Your Mac can be polite. Or it can shout hello the second it wakes up. That famous startup sound is called the boot chime. Some people love it. Some people want it gone forever. Good news. You can usually turn it on or off in a few clicks.

TLDR: The Mac startup sound is the little chime you hear when your Mac turns on. On many modern Macs, you can control it in System Settings > Sound. Look for Play sound on startup and switch it on or off. If your Mac is older, you may need to use Terminal or adjust the volume before shutting down.

What Is the Mac Startup Sound?

The Mac startup sound is a short tone that plays when your Mac starts up.

It is also called the boot chime. It has been part of Mac life for many years. For some users, it feels friendly. Like your Mac is saying, “I am awake. Let’s do things.”

For others, it is not so friendly.

Maybe you are in a quiet office. Maybe your baby is sleeping. Maybe you opened your Mac in a library and suddenly became the main event. The chime can be charming. It can also be loud.

The sound usually means your Mac has passed a basic startup check. In plain words, it is a tiny “all good” beep. But today, most people think of it as a personal preference.

Why Would You Turn the Boot Chime On?

Some people like the sound. And that is fair. The chime has personality.

You may want it on because:

  • It confirms your Mac is starting. You hear it right away.
  • It feels classic. Long-time Mac users know the sound well.
  • It helps with troubleshooting. If you hear the chime, startup has begun.
  • It is fun. Yes, a computer noise can be fun.

If your Mac screen takes a moment to light up, the sound can be useful. It tells you the Mac is not ignoring you. It is just taking a deep digital breath.

Why Would You Turn the Boot Chime Off?

There are also many good reasons to turn it off.

You may want it off because:

  • You work in quiet places. Libraries do not love surprise chimes.
  • You restart often. The sound can get old fast.
  • You share a room. Not everyone wants to hear your Mac wake up.
  • You record audio. Random chimes are not invited.
  • You just prefer silence. Silence is golden. And less awkward.

There is no “best” choice. There is only what works for you. Your Mac. Your rules.

How to Turn the Startup Sound On or Off on Modern Macs

This is the easiest method. It works on many newer Macs running recent versions of macOS.

Follow these steps:

  1. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner.
  2. Choose System Settings.
  3. Click Sound in the sidebar.
  4. Find Play sound on startup.
  5. Turn the switch on or off.

That is it. No magic spell. No secret handshake. Just one switch.

If the switch is on, your Mac should chime when it starts. If the switch is off, your Mac should start quietly.

Where Is the Setting in macOS Ventura, Sonoma, and Newer?

In newer versions of macOS, Apple moved many options into System Settings. It looks a bit like the Settings app on an iPhone.

To find the startup sound option:

  1. Open System Settings.
  2. Select Sound.
  3. Look under the sound options.
  4. Use Play sound on startup.

If you do not see it, do not panic. Take a slow sip of coffee. Some Macs and some macOS versions do not show this option.

In that case, try updating macOS. Go to System Settings > General > Software Update. If an update is available, install it when you are ready.

What About Older Macs?

Older Macs can be a little more dramatic. Some have a simple setting. Some do not. Some follow the system volume. Some need Terminal.

On many old Macs, the startup chime volume is linked to the volume level before shutdown. This means a simple trick may help.

Try this:

  1. Turn your Mac volume all the way down.
  2. Shut down the Mac.
  3. Start it again.

If your Mac is older, this may reduce or silence the chime. It is not perfect. But it is easy. And easy is always a good first step.

If that does not work, Terminal may help. More on that soon.

Using Terminal to Turn the Boot Chime On or Off

Terminal is a tool that lets you type commands into your Mac. It looks serious. It feels like hacker movie stuff. But do not worry. We will keep it simple.

Use Terminal only if you are comfortable. Also, type carefully. Computers are very literal. They do not understand “close enough.”

To open Terminal:

  1. Open Finder.
  2. Go to Applications.
  3. Open Utilities.
  4. Open Terminal.

To turn the startup sound off, try this command:

sudo nvram StartupMute=%01

Press Return. Enter your Mac password if asked. You may not see the password appear while typing. That is normal.

To turn the startup sound on, try this command:

sudo nvram StartupMute=%00

Then restart your Mac and test it.

This command works on many Intel Macs and some supported setups. It may not work on every Mac. Apple silicon Macs handle some startup behavior differently. So if nothing changes, your Mac may prefer the normal System Settings method.

What Is NVRAM, and Why Does It Matter?

NVRAM sounds like a robot villain. It is not. It stands for non-volatile random-access memory.

That is a big phrase. Here is the simple version.

