Discord brings disabling Activity Cards and new Voice Channel perks on mobile

Discord is turning some long-standing user grumbles into actionable updates, proving that even tech giants can lend an ear when the masses get loud enough. Two major updates are now rolling out to the social gaming platform — one to free your app from an annoyingly persistent feature and another to give voice channels a little glow-up (for a price).

It seems Discord finally caved to user demands, rolling out the much-requested ability to disable those infamous Activity Cards. If you’ve ever found yourself cursing at a relentless feed of what your friends have been playing or doing, you’re not alone. For months, Discord’s forums and subreddit were ablaze with feedback from frustrated users. Complaints ranged from “it keeps coming back!” to “why did they even think this was a good idea?”

The latest app update (v256.2 Canary on Android) brings the power back to the users. Now, you can finally toggle off those pesky Activity Cards in a few clicks, giving your app a cleaner, less invasive look. It’s worth noting that this rollout is still experimental, which means Discord may tweak — or even scrap — it depending on how users respond. But for now, it’s a small victory for everyone who just wanted their app to stop acting like a digital nosy neighbor.

If you’ve ever wished your voice channel chats had that crisp, HD sound quality, Discord’s new feature might seem like a blessing. The update now lets you boost your voice channel to HD for just $1 for 12 hours. Sounds great, right? Well, it’s not exactly a budget-friendly move.

For those quick with math, 30 days of this feature would set you back about $30, which is significantly more expensive than Discord Nitro’s $9.99 monthly subscription. Some users are calling it out as a marketing ploy that leans heavily into monetization, especially when the Nitro subscription already offers HD streaming and extra perks. It’s clear that Discord is trying to turn voice channels into a revenue stream.

Still, there’s always the option to stick with the default settings and enjoy your chat in less-than-HD glory — unless, of course, you’re willing to shell out for that extra clarity. If so, just get Nitro.

Another tweak shifts how VC games are launched. Instead of cluttering your voice channel interface, games now pop out into a new window, giving you more space to focus on gameplay and less on who’s got the loudest mic.

Before you rush to test these updates, know that they’re rolling out gradually and only available to about 30% of users at the moment. Discord is clearly testing the waters, so don’t feel bad if your app doesn’t look any different just yet.

Discord is no stranger to rolling out experimental features, including some that may feel intrusive, and these two updates feel like a mix of user-first design and monetization strategy. On one hand, disabling Activity Cards is a long-overdue fix for a headache-inducing feature. On the other, the HD voice channel boosts are clearly a push toward premium services — but hey, at least the price tag is pretty modest.

Whether you’re here to enjoy a cleaner interface or ready to flex your HD-quality karaoke sessions, Discord is keeping things fresh. And who knows? Maybe they’ll roll out these updates fully before you’ve even caught up on all the servers you’ve muted.