Slack has become an indispensable collaboration tool for distributed teams. With its real-time messaging and wide range of integrations, Slack supercharges productivity by keeping everyone aligned. However, the constant pings and notifications can also be distracting if left unchecked.
Knowing how to mute Slack selectively gives you control over this powerful platform. You can mute notifications, channels, direct messages, and sounds based on your needs. The result? The ability to focus deeply on demanding work when required.
As a remote work expert and Slack power user for over 5 years, I will show you how to master Slack muting with visual guides. Follow these best practices, and you’ll never be slave to another notification again!
Why You Sometimes Need A Break From Slack
Don’t get me wrong – Slack is my favorite way to chat with my distributed team. But constant pings have a cost, as numerous studies show.
Being in 10 DMs and 20 channels means having to context switch often. Even worse, Slack notifications don’t stop when you leave work. All this fractured attention drains cognitive resources vital for creative, demanding work.
“Slack is like being in an always-on meeting with everyone you work with.”
Sometimes, you need extended periods of uninterrupted focus to make progress on complex tasks or get into flow states. That’s when muting Slack selectively works wonders.
You don’t have to quit Slack altogether. Just apply smart “Slack-cations” by customizing notifications or muting certain conversations. This guide shows you exactly how.
How Slack Notifications Work
Before learning how to mute Slack, it helps to understand what triggers notifications in the first place.
Slack sends you notifications when:
- Someone messages you directly: This includes 1-on-1 DMs and group DMs with 3+ people.
- You’re mentioned with an @ in any channel or DM
- You’re added to a channel
- Someone replies to a thread you’re following
- You have set up reminders for messages, files, or search results
- You have important keywords saved under notifications settings
By default, Slack desktop and mobile apps notify you from the moment you receive your first message. But you can mute or customize all of the above to eliminate distracting alerts.
How To Mute All Slack Notifications
Muting all Slack notifications instantly stops sound/visual alerts across devices. You can still access Slack anytime – but won’t get distracted by constant pings.
Follow these simple steps to globally mute notifications:
Step 1: Click your profile pic > Preferences
This opens settings to customize Slack, including notifications.
Step 2: Scroll to Notify me about > Select “Nothing”
This switches off all notifications. You can also choose between mentions/DMs or all messages.
Step 3: Toggle off mobile notifications as needed
Repeat Step 2 for mobile if you want to mute Slack on your phone as well.
And that’s it! Slack will no longer trigger any bothersome notifications across your devices.
Customize Slack Notifications
Muting all Slack alerts goes to extremes if you still need to follow certain conversations. Fortunately, you customize notifications to reduce distractions:
Set work hours
You can limit notifications to work hours only on weekdays under “Quiet hours” in Notification settings. Outside the set times, you’ll get total peace from Slack.
Mute channels
Channels with constant activity can hijack your attention. Mute irrelevant channels by right-clicking on them in the left sidebar and selecting "Mute channel".
Adjust keywords
Fine tune mentions by saving keywords under Notification settings. You will only get alerts for selected words instead of all mentions.
Enable Do Not Disturb
This Slack Focus Mode hides all notifications if you need extended periods of uninterrupted work. Scheduling it ensures colleagues know not to expect urgent replies too.
Disable message preview
Remove visual triggers by preventing message previews in Notification settings. Out of sight, out of mind!
Use a calendar integration like SavvyCal to put your Slack on auto-pilot. Set regular daily or weekly slots to automatically mute all notifications so you can focus.
Mute Slack Channels
Channels organize Slack conversations into topics but can get chaotic. Mute irrelevant channels instead of leaving them:
Step 1: Click channel name in the left sidebar
Step 2: Right-click channel name > Select “Mute channel”
This stops all notifications from the channel. To unmute, just right-click and select Unmute channel.
Mute Slack Direct Messages
You may love your co-workers but need a break from constant DMs. Here is how to mute conversations:
Step 1: Open the direct message chat
Step 2: Right click the person’s name in the left sidebar
Step 3: Select “Mute conversation”
This stops notifications from the DM until you unmute. You’ll stay part of the conversation for future catchups.
Silence Slack Notification Sounds
The barrage of dings, beeps and pops from Slack can grate after a while. Unable to mute Slack totally? At least silence the sound effects:
Step 1: Click profile > Preferences > Sound & Appearance
Step 2: Toggle on “Mute all sounds from Slack”
Your Slack instance is now in silent mode. No more audio clutter, but you can still access important conversations.
Regain Focus By Muting Slack Selectively
While Slack improves collaboration, constant pings are counterproductive. Use these expert tips to mute notifications, channels, messages or sounds based on your needs.
Stay on top of priority conversations without getting overwhelmed. A more distraction-free Slack means better focus and progress on meaningful work.
The choice is yours – will you continue to be slave to notifications? Or use Slack’s mute features to work the way that suits you best?
