Mute startup sound temporarily on Mac book pro

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Level 1

111 points

Mute startup sound temporarily on Mac book pro

I have a 2022 MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar. I go to many public destinations with it and when I open the lid, it makes the startup sound which is loud. I really love the startup sound, don’t get me wrong, but I just don’t want it in public places. After some research, I read an article about how to TEMPORARILY mute the startup sound. It stated that I press and hold on the mute key whilst the computer booting. But I don’t have a mute button on the computer. The touchbar is blank whilst in startup. Is there any way I could do mute the startup sound? Thanks

MacBook Pro Apple Silicon

Posted on Jul 28, 2022 10:20 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

steve359

Level 6

17,187 points

Aug 3, 2022 9:45 PM in response to Mrcodex

My startup chime is off. I set the total output volume to "mute" most of the time (I do not need sounds) and since there is no sound when it shuts down that setting is remembered at startup.

I think "mute your computer before shutdown, turn sound back on after startup" is pretty simple and easy..

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Answer 2

HWTech

Level 9

68,534 points

Jul 28, 2022 5:38 PM in response to Mrcodex

Before powering down the laptop try muting the audio or lowering the volume to see if that works. I don't know how these things work with the M1 Macs. I know muted audio on an Intel Mac will mute the startup sound, but the Intel Macs utilize PRAM which will hold & retain these settings. I know it was possible to turn off the startup chime on Intel Macs with an NVRAM setting, but I've seen some reports trying to use those settings on an M1 Mac has led to bad things so I would not recommend it.

If that doesn't work, then how about just putting the laptop to sleep so you only need to wake it up which won't incur the startup chime.

You can provide Apple with product feedback here (Apple won't respond, but maybe they will take your suggestion under advisement):

Product Feedback - Apple

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Answer 3

Mrcodex Author

Level 1

111 points

Jul 31, 2022 7:07 AM in response to HWTech

HWTech wrote:

Before powering down the laptop try muting the audio or lowering the volume to see if that works. I don't know how these things work with the M1 Macs. I know muted audio on an Intel Mac will mute the startup sound, but the Intel Macs utilize PRAM which will hold & retain these settings. I know it was possible to turn off the startup chime on Intel Macs with an NVRAM setting, but I've seen some reports trying to use those settings on an M1 Mac has led to bad things so I would not recommend it.

If that doesn't work, then how about just putting the laptop to sleep so you only need to wake it up which won't incur the startup chime.

You can provide Apple with product feedback here (Apple won't respond, but maybe they will take your suggestion under advisement):

Product Feedback - Apple

I appreciate your answer. There must be a way or something. A MacBook Pro costs more than a MacBook Air. It is obvious to give the pro more features than the air. Not vice versa. I will send feedback and see what they will do. If anyone has more ideas please send them below. Thanks,

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Answer 4

Mrcodex Author

Level 1

111 points

Aug 8, 2022 4:17 PM in response to Mrcodex

Alright guys. I called apple and they gave me a more reasonable answer than chat. They said that it cannot happen currently but they are working on it in something called Ventura. I believe it is an update or something but hopefully it works!

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Answer 5

Aug 2, 2022 11:50 AM in response to Mrcodex

Go to System Preferences select sound then select sound effects switch off play sound on startup.

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Answer 6

Jul 31, 2022 7:18 AM in response to Mrcodex

In the old days, users would use a headphone extension cable (or just the plug with no cable) to mute things. When the plug was in, the Mac sent the sound to the headphone jack, and nothing was heard through the speakers.

No idea if that still works.

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Answer 7

Mrcodex Author

Level 1

111 points

Aug 1, 2022 3:34 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thats an idea. This is actually kind of stupid. They have control over both the hardware and software. I guess I’ll contact apple support to see what they could do. Thanks though.

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Answer 8

Jul 31, 2022 8:16 AM in response to HWTech

In a desktop environment. those little plugs has a tendency to "grow legs and walk away" and you can never seem to find one when needed.

But maybe one or two in a 'special place' inside a laptop bag could survive.

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Answer 9

Mrcodex Author

Level 1

111 points

Aug 2, 2022 8:35 PM in response to law-macbookpro

Thank you, guys! I contacted apple and this is what they said:

This is something very saddening. I will send feedback to Apple. We need to upvote this and make it seen by Apple. Please press the "me too" button and share with everyone you know. If we do this, we will get what we want. Thank you.

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Answer 10

Aug 3, 2022 5:28 PM in response to Mrcodex

I think you're reading their ()responses wrong here man-- neither do I get you, with your ... (we will get want we want) part. Because switching between wanting the startup sound on&off works just fine on my MBP.

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Answer 11

Mrcodex Author

Level 1

111 points

Aug 4, 2022 10:30 AM in response to law-macbookpro

The thing is, on a MacBook Air, I press and hold on the mute key to mute the startup sound. It’s easy. On the MacBook Pro there is no mute button on startup. That is what I’m trying to say. I could link and article for you on this topic. I’m sorry if I wasn’t clear enough.

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Answer 12

HWTech

Level 9

68,534 points

Jul 31, 2022 8:00 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Actually that is a good option and should work @Grant. Just don't leave it connected during transport or the laptop may be damaged. Now why didn't I think of that, LOL.

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