NVRAM stores small settings your Mac may need before macOS fully loads. These can include volume, display info, startup disk choice, and other tiny details.

The startup chime setting can sometimes live there. That is why the Terminal command uses nvram.

If your Mac forgets the chime setting, NVRAM may be involved. On Intel Macs, resetting NVRAM can sometimes restore odd settings. But it may also reset your startup sound behavior.

How to Reset NVRAM on an Intel Mac

Only Intel Macs use the classic NVRAM reset key combo. Apple silicon Macs do not use it the same way.

To reset NVRAM on an Intel Mac:

  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. Turn it on.
  3. Immediately hold Option + Command + P + R.
  4. Keep holding for about 20 seconds.
  5. Release the keys.

After this, your Mac may restart. Some settings may return to defaults. You may need to check sound, display, and startup disk settings again.

Do not reset NVRAM just for fun. It is not a party trick. Use it if your Mac is acting odd.

What About Apple Silicon Macs?

Apple silicon Macs use chips like M1, M2, M3, and newer. These Macs do not reset NVRAM with the old keyboard shortcut.

If you have an Apple silicon Mac, use System Settings first.

Go here:

Apple menu > System Settings > Sound > Play sound on startup

If your Mac acts strange, shut it down fully. Wait about 30 seconds. Then turn it on again. This simple restart can fix more than you might expect. Tiny computer nap. Big results.

Does the Chime Volume Follow Your Mac Volume?

Sometimes, yes. Sometimes, no. This depends on your Mac model and macOS version.

On some Macs, the startup sound uses the volume level from before shutdown. So if your Mac was muted, the chime may be quiet or silent.

On other Macs, the startup sound setting has its own switch. That is cleaner. It is also less confusing.

If the chime is too loud, try this:

  • Lower the system volume.
  • Turn off Play sound on startup.
  • Restart and test.

If you use headphones, do not assume the chime will play through them. Startup sound often comes from built-in speakers. Your Mac is awake before all accessories are ready.

Why Did My Mac Startup Sound Come Back?

Surprise chime? Rude.

There are a few reasons this can happen:

  • macOS was updated. Updates can change settings.
  • NVRAM was reset. Some preferences may return to default.
  • You changed sound settings. It happens. Buttons are tempting.
  • Your Mac model handles chimes differently. Not all Macs behave the same.

If the chime returns, check System Settings > Sound again. If needed, use the Terminal command on compatible Macs.

Why Is the Startup Sound Missing?

Maybe you want the chime, but your Mac is giving you the silent treatment.

Check these things:

  • Make sure Play sound on startup is turned on.
  • Raise the system volume before shutting down.
  • Restart the Mac, not just wake it from sleep.
  • Update macOS if the option is missing.
  • Check if your speakers work after startup.

Also, remember this. The startup sound plays when your Mac starts from being shut down. It usually does not play when waking from sleep. Sleep is not a full startup. It is more like your Mac opening one eye and asking for snacks.

Startup Sound vs Alert Sounds

The startup sound is not the same as normal alert sounds.

Alert sounds happen inside macOS. They play when you get a warning, an error, a message, or a notification.

The startup sound happens before macOS is fully ready. It is part of the boot process.

So if you turn off alert sounds, the boot chime may still play. And if you turn off the boot chime, your alerts may still make noise. They are different sound worlds.

Quick Troubleshooting Checklist

If things are not working, use this simple checklist.

  • Check the setting: Go to System Settings > Sound.
  • Look for the switch: Find Play sound on startup.
  • Test with shutdown: Shut down fully, then power on.
  • Try volume changes: Lower or raise volume before shutdown.
  • Update macOS: Newer systems may show more options.
  • Use Terminal carefully: Only if needed.

Best Setting for Different Situations

Not sure what to choose? Here are some easy picks.

  • At home: Turn it on if you enjoy it.
  • In an office: Turn it off to avoid side-eye.
  • In a classroom: Turn it off. Your teacher will thank you.
  • For troubleshooting: Turn it on for quick startup feedback.
  • For audio work: Turn it off. Clean sound matters.

You can change it anytime. This is not a life contract. It is just a chime.

Final Thoughts

The Mac startup sound is tiny, but it has a big personality. It can feel classic, helpful, and cheerful. It can also be loud, awkward, and badly timed.

For most modern Macs, the answer is simple. Open System Settings. Go to Sound. Use Play sound on startup. Flip the switch and enjoy the peace. Or enjoy the chime.

If you have an older Mac, try lowering the volume before shutdown. If that does not work, Terminal may help. Just type carefully.

In the end, your Mac should match your style. Loud and proud? Great. Silent and sneaky? Also great. The little boot chime is yours to command.