Updated November 2026
How to change the volume for each app on a Mac
A Mac has one volume for everything. When a call is too quiet next to your music, or one app keeps pinging, here's what you can do.
What macOS can do on its own
macOS has no volume per app. The volume in Control Center and on your keyboard turns every app up or down at once.
- Many apps have their own volume: Music, Spotify and most video players have a slider, and Zoom and Teams have one in their audio settings. Turning the loud app down inside the app is the quickest fix.
- In System Settings › Sound, alert sounds can play through a different output and at their own volume, under Sound Effects.
- Everything else plays through one output, the one chosen under Output.
Give each app its own volume
- In KeepBuds, open Settings › Sound › App Sound and turn on Change each app's sound.
- The first time, macOS asks for System Audio Recording. KeepBuds needs it to change other apps' sound. It doesn't record or save anything.
- Play something. The app shows up, grouped with calls, music, video, browsers or games. Drag its slider, or click the speaker to mute it.
100% is the app's normal volume, and your Mac's volume still turns everything up or down. To set up an app before it plays, click Add App… and pick it from the apps on your Mac.
Play an app on different speakers or headphones
Next to each app, choose where its sound plays. Keep a meeting on your AirPods while music plays on the Mac's speakers, or keep a noisy app off your AirPods altogether.
If that output isn't connected, the app plays wherever your Mac's sound goes, and moves back as soon as it is.
Your AirPods, on your terms
KeepBuds is a small menu bar app for Mac. Besides App Sound, it stops your Mac from taking your AirPods without asking, shows their battery, and much more.
Questions
Does KeepBuds record my audio?
No. macOS calls the permission System Audio Recording, but KeepBuds only passes each app's sound to the output you chose, at the volume you set. Nothing is recorded, saved or sent anywhere.
Do apps I don't change sound any different?
No. Only the apps you change go through KeepBuds. Everything else plays exactly as before.
What do I need?
macOS 14.2 or later, and KeepBuds from keepbuds.com. It works with any speakers or headphones your Mac can play to, not only AirPods.