If you’re tired of hearing annoying app notifications on your Mac, you can easily turn them off. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
First, click on the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen and select “System Preferences.” Then, click on the “Notifications” icon. In the sidebar on the left, you’ll see a list of all the apps that have notifications enabled. To turn off notifications for a specific app, simply click on it and uncheck the box next to “Allow Notifications.” You can also choose to turn off notifications for all apps by clicking on the “None” option at the top of the list.
If you only want to turn off notifications for certain types of events, you can click on the “App Notifications” tab and then deselect the checkboxes next to the types of events you don’t want to receive notifications for. For example, you can choose to turn off notifications for new emails, calendar events, or software updates. You can also choose to turn off notifications for all events except for those that you specifically select.
Disabling Sound for Specific Apps in macOS
macOS provides the flexibility to mute the sound of individual applications, ensuring a distraction-free environment when you want to focus on specific tasks. Follow these steps to disable sound for specific apps:
1. Open System Preferences
Click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen and select “System Preferences” from the drop-down menu. In the System Preferences window, navigate to the “Sound” pane.
2. Configure Output Device
Ensure that the correct output device (e.g., speakers or headphones) is selected under the “Output” tab. This is important to verify that the mute settings are being applied to the desired device.
3. Mute App Sounds
Click on the “Sound Effects” tab within the “Sound” pane. Under the “Mute App Sounds” section, you will find a list of currently running applications. Toggle the switch next to each app you want to mute to disable its sound effects.
4. Mute System Sounds
In addition to app sounds, macOS also allows you to mute system sounds, such as alert tones and menu clicks. Check the “Mute System Effects” checkbox to disable these sounds.
5. Apply Changes
Click on the “Apply” button at the bottom of the window to save your changes. The sound for the selected apps will now be muted.
The following table summarizes the key steps involved in disabling sound for specific apps in macOS:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open System Preferences > Sound |
| 2 | Select the correct output device |
| 3 | Mute app sounds under “Sound Effects” |
| 4 | Mute system sounds (optional) |
| 5 | Click “Apply” to save changes |
Using System Preferences to Mute App Audio
To mute an app’s audio using System Preferences, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open System Preferences
Click on the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen and select “System Preferences.”
Step 2: Select the Sound Preference Pane
In the System Preferences window, click on the “Sound” preference pane.
Step 3: Click the “Output” Tab
In the Sound preference pane, click on the “Output” tab.
Step 4: Select the App You Want to Mute
In the list of output devices, find the app you want to mute.
| Device |
|---|
| Safari |
For example, if you want to mute Safari, click on “Safari” in the list.
Step 5: Adjust the Volume Slider
Drag the volume slider all the way to the left to mute the app. The volume slider will turn red to indicate that the app is muted.
Step 6: Close System Preferences
After you have muted the app, you can close System Preferences.
Employing Terminal Commands to Silence Apps
The Terminal, a powerful command-line interface included with macOS, can be used to control various aspects of your system, including app audio. By leveraging specific commands, you can mute or unmute individual apps with ease.
1. Open the Terminal
To access the Terminal, open the Spotlight search by pressing Command + Space, type “Terminal,” and hit Enter.
2. Identify the App’s Process ID
To silence an app, you need to know its process ID (PID). Run the following command to list all running processes and their PIDs:
ps -A | grep app_name
Replace “app_name” with the actual name of the app you want to mute.
3. Mute or Unmute the App
Once you have the PID, you can use the following commands to mute or unmute the app:
| To Mute | To Unmute |
|---|---|
sudo killall -s SIGSTOP app_name |
sudo killall -s SIGCONT app_name |
Replace “app_name” with the actual name of the app you want to mute or unmute.
How To Turn Off Sound For App Mac
Third-Party Utilities for App Sound Control
If you need more control over app sounds, consider using a third-party utility. These utilities offer a variety of features, such as the ability to mute or adjust the volume of specific apps.
Here are a few popular third-party utilities for Mac
| Name | Features |
|---|---|
| Sound Control | Mute or adjust the volume of individual apps, create profiles for different apps, and schedule sound changes. |
| MuteMe | Mute or unmute all apps with a single click, create exceptions for specific apps, and set up keyboard shortcuts for muting. |
| Quieter | Mutes notifications from specific apps, allows you to create custom rules for sound control, and provides a menu bar icon for easy access. |
macOS Sound Management Tools
Apple computers have a variety of built-in tools to manage sound, allowing you to adjust the volume, mute individual apps, and customize audio playback. Here is an overview of the main sound management tools in macOS.
Adjusting System Volume
To adjust the system volume, you can use the volume buttons on your keyboard or the Volume Control icon in the menu bar. The Volume Control icon displays the current volume level and allows you to adjust it by clicking the slider or pressing the “+” and “-” buttons.
