Control Individual App Volume on M1 Mac

On an M1 Mac, you can set a different volume for each app that is currently playing audio, so a blaring game or video call no longer drowns out your music. This guide shows you how to adjust per-app volume using the built-in Sound settings, and what to do when an app does not appear in the list.

What You’ll Need

• A Mac with an M1 chip (or any Apple silicon Mac) running macOS Big Sur or later.
• At least one app that is currently playing audio (music, video, game, browser, etc.).

Step-by-Step

1. Open System Settings (or System Preferences). Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings (on macOS Ventura and later) or System Preferences (on macOS Monterey and earlier).
2. Go to the Sound pane. In System Settings, click Sound in the sidebar. In System Preferences, click the Sound icon.
3. Select the Output tab. At the top of the Sound window, you’ll see tabs for Sound Effects, Output, and Input (or just Output and Input in newer versions). Click Output.
4. Look for the app volume list. Scroll down past the output device selection. You should see a section labeled Applications or App Volume that lists every app currently producing sound, each with its own volume slider and mute button.
5. Adjust the slider for the app you want. Drag the slider left to lower the volume, right to raise it. The change takes effect immediately. You can also click the speaker icon next to an app to mute it instantly.
6. Close the window. Your settings are saved automatically. The app will remember its volume level until you change it again or the app quits (in most cases).

If you don’t see the app you want to adjust, make sure the app is actively playing audio. Open the app, start a song or video, and then return to the Sound settings—it should appear within a few seconds.

Common Mistakes

• Looking for the list when no audio is playing. The app volume list only shows apps that are currently outputting sound. If nothing is playing, the list is empty.
• Adjusting the wrong output device. The app volume sliders are tied to the selected output device. If you have multiple output devices (e.g., built-in speakers and Bluetooth headphones), make sure the correct one is selected at the top of the Output tab.
• Confusing app volume with system volume. The volume keys on your keyboard change the master output volume, not individual app volumes. Use the sliders in Sound settings for per-app control.
• Expecting per-app volume to persist after the app quits. Some apps reset their volume to the system default when they relaunch. This is normal behavior and not a bug.

Tips

• Use the mute button for quick silence. Instead of dragging a slider to zero, click the speaker icon next to the app to mute it instantly. Click again to unmute.
• Set a quieter volume for notifications. If an app plays notification sounds (like Mail or Messages), you can lower its volume separately from your music.
• Combine with the master volume. Use the app sliders to balance apps relative to each other, then use the keyboard volume keys to adjust the overall level without losing that balance.
• Check the menu bar for a quick alternative. Some third-party apps (like Background Music) add a menu bar icon that lets you adjust per-app volume without opening System Settings. However, the built-in method is free and always available.
• Remember that the app must be actively playing. If an app is paused or stopped, it won’t appear in the list. Keep it playing while you adjust.

Troubleshooting

The app I want to adjust isn’t in the list. First, make sure the app is actually producing sound. If it is, try quitting and reopening the app. If it still doesn’t appear, restart your Mac. This usually refreshes the audio system. If the app still doesn’t show, it may be a bug in that specific app—try updating the app or macOS.

The slider is grayed out. This can happen if the app is not playing audio at that moment, or if the output device is not active. Check that the app is playing and that the correct output device is selected.

Changes don’t stick after I close System Settings. The volume should stay as long as the app is running. If it resets, it’s likely the app is overriding the setting. Try adjusting the volume while the app is in the foreground, and check if the app has its own volume settings.

I see no “Applications� section at all. This can happen if you’re using an older version of macOS. The per-app volume feature was introduced in macOS Big Sur (11.0) for Apple silicon Macs. Make sure your Mac is updated to at least Big Sur. If it is and you still don’t see it, try restarting your Mac or resetting the Core Audio process (open Terminal and type sudo killall coreaudiod, then enter your password). This restarts the audio system and often fixes glitches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a default volume for an app so it always starts at that level?

No, the built-in per-app volume is not persistent across app launches. Each time an app starts, it uses the system volume. Third-party tools like Background Music can remember per-app volumes, but they require installation.

Does this work on Intel Macs too?

Yes, the per-app volume feature is available on Intel Macs running macOS Big Sur or later, not just M1 Macs. The steps are the same.

Why do some apps appear twice in the list?

An app can appear multiple times if it has multiple audio streams. For example, a browser might have separate entries for different tabs or extensions. You can adjust each stream individually.

Can I adjust the volume of system sounds separately?

Yes, system sounds (like alerts and notifications) have their own volume slider in the Sound Effects tab (or in the Output tab on some versions). This is separate from app volumes.

What if I want to control volume for apps that are not currently playing?

You can’t. The list only shows apps that are actively outputting audio. You must play audio in the app first, then adjust its volume.

Is there a keyboard shortcut to mute a specific app?

No, there is no built-in keyboard shortcut for per-app mute. You can only use the slider in System Settings, or use a third-party tool that adds global shortcuts.

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