Muting a chat or group

1. Long-press the chat on your chat list.
2. Tap Mute.
3. Pick 8 hours, 1 week, or Always.

Muted chats still receive messages and still show unread counts — they just do not make a sound, and show a crossed-out bell in the chat list. Nobody is told you muted them.

In a group, muting does not silence a message that mentions you directly.