Muting Individual Apps
If you want to mute the sound from a specific app, open the Activity Monitor and select the app from the list. Then, click on the “View” menu and select “Mute.” This will mute the sound from that app until you unmute it.
Customizing Audio Playback
To customize audio playback, open the Sound System Preferences. From here, you can adjust the following settings:
- Output device: Select the device you want to use for audio output, such as built-in speakers or headphones.
- Input device: Select the device you want to use for audio input, such as a microphone.
- Sound effects: Enable or disable sound effects, such as beeps and chimes.
- Audio enhancements: Adjust settings for audio enhancements, such as bass boost and equalizer.
Troubleshooting Sound Issues
If you are experiencing sound issues on your Mac, there are a few things you can check:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| No sound | Check the volume controls and make sure the output device is selected correctly. |
| Sound is distorted | Adjust the audio enhancements settings or try using a different output device. |
| Sound is delayed | Try adjusting the audio buffer size in the Sound System Preferences. |
Restricting App Access to Audio Devices
To further control audio permissions, you can restrict specific apps from accessing audio devices on your Mac. Here’s how:
1. Open System Preferences
Click on the Apple menu and select “System Preferences” from the dropdown.
2. Navigate to Security & Privacy
In the System Preferences window, click on “Security & Privacy” and then select the “Privacy” tab.
3. Select Microphone
Under the “Microphone” section, you’ll see a list of apps that have requested access to your microphone. To restrict an app, uncheck the box next to its name.
4. Select Screen Recording
In the same way, you can restrict apps in the “Screen Recording” section from accessing your camera and microphone.
5. Select Accessibility
Additionally, you can restrict apps in the “Accessibility” section from controlling your audio devices.
6. Grant or Revoke App Exemptions
Once you’ve restricted an app’s access to audio devices, you can grant it an exemption if necessary. To do this:
- Click on the “Privacy” tab.
- Select the app you want to grant an exemption to and click on the “+” button.
- Select the type of exemption you want to grant (Microphone, Screen Recording, or Accessibility Control).
| App | Microphone | Screen Recording | Accessibility Control |
|---|---|---|---|
| App 1 | Granted | Denied | Denied |
| App 2 | Denied | Granted | Granted |
Configuring Accessibility Settings for App Sound
1. Open System Preferences
Navigate to the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
2. Accessibility
Click on the Accessibility icon from the System Preferences window.
3. Hearing
Select Hearing from the sidebar on the left.
4. Audio Output Device
Ensure that the correct Audio Output Device is selected.
5. Balance
Adjust the Balance slider to evenly distribute the audio between the left and right speakers.
6. Reduce Background Noise
Enable the Reduce Background Noise option to enhance speech clarity in noisy environments.
7. Customizing App Sounds
Click on the Accessibility Options button and navigate to the Audio tab.
7.1. Per-App Sound Adjustments
Use the sliders to adjust the Sound Level and Mute individual apps.
7.2. System Sound Effects
Enable or disable system sound effects such as startup chimes and keyboard clicks.
7.3. Background Audio
Adjust the Background Audio level to reduce or mute other sounds while an app is playing audio.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Sound Level | Adjusts the volume of the app’s audio. |
| Mute | Silences the app’s audio. |
| System Sound Effects | Controls whether system sound effects are played. |
| Background Audio | Lowers the volume of other sounds when an app is playing audio. |
App Preferences
Check the app’s own settings. Many apps have built-in audio options that can be adjusted or disabled. Open the app’s preferences or settings and look for any sound-related settings.
System Sound Settings
Verify the system sound settings. Go to System Preferences > Sound and check the settings for “Output,” “Input,” and “Effects.” Make sure the correct output device is selected and that the volume is not muted.
Audio Device Issues
Check the audio device itself. Ensure that the speakers or headphones are properly connected and functioning. Try connecting the device to another computer or using a different set of headphones or speakers.
Application-Specific Issues
Some apps may have specific sound issues that require specific fixes. Here are troubleshooting tips for some common applications:
Safari
Safari does not support autoplay for audio or video content. To enable sound, click the play button on the media player or visit the website’s settings to disable auto-mute.
Google Chrome
Chrome may block audio from certain websites due to privacy settings. Go to Chrome’s settings, find the “Site Settings” section, and check if “Sound” is set to “Allow.”
Spotify
Spotify may encounter sound issues due to outdated software or incorrect audio settings. Update Spotify to the latest version and check the audio settings within the app.
Zoom
Zoom sound issues can be caused by incorrect microphone or speaker settings. Go to Zoom’s settings and check the “Audio” tab, ensuring the correct input and output devices are selected.
