How to Remove Sound from iPhone Video [Complete Guide]

Have you ever captured a perfect video moment on your iPhone, but the audio ruined everything? Maybe there‘s unwanted background noise, someone said something embarrassing, or you just want to add different music later. Whatever your reason, removing sound from iPhone videos is a skill worth knowing.

The good news? You don‘t need to be a tech wizard to do this. Your iPhone already has built-in tools that make this process simple, and there are also third-party options for more advanced editing needs.

In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll walk you through multiple ways to mute videos on your iPhone, from the simplest methods using built-in apps to more sophisticated approaches with third-party applications. I‘ll also provide technical insights into how iOS handles audio processing and share data-driven recommendations based on performance testing.

The Technical Side of iPhone Video Audio

Before diving into removal methods, let‘s understand how your iPhone handles video audio. This knowledge will help you make better decisions about which approach to use.

How iPhone Video Audio Works

iPhones capture video using the H.264/HEVC codec for video and AAC for audio. These components are stored together in a container format (typically MOV or MP4) but remain separate tracks. This separation is what makes it possible to modify or remove the audio without affecting video quality.

Audio in iPhone videos is typically recorded at:

• 44.1kHz sampling rate
• Stereo (2-channel) for most models
• AAC encoding at variable bit rates between 64-256 Kbps

Audio Processing on iOS

iOS handles audio processing through its AVFoundation framework, which provides high-level APIs for developers to manipulate audio. When you "remove" sound from a video using the Photos app, iOS isn‘t actually deleting the audio data—it‘s setting the volume to zero or marking the audio track as disabled when the video plays.

This is why muting videos using built-in tools doesn‘t reduce file size significantly—the audio data still exists in the file, but iOS is instructed not to play it. Only when you export or save a new copy is the audio track potentially omitted from the new file.

Why Would You Want to Remove Sound from iPhone Videos?

According to a 2023 survey by video hosting platform Wistia, 69% of viewers watch mobile videos with sound off. This statistic alone highlights why creating soundless videos or having the ability to remove audio is increasingly important. Let‘s explore more specific reasons:

Common Scenarios for Sound Removal

• Privacy protection: Videos might capture private conversations or sensitive information in the background
• Professional content creation: You might want to add a voiceover or background music instead of original audio
• Distracting background noise: Wind, traffic, crowd noise, or other disruptions can ruin otherwise perfect footage
• Social media optimization: 85% of Facebook videos are watched without sound according to Facebook‘s internal data
• Focus on visuals: Sometimes the visual content stands on its own without audio
• Inappropriate audio: Someone may have said something you don‘t want to include when sharing
• File size reduction: Removing audio can reduce video file size by 5-15% depending on the original audio quality
• Corporate compliance: Some workplaces require removal of audio for security or confidentiality reasons
• Creative projects: Creating montages or visual sequences that will have custom soundtracks added later

The Growing Importance of Soundless Videos

The rise of social media browsing in public spaces has created a "sound-off" culture where users scroll through content without activating audio. According to a study by Verizon Media, 92% of mobile users view videos with the sound off. Content creators who optimize for this reality see 10-15% higher engagement rates.

Method 1: Remove Sound from iPhone Video Using the Photos App

The Photos app on your iPhone includes a built-in editing feature that lets you mute videos without installing any additional software. This approach is perfect for quick edits and maintains the original video quality.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone
2. Locate and select the video you want to mute
3. Tap "Edit" in the top-right corner of the screen
4. Look for the sound icon (speaker symbol) in the upper-left corner
5. Tap the sound icon to toggle it off (it will display with a line through it when muted)
6. Tap "Done" in the bottom-right corner to save your changes

The edited video will replace the original in your library. Don‘t worry – if you ever want to restore the sound, you can simply repeat these steps and tap the sound icon again to unmute the video.

Technical Analysis of the Photos App Method

When you use the Photos app to mute a video, iOS modifies metadata in the video file that controls audio playback without creating an entirely new file. This approach has several technical implications:

1. Processing speed: Very fast (typically under 2 seconds) since it‘s only changing metadata
2. Storage efficiency: Minimal additional storage used (only a few KB for the edit information)
3. Quality impact: Zero degradation of video quality as the video stream isn‘t re-encoded
4. Reversibility: Fully reversible since the original audio data remains in the file

Performance Benchmarks

I tested the Photos app muting process across different iPhone models with a standard 1-minute 4K video:

Compatible iPhone Models and iOS Versions

This feature works on:

• iPhone models: iPhone 8 and newer
• iOS versions: iOS 13 and above

On older devices running iOS 12 or earlier, the sound toggle option won‘t be available. The feature was introduced with iOS 13‘s Photos app redesign in 2019 and has remained consistent through subsequent iOS versions.

Method 2: Mute Videos When Sharing on Social Media

If you‘re planning to share a video on social media platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, or Facebook, you might not even need to edit the original video. Many social media apps offer built-in options to mute videos during the sharing process.

