may well be easier to ignore the feature altogether than to design around patents or close licensing agreements.

And yes, there is a possibility that a mute button may not be as high a priority as before. Most people don’t make a lot of calls, according to our research. While you certainly have more reasons to silence the phone than to call, this was one of the main reasons these keys exist. Apple put the feature on the original iPhone in 2007, when applications and the mobile web still held a secondary place in voice chats, and much has changed in the past 14 years.

… but this is where they should do it anyway

For whatever reasons there may be for companies to avoid cheating the mute button, it does not mean that they are right. We would like to see more phone manufacturers implementing this hardware control, even if they need to find alternatives that do not lead to legal battles.

Simply speaking, it is difficult to silence your phone’s alerts through software. Normally, you will have to unlock your phone and open a control panel. This is fine for the occasional change of preference, but it can be a nuisance if you switch frequently. By the way, there’s a good chance you’re in a hurry. You’ve probably already had a moment at work, at school or even in bed when you struggled to silence your phone out of shame – navigating the on-screen interface makes those moments even more awkward. Granted, Android makes this option a little easier, but it’s still a process compared to pressing a simple button.

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A hardware mute switch prevents all of these headaches. If your phone starts to ring or a notification goes off, you can handle it almost instantly. By the way, quick access can lead to a change in habits. You are more likely to turn on the sound (say, to make sure you receive an important text message) if you can easily turn it off later. Why worry about phone noises when you have almost instinctive control over them?

Let’s face it: you probably won’t see the mute switches become ubiquitous anytime soon. You will still have to buy Apple or OnePlus devices for now. There is a definite use case for them, however, and it won’t be surprising if one or more prominent manufacturers find a way to implement the functionality. If they are willing to work, it can give them a way to stand out while courting enthusiasts who want more control.