Skype
Skype may experience sound problems due to outdated drivers or software. Update Skype, check for driver updates, and restart the application.
Microsoft Teams
Teams sound issues can be caused by insufficient permissions or incorrect audio settings. Check the app’s permissions in System Preferences and configure the audio settings within the Teams app itself.
Optimizing macOS Audio Output for App Use
To ensure optimal audio output for specific apps on your Mac, follow these steps:
1. Identify the App-Specific Audio Device
Check the app’s preferences to determine the default audio output device.
2. Adjust System-Wide Audio Settings
In System Preferences, navigate to “Sound” to manage the overall audio output.
3. Configure App-Specific Audio Output
Go to “Output” under the app’s preferences and select the desired audio device.
4. Enable App-Specific Volume Control
Use the “Volume” slider in the app’s preferences to adjust the volume independently of the system.
5. Disable System-Wide Audio Control for Specific Apps
Uncheck the “Use system audio settings” option in the app’s preferences to override macOS audio controls.
6. Check Input Audio Device Settings
Ensure the correct microphone or input device is selected for apps that require audio input.
7. Restart the App
After making changes to audio settings, restart the app to apply the new configurations.
8. Check App-Specific Audio Features
Some apps may have advanced audio features, such as noise cancellation or equalization. Explore the app’s preferences for these settings.
9. Troubleshooting Audio Issues
If you experience audio problems, try the following:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| No audio output | Check the audio device connections and volume levels, restart the app, or update its software |
| Distorted or muffled audio | Choose a different audio device, adjust the volume levels, or check for any physical damage to the speakers or headphones |
| Audio output not matching the app | Disable system-wide audio control for the specific app or ensure the correct audio device is selected within the app’s preferences |
Mute App Sound
Select the app from the list and adjust the “Sound” slider to the left (mute) or right (full volume).
Mute All App Sound
Click the “Mute” button in the menu bar, which will mute all incoming app sound.
Mute App Sound from Menu Bar
Click the volume icon in the menu bar, select “Open Sound Preferences,” and then switch to the “Sound Effects” tab to disable or adjust app sound volume.
Mute App Sound from Dock
Control-click on the app icon in the Dock, select “Options” > “Mute Sound,” and the app sound will be muted.
Mute App Sound with Automator
Create an Automator workflow to automatically mute the sound of specific apps when they launch. Go to “Automator” > “File” > “New” > “Workflow,” and add the “Set Volume of Applications” action, followed by the “Pause” action with a duration of 0 seconds. Connect the actions and save the workflow. Assign the workflow to a hotkey for quick access.
Mute App Sound with Keyboard Shortcut
Assign a keyboard shortcut to the “Set Volume of Applications” Automator action to mute app sound quickly. Go to “System Preferences” > “Keyboard” > “Shortcuts” and create a new shortcut under “App Shortcuts.”
Mute App Sound with AppleScript
Create an AppleScript to mute app sound with a single command. Open Script Editor and paste the following code: “tell application “System Events” to set volume of application “Finder” to 0.” Replace “Finder” with the name of the app you want to mute and save the script.
Advanced Techniques for App Sound Management
Utilize additional options for managing app sound, such as creating custom sound profiles, using sound-dampening headphones, or experimenting with third-party sound management software.
Create Custom Sound Profiles
Go to “System Preferences” > “Sound” and click on the “+” button to create a new sound profile. Adjust the volume levels for different apps or groups of apps and save the profile.
Use Sound-Dampening Headphones
Wear sound-dampening headphones to reduce the perceived volume of app sound, especially in noisy environments.
Utilize Third-Party Software
Explore third-party software, such as Sound Control or Boom 3D, which offer advanced sound management options, including granular app sound control and customization.
How to Turn Off Sound for an App on Mac
If you’re tired of hearing notifications or sounds from a specific app on your Mac, you can easily turn off the sound for that app. Here’s how to do it:
- Open “System Preferences”
- Click on “Notifications”
- Select the app you want to mute
- Uncheck the “Play sound for notifications” checkbox
Once you’ve unchecked the checkbox, the app will no longer make any sounds. You can repeat these steps to turn off the sound for multiple apps.
People Also Ask
How do I turn on the sound for an app on Mac?
Follow the same steps as above, but check the “Play sound for notifications” checkbox.
Can I turn off the sound for specific notifications from an app?
Yes, you can customize the notification settings for each app. Open “System Preferences” > “Notifications” and select the app. You can then choose which notifications you want to receive and whether or not you want to hear sounds.
How do I fix it if I can’t hear sound from any apps on my Mac?
Check the speaker settings on your Mac. Open “System Preferences” > “Sound” and make sure that the volume is turned up. You may also need to check the audio input/output settings to ensure that your Mac is using the correct audio device.
