Bluesky lets you mute words and tags to clean up your feed and notifications. Many users expect these muted word lists to move automatically between their phone, tablet, and computer. But that is not how the feature works today. Muted words are stored locally on each device, not on Bluesky’s servers. This article explains why the sync gap exists and what you can do to keep your mute lists consistent across all your devices.
Key Takeaways: Bluesky Muted Words Are Device-Specific
- Settings > Moderation > Muted Words & Tags: The mute list is stored in the app’s local cache on each device, not on the server.
- Manual re-entry on each device: You must add the same muted words separately on every Bluesky client you use.
- No cloud sync available: Bluesky currently does not offer a server-side sync feature for muted words or tags.
Why Muted Words Are Not Synced Across Devices
Bluesky’s architecture treats muted words and tags as a client-side preference rather than a server-side account setting. When you add a muted word in the Bluesky app on your phone, that list is saved to the app’s local storage on that phone. The Bluesky server does not receive a copy of your muted words list. This design choice keeps the moderation feature lightweight and fast, but it introduces a sync gap for users who switch between multiple devices.
The reason for this local-only storage is that Bluesky’s moderation system was built with a focus on real-time filtering at the client level. The muted words filter runs directly on the data the app has already loaded. Storing the list server-side would require additional database infrastructure and a sync protocol. Bluesky has not prioritized this feature. As a result, your muted words list on an iPhone will not appear on your Windows PC or Android tablet unless you manually re-enter every entry.
Steps to Manually Sync Muted Words Across Devices
Because there is no automatic sync, you need to manually copy your muted words from one device and add them to each other device. Follow these steps for each Bluesky client you use.
- Open the Muted Words list on your primary device
Launch Bluesky on the device where you already have your muted words configured. Tap your profile picture or the hamburger menu. Go to Settings > Moderation > Muted Words & Tags. You will see a list of muted words and tags. - Write down or copy each muted word and tag
Tap each entry to see the exact word or tag. Write them down in a notes app or take a screenshot. Include any hashtags, usernames, or phrases you have muted. - Switch to the second device and open the same settings page
On your second Bluesky client, navigate to Settings > Moderation > Muted Words & Tags. - Add each muted word one at a time
Tap the plus icon or the Add button. Type the exact word or tag from your list. Confirm the addition. Repeat for every entry. - Repeat for every device you use
Do the same process on your third, fourth, or any additional Bluesky apps. Each device must have its own copy of the muted words list.
Common Mistakes and Limitations When Manually Syncing
Case sensitivity differences
Bluesky muted words are case-insensitive. You do not need to match the case exactly. Writing “SPOILER” and “spoiler” will block the same posts. But be careful with spaces and punctuation. A trailing space can make the word not match.
Maximum number of muted words per device
Bluesky does not publicly document a hard limit for muted words. In practice, very long lists can slow down the app’s feed filtering. If you have more than 100 muted words, consider grouping similar terms. For example, mute “gameofthrones” instead of “Game of Thrones” and “GOT” separately.
Muted words are not backed up
If you uninstall the Bluesky app from a device, the muted words list on that device is deleted. There is no way to recover it from the server. Before uninstalling, write down your list or take a screenshot.
Muted words do not apply to direct messages
Muted words only affect posts in your main feed, custom feeds, and notifications. Direct messages are not filtered by the muted words list. You must manually block or report users who send unwanted content via DMs.
| Item | Local storage only | Server-side sync |
|---|---|---|
| Muted words and tags | Yes | No |
| Blocked users | No | Yes |
| Muted accounts | No | Yes |
| Saved feeds | No | Yes |
| Follows and lists | No | Yes |
The table shows that most account settings sync across devices, but muted words are the exception. Blocked users and muted accounts use the server-side moderation list and sync automatically. Saved feeds also sync because they are tied to your account. Muted words remain a local-only preference.
You can now manually sync your muted words list across all Bluesky devices. Write down your list from one device and add each entry on every other client. Check the Moderation settings on each device after a Bluesky app update to confirm your list is still intact. For a faster workflow, use a notes app to keep a master list of muted words and paste them in one by one.