Mac OS · macOS
Change System Alert Sounds and Volume on Mac
Source-checked About 10 minutes
Answer
Open System Settings > Sound to choose an alert sound, set alert volume, and control whether interface feedback and startup sound play.
Prepare the task and protect the current state
Record the Mac, accessory, application and operating-system versions, connection type, exact symptom, and whether a known-good comparison works. Avoid opening hardware, installing generic drivers, or applying unsupported display or audio overrides. Begin by confirming this task-specific prerequisite: Choose Apple menu > System Settings > Sound.
Open Sound settings
Choose Apple menu > System Settings > Sound.
Choose an alert
Under Sound Effects, select the alert sound and the output device used for alerts.
Set levels and feedback
Adjust Alert volume and the controls for user-interface sound effects and startup sound where available.
Test output separately
If no alert plays, verify the selected output device and main output volume under Output.
Verify the complete result
Repeat the intended action with a harmless test and confirm this final condition: If no alert plays, verify the selected output device and main output volume under Output. Reopen the relevant settings, destination, account, project, device, or output and compare it with the recorded starting state before deleting an original or relying on the change.
Use a reversible recovery path
If the result differs, undo only the latest change when possible, keep the original project, file, account, device configuration, or installer intact, and compare the exact symptom with the linked Apple Support guidance. Record the version, time, error, and completed checks before contacting official support.
Video walkthrough
If it does not work
- If “Change System Alert Sounds and Volume on Mac” remains unresolved, identify the first numbered step that produces a different result and preserve that screen, file, log, or message. Recheck the specific account, permission, storage, connection, source-media, or hardware prerequisite above, then follow only the matching Apple Support recovery path; do not combine unrelated resets, bypasses, unofficial installers, or third-party repair tools.
Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: macOS.
Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform or app update.