How to Turn Off the Startup Sound on a Mac

Are you tired of the loud startup sound every time you turn on your Mac and wake up everyone around you? Muting the volume before shutting down your Mac is a quick fix, but there’s a permanent solution to this problem which is to disable the startup sound completely. Here’s how:

Mute the Startup Sound

• Press the mute button on your Mac’s keyboard before shutting it down. The Mac will remember the last volume setting and stay muted the next time you start it up.

Disable the Startup Sound Permanently

1. Open Terminal window by pressing Command + Space, typing “Terminal,” and selecting the app when it appears.
2. Type the following command: sudo nvram SystemAudioVolume=%80
3. Enter your password at the prompt and press Enter.
4. If your Mac boots up now, it will do so quietly.
5. If you want to enable the startup sound again, type this command in Terminal: sudo nvram -d SystemAudioVolume

Putting your Mac to sleep instead of shutting it down can also avoid the startup chime.

For more useful Mac tips and tricks, check out our other articles on the topic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I turn off the startup sound without using Terminal?

No, you cannot turn off the startup sound permanently without using Terminal. However, you can mute the sound before shutting down your Mac.

Is it safe to use Terminal to disable the startup sound?

Yes, it is safe to use Terminal to disable the startup sound. The command simply changes a setting in the Mac’s NVRAM, which is responsible for storing important system information.