macOS · Display & Sound
Configure the system alert sound and its volume
Sound Effects settings control which alert sound plays for system notifications and errors, its volume relative to media playback, and whether interface actions like Trash emptying play a sound.
How to open Sound Effects & Alert Volume
- Open System Settings → Sound
- Select an alert sound from the list under the Sound Effects section
- Adjust the alert volume slider to taste
- Toggle interface sound effect options as desired
What you should know
- Choose from a list of built-in alert sound options
- Set alert volume independently from overall media output volume
- Toggle sound effects for interface actions like Trash emptying or volume changes
- Play user interface feedback sounds for keyboard volume/brightness key presses
Why it matters
The system alert sound is one of the most frequently heard sounds on a Mac, so picking one that's noticeable without being jarring genuinely affects daily comfort, especially in office or shared environments. Setting alert volume independently from media volume prevents the common annoyance of a loud notification chime interrupting quiet music listening, or an inaudible alert getting missed while media is loud. Turning off minor interface sounds, like the Trash empty sound, is a common preference for users who find them distracting.
Best practices
- Lower the alert volume slider independently if notification sounds feel jarring compared to your media volume.
- Choose a distinct, less common alert sound if you often mistake system notifications for other apps' sounds.
- Turn off interface sound effects on a Mac used in quiet shared spaces like a library or open office.
Common problems and fixes
- Alert sounds are much louder or quieter than expected relative to media.
- Adjust the dedicated alert volume slider, since it's independent from the main output volume.
- No sound plays on notifications at all.
- Check that both the alert sound isn't set to 'None' and that Do Not Disturb / Focus isn't muting alerts.
Tips and tricks
- Preview each alert sound by clicking it in the list before committing to a choice.
Frequently asked questions
Can I add a custom alert sound?
Yes, custom AIFF sound files placed in the correct Library/Sounds folder appear in the alert sound list.
Does this affect app-specific notification sounds?
No, many apps use their own notification sound separate from the system alert sound.
Related settings
- Sound Output & InputSound Output & Input settings let you select which speakers or headphones play audio and which microphone captures it, and adjust device-specific levels like output volume balance and input gain.
- FocusFocus lets you silence notifications and distractions while you concentrate on a specific task, like work, personal time, or sleep. You can allow only certain people and apps through, and each Focus can turn on automatically on a schedule or when you open a certain app.
- Sound & NotificationsSound settings control input/output devices and alert volume, while Notifications & Focus let you decide which apps can interrupt you and when — including scheduled Focus modes like Work or Sleep.
More Display & Sound guides for macOS
- Displays SettingsDisplays settings let you change resolution, brightness, arrangement of multiple monitors, and features like Night Shift and True Tone for more comfortable viewing.
- AppearanceAppearance settings control whether macOS uses a Light or Dark theme, or automatically switches between them based on time of day, along with accent color, highlight color, and sidebar icon size preferences.
- WallpaperWallpaper settings let you choose a still image, Apple's dynamic or live wallpapers that change with time of day, or your own photo collection to display as the Desktop background, with independent options per display.
- Night ShiftNight Shift automatically shifts the colors of your display to the warmer end of the spectrum in the evening, based on a schedule or sunset-to-sunrise timing, to reduce blue light exposure before bed.
- True ToneTrue Tone uses the Mac's ambient light sensors to automatically adjust the display's white balance to match the surrounding lighting conditions, making white appear consistently natural under different light sources.
- Notification Center WidgetsNotification Center's widget gallery lets you add, remove, and resize glanceable widgets for weather, calendar, reminders, and other apps, arranged in a stack you can scroll through.