Disable Clicking Sounds on Google Pixel & Pixel XL

This guide shows you how to turn off the clicking and ticking sounds your Google Pixel or Pixel XL makes during everyday use. You’ll learn where to find the settings for touch sounds, screen lock sounds, and keyboard clicks, and how to disable each one.

What You’ll Need

• A Google Pixel or Pixel XL phone
• Access to the Settings app (it’s preinstalled)
• Your phone’s unlock PIN, pattern, or password (to change some settings)

Step-by-Step

1. Open the Settings app. Find the gear icon in your app drawer or notification shade and tap it.
2. Scroll down and tap “Sound & vibration.” This is usually near the top of the Settings menu, but on some versions it might be under “Sound.”
3. Look for the “Other sounds and vibrations” section. Scroll down past the volume sliders and ringtone options. Tap on “Other sounds and vibrations” to expand it.
4. Turn off “Screen lock sound.” You’ll see a toggle switch next to this option. Tap it to turn it off (the switch will turn gray). This stops the click you hear when you lock or unlock your screen.
5. Turn off “Touch sounds.” Right below the screen lock option, you’ll find “Touch sounds.” Tap its toggle to turn it off. This disables the click you hear when you tap on the screen, buttons, or other UI elements.
6. Turn off “Vibrate on tap” (optional). If you also want to disable the vibration feedback when you tap, you can turn this off here as well. It’s not a sound, but it’s often confused with the clicking sounds.
7. Exit Settings. Your changes are saved automatically. You can now test by tapping the screen and locking your phone.
8. Disable keyboard clicks (if you still hear them). The above steps handle most system clicks, but the keyboard has its own sound setting. Open any app that uses the keyboard, like Messages or Chrome.
9. Tap the gear icon on the keyboard. When the keyboard appears, tap the gear icon (or the three-dot menu) at the top of the keyboard. This opens keyboard settings.
10. Find “Sound on keypress” or “Key press sound.” The exact name may vary depending on the keyboard you’re using (Gboard is the default).
11. Turn off the toggle. Tap the switch to disable keyboard click sounds. If you’re using a third-party keyboard, look for a similar sound setting in that app’s preferences.

Common Mistakes

• Turning off the wrong toggle: Some users mistakenly turn off “Touch sounds” but leave “Screen lock sound” on, or vice versa. Make sure you turn off both if you want to eliminate all clicking sounds.
• Only disabling system sounds: If you only follow the first set of steps and still hear clicks when typing, you forgot to disable the keyboard sound. The keyboard has its own separate setting.
• Muting the phone instead: Setting your phone to silent or vibrate mode does not disable touch sounds. They are controlled by the specific toggles in the Sound settings.
• Not checking the “Other sounds” section: On some Android versions, the touch and lock sounds are hidden under “Other sounds and vibrations.” If you don’t expand that section, you won’t see them.

Tips

• Test immediately: After making changes, tap the screen a few times and lock/unlock your phone to confirm the sounds are gone. This helps you avoid confusion later.
• Use the search bar in Settings: If you can’t find the sound settings, use the search bar at the top of the Settings app and type “touch sounds” or “screen lock sound” to jump directly to the correct menu.
• Consider “Vibrate on tap” too: If you want a completely silent experience, turn off “Vibrate on tap” in the same “Other sounds” menu. Some people find the vibration as annoying as the click.
• Check per-app sound settings: Some apps (like games) have their own sound effects that are not controlled by the system settings. You may need to mute those within the app itself.

Troubleshooting

I turned everything off, but I still hear clicking sounds.

• First, check if the sounds are coming from a specific app. For example, a game or a camera app might have its own sound effects. Open the app’s settings and look for sound or effects options.
• Second, check if you’re using a third-party keyboard. If so, open that keyboard’s settings (usually via a gear icon on the keyboard bar) and look for a sound or keypress option.
• Third, restart your phone. A simple reboot can sometimes clear glitches that cause settings to not apply correctly.

The toggles are grayed out and I can’t tap them.

• This can happen if you have a work or school profile set up on your phone. Your organization’s policy may lock certain sound settings. Check with your IT administrator.
• It can also happen if you’re in “Power Saving” mode on some older Android versions. Try turning off power saving and then changing the settings.

I turned off touch sounds, but they came back after a system update.

• Occasionally, a system update can reset some settings to their defaults. Simply go back into the Sound settings and turn them off again. This is a known quirk with some Android updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will this also disable the camera shutter sound?
A: No. The camera shutter sound is controlled separately by the camera app. You can usually turn it off in the camera app’s settings, but on some phones it’s tied to the system volume.

Q: I only want to disable the lock screen sound, not the touch sounds. Is that possible?
A: Yes, absolutely. The toggles for “Screen lock sound” and “Touch sounds” are independent. You can turn off one and leave the other on.

Q: Why do I still hear a click when I press the navigation buttons (back, home, recents)?
A: That click is part of “Touch sounds.” If you’ve turned that off, the navigation buttons should be silent. If they aren’t, try restarting your phone.

Q: Is there a way to make the keyboard clicks quieter instead of turning them off completely?
A: The system keyboard (Gboard) does not offer a volume adjustment for keypress sounds, only an on/off toggle. You can, however, lower the overall media volume, but that will also lower other sounds. Some third-party keyboards offer volume control for their sounds.

Q: Will these settings carry over to other Android devices?
A: The general steps are similar on most Android phones, but the exact menu names and locations can vary between manufacturers (Samsung, LG, etc.). This guide is specific to Google Pixel and Pixel XL running stock Android.

Q: I have a Pixel 2 or newer. Will this work for me?
A: Yes, the steps are essentially the same on all Pixel phones running Android 9 or later. The menu structure has remained consistent.

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