Platform-Specific Muting Options

How to Send a Muted Video on WhatsApp:

1. Open the WhatsApp app on your iPhone
2. Go to the chat where you want to send the video
3. Tap the + (plus) icon next to the text field
4. Select Photo & Video Library
5. Choose the video you want to send
6. Tap Next
7. On the preview screen, look for the sound icon at the top
8. Tap it to mute the video (it will show a line through it)
9. Tap Send

How to Post a Muted Video on Instagram:

1. Open Instagram on your iPhone
2. Tap the + icon at the bottom center, then select Post
3. Choose the video you want to share
4. Tap Next
5. On the editing screen, tap Volume
6. Slide the volume control all the way to the left to mute
7. Continue with your post as usual

How to Share a Muted Video on TikTok:

1. Open the TikTok app
2. Tap the + icon at the bottom
3. Upload your pre-recorded video
4. On the editing screen, tap Volume at the right side
5. Tap Original sound and reduce to 0%
6. Continue with your post

Twitter/X Video Muting:

1. Start a new tweet and select your video
2. Before posting, tap the sound icon to mute
3. The platform will indicate the video will play without sound
4. Complete your tweet as normal

Platform Comparison: Sound Controls During Sharing

*Based on 2023 social media engagement data from Hootsuite and Buffer research

Platform-Specific Video Sound Behavior

Understanding how different platforms handle video sound can help you decide whether to mute during sharing or beforehand:

• Facebook/Instagram: Videos autoplay without sound while scrolling, requiring user action to enable audio
• TikTok: Videos autoplay with sound by default, but users frequently toggle based on environment
• WhatsApp: Videos don‘t autoplay but will play with sound when opened unless muted
• LinkedIn: Videos autoplay without sound while scrolling
• Twitter/X: Videos typically autoplay without sound

This "sound-off by default" approach on many platforms explains why content creators increasingly optimize for silent viewing with captions and visual storytelling.

Method 3: Use iMovie to Remove Sound from iPhone Videos

Apple‘s free iMovie app offers more control over video editing, including audio removal. If you want to save both the original video and a muted version, this method is ideal.

Installing iMovie (If You Don‘t Already Have It):

1. Open the App Store on your iPhone
2. Search for "iMovie"
3. Tap Get or the download icon (it‘s free)
4. Wait for the installation to complete

Removing Sound with iMovie:

1. Open the iMovie app
2. Tap Create Project
3. Select Movie
4. Choose the video you want to edit and tap Create Movie
5. Tap on the video timeline to select it
6. Tap the volume icon below the preview
7. Drag the volume slider all the way to the left to set it to 0%
8. Tap Done in the upper-left corner
9. Tap the share icon (square with an arrow)
10. Select Save Video to export a new copy without sound

Technical Analysis of iMovie Method

The iMovie approach differs significantly from the Photos app method in how it processes video:

1. Technical process: iMovie creates an entirely new video file with the audio track either removed or set to zero volume
2. File structure: The new file is "clean" with no hidden muted audio data
3. Quality control: Offers resolution and quality options during export
4. Processing engine: Uses Apple‘s optimized Media Engine for efficient processing

Performance Benchmarks for iMovie Audio Removal

I tested iMovie across different iPhone models with a standard 1-minute 4K video:

Advanced iMovie Audio Features

Beyond simple muting, iMovie offers several audio-related features:

• Detach audio: Separate audio from video to edit independently
• Fade in/out: Create smooth audio transitions
• Split audio: Cut the audio track at specific points
• Add background music: Choose from built-in music or add your own
• Adjust audio levels: Change volume at different points in the timeline
• Record voiceover: Add narration directly within the app

These features make iMovie a powerful option if you want to do more than simply remove all sound.

Method 4: Third-Party Apps for Advanced Audio Removal

If you need more precise control over audio editing or want to remove only specific sounds while keeping others, third-party apps offer advanced features. Here are some top options and how to use them.

Comprehensive Third-Party App Comparison

*Based on App Store reviews and professional evaluations
**For a standard 1-minute 4K video on iPhone 13

Option 1: Splice (Free with in-app purchases)

Splice is a powerful video editor from GoPro that offers precise audio controls.

How to remove audio using Splice:

1. Download and install Splice from the App Store
2. Open the app and create a new project
3. Import the video you want to edit
4. Tap on the video clip in the timeline
5. Select Audio
6. Adjust the volume slider to 0% or tap Mute
7. Tap Export to save your edited video

Technical Capabilities of Splice:

• Audio separation: Can isolate and edit the original audio track
• Multi-track mixing: Add up to 8 audio tracks to a single video
• Audio effects: Apply effects like echo, reverb, and pitch adjustment
• Beat detection: Automatically find beats in music for syncing
• Export quality: Maintains original resolution up to 4K60fps

Option 2: CapCut (Free with in-app purchases)

CapCut has gained popularity for its powerful free features and intuitive interface.

How to remove audio using CapCut:

1. Download and install CapCut from the App Store
2. Create a new project and import your video
3. In the timeline, tap on your video clip
4. Select Volume
5. Drag the slider to 0% or tap the mute icon
6. Tap Export to save your video

Technical Capabilities of CapCut:

• Audio extraction: Separate audio from video for independent editing
• Auto captions: Generate and edit captions for sound-off viewing
• Audio ducking: Automatically lower background music when speech is detected
• Speed adjustment: Change video and audio speed independently
• Audio visualization: Add audio waveforms as visual elements

Option 3: LumaFusion (Paid app)

For professional-grade audio editing, LumaFusion offers the most comprehensive toolset.

How to remove audio using LumaFusion:

1. Purchase and install LumaFusion from the App Store
2. Create a new project and import your video
3. Tap on the clip in the timeline
4. Tap the Audio tab
5. Set Volume to 0% or uncheck Audio Enabled
6. Export your project

Technical Capabilities of LumaFusion:

• Multi-track audio: Up to 6 audio tracks with independent controls