iPhone 13 notification sound too low

NeurologicalFunk wrote: "...running Catalina. Now when I follow your instructions, I'm not getting very far..."

See if this article helps:

How to transfer Custom RingTones from macOS Catalina to iPhone

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It’s a software problem and replacing the old iPhone for a new one, will not fix the issue. Some people already got a replacement thinking it was a faulty device.

You don’t have to cross your fingers, you have to read the messages in this thread.

I have checked all new iPhones 12 and 13 models (mini, regular, pro and pro max) in the Apple store just doing a simple test and I lost the count of how many times I’ve told it.

Settings, Sound & Haptics, Ringer and alerts volume all the way up.

In Sound and Vibration set the same sound for Ringtone and text tone.

Try with “Sonar” (you can find it in Classics) which is very loud.

Ringtone “Sonar” and Text Tone “Sonar and you will hear the volume difference.

Sonar in ringtone is very loud and Sonar in Text Tone is very low.

Again, it’s a software problem and with this simple test you can verify if the issue is still there or not and unfortunately hasn’t been fixed yet since iOS 14.1 when iPhone 12 came out.

All iPhones have this issue included the new one sent to you by Apple.

I contacted Apple support about this problem a few days ago. They tried to solve my problem on very weak notification tones. The first time, they failed to fix it and called me again the next day to continue. Still they failed to fix my problem so they called the third time the next day but still failed. In the end they told me there is nothing wrong with my iPhone and that the notification tones are weaker than ringtones normally. They requested me to send a feedback to Apple regarding this matter. Now it is clear from your post that this is an Apple software problem. I don't understand why the Apple support team don't know about this and instead waste their time trying to fix the problem.

Hi Manocete

I did find a workaround in one of my earlier messages. Have a look but it's only going to be for email, text, calendar notifications etc. Not Whatsapp or anything, very frustrating but as someone else mentioned, a new phone won't help =(

I hope this helps

Hi Manocete

Yeah, here's the workaround I had to figure out. I've copied and pasted my message here for you. It defintely works but annoying it has to be done this way. If you need any more help, just let me know!

As I mentioned in this thread, I'm having the exact same problem. Unfortunately, it seems I have no way to change the notification volume for apps such as Whatsapp as they have the default notification sounds only within the app itself and I don't think it's possible on iPhone to change it to a custom ringtone (if anyone knows how to do this, I'll pay you with part of my soul for such knowledge! XD) However, I seem to have found a solution for email notifications/texts etc. What I've done is got hold of an mp3 apple notification tone online (or use whatever sound you'd like), imported it to Garageband, maxed the volume and exported it as another audio file (it has to be exported as an audio file, not a Garageband song file). Then, iport it back into Garageband and do the same again. I've done that a couple of times to get to the desired sound level. Then, the last time export it from Garageband, set it as a notification sound when prompted, then select it for your email/text notification sound and, hey, alerts that are audible!

I have been having the same problem with my 13 Pro Max, started as soon as I got the phone in January. Every tip and forum I've been to simply tells me how to turn the notification volume up, which I already know how to do. Long time iPhone user and this isn't user error, bug in iOS. Glad to see others are experiencing as well, maybe Apple will do something? Please FIX!

I am sorry but I find it hard to believe you.

I have tested at least 16 new iPhones (iPhone 12 and iPhone13 models) in Apple store and Malls.

All of them had the same problem.

Then I have tested all my friends and family iPhones (several 8, 10, XR)…same problem.

You are the only one blessed with Loud Alerts Volume iPhone.

Can you swear that you performed my test correctly and confirm that setting the same “Sonar” sound to both Text Tone and Ringtone, they both have equally loud volume?

Please, if you can and if you want, make a video and post it here or YouTube and show us your Alert Volume working iPhone.

If you’re willing to do it, please do not use the iPhone screen recorder because the internal audio compression normalizes all volumes to the same level and it is impossible to tell the difference. Just use another phone brand to make the video.

Anyway, I am not insinuating that you are a liar, I just think that something is wrong and if you felt that way or your iPhone really works properly, I’ll give my apology.

HI NeurologicalFunk!

Thank you so much for sharing. My text tone is very much louder now though it is not as loud as the ringtone.

It took me a while to do this as I am not well versed using GarageBand. Again, thank you very much.

Hi Manocete!

That's great and you're most welcome! =)

You should be able to repeat the process multiple times to make the notification tone even louder. As in, export as audio with the gain maxed and import and change the gain again etc etc.... then repeat, and then finally export when ready and set as a notification tone from Garageband. I've only dont the process twice myself though so not 100% if it will get even louder, although I don't see why it wouldn't be possible.

Yeah, I was new to Garageband when I figured out this workaround. It's not the easiest process but worth the effort when your notification tones for email, text and calendar tones etc actually "notify" you again lol

If you could find my post that helped you on this thread, or my original post on page 16, and mark it as "Helpful", that would be great! Just so others can see the workaround easier too!

Again, glad I could help! =)

Hi NeurologicalFunk!

I am so happy to inform you that my text tone or notification is now even louder than my ringtone! Instead of using Garageband however, I use Audacity to amplify the tone to a volume level that’s way up louder than the iPhone ringtone. Then exported the tone to Garageband and set it as my text notification tone and lo, my text notification tone is much louder than my ringtone!

Thanks for point out how to make the notification tone louder.

Yes, I try to click "Helpful" in your original post on page 16 several times, but it seems not to register.

Hi crosslwired!

I used Audacity in my PC. However, you may also use Audacity for Mac. Both can edit, shorten, or lengthen the audio and adjust the volume to whatever intensity you wish. Then I uploaded the audio to Google Drive (or iDrive if you wish). I then run GarageBand in my iPhone and imported the Audio file from Google Drive and selected it as my text notification tone. The tone is very much loader than the iPhone ringtone as I wanted it to be.

I hope this will help.

I’m very disappointed with the iPhone 13’s sound issues. For what the Pro Max costs it can’t compare to my old 8+ which I wish I had back. This needs to be fixed. I would not recommend this phone to anyone right now. Maybe Apple can’t fix it.

Same here. I spent an inordinate amount of time with Apple support on two separate days to no avail. Neither specialist was aware of any software issues but there is definitely a software issue and I've tried everything.and nothing helps.

The IPhone people (sales and tech) all claim there is not an issue with the sound. I believe the problem is they built it with sound as described and to them, there is no problem. I works the way they built it which is just plain dumb.

Well that’s infuriating. I tried again with support this more - over an hour and zip, zilch. I had a 12 for more than two years and never had an issue until I switched to a 13. I love their products but sometimes I just hate Apple