Get precise volume percentage using Terminal

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Level 1

6 points

Get precise volume percentage using Terminal

Ok well I've dialed everything in the way I like it where I am maximizing my gain structure. I read that you can type code into Terminal to get the value of the fader in a 0-100 % value. I'm trying to get the value from the fader in the Apple TV app on my M2 Ultra Studio but... every code I've tried does not work... I've tried...

osascript -e 'get volume settings'

osascript -e 'output volume of (get volume settings)'

osascript -e "set volume output volume N"

I keep getting this error....

output volume:missing value, input volume:missing value, alert volume:13, output muted:missing value

I have the Apple TV app open and the slider is set to about 75% of the way up but I'd really love to know the number/percentage volume of where it's at currently. Does anyone know of a terminal line code that will work?

Apple TV 4K

Posted on Mar 27, 2026 3:40 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Camelot

Level 9

61,049 points

Apr 6, 2026 12:25 PM in response to goombot

Short version - you're doing it wrong :)

osascript -e 'get volume settings'

'get volume settings' is the global system volume control. The TV app has its own volume controller, and represents a percentage of the system volume level. You need to ask the TV app itself.

if you're trying to do this via AppleScript:

tell application "TV" to get sound volume

tell application "TV" to set sound volume to 80

If using osascript:

osascript -e 'tell application "TV" to get sound volume'

osascript -e 'tell application "TV" to set sound volume to 80'

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Answer 2

6x6

Level 7

24,915 points

Mar 27, 2026 5:21 PM in response to goombot

You could use the Shortcuts app instead. Here is an example:

This example gets the current volume (using the Get Device Details action; the return value is between 0 and 1), add 1% (using the Calculate action) and sets the volume.

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Answer 3

goombot Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 11, 2026 2:19 PM in response to goombot

Actually never mind. I realized that my system output is being routed via my interface and not the M2 so that is why I'm getting the error. thank you again.

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Answer 4

MrHoffman

Level 10

161,811 points

Mar 27, 2026 5:32 PM in response to goombot

Might this example vol tool help?

https://excessivelyadequate.com/posts/vol.html

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Answer 5

6x6

Level 7

24,915 points

Mar 28, 2026 5:38 AM in response to goombot

I'm not sure what the issue could be. The "Get the Current Volume" action works on my Mac (macOS Sequoia 15.7.5.)

Reboot your Mac. Try also to get another "detail" of your Mac (such as Current Brightness) to see if the issue is with the volume or the Get Device Detail action.

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Answer 6

goombot Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 6, 2026 2:12 PM in response to Camelot

Ok that worked finally!. thank you. I'm using Terminal to do it so the osascript worked. I do have another question, I'd like to do it with Apple Music app as well. I changed "TV" to "Music" and I tried "MUSIC" and neither worked. Any idea why not?

I tried this....

osascript -e 'tell application “Music” to get sound volume'

and this is the error I got...

17:18: syntax error: Expected expression, property or key form, etc. but found unknown token. (-2741)

And finally, how would the code be to check the system volume? thank you.

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Answer 7

Camelot

Level 9

61,049 points

Apr 7, 2026 12:25 PM in response to goombot

> I'd like to do it with Apple Music app as well. I changed "TV" to "Music" and I tried "MUSIC" and neither worked.

Because you copied the script from these forums? :)

If you look closely, "Music" is wrapped in curly quotes, which the Terminal abhors.

“Music”

is not the same as:

"Music"

It's a subtle, but critical difference. Try again with the plain quotes and you should be fine.

> And finally, how would the code be to check the system volume? thank you.

Your original code queried the system volume:

osascript -e 'output volume of (get volume settings)'

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Answer 8

goombot Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 11, 2026 1:31 PM in response to Camelot

That all works great. Thank you very much. The only thing that still doesn't work is getting the System volume.

I tried your's

osascript -e 'output volume of (get volume settings)'

and this..

osascript -e 'get volume settings'

and neither worked. What am I still missing? thank you.

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Answer 9

Apr 11, 2026 2:32 PM in response to goombot

goombot wrote:

That all works great. Thank you very much. The only thing that still doesn't work is getting the System volume.

I tried your's

osascript -e 'output volume of (get volume settings)'

and this..

osascript -e 'get volume settings'

and neither worked. What am I still missing? thank you.

I copied & pasted both from @Camelot's post, and both work as is for me in the Terminal on Ventura.

Are you testing them by themselves in the Terminal, or are they contained within a script which might be influencing the results?

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Answer 10

goombot Author

Level 1

6 points

Mar 27, 2026 7:09 PM in response to 6x6

That looks great but I'm getting an error. Not sure why.

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Answer 11

goombot Author

Level 1

6 points

Mar 27, 2026 7:09 PM in response to MrHoffman

I'll check it out. thank you.

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Answer 12

goombot Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 7, 2026 1:14 PM in response to Camelot

oh wow. Ok. very subtle but I get it. Thank you so much. I'll check back in if I have any more questions. thank you.

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