Remember app volume on Mac
To remember app volume on Mac, set SoundDial's “When an app opens” to “Remember last”, and each app comes back at its last volume, even after a restart.
You turn Spotify down for the third time today because it opened at full level again. macOS has nowhere to keep a level per app, so every app starts wherever its own settings say.
What macOS remembers
macOS remembers one volume per output device, so your headphones and your speakers each keep their own level. Some apps keep a volume of their own inside the app. Nothing on the system side stores a level for each app.
Remember last, in SoundDial
- Open SoundDial's Settings > General
- Under Volumes, set “When an app opens” to “Remember last”
- Set each app once; SoundDial brings it back the next time it opens
SoundDial remembers volume, mute, balance, EQ, output device and whether the app is kept in the list. The hint in Settings says it plainly: “Remember last” restores each app's volume automatically, even after a restart.
Or start every app at 100%
The other choice, “Always 100%”, opens every app at full level and leaves the rest to you. Use it when you prefer a clean start, and use Reset to 100% in an app's ⋯ menu for a single app.
Memory or profiles?
Remembered settings follow each app on their own. A profile is a named mix you apply on purpose, like Work or Gaming, and it changes every app in it at once.
Read more on this
FAQ
Does it remember the output device too?
Yes. With “Remember last”, an app that plays through another device with Play Through goes back to it.
Is this the same as a default volume for new apps?
No. SoundDial has two choices: “Remember last” or “Always 100%”. There is no separate default level.
Does it work after a restart of the Mac?
Yes. The settings are stored by SoundDial and come back when the app opens again.
SoundDial: a volume slider and mute button for every app.
€14.99 one-time purchase · macOS 14.2+ · no subscription