Audio on the iPhone: Adjust media and sound volume individually

Sometimes it happens that I am listening to an audio book, a podcast or music on the iPhone, but at the same time I am waiting for an important message. So that the notification tone of the incoming message is not lost in the soundscape of music or narration, it should be louder and thus stand out. Android users will now laugh and ask: What, you can't change the volume of different audio signals individually on the iPhone? Well, that's possible on iOS (see below), but not as easy as in some versions of Google's operating system. Let's see when Apple will add the media and sound volumes as separate controls control center packs.

Volume buttons on iPhone: what audio do they control?

By default, the volume buttons on the left side of the iPhone control the audio of music, audiobooks, videos, apps, and the like. So if you're playing media in the Music app, on YouTube, in Safari or elsewhere, you can use the corresponding buttons on the Apple smartphone to turn it up and down. However, this does not necessarily affect the volume of alert tones, call ringtones, message tones, and system-level alerts. This fact is not immediately clear because there is no system-wide volume display for it. You can still turn it up and down; and set them to be controlled with the buttons.

Increase or decrease notification and message tones on iOS

Maybe you've already figured it out: the way leads through the settings again. There, in the “Tones & Haptics” area, there is a section called “Bell and notification tones”. Not only is there a controller for the volume of calls, messenger apps, SMS and Co., but also the option of assigning control of the ringtones and notification tones to the volume buttons on the iPhone. And this is how you do it:

1. Opens the Settings on your Apple iPhone
2. Then tap the menu item tones and haptics an
3. Use the slider or button assignment below ringtones and notification tones

Johannes Domke

After graduating from high school, Johannes completed an apprenticeship as a business assistant specializing in foreign languages. But then he decided to research and write, which resulted in his independence. For several years he has been working for Sir Apfelot, among others. His articles include product introductions, news, manuals, video games, consoles, and more. He follows Apple keynotes live via stream.