How to control simultaneous notifications sounds across your Apple devices

The joy of push notifications is that they attract your attention when you need to know something has happened or someone needs to reach you. Apple lets you tune how notifications work so you’re not bothered too much—or too loudly. Some readers have found that, without intending to or without making any change, they receive audible notifications on all their Apple devices. That’s a lot of noise if have a Mac, an iPad, an iPhone, and an Apple Watch.

Here’s how to fix this problem.

Modify each app’s notification settings

First, identify each app pushing notifications for which you want to change behavior. For many of us, this will include Messages and a limited number of other apps.

Now, check your notification settings for each device for each app:

• iPhone/iPad: Go to Settings > Notifications.
• Mac: Go to System Settings > Notifications.
• Apple Watch: Go to the Watch app > Notifications.

For each app you want to check or change the behavior, tap or click the app in the list, and look for how notifications are delivered. For audio alerts, disable “Play sound for notification.” That affects each device individually.

Tweak Apple Watch mirroring of iPhone notifications

The Apple Watch has a unique twist, which is that many apps’ notifications are set to “Mirror my iPhone.” That means that if your iPhone plays a sound, so will your Apple Watch. The operating systems are smart enough, however, that if they know the two devices are in close proximity and in use, you may receive different notifications at that time.

Tap Custom to reveal additional options where applicable. In Messages, for instance, you choose to get audio and haptic alerts.

This Mac 911 article is in response to a question submitted by Macworld reader Bill.

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