The Mac Volume Control Keyboard Shortcut Problem
Mac's volume control keyboard shortcuts (F10, F11, F12) work great for system-wide audio, but they're frustratingly limited. You can't control individual app volumes with shortcuts — only the master volume that affects everything at once.
This creates the classic scenario where you're listening to music at the perfect volume, but then Discord notifications blast your eardrums, or you want to turn down Chrome tabs without affecting Spotify. Unlike Windows, which has had per-app volume control since Vista, Mac users are stuck with an all-or-nothing approach.
Native Mac Volume Keyboard Shortcuts
First, let's cover what Mac already gives you:
- F10 (or Fn+F10): Mute/unmute all audio
- F11 (or Fn+F11): Volume down
- F12 (or Fn+F12): Volume up
- Option + Shift + Volume keys: Adjust volume in quarter increments
- Option + Volume keys: Open Sound preferences
These shortcuts control your Mac's master volume only. When you press F11, everything gets quieter — your music, Discord, Chrome tabs, system sounds, everything.
Why Per-App Volume Shortcuts Don't Exist
macOS simply doesn't have built-in per-application volume control. Apple's philosophy has been to keep audio simple, unlike Windows which has featured an audio mixer since Vista.
This design choice makes sense for casual users but breaks down when you need granular control. Professional audio work, gaming, video calls, and content creation all benefit from independent app volume control.
Setting Up Per-App Volume Control on Mac
To get true per-app volume control with keyboard shortcuts, you'll need third-party software. Here's how to set it up:
Method 1: Audio Mixer Apps
Apps like Soundish provide the missing volume mixer functionality. Once installed:
- Individual apps appear in the volume mixer with separate controls
- You can set per-app volumes from 0-200% (including volume boost)
- Route different apps to different outputs (Spotify to speakers, Discord to headphones)
- Save audio profiles to quickly switch between configurations
While Soundish doesn't currently include custom keyboard shortcuts for individual apps, it gives you the foundation for proper per-app control that macOS lacks.
Method 2: System Shortcuts + Audio Mixer
Combine macOS keyboard shortcuts with a volume mixer:
- Use F11/F12 for your primary audio (usually music)
- Manually adjust other apps in your volume mixer as needed
- Create audio profiles for different scenarios (work, gaming, content creation)
This hybrid approach works well once you establish a routine.
Method 3: Custom Automation
For advanced users, you can create custom shortcuts using tools like Keyboard Maestro or BetterTouchTool, but this requires significant setup and may not be reliable across all apps.
Workarounds While Using Native Controls
Focus-Based Volume Control
Some apps respond to volume changes differently depending on focus:
- Click on the app you want to control
- Use F11/F12 — some apps will adjust their internal volume while others affect system volume
- This works inconsistently and isn't reliable
App-Specific Volume Settings
Many apps have internal volume controls:
- Spotify: Built-in volume slider
- VLC: Volume can go above 100%
- Chrome: Individual tab volume control (right-click on tabs)
- Discord: Separate input/output volume sliders
However, managing volume across multiple apps this way becomes tedious quickly.
The Real Solution: Audio Mixer Software
The most practical solution is investing in proper audio mixer software. While SoundSource is the premium option at $49, more affordable alternatives like Soundish provide the core functionality most users need:
- Per-app volume control (0-200%)
- Output routing (different apps to different speakers/headphones)
- Audio profiles for quick switching
- Master volume override
This gives you the Windows-style volume mixer experience that Mac users have been requesting for years.
Setting Realistic Expectations
Unlike Windows, you won't get system-level keyboard shortcuts for individual apps without significant workarounds. Apple hasn't prioritized this feature, and third-party solutions focus on GUI-based control rather than hotkeys.
The best approach is combining good audio mixer software with smart audio routing and profiles, rather than trying to recreate Windows-style per-app volume hotkeys.
For most users, having visual per-app volume control readily available in the menu bar is actually more practical than memorizing multiple keyboard shortcuts for different apps.
Originally published at appish.app
